Fog delays have allowed me a second attempt at writing this blog. The first one disappeared in cyberspace thanks to the quirky Logan Airport wireless.
Gotta love this town, by the way. Have a twinge of New York accent in your voice and everyone including the shoe shine guy here in Terminal B want to tell you that the Sawx are gonna steal A-Rawd from the Yankees.
Anyway...more important issues to tackle here. Let's get to it.
I appreciate Quentin Richardson because of the fire he plays with. Dude was fuming from the first quarter on and in just about everyone's ear as the Knicks were blown out by the Celtics in last night's preseason game. At the start it was awful defense -- Q was a culprit a few times, too -- and by the end it was an equally-inept offense that showed very little flow and cohesiveness and, well, ball-movement.
For those who might have missed my late edition story off the game, Isiah Thomas suggested his team was intimidated at the start of the new-look Celtics and the sold-out Gah-den.
“I think we came out a little intimidated," Thomas said. "I think our team played against the press coverage and the press clippings as opposed to the actual team.”
Q wasn't having that.
“I can only speak for myself, I don’t read press clippings or anything like that," he said. "I played against Kevin Garnett for eight years. I played against Ray Allen for eight years. I played against Paul Pierce for eight years. I never cared about them then I don’t care about them now.”
So what happened out there?
“We just didn’t play New York basketball, period," Q said. "Offensively, defensively, period. We didn’t play our type of basketball. I don’t know why, I hope it’s not because of those three guys. Right now, I’m just looking at this as a throw-away game. Throw it away and get it out of our system . . . We’ll see them again.”
After seeing them now, you think you guys will have your hands full with this team this season?
“No," Q then said. "I think they’re going to have their hands full with us.”
It didn't turn out that way in the first meeting. Ray Allen had Jamal Crawford chasing him through screens and Crawford, we know, isn't exactly the type of guy to fight through them. Stephon Marbury looked a step slower than Rajon Rondo and Q also had early troubles with Paul Pierce. Zach Randolph struggled defensively against KG (he lost him in transition once and KG had an easy fast-break dunk), and also was caught stepping in to help out when the guards lost their man (remember what Isiah said about how he didn't want to see that happen this year?).
It was a defensive effort we had seen before, as recent as last season. But let's not overlook the fact that the Knicks only scored 61 points. They shot 25 percent from the floor. The starters were a combined 10 for 43. You can't beat anyone when you can't score.
The trouble was a stagnant offense, which had zero flow or rhythm or visible chemistry. It wasn't Curry and Zach getting in each other's way, it was the guards not moving the ball crisply and making quick interior passes. It was a very methodical offense that did not include good, hard screens. It looked like a team that was still trying to figure each other out. It also looked like a team that looked at this as a preseason game, while the Celtics came out fired up for the sellout crowd and took it to the Knicks right from the get.
"We've got a lot of work to do," Randolph said.
Clearly the Knicks need to get Randolph into more pick-and-pop situations. He looked very lost out there, especially when the offense stalled out on the perimeter. Curry was easily double-teamed as a result. There weren't too many wide-open misses, so credit the Celtics defense. But that is also a result of forced shots, too many breakdowns that turned into one-on-one plays.
Isiah sent David Lee and Fred Jones into the game to get some energy and it worked, somewhat. Lee only played 16 minutes and had both feet in a bucket of ice after the game. He said he was fine, just icing.
There is still four games left in the preseason and Isiah says he is still looking for his 8-to-9 man rotation. Let's be honest, I don't see him making a dramatic change in the starting lineup. But you have to monitor this offense with Marbury and Crawford in the backcourt, only because they are one-on-one offensive players. I am curious to see how they work in this low-post system. Crawford last season showed an ability to feed the post; he and Curry had great chemistry (remember the backdoor oop lobs?) so you have to think he can work in this type of set. Marbury, too, played very well in the middle of the season in this system.
