Knicks Top 10 Moments of the 2011-2012 Season

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The last few images for the Knicks this season were not pleasant ones.  Iman Shumpert and Baron Davis suffering serious injuries in the playoff series against the Miami Heat, bowing out early from the playoffs yet again.  It leaves a sour taste in Knicks fans mouths, but that should not take away from the positives that the Knicks had this season.

Here is a list of the top 10 moments for the Knicks this season.  

1.) The signing of Tyson Chandler

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The Knicks, it seemed, came out of nowhere to sign Tyson Chandler.  He was rumored to be going to a number of different places to play with the Knicks never being real contenders.  What a signing Chandler ended up being.  After finishing 22^nd in defensive efficiency in 2010-2011, the Knicks finished this past season ranked 5^th in defensive efficiency.  A lot of credit for that improvement needs to be given to Chandler, who averaged 9.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game in the regular season.

2.) Carmelo Plays Santa on Christmas Day

Playing at Madison Square Garden is one of the best experiences a player can have.  Playing there opening day on Christmas, you can’t ask for any better of a setting.  The Knicks had a great start to their season thanks to Carmelo Anthony and his 37 points against the Boston Celtics, leading the Knicks to a 107-106 victory giving every Knicks fan a great present for Christmas.

3.) Linsanity Begins

February 4^th, 2012 will go down as one of the most surprising days in Knicks history.  Against the Nets at the Garden, head coach Mike D’Antoni looked to the end of his bench and called upon third string point guard Jeremy Lin.  What followed is nothing anyone could have expected.  Line scored 25 points while adding seven assists leading the Knicks to a 99-92 victory that snapped a 2-11 skid the Knicks were on.  Lin’s outstanding play would put the Knicks on track for their longest winning streak of the season at seven games in which Lin averaged 24.4 points and 9.1 assists per game.

4.) Kobe Who?

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On a night most people would think the Knicks would be outmatched turned out to be yet another big stage for Jeremy Lin to step up in.  Going up against Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers, Lin played what is possibly the best game of his career.  He set a career high scoring 38 points, compared to Bryant’s 34, and was serenaded by the Garden faithful with MVP chants as the Knicks pulled off a 92-85 victory.

5.) Linsanity reaches a fever pitch

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On Valetine's Day, Jeremy Lin once again stepped up for the Knicks.  In a game that the Knicks had no business winning, playing poorly for the first three quarters, Lin came through in the end once again.  Lin knocked down his first career game winner, nailing a 3-pointer with .5 seconds left over Toronto Raptors point guard Jose Calderon.

6.) New Regime Takes Over

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On March 14th, Mike D'Antoni stepped down as head coach of the Knicks with Mike Woodson being hired in an interim role.  On this night, the Knicks would blow out the visiting Portland Trail Blazers 121-79, which was the start to a five game winning streak and a strong finish to the regular season for the Knicks.  Woodson would match D'Antoni with 18 wins this season, needing 18 less games to do so.

7.) Melo Magic

With the Knicks suffering from injuries to Jeremy Lin and Amar’e Stoudemire, it was time for someone to step up and fill in.  That someone was Carmelo Anthony, who showed why the Knicks traded so many pieces for him.  On April 8^th, Anthony set a New York career high scoring 43 points against the 1^st seeded Chicago Bulls in overtime 100-99.  Anthony knocked down clutch 3 pointers at the end of regulation and overtime, willing the Knicks to victory.

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8.) Melo Magic Continues

Scrambling to make a playoff spot, Carmelo Anthony once again put the Knicks on his back and carried them to a much needed win against the rival Boston Celtics.  Anthony tallied his second career triple double April 17^th at the Garden against the Celtics.  The 118-110 victory also included a season-high tying 19 3-pointers, led by Steve Novak with eight and J.R. Smith with seven.

9.) Tyson Chandler Gets Some Recognition

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In the storied history of the Knicks, no player has ever won the Defensive Player of the Year award until now.  On May 2nd, Tyson Chandler recieved the award and was also named to the NBA All-Defensive 2nd team.

10.) A Streak Finally Ends

On May 6^th at Madison Square Garden the Knicks were facing their second straight sweep in the first round of the playoffs and 13^th straight playoff loss.  Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire were not about to let that happen. Anthony scored 41 points and Stoudemire added 20 of his own to go along with 10 rebounds.  It was quite possibly the best performance the two put on as teammates, as the Knicks defeated the Miami Heat 89-87, ending the 13 game playoff losing streak, winning their first playoff game since 2001.

