Breaking Down What New York Knicks Must Do to Turn Season Around posted by Knicks Fan

What would you do if told the New York Knicks' 2014-15 season wasn't a lost cause?

Horrific though the Knicks' season has been thus far, it isn't over. Mathematically, anyway.

At 5-25, the Knicks are off to the worst start in franchise history, pacing themselves toward a not-so-robust 14 victories. But because the Knicks play in the sluggish Eastern Conference, hope is not yet lost.

The Knicks are eight games back of the final playoff spot. With 52 tilts left on the schedule, The Knicks are but a turnaround away from avoiding disaster.

Any about-face starts with health, Carmelo Anthony is playing through a sore knee. J.R. Smith hasn't played since Dec. 9 while nursing a heel injury; Iman Shumpert is sidelined with a dislocated shoulder.

The Knicks have trotted out 15 different starting lineups through 30 games. That's a new starting five every other contest. Their two most used combinations have started only four games apiece.

Constant change like this can be damning.

Offensive execution is a different story. The Knicks' pick-and-roll attack has been inconsistent and, at times, nonexistent, but they have enough firepower on paper to climb the offensive ladder.

Because when Carmelo Anthony is on the floor, the Knicks pump in 107.4 points per 100 possessions; when he's off, they're putting in just 98.2. That's the difference between ranking 12th and 29th in offensive efficiency.

Part of it's about upping the pace. The Knicks are running at the fifth-slowest pace in franchise history but are generating

New York Knicks Preseason Report 2014 posted by Knicks Fan

The New York Knicks managed to complete the 2013-14 season quite well, by winning 16 out of 23 of the last games. However, their initial 59 games were horrible, which was made worse by poor performance of Smith, who was recovering from knee surgery. Andrea Bargnani however, was the worst performer of the team, and the poor effort in the defense could be clearly seen. Only in the later part of the season, the team really blossomed, and it was managing 20.6 points for every 100 possessions, in the last 23 games.

Phil Jackson has re-signed Carmelo Anthony with a huge amount, which makes him the team's leader. Bringing Anthony back was a good strategy, as he was considering offers from other franchises. PG Raymond Felton who was troublesome, and Tyson Chandler who was not able to hold the center, were traded for Samuel Dalembert and Jose Calderon. It was a good move to get Chandler and Felton off the team, and get some new talent.

Initially, head coach Jackson was embarrassed when his protégé Steve Kerr wanted out, but he was quick to recover by bringing in Derek Fisher. In this season, Dalembert will most probably start in the center, with Cole Aldrich and Andres Bargnani maybe taking turns. Stoudamire will be logging with Bargnani as PF. Carmelo Anthony will be at SF, while Cleanothony Erly, the rookie pickup of the draft along with Travis Outlaw will be the backup. Iman Shumpert or JR Smith will be at SG, while Calderon will be at point.

Coach Jackson looks like he is still making rookie moves, and seems to be expecting too much. Experts feel the New York Knicks will perform somewhat the same as last season, and if they manage to come to the finals, it would be against great odds.

Knicks scenario: It's Linsanity again posted by Richard Kagan

It now falls to Carmelo Anthony to be the lead scorer for the Knicks as Stoudamire is out for 2-4 weeks with a back injury.  But Melo has a slight groin pull.  What if this injury gets worse with all the wear and tear Melo will now experience as the go to guy for the Knicks.  What, lo and behold, if he is sidelined?  What if Jared Jeffries can play a week.  What if Jeremy Lin is up to full speed in a few days?  Fans, we may be back to Linsanity.  Knicks will have to bring out the old playbook  that brought on the Linsanity back in February. 

Then we will see if this team has what it takes. The city was practically levitating back then.  If Lin can find his groove and work his magic and if Novack and company can make some shots, this city will roaringly rock.

Thoughts on the Knicks posted by Richard Kagan

The Knicks are playing tonight in Toronto where they trail in the 3rd quarter.  They are getting outplayed, they are out of rhythm.  If they lose, Knick nation will take this loss hard.  I've never seen so much panic over one loss.  The test, if they do lose, is to come back the next game and win.  The Knicks are struggling just to get to .500.  They are a game short of that mark.  If they lose, they will be two games under.  Continued focus on Anthony, Stoudamire, and Lin will intensify.

The issue is can this team when after a loss?  They are so steaky, win or lose.  This team lacks discipline.  They have talent.  But talent is not enough to win the NBA.  The team has to follow a plan outlined by the coaching staff, and execute it.  Can they do this?  It remains to be seen.

