Author Archives: Taylor Armosino

May 25 2012

Reactions From Woodson, Dolan, Grunwald

Woodson: ”I’m very humbled and honored to continue coaching the franchise where I started my NBA career. Our goal is to build off the success we had at the end of last season and to continue our quest of bringing an NBA championship to Madison Square Garden.”

Dolan: ”Mike took over the team under challenging circumstances and made it clear, starting on day one, that he was going to hold every player on our roster accountable. We saw a significant improvement since Mike took over and believe our team will only keep improving under Mike’s direction.”

Grunwald: “Mike has the respect of every person in this organization. He and his staff led the team in an impressive push into the playoffs over the last 24 games and we believe he is the right man to lead the franchise as we move forward.”

Quotes from ESPN New York

May 25 2012

Woodson’s Extension Finalized

The New York Knicks have announced that interm coach Mike Woodson has been given a “multi-year extension”. This shouldn’t come as a surprise to anybody, unless you live under a rock or something, as it has been known for weeks that Woodson will be the head coach moving forward. Of course, in typical Knicks fashion, the terms of the deal were not disclosed.

I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again. This is not the right move for the Knicks. Woodson is a solid coach, but he’s not a championship caliber coach. Woodson’s offense is very isolation oriented, which could be toxic with Carmelo Anthony being the main scorer. I do not believe that Woodson has the ability to adjust on the fly and out-coach his opponents, as we saw in the playoffs this year when Woodson made no adjustments what so ever. The Knicks resurgence after Mike D’Antoni’s departure had more to do with the fact that they were actually trying as opposed to Woodson’s actual coaching ability.

In the end, this move was about power and control for Garden Chairman James Dolan and the CAA talent agency that runs the show. Mike Woodson will gladly serve as the official “MSG Head Coaching Peon”, whereas coaches like Phil Jackson would not. It is vintage Dolan to would pass over an opportunity to grab arguably the greatest coach of all time, on account of power and control. Woodson will be a good soldier and succumb to all of Dolan’s foolishness. Dolan was looking for a solid coach who would act out his every order without complaint and Woodson will do that.

The Knicks will be the Hawks for the next 3 seasons. Woodson is not a championship caliber coach and I don’t believe the Knicks will be a championship caliber team under Woodson. New York will be a 4, 5, or 6 seed every season, but they’re not going to become Chicago or Miami or San Antonio with this coach and this roster. They’ll be a solid defensive team every year and they’ll always have talent, but I don’t see the Knicks taking that next step forward.

It is a sad day for Knick fans that are hungry for championships. They’re not winning one under Woodson, I guarantee that. However, if you’re satisfied with becoming the new-era Atlanta Hawks then you’re probably pretty happy with this move. You guys know how I feel about it.

May 21 2012

Hold Your Horses Folks, Lin Isn’t Going Anywhere

Today, the great Ian Begley of ESPN New York had some news concerning the restricted free agent status of Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin.

Jeremy Lin will be a restricted free agent this summer, and many see it as a foregone conclusion that the point guard will return to the New York Knicks, but not everyone feels so strongly.

“I don’t expect that. We’re not anticipating that’s going to happen. We don’t have assurances of anything,” Lin’s agent, Roger Montgomery, said in an interview with the New York Post. “I know history shows most restricted free agents go back to their team, but I’m not going to assume anything. We’re waiting to see what happens.”

Knicks coach Mike Woodson said earlier this month that Lin will “absolutely” be back with the Knicks next season. But Lin, speaking the day after the Knicks’ season-ending loss to Miami in the playoffs, said “nothing is set in stone” regarding his free agency.

“There’s always going to be uncertainty until the final contract is signed, so definitely nothing is set in stone,” Lin said. “Nothing’s set in stone until it’s really written.”

Not to worry Knicks fans, Lin isn’t going anywhere. Here’s my take on this latest statement by Lin’s agent, Roger Montgomery: Continue reading →

May 14 2012

Knicks 2011-2012 Season Grades

This 2011-2012 Knicks season was very disappointing in my book. This was a team that I expected to contend in the eastern conference. I projected before the season that this team would win 44 games and defeat Miami in a playoff series. Clearly I was very wrong about those predictions. However, the past is the past and the future is now for the New York Knicks. While we continue to debate about acquiring free agents and the Lin v  Nash debate, lets take a second to hand out grades to the Knicks from the 2011-2012 season.

Head of the class

Tyson Chandler: A-

  • Chandler is the only Knick to receive an A from me for their performance this season. The only reason Chandler doesn’t receive an A+ from me is due to the fact that he under-performed in the playoffs. I understand that health had to do with that, but he just flat out played poorly in games 4 and 5. However, that should not overshadow his entire body of work. Make no mistake, Tyson Chandler was everything the Knicks thought he could be. And then some. Defensively, we knew he would make a difference, but nobody thought he would help bring this team from 21st in the NBA in defensive efficiency to 5th this season. Without Chandler in the lineup, the Knicks gave up an average of 116 points per game in 3 games played. Chandler dominated Dwight Howard defensively, holding the best center in the league to 28 points and 23 rebounds in three games. Offensively, the big man led the NBA in shooting percentage with a whooping 67.9% FG%. Chandler was the emotional leader of the team all season and the Knicks most consistent player. He was the Knicks most valuable player this season and he receives an A- from this Knick blogger. Here’s to you, Tyson! Continue reading →
May 9 2012

Knicks-Heat Game 5: What to Watch For

Tonight, the Knicks try to keep their season alive down in South Beach. Headed into this pivotal game 5, the already short-handed Knicks will be even more short-handed. Thanks to an almost comical (yet incredibly depressing) set of events, the Knicks will be down to their 4th and 5th string point guards tonight. Jeremy Lin’s knee is still not ready to play on, Baron Davis shredded his knee in game 4 and Iman Shumpert blew out his knee in game 1. New York will rely on the crypt-keeper, Mike Bibby, to run the point tonight.  Welp… we’ll also see Toney Douglas get some run tonight. Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire led the Knicks to victory in game 4, scoring 61 of New York’s 89 points, and they’ll have to do it again tonight. I think they can do it and I feel surprisingly optimistic about the game tonight.

Here’s what to watch for: Continue reading →

May 8 2012

Isola: Knicks Working on Contract Extension For Mike Woodson

On Sunday, the Knicks won their first playoff game since 2001. Now, it looks like the man who piloted them to that victory is going to stick around for a while. According to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News, the Knicks are now in talks with current interim-head coach Mike Woodson about a contract extension. With Woodson looking like the guy, other rumored candidates Phil Jackson and John Callipari seem to be completely out of the running. Isola’s report did not mention potential terms of the contract, but I would estimate terms close to 3 years and in the ballpark of 10-15 million dollars. Woodson has done a good job since taking over for the much maligned Mike D’Antoni. The Knicks finished out the season 18-6 in Woodson’s 24 games as head coach and have won a playoff game for the first time since the French Revolution, albeit having played poorly the rest of the series versus Miami. Continue reading →

May 6 2012

Knicks Win First Playoff Game Since 2001

It is finally over! The Knicks have finally won a playoff game. It took an NBA record 13 losses before they could get this victory, but that is now irrelevant. Sunday’s thrilling 89-87 Knicks victory over the Miami Heat was just awesome. There’s no other way to describe it. Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire led the way, as the tandem scored 61 points. Did the Knicks play a great game? No way. Sure, Miami didn’t bring their A game, but I could care less. The Knicks won a playoff game for the first time since 2001 and I couldn’t be happier about it.

Here are my notes from the game: Continue reading →