New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat Series Roundup

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NBA Playoffs Series Review: 

Miami Heat beat New York Knicks 4-1

The Knicks came into the playoffs riding a hot streak, but were unable to continue their great play against a better Miami Heat team.  Injuries were a concern heading into the post-season for the Knicks and it got worse throughout the series.  The Knicks were unable to build any continuity in this series, starting a different lineup basically every game with a different Knick going down every game or another player being deemed unable to play for the series.  Even with all those problems and knowing what they were up against, the players never gave up; even if at times the execution, aggressiveness and intensity were not at levels they needed to be at.

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 Injuries doomed the Knicks from the beginning.  Heading into the playoffs, players like Jared Jeffries and Baron Davis were already nursing nagging injuries.  They gave everything they could, but in the end it was not enough.  It was also not the end of the injuries for the Knicks.  Tyson Chandler developed the stomach flu before Game 1, greatly impacting his performance throughout the series. Game 1 we saw promising rookie Iman Shumpert tear his ACL and lateral meniscus; he is looking at an 8 month rehab.  Game 4 Baron Davis suffered a horrific knee injury, tearing his ACL and MLC in addition to partially tearing his patella.  His career is potentially over, facing a 12 month rehab. Let’s also not forget Amar’e Stoudemire hitting his hand on a fire extinguisher case resulting in a laceration on his left hand that required 15 stitches.  He missed Game 3 because of the injury and is lucky to only miss that as doctors told Stoudemire that he was a millimeter away from hitting a nerve, which would have ended his basketball career on the spot.  These injuries and constant changing of the team was just too much for the Knicks to overcome.

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 The Heat just seemed more prepared than the Knicks.  Right from the start of the series, it was evident that the Heat and their coaching staff had made the necessary adjustments.  They changed their defensive approach against the Knicks, specifically, Carmelo Anthony.  The Heat decided to front Anthony, making it difficult for the Knick guards to get Anthony the ball in good spots on the court.  If Anthony did end up with the ball, he was far away from the basket and then faced double and triple teams, forcing him into tough situations.  Mike Woodson and the Knicks were able to figure it out for spurts, but were unable to overcome the Heat as they just seemed to be one step ahead of the Knicks the whole series. 

Another thing that stood out was the play of Steve Novak.  He became a folk hero in New York, knocking down 3 pointer after 3 pointer after being inserted into the rotation.  But his disappearing act in the playoffs was alarming.  Novak managed to only get off nine shots in the five game series.  A lot of this can be credited to the Heat’s stifling defense but it is still worth noting that he got up 17 shots in three regular season games against the Heat.  This was a disappointment for the Knicks, as the Heat were one of the worst teams in the NBA at defending the 3 point shot.  It was an area the Knicks should have thrived in, but instead they floundered; another example of the Heat coaching staff preparing their team better than Mike Woodson and his Knicks staff.  The front office will have a difficult decision to make with Novak this off-season.

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The bench had been a strong point for the Knicks all season but did not have the impact in the series as hoped.  Novak, as mentioned earlier, was neutralized by a swarming Heat defense.  J.R. Smith was a gamer, but struggled mightily from the field.  Smith shot 24-76 from the field, good for 31.6% and an even more disappointing 5-28 from 3 point range, good for 17.9%.  One positive for Smith though was, outside of Carmelo Anthony, he was the only player on the Knicks who was able to get his own shot.  They did not fall as often as you’d hope, but he was aggressive and never backed down from tough match-ups with Lebron James and Dwayne Wade.  Smith has said in the past that he will test the free agent market this season, but as a Knicks fan I really hope he is back.  Sure he is immature at times, but he brings it every game and with a little guidance would become an outstanding player.

The defense was not up to the level it needed to be for the Knicks to pull off an upset.  Injuries really set the Knicks back from the beginning of the series.  Jared Jeffries was limited throughout because of a sore knee he was unable to overcome from the regular season.  Jeffries anchored the defense on the 2^nd unit and without him they struggled to keep the Heat at bay.  Losing Iman Shumpert in Game 1 was a huge blow as well. Shumpert is quickly becoming one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA, defending the opposing teams’ best players on a nightly basis.  Tyson Chandler being under the weather was the biggest blow.  Since coming over as a free agent this past off-season, Chandler has changed the culture around New York.  He turned the Knicks from a laughing stock on defense the past few seasons into a top 5 defensive team this season.  Without him manning the middle and setting the tone from the beginning of the series, the Knicks were doomed. 