But with Curry and Randolph, there are less looks, less shots, for the guards. The first two options are to the bigs.
Only one preseason game, certainly not time to tear up the roster.
* *
*- Houston did confirm, by the way, that he had two field goal attempts despite being credited for just one in the boxscore. "One less miss," Houston deadpanned.
* - The Knicks had 13 turnovers, which is a good number, but only 10 assists, which shows you just how poorly they shot and how bad the offensive sets were run.
* - Have to check on the broadcast information for tonight's game against the Nets in New Jersey when I get home, unless any of you have it and can post it for the rest of Fixer Nation. I expect the Knicks to come out angry tonight after last night's embarrassment. Could be interesting.
Comments (35)
Wow, those Celtics look pretty good ... "on paper."
Game is on YES Network tonight.
The game will be on YES Network and NBALP at 7:30
Consensus the game is on the YES network. The team better come out fired up and with a spark up its ass. Agree with Alan that the team shouldn't be blown up over one loss but it's telling to me when one team ups the anti in the level of intensity and the other fails to match it. Yes the Knicks shot bricks but damn there needs to be more fire about playing defense fighting through screens hustling when the O isn't going well.
Still would like to see Balkman play the three cause a hustle player is needed in the starting five, Q at the two hoping he mustles through screens and have Crawford off the bench. Lee better get heavy minutes, I don't want him leaving NY b/c were not giving him enough play, he definitely doesn't just stand there when he's on the court.
it's just preseason folks...if the knicks whip boston like this next monday it will still be, JUST PRESEASON.
I have to tell myself that so I can sleep at night..
O & B,
You are 100% on the money in your analysis. As I said last night on KD, Q needs to be the 2 and Balkman at the 3. A 6'8" springboard w/ unlimited energy would be a vast improvement at SF allowing us to move Q at 6'6" to his natural position at 2. Since when did 6'6" become the height for a SF anyway ????
Its amazing that we are stacked at SF but that continues to be our weakest position. Balkman needs to play starting 3 or Artest must be considered.
Crawford needs to start. He's too talented not too. But Isaiah needs to keep a *short* leash on him. Anytime he slacks on D, or doesn't try to be a little creative on offense (like we know he can be after seeing him transform his game anytime the it's close in the fourth quarter), he needs to be benched. They're deep enough to do it.
Crawford sounded pretty convinced that he deserved the starting spot and the bulk of the playing time at the 2 spot. Now he has to prove it on both ends of the floor and in times during the game other than in the fourth quarter.
okay.. so they sucked BIG TIME last nite..
at least, look at the bright side.
in 10 minutes, jared jordan had 4 assists and zero TO's
NICE !
in 15 minutes, wilson chandler had 7 rebounds and 3 blocks
DOUBLE NICE !
did anyone watch the game ?
how did these two guys look out there ?
Sunil -
I love that you're trying to be optimistic, but Jared Jordan is going to get cut and Chandler will not see the light of day this season.
Let's see how they rebound tonight. Hopefully they'll show a little fire after getting embarrassed in Boston. That would be a bright side to the disaster that happened last night.
This is going to be a looooong year!
That certainly was a disgrace last year.
I'm hoping Jared will agree to play in europe for a year, so we can retain his rights.
He seems like the type of no-ego, lucky to be in the nba, kinda guy who would take one for the team.
In an attempt to not harp on the harrowing experience of gamecasting last night's ghastly affair, in which Tommy Heinsohn's 'Tommy Point' count almost certainly eclipsed the Bocker's point total, I thought I'd ask two tangential questions.
