What's up you guys! Sorry I took a week off from my blog, but things have been speeding up with training camp,and preseason games coming up! Let's recap . . .
Media day:
Media day is always fun It's about 3 hrs long total, there's two parts of it. The first part is you always get in your uniforms for the first time and do all the pictures and stuff they want you to do...do all the tag lines and things like that they'll use in the arena when the season starts....That's the fun part. The second part of media day,is actually dealing with the media, they ask questions about the season, different players, coaching change, all the stuff you guys want to know...This year was different because the whole media day was about Stephon and if he wants to be here, does he want to be bought out,etc....They asked me about the situation and I said that it's not about if Stephon or me or whoever is here or not. The Knicks organization is bigger then any one player or person and ALL of our focus needs to be on making this team relevant again. I get along with Steph like I do all my teammates and as long as we all have the same common goal then we'll be ok....
Training camp:
I don't care what you do in the offseason to prepare for camp. That night before EVERYONE is nervous! It's just the nervous energy, not knowing what to expect. Different drills you will be doing; its hard work but it's cool! Our camp is different then anything I've ever seen....As you guys might expect we do alot of running, I mean ALOT. It's not punishment running, where you run 17's or suicides. It's all basketball-related...One drill we had to do was full court lay-ups and shoot jumpers in 2 minutes .Almost like a "weave"-type of drill but accelerated...Coach said we had to get over a 100 pts in 2 minutes. We were looking around like, 'Is he crazy?' LOL...The first time we did it we scored like 76, so he had us do it again and we saw how much harder we were gonna have to run and we got 106! It was good because your only as strong as the guy next to you. Everyone needs each other. Coach and his staff are really stressing teamwork and not caring about who gets the credit...
Preseason:
Some teams and players approach preseason differently. Usually with most teams they're trying to figure out who they're gonna keep or cut or what they'll rotation will be, so everyone uses it differently..Right now were just using different combinations. Coach is getting a feel for what works, what doesn't and what kind of talent he can utilize in his schemes...Me, personally? I'm just trying to get my timing back, get my legs underneath me, get use to playing in this new system and pick my spots. Work on defense, setting my teammates up...I'm not worried about shooting or scoring right now. I'll worry about that on Oct. 29...haha.....I was looking around the Toronto arena yesterday before the game started and playing in front of 20,000 fans every night is what I dreamed about as a kid. For some reason, just looking around brought back thoughts I had when I was a kid.. I would gave anything to be in the NBA playing at the highest level....sometimes when you're actually going through this you don't get a chance took take a step back and reflect. You think of the negative stuff that comes along with being in this position, what people expect from you, the many people you try to please...life is too short... God choose me to be in this position, he gave me the talent and it's up to me to do something more with it. You only go through this once, so I'm gonna make the most of it........
JC
Comments (36)
Hey Jamal,
Can you please comment on what Duhon did better then Steph at camp to deserve the starting job? In the game Steph looks better than Duhon in every aspect of the game, but I wasn't at camp so you must know something I don't.
best post yet, loved the ending especially. Your a good guy Jamal, I hope you can bring NY a chip one day
Sup JC,
It's great to hear and see that camp is doing well for the team chemistry. I am looking forward to you driving to the hole more this coz there is hardly anyone that can stop you in that 10 ft to hoop range.
Please continue to to support the inner city youth, the giving back and the continued fan support (with this blog).
Stay Blessed,
loco4daknicks
Great blog! Your team looked good in the new system against the Raps. But the outside shooting and the turnovers needs big improvement. Hopefully both will improve soon!
Jamal, you are a class act. I really look forward to this season and totally see you guys making the playoffs and maybe even getting into the 2nd round...peace, scotty d
Jamal:
Glad you guys are having fun with Coach D and some new team dynamics. I truly hope that he brings out the talents, blends the talents and finds the Winner in all of you guys!
Keep it fun by intense work that translates into Winning! As you must certainly know, losing is NOT FUN, so avoid it like death!
Winning will be FUN again at MSG and you guys will be so loved and respected by us die hard, old NYK fans.
We remember the good days of teamwork, passion, toughness and respect for the NYK organization!
yo craw, big fan, do u think houstin will make the team>?
Craw,
Thank you for putting your thoughts out there for us to read. Between the lines, the press always seems to imply that you're one of the good guys. I can see why, keep it up. Basketball is for now, character is forever. Good luck.
Can Steph be part of this team?
Thanks for the update JC. This blog is great. I hope everyone on the team is as positive as you! Go Knicks.
Hi Jamal, great blog.
Great to get an inside look at camp, but also into your heart. You have great intentions and the right mindset.