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In the playoffs the stars are supposed to shine their brightest.  For the Knicks they had the unfortunate draw of having to face three of them in Lebron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh.  Those three outshined the Knicks star duo of Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire.  Outside of a spirited Game 4 performance in which Anthony and Stoudemire combined for 61 points and 16 rebounds, the rest of the series was pretty much lackluster.  Stoudemire struggled with foul trouble and inconsistency, finally blowing up after Game 2 when he suffered the laceration on his hand.  Anthony had 3 big scoring outputs, but they were not the more efficient outings, taking a high number of shots to reach those totals. Anthony was unable to carry the Knicks against a superior Heat squad alone.

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 So ends the roller coaster Knicks season.  This season was like a roller coaster that was really hyped up, but ended up falling short of expectations.  There were low points and high points throughout the season.  I am happy as a Knicks fan that they were able to overcome so many distractions throughout the season to make the playoffs, just hoped for a better performance.  The Knicks did end their 13 game playoff losing streak which is something to build off of for next year.

New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat Game 5 Post Game Recap

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Final Score: New York Knicks 94 Miami Heat 106

The roller coaster ride of a season has officially come to an end for the Knicks after losing Game 5 in Miami to the Heat 106-94. It was not the best of ways to end the season, as the Knicks trailed by as many as 19 and did not seem to have the intensity and energy of a team that had their backs up against the wall facing elimination. Even when the game was close, it had the feeling of a blow out. Even with that, they did not at any point look like they were giving up, which was a positive. The Knicks became the 103rd out of 103 teams to go down 3-0 and lose the series.

-2 Superstars not better than 3

The Knicks big players Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire were unable to have a repeat performance of Game 4, falling short against the Big 3 that Miami employs in Lebron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh.

Stoudemire struggled tonight, not having the same impact he had on Game 4. He was in foul trouble throughout the game, picking up his fifth foul with 6:41 remaining in the 3rd quarter and sixth and final foul with 4:48 remaining in the game. He finished with 14 points on 4-7 shooting, adding only four rebounds.

Stoudemire was unable to get into a rhythm in part because of the foul trouble but also because of the defensive strategy the Heat employed. Unlike in Game 4, the Heat forced Stoudemire to dribble and move more in Game 5, making it hard for Stoudemire to gain control and score. They were not allowing Stoudemire to take jump shots, instead forcing him to use his injured hand more than he had wanted.

Anthony started the game slow, but finished with a flurry, not going down without a fight. He played right to the final buzzer, giving the Knicks everything he had. Anthony finished with 35 points on 15-31 shooting, adding eight rebounds. He did everything he could to keep the Knicks in this game, but in the end it was not enough as no one stepped up enough around him.

After a rough start to the series, Anthony responded pretty well in the last few games. He did not provide the Knicks with the series win like fans and teammates had hoped for, but they did end the 13 game playoff losing streak; something to build off of for next season.

-Punchless Bench

The Knicks bench was basically nonexistent tonight. The Knicks bench was outscored by the Heat bench 22-16, something that can not happen if the Knicks wanted to come away with a win.

J.R. Smith struggled mightily tonight from the field, shooting 3-15 for 12 points.  He did not add anything else to the Knicks tonight as he had in the other games in the series, not grabbing a rebound or handing out another assist.  Outside of the point column, Smith put up zeroes across the board.

No one else on the Knicks bench got very many minutes, as Mike Woodson rode the starters heavily.  The other bench players outside of Smith did not really get a chance to make an impact, as Steve Novak, Toney Douglas, Josh Harrellson and Jared Jeffries combined for only about 28 minutes played.  The bench was one of the strengths for the Knicks heading into the playoffs, but was pretty much neutralized by the Heat throughout the series. 

-Defense and Closing out Quarters

The Knicks held the Heat to a low shooting percentage, holding the Heat to 43.6% shooting for the game, but struggled at defending the 3 point line.  The Heat shot 9-19 from the 3 point line, good for 47.4%.  They also allowed the Heat to take 34 free throws, and the Heat knocked them down, hitting 29 of the 34 attempts. 

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 The closing out of quarters and halves has been a problem for the Knicks all season long, and it reared its ugly head again in Game 5.  With the Knicks closing the gap to three with 2:42 to go, the Knicks crumbled heading into the half.  They were outscored 11-3 the rest of the way, leading to an 11 point Heat lead at the half which was insurmountable for the Knicks this time around.

-Shining Star

Mike Bibby showed up for the Knicks tonight, giving them everything they could ask for a more.  He scored eight quick points in the 1^st quarter, knocking down his first two 3 point attempts and another jumper in the corner.  In total, Bibby ended the game with 10 points, six rebounds and five assists.  The Knicks could not have asked for a better performance from Bibby.