Linsanity is for Real posted by Richard Kagan

Knicks' Rookie sensation Jeremy Lin has captured Madison Square Garden and the hearts of New York Knicks fans everywhere.  Today, the saga continued.  Lin scored 28 points, made some clutch treys, had 14 assists in spearheading the Knicks past the Dallas Mavericks, 104-97.  The Knicks had a torrid 4th quarter where three point specialist Steve Novak scored 14 points on four long distance shots in a span of 4:30.  The crowd at the Garden had plenty to cheer about.  The Knicks season is turning around.  And, Jeremy Lin, despite 6 TO's, was the catalyst again in Sunday's win at MSG.  He is a talented, smart point guard, seems tailor made for Mike D'Antoni's offense.  He's making the plays, and hitting key shots, and the Garden is cheering on each made shot.

This is not only a great story for the New York Knicks.  It is a great story for sports teams everywhere.  It seems the dream of Hoosiers does live on.  A player who looked ordinary on two other NBA teams, which eventually let him go, lands on the biggest stage of the league and is shining.  It is a great fit.  The Knicks suddenly look dangerous.  And Carmelo Anthony, one of the biggest scorers in the league hasn't returned to the starting lineup.  It's going to get interesting for the Knicks.

NBA Anarchy posted by Charles Bisbee

The NBA is completely bonkers right now. With less than two weeks until season’s tip-off, players are being flipped faster than flapjacks at IHOP. Chris Paul has been perfecting his start-and-stop from the comfort of his living room. Dwight Howard can't seem to decipher his own feelings about the Magic. Lamar Odom, as collateral from the Paul fall-out, whined his way to the Mavs, who were spurned earlier in the week by Tyson Chandler (Knicks). Chauncey Billups took his frequent flier miles to the Clips (though he could be dealt again by the time I finish this sentence) and Big Baby was swapped for Brandon Bass.

Wait, there's more! The Celtics thought they had Baby's replacement in David West (Paul’s former right-hand man) but the Pacers swooped in and snagged him for a cool $20 mil. Consequently, the Hornets are trying to fill out a roster with Quincy Pondexter and a collection of ball boys. Vinsanity joined Odom in Dallas, which lost Caron Butler to the Clippers, which matched Golden State’s absurd, $43 million qualifying offer to DeAndre Jordan (he with the career 5.9 ppg). T-Mac, Rip Hamilton, Chris Wilcox, Mike Bibby and Dunleavy are on the move as well, though these names seem like afterthoughts compared to the seismic activity higher up. 

And all this happened in slightly over a week. It’s certainly enough to make the casual fan's head spin. The ramifications of this unforseen, pre-season turbulence on the regular season, though, is what really boggles the mind. With little time to mesh, little time to prepare, and a season packed tighter than Delta coach, teams should be in for a wild ride. We're staring down the barrel of the most slapdash, unforseen and chemistry-bungled season since, dare I say, 1998! Should be a wild ride. 

NY Knicks - When the going gets tough, Melo gets going posted by Julius Says

     Any basketball fan can tell Melo didn't have his BEST game. But the final game stats read 27pts., 10 reb....A double-double.....ON AN OFF NIGHT!!

     The night that was billed as Legend's Night from the start of the season....actually started the way it should have. The introduction of a future legend in his prime. Complete with a laser light show and all, this was a superstar coming home. This Knicks team still has to learn how to play something called DEFENSE. The fact that this team needs a defense tutorial might be an understatement. But we'll dwell a little more on this glaring hole in their game at some other point. Probably right after next game! But tonight belonged to Melo.....This man closed the show the way a rock star closes shows. He hit the important couple shots that need for a W. That's what we like here Melo. A winner. 

MeloDrama finally to a head posted by Ondre Baronette

So your a newly married man, you were born in Brooklyn, and play for the Denver Nuggets. Now you want to force the organization you grew up rooting for, to gut thier roster, trade you to their team, and sign that big extension. It makes little sense, about as much sense as it makes signing that extension before their is a work stoppage. The owners and players will be battling for millions, and you and your New York wife and tv personality, La La Vazquez, will be spending millions, and staying in shape. It scares me to think that these players, all be it great, can dictate the direction of franchises, and send players away from where they play, and start a new path. Its hard to complain about the player the Knicks are getting back, but the entire process, made the Lebron James, "Decesion" pale in comparison. I'll continue to watch the team, and will always think about ways to upgrade, aka, "fix" the roster, that it's okay, but I am in the minority, when I say, I hope this trade gets pulled at the last minute, and the hammer is put away, until summer time. Lets go KnicksContinue reading "MeloDrama finally to a head"

Red Storm is for Real In UConn Rout posted by Richard Kagan

In New York City, college basketball always takes a back seat to the New York Knicks.  This after all, a pro town.  The sports fans here are concerned with NBA trophies, late playoff pushes, and the Stanley Cup.  And, then there is St. John's basketball.  St. John's has been a part of NYC sports for years.  Since bubblegun was a penny, phone calls were a nickel, and water was water. 