I also know you know how to get in "the zone" better than many players. I think this is due to your spirit, openness and the understanding that in the moment, nothing else matters but doing your damn best. It gets to a point where it comes easy- the zone. It's like being an improvisation musician, which is the thing I know.
Keep it up.
Hey Craw nice blog and much respect, always like the way you put team ahead of everything looking forward for us making the play-off and making some Noise KNICKS for ever
Hey Craw nice blog and much respect, always like the way you put team ahead of everything looking forward for us making the play-off and making some Noise KNICKS for ever
Hey Craw nice blog and much respect, always like the way you put team ahead of everything looking forward for us making the play-off and making some Noise KNICKS for ever
Whats up 'Mal!
Thanks for the blog, its good to hear your insights and we look forward to hearing more and more. What is it like playing in front of all those celebs? Do they talk to you during the game? Do you get star struck?
Always a pleasure reading your comments Jamal. Your insight is great. Keep up the good work
When can we expect to see ewing jr and allan houston out there getting some playing time? Also is eddy curry ever going to take his head out his butt because I mean the guy is the size of shaquille o neal and he rebounds and defends like my grandmother.
David Lee starting looks like dantonni knows what hes doing.
Hey Jamal ! What do you think about Stephon's performance in the first two preseason games do you think he is capable to stay with the Knicks because it seems that when him and Nate come off the bench they give the team energy to bring the team back up or capitalize on the teams lead. Last Night I saw your game against Philadelphia do you think that game made a statement whether you guys can play together because it seems that you guys are starting to gel together as a team I hope it carries on in the regular season to make the playoffs!
Best of Luck To You & Your Team !
Randy Louis
Jamal,
Please tell Zach that he should NEVER EVER shoot a 3 point shot unless the shot clock is running out. He has a decent mid range game for a big guy, but he's hurting the team badly when he heaves up one of those 25%-30% shots in the area of the 3 point line. Zach is a very talented guy, but his game and decision making needs to start resembling David Lee's. Lee picks his shots carefully and consistently keeps his FG% very high even though he has added a little mid range jumper to the arsenal.
It can't be stressed enough that points per game is an almost meaningless stat. What's important is your efficiency. You have to get those points with a high FG% otherwise you are killing the team even if you score 20+.
Hey jay wouldnt that be up to D'antoni to answer as he actually made the decision. Everywhere I go these days marburysexuals .geez...
Jamal you need to remind your team to have poise down the stretch. The biggest knock on the Knicks last year was the Knicks could not play the full length of game at the same intensity and could not finish teams off. Chucking shots and ill advised passes lead to to turn overs. We need have a strategy at keeping the other team off balance then attack them. Were much quicker without you old Bull buddy Curry. Perimeter defense should be the teams biggest concern. Teams don't hesitate taking the 3 bomb. D'Fense!!!
Notes:
Wilson Chandler looks likes he took a 360 over the summer.
Try to get Pat Jr. some burn in these pre-season games even if his role is for a defensive stopper.
Nate needs to learn not to panic and take ill advised shots at the end of games. He should be averaging 2 steals a game...
Play Lee & Randolph more often.
Jamal you need to remind your team to have poise down the stretch. The biggest knock on the Knicks last year was the Knicks could not play the full length of game at the same intensity and could not finish teams off. Chucking shots and ill advised passes lead to to turn overs. We need have a strategy at keeping the other team off balance then attack them. Were much quicker without you old Bull buddy Curry. Perimeter defense should be the teams biggest concern. Teams don't hesitate taking the 3 bomb. D'Fense!!!
Notes:
Wilson Chandler looks likes he took a 360 over the summer.
Try to get Pat Jr. some burn in these pre-season games even if his role is for a defensive stopper.
Nate needs to learn not to panic and take ill advised shots at the end of games. He should be averaging 2 steals a game...
Play Lee & Randolph more often.
Aye Jamal...Im an excited Knicks fan and I'm praying that this season we break that playoff drought and once we get in the playoff we can focus on that Championship!! Like a few people before me stated already you really seem like a good guy man your similar to Allan Houston. I wish you and the team the best and I hope to make it out to the Garden to catch a few games this season. Last year was my first time going and I had a great time at the Mecca of basketball!! Even though we lost to the Clippers....anyway best of luck and God bless brotha
Hey Jamal I know your busy but if you get a minute, you can checkout the small mixtape I made of you, on youtube.
Here is the link if you wanna give it a look, id appreciate it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1_jl33si6k
Sorry no Jay-Z , haha
Why do people say you can't play defense, yet you are one of the best defensive players on the team
Crawford,
You never answer anyone's questions. Do you even know this Blog exsists?
First let me say you guys are looking good so far, I see alot of good things that gives me as a fan encouragement. And you guys should be encouraged to. Even against the Raptors I saw alot of positive things including a more fluid and cohesive offense. You all really shared the ball well and did a good job of running the floor. You guys also looked pretty good on D too.