Tonight was the end of the Knicks season and the future for the team is murky at best.  This off-season holds a lot of question marks for the future of the staff and roster.  Who will the head coach be? Will the front office be able to resign players like Jeremy Lin, Steve Novak and J.R. Smith? It will be an interesting off-season for the Knicks and their fans.

It was a roller coaster season and I hope you all enjoyed the ride like I did.  Keep checking back throughout the off-season for stories regarding free agency, the NBA Draft and everything else New York Knicks. 

New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat Game 5 Pre-Game News and Notes

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Wednesday May 9 7:00 P.M. ET

New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat

Game 5 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals 3-1 Heat Series Lead

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The Knicks were able to stave off elimination once Sunday afternoon, and look to do the same tonight in Miami against the Heat. The Knicks will need their big players to step up tonight as the team is again ravaged by injuries. Again facing elimination, the Knicks will need to come out with a lot of energy and intensity to match a Heat team looking to end their season.

-Injury Updates

Baron Davis is facing a 12 month rehabilitation after MRI's on his knee came back worse than expected. Davis suffered tears of his ACL and MCL in addition to a partial tear of his patella tendon. It is a devastating injury for anyone to have, but even worse for someone the age of Davis.

The injury means yet another change will be made to the starting lineup, with Mike Bibby getting the call. He played great in relief of Davis Sunday afternoon in a thrilling Knicks victory and hopes to replicate that performance tonight. Bibby cannot play 40 minutes, so look for Toney Douglas to possible see some playing time, along with J.R. Smith and Carmelo Anthony at times taking over ball handling duties.

Amar'e Stoudemire will also be in the starting lineup again. He suffered no setbacks after Sunday's game, but will still be limited because of the huge wrap he will have to wear on his hand to protect his stitches.

There was a lot of whispers that Jeremy Lin would be back in time to play this series, but that is no longer looking likely. Lin says his knee does not feel more than 85% strong, so he is not willing to push it. He is more than likely out for the remainder of the series. This is a smart move on Lin's part and by the team, as the future outlook of Lin is much more important that a game or two this series against Miami.

-Bench Needs To Produce

The Knicks will need a spark from their bench tonight if they want to compete. The Knicks bench is much more potent than the Heat bench with J.R. Smith and Steve Novak. They will need big performances from those two on the offensive side of the ball to keep this series alive.

Another person to keep an eye on off the bench if Josh Harrellson. He provides energy and toughness to a second unit that is lacking because of all the injuries. One area Harrellson helps a lot is on the defensive end of the court and the glass. With Jared Jeffries still nursing an injured knee, he has not been able to have the impact the Knicks had hoped for on the series. Harrellson is capable of providing that impact and more if given the opportunity.

-Bibby Turns Back the Clock

Mike Bibby will be making the start tonight and for the foreseeable future for the Knicks after the Knicks have lost Jeremy Lin, Iman Shumpert and Baron Davis all to injury. He will shoulder the point guard duties tonight for the most part. The veteran presence that Bibby brings to the court is a good addition to the Knicks. He will fill the void left by Davis while also being able to still control the offense. The only extended minutes Bibby has received was in Game 4 over the weekend and he stepped up huge for the Knicks, knocking down clutch shots in the 4^th quarter. The Knicks have to hop for much of the same tonight if they want to get the series back to New York for Game 6.

-Stars Stepping Up

Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire combined for a monster game Sunday afternoon, and the Knicks will need more of the same tonight. They should go to their offensive juggernauts early and often and try to get them going right from the start.

Anthony carried this team to the playoffs without a consistent sidekick throughout the month of April. The Knicks will count of him to set the tone for the offense as they run everything through him. If Mike Woodson and his staff are able to tweak their game plans by getting Anthony into better positions to score for himself and set up his teammates it would greatly help the team.

Stoudemire gave a spirited effort on Sunday afternoon, showing a lot of heart playing through the self-inflicted injury on his left hand. He was aggressive on the boards and gave great effort on the defensive end even though he was limited. The Knicks will need another game like that from Stoudemire to help take pressure off Anthony on the offensive end and Tyson Chandler on the defensive end and on the glass. Stoudemire has become the x-factor for this team; if he plays well tonight, the Knicks have no reason to think they will not be playing Friday night back at the Garden.

Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks Game 4 Post Game Recap

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Final Score: Miami Heat 87 New York Knicks 89

The Knicks live to fight on for another day after pulling off a thrilling victory this afternoon at the Garden over the Miami Heat.  They also ended their losing streak at 13 for consecutive playoff losses, winning for the first time since April 29^th 2001.  The Knicks avoided getting swept for the second consecutive post-season with the win tonight as well.