St. John's beat No. 9 ranked UConn last night at Madison Square Garden, and did it convincing fashion.  The score was 89-72.  For many years UConn would do that to SJU.  But last night, the team came out leading by 4 points, then went on a big run, and took off, leaving the Huskies stunned in their wake. SJU guard Dwight Hardy scored 33 points, 12 in a sequence of 2 trey, and 2 3 pont plays of the more traditional way.  He was as they say, "in a zone" where the basketball looked "bigger and bigger."  That happens once in a while.  It happened last night,  On one play Hardy double-pumped and hit the shot for three.  The partisan crowd erupted. 

For a while, SJU held a 23 point lead, in the second half, and Conneticut Huskies coach Jim Calhoun looked motionless and perplexed on the bench.  Afterwards he said the Red Storm took the Huskies out of their game.  He looked taken out as well.

Kemba Walker, the All-American candidate looked all too human last night.  He scored 15 points.  About half of what he can score.  The Red Storm were relentless last night, wreaking havoc on the defensive end, getting fast break points, and scoring in transition.  The Red Storm held a 27-2 dominance in fast-break points.  The Storm also out-rebounded UConn by 10.  It was a second half rising, that captapulted the Storm into serious conversation about getting an NCAA bid. They've beaten 4 of the top 15 teams in the nation at MSG.  Now they need to beat someone on the road.  But when they are playing well, this is one dangerous team.  They are quick, can run with anyone, and have guys who love to deny the ball.  Oh, and they crash the boards.  This team is 14-9 for the season, and 6-5 in the midst of a brutal Big East schedule. But the Johnnies are holding their own. 

the New York Knickerbockers are boxing there way back in to the spot light posted by sam goldman

The Knicks have been in New York  since there   BAA origins  versus  the Toronto Huskies  on November 1, 1946.  Similar to other long standing  teams there have  been high and low points.  The high point in team history was when they won two titles in 1970 and   1973. Since those titles there have good and bad seasons noticeably  the 8 year gap between 2000 and 2008 when they struggled and were led  by  numerous coaches including the Infamous Isiah Thomas. New York’s baseball empire took   advantage  of the drought  winning the city back with their multiple play off  appearances.      The Knicks were determined to take back the city so they made a bold statement clamming they could  land a big name free agent like  Lebron James and remind the city of its sports  roots . Once again things did not go the way there were supposed two   James  Bosh and Wade all declined the offer of bringing basketball back to the empire state. The  duty fell  on a unlikely hero  Amare stoudemire who in return  has brought life back to the  to the Madison Square Garden leading  the  New York Knickerbockers to a 21 and 14 record and a shot at the playoffs.Continue reading "the New York Knickerbockers are ..."

Knicks re-sign Vujacic, sign Ndour (Yahoo Sports)

NEW YORK (AP) -- The New York Knicks have re-signed guard Sasha Vujacic and signed forward Maurice Ndour. [read full article]

From Yahoo Sports

Knicks re-sign Vujacic, sign Ndour

NEW YORK (AP) The New York Knicks have re-signed guard Sasha Vujacic and signed forward Maurice Ndour. [read full article]

From FOX Sports Digital

NBA's 1st Chinese owner excited to start with Timberwolves (The Associated Press)

The NBA's first Chinese owner said Wednesday that he hopes to use his ties in China to help the Minnesota Timberwolves become a global brand along the lines of the Los Angeles Lakers or New York Knicks. ''Since I've been a fan of the NBA for so long, I wondered if I could be part of the sport so that I can establish connections between the NBA and the Chinese market, to do my contribution for the development of both,'' Lizhang Jiang said through an interpreter. ''I not only know the Chinese market, but also know very well about the international sports market. [read full article]

From Yahoo Sports

NBA's 1st Chinese owner excited to start with Timberwolves

LAS VEGAS (AP) The NBA's first Chinese owner said Wednesday that he hopes to use his ties in China to help the Minnesota Timberwolves become a global brand along the lines of the Los Angeles Lakers or New York Knicks. [read full article]

From FOX Sports Digital

Knicks sign Lithuanian forward Kuzminskas on Saturday (Yahoo Sports)

NEW YORK (AP) -- The New York Knicks signed Lithuanian forward Mindaugas Kuzminskas on Saturday. [read full article]

From Yahoo Sports