First, there was an article in the NY Post this morning titled, perhaps sardonically, 'Fear James May Need Knife'. The article, which I'm sure you've read, indicates that the behemoth disaster may require season-ending surgery to correct the 'hardware' in his knee from a prior surgery. How, if at all, will this affect Isiah's decisions when making cuts for rapidly approaching 15 man roster deadline? More specifically, as it seems almost predetermined that Fred Jones will be on the roster with Jared Jordan and Allan Houston falling to the wayside, will this rumored surgery in anyway impact Nichols' chances of making the team? I've read articles by you and quotes from Curry and Marbury implying that everytime James practices (as seldom as that may be), someone gets hurt. I'm sure Isiah, if pressed, would admit that the James signing was his worst managerial decision during his Knicks tenure (although I would argue, and think that Isiah knows deep down, that it was really trading KVH for Tim Thomas right when KVH was oddly starting to come alive with the Knicks and had found some cohesion with Steph). Could Isiah possibly use this impending surgery as a pretext to finally cut his loses and buy him out?
Secondly, I've seen some mail and comments posted to you (as well as threads on realgm, knicks4life, knick knacks, etc.) about who the Knicks 8-9 person rotation will be. It seems to me having such a rotation is integral to success, but is that even on the radar for the Knicks? You would have to say that after last nights starting 5, the first 3-4 players off the bench would be D-Lee, Nate, Balkman, and then arguably Jared Jefferies. What, then, happens to Mardy, Fred Jones, Jerome James, and Malik Rose? These are all players Isiah has seemed adament about finding minutes for in the past. (this probably should have been an email, but I'm a long time reader, first time contributor and can't find an email address for you. I also saw a 'mailbag closed' headline somewhere, so perhaps I've missed the email window for this entry. my apologies)
Relax people it pre season. We know we are not going to shoot 25 percent during the season, against the Celtcis no less, so whats the big deal?
When you miss shots people will run on you and make easy baskets regardless of how good or bad your D is. This is probably what happened in Boston. The first two games were up and down the floor but in this one with Celtics shooting lights out we were stuck in half court and weren't really ready for it. I don't even have to watch the game, just from Alans comments you can tell. I don't think teams 'game plan' in pre season and with Knicks preseason emphasis on D our half court offense was improvised at best. The D seems to be bad though and this has to change soon.
GET ARTEST NOW!!!!!!!!
Alan,
My compliments. You finally took out the trash.
The absence of those Certain Alleged Supporters of the Knicks (CASKs), some call them Possettes, will only improve your blog and credibility as a journalist.
Better to allow the CASKs to set up their own Adoration of Sexual Harassment, Adultery, and On-Court Failure website. That way, the CASKs can receive their magic decoder rings from the Coney Island Cupcake and maybe even date interns from St. John's.
"'I think Eddy Curry's mind-set right now is that he can do whatever he wants to do out on the floor when he wants to do it,' Thomas said. 'I think he has a dominant mind-set right now.'
"Consider his Shaq-like candor after he returned to full-contact practice Monday. 'I killed Malik, killed Jerome,' Curry said of his practice opponents, Malik Rose and Jerome James. 'Usual suspects. It felt good.'"
Alan,
Are you serious?
Eddy Curry dominated a 6-foot-7 power forward and a fat, lazy, incompetent, 7-foot example of failure and you allow Isiah Thomas, found liable by a jury of his peers of multiple charges of sexual harassment, to claim that Curry has accomplished something?
Stop watching those Home Improvement re-runs, Alan.
With Lazy Eddy, the following will always be true: A man who lacks the fortitude, courage, and heart to defend his family and his home will never defend the Knicks basket. Lazy Eddy is a wimp, now and forever.
Of course everything I say is NOT to be taken seriously. I have as much credibility as Washington politician.
"With Lazy Eddy, the following will always be true: A man who lacks the fortitude, courage, and heart to defend his family and his home will never defend the Knicks basket. Lazy Eddy is a wimp, now and forever."
Mark, you cannot be serious. You make good comments when you stick to basketball, so please take that back. These guys had guns pressed to Eddy's head. Come on! What are you gonna do? Give up some replaceable insured valuables, or risk your family's life?
Don't be an idiot.
HA! I started typing my post before I saw your follow-up.
My bad, Mark!