-Amar’e Finally Shows

Amar’e Stoudemire, who missed Game 3 because of the laceration on his left hand, returned to the lineup tonight and finally played like the STAT Knick fans became accustomed to seeing last season.  He showed a lot of heart and guts in playing tonight, not wanting to give up on his teammates and fans after hurting himself after Game 2.

Stoudemire finished with a double-double, going for 20 points and 10 rebounds.  Stoudemire got off to a blazing start, scoring six points and grabbing two rebounds in the first quarter before foul trouble forced him to the bench.  Stoudemire faced foul trouble throughout the first half, but was still able to provide a dominant performance despite that and the huge wrap on his hand.

Stoudemire had an eight-layer wrap administered to his hand before the game so he could play tonight.  Stoudemire, who has been inconsistent with his effort on the defensive end and on the glass, could have easily coasted and use the left hand as an excuse as to why he didn’t play well.  But that is the last thing on Stoudemire’s mind.  He is a competitor and a fighter, and gave a very spirited and effort filled performance this afternoon.

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 Stoudemire is well aware what he did was not smart, quieted some critics after this afternoon.  He was determined to return to the court for Game 4, owing it to himself and his teammates and fans to give it a go.  He not only gave it a go, but put on his best performance in a game the Knicks really needed him in.  Tonight, Stoudemire played more like the Power Forward he is labeled as.

-Melo Lights up the Garden

After putting forth a lackluster performance in Game 3, Carmelo Anthony came out determined to end the Knicks playoff woes.  That is exactly what he did with the help of Amar’e Stoudemire.

Anthony put on a show for the fans in attendance, scoring 41 points on 15-29 shooting, adding six rebounds and a team high four assists.  Anthony was not letting the Knicks lose tonight, knocking down clutch shot after clutch shot in the 4^th quarter to keep the Knicks in the game.  The stat that sticks out the most to me is that Anthony only had one turnover in Game 4, cutting that number down from five in Game 3.

The ball movement tonight with Anthony was also much better.  Anthony found teammates on a number of occasions who stepped up when needed.  It was a pleasure to finally see Anthony co-exist with Stoudemire on the court, as the two combined for a dominating 61 points, 16 rebounds and five assists.  The two also combined for +20 in the game, something that hadn’t happened all post-season and rarely happened in the regular season.

When Knicks management added Anthony into the fold last season, these are the types of games they expected every night.  Better late than never I say, as for at least one afternoon the dynamic offensive duo had the Garden rocking.

-Defensive Effort

The Knicks made a concerted effort tonight on the defensive end.  This helped them stay in the game as their offense outside of Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire sputtered for most of the afternoon.  The Knicks can keep up with the Heat when they put forth a defensive effort like they gave in Game 4. 

Lebron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh combined for 66 points, but the Knicks made them work for their scores as they shot a combined 22-49, good for 45%.  They forced the threesome into 11 turnovers as well.

The Heat’s Big 3 are going to get theirs, but the key for the Knicks was shutting down the role players that surround them.  The Knicks held the Heat to 3-19, 15.8%, shooting from the 3 point line and held the bench to a combined nine points. 

The Knicks held the Heat to 41.1% shooting overall, which was the key to this victory, as the Knicks didn’t fair much better on the offensive end, shooting only 42.7% for the game.

-Injury Bug Hits Again

As if the Knicks haven’t suffered enough injuries this season, especially to the backcourt, the injury bug wasn’t done going through the Knicks.  After already being without Jeremy Lin and losing Iman Shumpert in Game 1, you can now add Baron Davis to the injured list.

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 Davis suffered a horrific knee injury in the 3^rd quarter, dislocating his knee cap.  Watching Davis lay there in pain was sickening, as the injury was visibly nauseating.  The reactions of players and fans alike told you everything you needed to know about the injury.  A stretcher was asked for right away, as Davis could not get off the court without one.  Our wishes and prayers go out to Baron Davis for a speedy recovery on such a devastating injury. 

With the injury, Mike Bibby was forced into extended action and he did as well as anyone could have ask him.  This was quite possibly the best performance Bibby has put on as a Knicks given the circumstances and everything going on.  Bibby knocked down huge 3 point shots, and helped on the boards grabbing five rebounds.  If not for such a great performance by Bibby in relief duty, the outcome of this game could have easily been worse for the Knicks. 