I really appreciate and respect you taking the time to answer our questions like this and provide some insight. It is hard to make sense of what is what when 50 different papers are reporting 50 different things. Wish you guys all the best success. Keep working hard we all appreciate the effort and it will pay off!
Hey JC
What's up? Here's hoping you make it big times this season. Work on the assist to make the team better and you would take less shots. Eliminate the forced and hard shots, taking open and better shots to help your shooting percentage be better. Work on your defense over your offense since your offense can take care of itself, especially if you look for more assist like I mentioned above. It's a pleasure to root for both, a person and player as yourself. You do have the best of reputation. May god continue to bless.
This blog is back on track after a brief commercial interruption.
Jamal - Why is D'Antoni so committed to Q-Rich at this point? I would be inserting Chandler, who has certainly had the better pre-season. I liked Q's game two seasons ago, but he seems to have lost something last year into this year.
Also, how disgusted is your BFF Eddy? Can you give us any insight as to why the guy does not show up for camp in shape? Does he feel like his salary entitles him to play, whether he earns the right or not?
I know this post is coming off as negative, but I just want to see the commitment and professionalism across this team that you show. You come ready to play. You are open to coaching. Can you influence others on the team to do the same - particularly Eddy? Can you tell him that this is the recipe to get fans behind him like we are behind you, Nate, Lee, Chandler, etc.?
Zach seems like he's gotten the message. Why can't Eddy?
Hey JC,
Big knicks fan... Its funny that you are sometimes included in the list of players the knicks need to get rid of in order to free up space... and yet most knick fans know that you are one of the few guys last year that consistently tried to show up and get wins. Keep up the good work.
I'm wondering how Eddy is going to be used... I always felt like the Shaq trade really hurt the Suns and that Coach D never looked comfortable with him in the system. I was wondering if it seems to be the same for Eddy? And how is he taking it... do you think it'll motivate him to get into better shape and be a starter?
hello jc from good old germany,
nice blog you got there.it's one way to keep up with the news from the knicks.because it's not easy over here to see you guys play.guess who is on tv-dirk nowitzki.LOL
well I saw you guys play on april 9th (bobcats) and 11th (hawks) when I visited ny.I bet you know the outcomes LOL and the tickets aren't cheap...
but how do you guys sneak out from the msg?the only autograph I got was from D-Lee.and I even wore your swingman.Next time I get you though LOL
keep up the good work all of you.and please make it worth me watching the Xs and Os all night long on the nba.com live game chart (please let there be more Os this season).LOL
Well that's it.hopefully you reply a few lines.that would be great.
peace, kevin
PS:if you need some german trash talk for Dirk I can hook you up.LOL
Jamal,
Just found your blog and I'm really looking forward to following your perspective on the WORLD'S GREATEST FRANCHISE this year. I've been a Knicks' fan for four decades now and I was thrilled when I heard that you were coming over from Chicago. I was shocked to hear that you've had nine coaches in nine years (ouch), but you're gonna be a perfect fit for the D'Antoni way.
Best of luck to you and the guys this year. I really believe that the man with three first names (D'Antoni) has a system that will work with all that talent.
BTW...Saw "Miracle at St. Anna's" last week and highly recommend it.
Thanks again for the inside look at our Knicks and I'll be watching for your next post.
GO KNICKS! PLAYOFFS OR BUST!
Hey Jamal...
Haven't been able to catch a preseason game (i recently moved down to baltimore so I get the NBA package through directv but cant watch till the regular season starts), but have been breaking down box scores.
D-Lee looks like he is fitting in nicely and I really like Chandlers production off the bench. After 3 preseason games can you give us an idea of how Duhon is playing. I think the PG position is really going to be important in this offense and I'd love to hear your review of his recent play. I know he grabbed 10 boards in his first game, which we probably shouldn't look to much into, but how has he managed the game??
JC -what's up!
Care to comment on the accusations made by Berman of the NYPost that you were trying to incite trouble in the knicks locker room against Marbury?
I know Berman tends to over exaggerate things and it's great that you can use this blog to clear the air - but I really hope that what he said isn't true.
JC- I am excited about your team this year, and a lot of that reason is because of you and the new window that you have opened to the world on the Knicks. Keep it up.
check out my funny basketball blog www.pickupbasketball.net
What up 'Mal,
Berman is really trying to pull your card and straight up embarrass you on his recent blog post homie.. You should ignore him for the rest of the year, especially once you hit all-star status and the team starts winning games. Once that happens, he's gonna try to be all about you... When that does go down, don't even look his way. When he approaches your locker for interviews, tell him to step!
Good luck this year! NYC is pulling for you and the team!