There is after just one showing a vast difference with Dominant Eddie, Isiah so readily lauds and the Eddie who collected 5 fouls in Beantown. With that said Eddie Munster, or Curry if you prefer, got both Celtics centers in serious fould trouble and both Celtic centers seemed to rely on foul play to keep E Munster in check.
Mark "get over it" stop Fing trying to bully and alpha dawg those who don't agree with you out of a Blog. I stay here as long as I want.
From another Knicks blog commenter:
"I saw the game since nba league pass has free previews going on."
Not sure how we ALL missed that one! Especially since we discussed the free League pass a couple months ago, and they had the same promo last year. I think it continues a few weeks into the season. After all that back and forth, and we had the game right there in our own living rooms!
D'oh!
Lazy Eddy lacks courage, heart, and desire.
In other words, Lazy Eddy remains the perfect player for Isiah Thomas, found liable by a jury of his peers of multiple charges of sexual harassment, and Stephon Marbury, a Born Again husband and father who admitted under oath to the commission of adultery and a loser at four different stops in the NBA.
Anyone who questions these facts about Curry, Zeke, and the Coney Island Cupcake is encouraged to do so, yet they remain facts nonetheless.
P.S. Q&B so loves Lazy Eddy that he spelled his first name incorrectly. Twice. Got to love those smart guys backing Lazy Eddy, a man who cannot defend his family and home and thus will never defend the Knicks' basket.
"Lazy Eddy, a man who cannot defend his family and home and thus will never defend the Knicks' basket."
The first time you said something like that you appeared to apologize for it. Then you go and say this stupid stuff again. Again, Mark, all your opinions you are entitled to. But please just stop the whole "Eddy did not defend his family" crap. You can't really think any sane person would have acted differently, can you? If you're here just to piss people off and ruffle some feathers, there are plenty of other non-sports-related blogs where you can do that.
CHANDLER IS A SOLID ROOKIE I THINK HE CAN START AT SMALL IF NOT HE GOT TO GET 10-15 MINUTES HIM AN BALKMAN CAN SHUTDOWN TEAMS WITH THERE D THOMAS HAS NO CLUE TO THE TALENT HE HAS TRUE STORY.THE STARTING LINE UP HAS TO CHANGE CRAWFORD HAS TO BE BENCH I LIKE CRAW BUT GUARDS ARE GOING TO KILL HIM START LEE BALKMAN OR CHANDLE AT SMALL.
EDDY CURRY WILL NEVER BE A DEFENSIVE PLAYER EVA.U CAN'T TURN A GAY GUY STRAIGHT CURRY IS WHO HE IS.CURRY WILL NEVER BE A FRANCHISE PLAYER THOMAS CALLZ HIM I THINK ZEKE DOES YACK ON THE LOW...
Mark, I'm with Adam L. That was an assinine thing to say about Eddy. I've had a gun to my head 4 different times and fought a war, so trust me when I tell you, being 7 feet tall doesn't mean a thing when that cold steel presses against your head. Grow up!
Adam L, I think only Direct TV subscribers get the free NBA League Pass preview. I have time warner and the league pass free preview certainly wasn't offered. I don't think you missed it, unless you have Direct TV.
Yeah, that remark about Eddy was typical "hide-behind-a-sceenname" comment that you would never make in real life. So don't say it at all. That's really f-ed up.
I think Eddy will be fine (offensively, anway) after he gets that contraption off of him. He's probably a little hesitant to bang around with it too, since it's a reminder of his injury.
He and Z-Bo will need time to gel. Let's hope that it will only take a few weeks.
If not, and the Knicks stumble out of the gate, Zeke won't have time to fix things. A 6-15 start will be the straw that breaks the camel's back. He'll be gone.
Mark is a blog killer.
Alan, you're "home" has officially sustained the "kiss of death".
Good luck.