Game 5 between the Knicks and Heat will be Wednesday, May 9^th back in Miami at 7:00 P.M. ET.  The Knicks will look to avoid elimination again, and could help be on the way in the form of Jeremy Lin?  He would be a welcomed addition with the loss of Baron Davis. “It was a great feeing.  To win here in the Garden – the fans are tremendous,” said Carmelo Anthony.  Hopefully he and the rest of the Knicks have a chance to do it again and can pull out a win Wednesday night.

Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks Game 4 Pre-Game News and Notes

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Sunday, May 06, 2012 3:30 P.M. ET

Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks

Game 4 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals 3-0 Heat Series Lead

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It’s do or die time for the Knicks.  Facing elimination, it will be interesting to see how the Knicks come out tonight.  The Knicks are looking to end a number of records including consecutive losses in the playoffs and playoff games scoring under 100 points.  It will not be an easy task to overcome, but the team should come out with a lot of energy and intensity with this possibly being the last home game of the season.

-Rotation Changes

The Knicks will be starting their fourth different lineup in as many games.  With so many injuries, the inconsistent rotation has led to problems for the Knicks on both offense and defense.  They have not been able to put together a full game yet in this series, part of the reason they are down 3-0.

Steve Novak got the call in Game 3 to start, but Mike Woodson will probably look somewhere else in Game 4.  J.R. Smith is being given heavy consideration by Woodson.  He would add more offensive firepower to a Knicks team that has been lacking scoring throughout the series.  Moving him into the starting lineup would leave a huge hole in the second unit.

In my opinion, the best option would be starting Josh Harrellson.  He would give the Knicks a bigger edge on the boards and offers great defensive effort.  In his limited minutes in Game 3, Harrellson was very active, creating second opportunities and providing a spark that the Knicks desperately needed.

**UPDATE Amar’e Stoudemire is active and starting this afternoon for the Knicks.

-Get Novak Involved

The Knicks have to make it a point to get Steve Novak more involved in the game plan.  Novak was outstanding shooting the ball all season, something the Knicks need to take advantage of.

The Heat are one of the worst teams at guarding the 3 point shot and the Knicks have yet to take advantage of that in the series.  They are in a deep hole right now, but they need to start somewhere if they want to mount a comeback. Getting Novak going from deep would be a good start.

-Get Carmelo Anthony Going

If the Knicks have any shot of winning this afternoon and attempting a comeback in the series, they will need to get Carmelo Anthony going.  Anthony has not been very efficient in the series so far because of the outstanding defensive game plan the Heat have put forth in stopping him.

The Knicks need an offensive explosion from Anthony, but it has to be an efficient one.  Anthony scored 22 points in Game 3, but he needed 23 shots to get there.  The low efficiency cannot all be blamed on Anthony as the Heat have done a great job containing him.  It is up to Mike Woodson and his staff to get Anthony in better positions to score for himself and create for his teammates.

New York Knicks Grades: Game 3 vs. Miami Heat

If there was a game for the Knicks to steal in this series, Game 3 was that game.  Sadly, the Knicks were still unable to overcome the Miami Heat, but stuck with them well for three quarters.  The Knicks lost 87-70, now facing an almost insurmountable 3-0 deficit in the series.

Coaching: Grade: C-

After Game 2, the Knicks looked to have worked out some kinks and were confident heading into Game 3 at Madison Square Garden.  The Knicks didn’t back down and never gave up, but they just did not execute as efficiently as they could have.

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Defense was not the problem for Mike Woodson and his staff, as they finally got the Knicks up for the occasion on the defensive end; evident by the 58 points through the first three quarters.  It looked more like the Knicks team Woodson led through the end of the regular season, giving up only 91.5 points per game, good for 4^th in the NBA since Woodson took over.  

The problem for the Knicks was on the offensive end.  They scored only 70 points and were unable to get anything going at any point in the game.  “Offensively, we just didn’t have it,” Woodson said.  “We were so stagnant.  I’ve got to take the heat for that.  I thought with Game 2, we moved the ball from side-to-side and tonight we played one side of the ball all night long.”

One reason for this was the decision to start Steve Novak and have it backfire terribly for the Knicks.  Novak was inserted into the starting lineup with hopes that he would stretch the defense and open things up for the rest of the Knicks offense.  That never happened as the Heat were all over Novak, not allowing him any air space to shoot the ball.  This decision loomed large because of the deficiencies that Novak has on the defensive end of the court.  When he is unable to knock down 3 pointers, he becomes a huge liability because he is not making up for what he gives up on the defensive end.

Woodson and his staff took a gamble but unfortunately lost.  Look for more changes to be made in Game 4 as the Knicks look to end NBA records and building for the future.

Backcourt: Grade: B

As a Knicks fan, you really could not have asked for more out of Landry Fields and Baron Davis.  They both came prepared and ready to play in Game 3, giving the Knicks everything they had being two of the more over-matched players in the starting five.

Landry Fields was great for the Knicks in the first half, scoring a team high nine points. 

He did not miss a shot in the first half, giving the Knicks the offensive spark they desperately needed.

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 Fields also played great defense on Dwayne Wade in the first half.  Wade struggled mightily outside of his 12 point 3^rd quarter with Lebron James on the bench.  Fields has been widely criticized throughout the season and playoffs, but definitely came to play in Game 3 and you have to respect his effort given how inconsistent his playing time and role have been.

Baron Davis gave another gutsy outing for the Knicks tonight.  He, like Fields, looked good in the 1st half but was unable to provide the same impact in the 2^nd half of the game. 

Davis ran the team as well as anyone could have given the circumstances.  It was a hard fought, dragged out game that was sloppy and tough for everyone involved.  Davis being a wily veteran was prepared for what the playoffs bring.  It was good to see Davis giving it his all even though he is visibly hurt and hobbled, which is having a major impact on his game.

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 Frontcourt: Grade: D

Mike Woodson took a shot putting Steve Novak into the starting lineup and moving Carmelo Anthony to the Power Forward position.  Let’s just say the plan did not go as hoped. 

Steve Novak was shut down by a ferocious Heat defense.  They would not allow Novak to beat them from the perimeter.  Novak has only scored a total of nine points on seven shots in the series.

When Novak is not knocking down 3 pointers, it is a liability to have him on the court.  He is not a strong rebounder or defender, giving up countless second chance opportunities on defense.  He gives up too much on the defensive end to get major minutes if he is not getting the opportunities to knock down perimeter shots.

The Novak experiment didn’t work, but the bigger disappointment here has to be Carmelo Anthony.  The one game the Knicks needed him to step up and carry them, he was unable to.

Anthony scored 22 points, but needed 23 shots to get there, going 7-23 from the field and 7-9 from the foul line.  He added eight rebounds, but also had five turnovers. 

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 The Heat threw everything at Anthony in the game, I’m pretty sure there was even a kitchen sink on the court at once point.  They pressured him and put him into tough situations, much like Game 1 of the series.  Unlike in Game 2, Anthony was not able to get off to that hot start and have his teammates feed off of him.  With all eyes on him, Heats defense and Knick fans alike, Anthony wilted a little under the pressure with no sidekick.

Defense: Grade: B+

This grade would have easily been an A+ f basketball games lasted only three quarters.  Through three quarters, the Knicks hung with the Heat because of a fast moving, pressure filled defense. 

The charge was led by a healthy Tyson Chandler, who received his Defensive Player of the Year award prior to the game.  He looked to be fully recovered from the stomach flu, grabbing 15 rebounds, two blocks and two steals.  He changed numerous shots of Heat players, being the presence the Knicks had missed in the first two games of the series.

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 Another boost came in the form of Jared Jeffries, who played 14 minutes which was three more than in the first two games combined.  He brought energy and defensive toughness with the second unit that was lacking in Games 1 and 2.  Jeffries was visibly still affected by the sore knee, but it was nice seeing him going out there and fighting for his teammates.

One thing that stands out is the performance of the Knicks defense on the Heat’s big 3.  Lebron James had more turnovers and fouls than made baskets in the game, as the Knicks forced him into eight turnovers and five personal fouls compared to nine made shots.  Outside of a dominant third quarter in which Wade scored 12 points, the Knicks held him in check allowing him to score only eight the rest of the game.  Chris Bosh only scored nine points and grabbed 10 rebounds as he returned from the birth of his son.

Defense was not the problem for the Knicks tonight, holding the Heat to only 87 points total, 58 through the first three quarters.  If the offense had been clicking like the defense, I firmly believe the outcome would have been different.

Bench: Grade: B+

The Knicks bench didn’t have a great night, but they are not the reason for the loss.  They came into the game and gave the Knicks everything you ask for from the bench, energy and hustle. For the game, the Knicks bench finished with a +7, compared to a -32 for the Heat bench.

J.R. Smith struggled with his shot, but did not let that effect the rest of his game.  He didn’t back down from the bigger Lebron James on defense, and when asked took on the responsibility of guarding Dwayne Wade as well.  Smith also cut down on his turnovers, having only two in the game.

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Mike Bibby did a solid job backing up Davis at point guard.  He had a very unlikely eight points, and also added three rebounds and an assist.  Bibby has been a pleasant surprise for the Knicks throughout the series. 