Don't know if I could do this here, but figure it's as good a place as any:
I split season tix, and one guy that I split with is out this season. I'm in section 309, front row. Nice seats at mid-court. Email me if interested in a 10 game package or even just a handful of them at matt(at)itscalled(dot)com
Patrick, It makes me feel better to hear Time Warner Cable was not offering the free nba league pass preview, are you sure about that?
In any event, why can't the reporters get the broadcast info right, we should have known that it was on nba league pass free preview and whether that worked for time warner cable or only direct tv. I expected more from you alan. Could you please take the responsibility of being 100% forthcoming and correct about broadcast information for every single knicks game including preseason for the rest of the season? Much appreciated
@Patrick H
Interesting, I am certainly gonna go home and check tonight. I am a TimeWarner customer, but I do remember that last year we got a free League Pass promo for a few weeks to start the season.
If it is indeed it is only for DirectTV, I will feel better about not having missed the Boston game, but then even more pissed that I'm not getting my free preview. Yup, no way to satisfy me!
After last nights one sided PRE-SEASON game, the only good news I have heard todays is that the overpaid, 7 foot wonder might be out for the season. This gives us hope, because while he recovers from surgery, he might have a chance to look in the mirror and see that he is over 7 feet tall and fat. He might take this oppotunity to practice hard and come back next year with a chip on his shoulder and in the best shape of his life, so I can become a fan.
I can't stand his lack of effort right now and I would rather get killed by Shaq and any other big center in the league than to see him laughing and being all happy on the bench while making $30 million dollars.
At this point, altough he did not play he is everything that is wrong with the team. I am not happy that he needs surgery, but I am very excited that he might not be available to play.
I wish him all the best and hope he recovers from laziness and lack of desire by next year.
Hey Jerome,James, do us a favor and take the surgery time to correct your approach to the game, so I can cheer for you next year. And Dude I don't hate you I hate your LACK OF EFFORT.......You have to bring it or go back to wherever you came from, period.
If by miracle, he comes back ready to play, I will be on line at some store purchasing his jersey.
It is after 7:00 pm, let me go watch this game against the Nets.
Knicks fan for life....Go NY, Go NY, GO
I am a lifelong NYK fan since 69, born in 64. I currently live in Greensboro NC and am a FAITHFUL NBA League pass subscriber for many, many years including this one. I've noticed that the puzzle piece lapel pin from Zeke is gone in the preseason game that I watched. Is this a sign that he has solved the knicks puzzle in 07/08? Have not seen any blog comments on this. P.S. don't read too much into preseason, if Zeke goes too hard, the stars could get hurt. I was at the Bobcat/Heat game in Greensboro last weekend and saw shaq get hurt. He really looked out of shape, which is why he got hurt. G Wallace had a great game and was allover the place and on the floor like it was a real game. If he breaks down during the beginning of the season, one could argue that he went too hard in preseason even if that's how he likes to play. Iverson enventually broke down in philly. NBA Coaches have a responsibility to hold their players back during the preseason to confirm the roster and work on offensive and defensive sets. Remember what happened to Mcdyess. The injury cost us a season!!!! LET"S SEE HOW THE BIG THREE IS PLAYING IN FEBRUARY. WHAT WAS THE KNICKS PRESEASON RECORD LAST YEAR?
Kenny, Adam, and Matt,
Until Lazy Eddy grows himself a spine, the comment stands without question.
Lazy Eddy has been gutless since his high school days in Chicago. Nothing has changed. On or off the court.
Why should anyone show even the slightest compassion for that chronically underachieving, constantly whining, forever complaining waste of talent Lazy Eddy?
Lazy Eddy behaved like a damn fool around damn fools and received a home invasion for his trouble. Nothing has changed. Nothing will change for Lazy Eddy.
A loser on the court. A threat to his family off the court.
Next you'll want a whine and cheese party for Ruben "The Sexual Predator" Patterson or Travis "Nine Children With Nine Different Women in Four States" Henry.