Jared Jeffries and Josh Harrellson provided the Knicks with the spark they had been looking for on the defensive end of the court and on the boards.  In 19 combined minutes, Jeffries and Harrellson combined for seven rebounds.  They also provided the Knicks with a much needed defensive presence in the middle on the defensive end. 

Tyson Chandler Wins Defensive Player of the Year Award

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New York Knicks Center Tyson Chandler was named the Defensive Player of the Year earlier this week.  There is no player that deserved the honor as much as him.

This award has been a year in the making for Chandler.  He was the main cog in the defense that slowed down Lebron James and the Miami Heat last season en route to an NBA title last season for the Dallas Mavericks. 

Following that championship run last season, Chandler joined the Knicks this off-season as a free agent.  He came to a Knicks team that is not known for their defense, ranking 22^nd in defensive efficiency last season.  This season, with Chandler manning the middle, the Knicks improved to 5^th in defensive efficiency this season.  

Interim Head Coach Mike Woodson has, on multiple occasions, said that Chandler deserved the award.  “He’s done everything to put us in the position where we are today,” Woodson said last month.  “You don’t find very many centers that (are) committed like he is, don’t have any hidden agendas.  You know, it’s not about Tyson Chandler, it’s always about the team and, you know, that speaks volumes.”

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Chandler averaged 11.3 points, 9.9 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 0.9 steals per game this season.  They are not eye popping numbers, but the impact Chandler had on a team as a whole plays into the decision for him winning the award.  He was able to change the culture around a team that had previously just worried about how many points they could score in a game. 

Chandler is not one to put personal goals ahead of the team, but this award is one he sets his sights on.  “It seemed like every time I thought I maybe I got close to being an All-Star or something like that, it was like something always came up,” he said.  “And so to win this … I never set out for individual goals, except for this one because I felt like if you’re Defensive Player of the Year, you’re changing something and you’re helping win ballgames.  So to win it, I was speechless.”

Chandler was presented the trophy before Game 3 between the Knicks and Heat by four-time award winner Dikembe Mutombo.  He is also the first Knick to receive the award in the history of the franchise.

New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat Game 3 Post Game Recap

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Final Score: Miami Heat 87 New York Knicks 70

Tonight provided the Knicks with their best opportunity to steal a game in the series, but were again unable to overcome a better Heat team.  The loss tonight means the Knicks are one loss closer to summer vacation and also that the Knicks are now in the record books.  Tonight’s loss gave the Knicks the most consecutive losses in the playoffs in NBA history, at 13.  For three quarters, the Knicks were able to hang with the Heat, but were sorely outplayed in the 4^th quarter, resulting in a blowout loss. 

-Carmel-No Anthony

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 On a night in which the Knicks needed Carmelo Anthony most, he was not able to provide one of his patented performances.  Anthony finished with 22 points, but needed 23 shot attempts to get there, going 7-23 from the field.  Anthony also added eight rebounds. 

Once again, the Knicks were unable to get Anthony into positions of strength, playing right into the Heat’s hands.  Anthony was forced into tough spots, resulting in poor shot selection and iffy ball handling, the result of five turnovers.

For a coach that preaches accountability for his players, it was good to see him take accountability for the stagnation and overall terribleness of the Knicks offense.  “Offensively, we just didn’t have it,” Woodson said.  “We were so stagnant.  I’ve got to take the heat for that.  I thought with Game 2, we moved the ball from side-to-side and tonight we played one side of the ball all night long.”

“They’re loading up on him,” Woodson continued, in reference to Anthony.  “They’re doubling him and they’re forcing him to take tough shots.  Even when he passes the ball, we’ve got to get other guys comfortable shooting the ball.  We moved the ball, their defense was solid but we still got good looks.  Out defense was solid throughout the first half and pretty much throughout the whole game until the fourth quarter and then we just, we gave in.” 

-Novak No-Show

Steve Novak replaced Amar’e Stoudemire in the starting lineup tonight and it was a rough outing to say the least.  Novak scored as many points as Stoudemire and Stoudemire was in a suit at the end of the bench.  Novak only took two shots in the first three quarters of the game, not stretching the Heat’s defense as Woodson had hoped.  The idea was that Novak would open up the court, making it easier for Carmelo Anthony to operate and enabling the Knicks to run the pick-and-roll.  It never came to fruition at any point in the game.

Novak entered the game only taking five shots and scoring nine points.  He was again exposed in the starting lineup of not being much more than a 3 point specialist.  The Heat were able to get plenty of second chance opportunities because Novak is not an adept rebounder or defender. 

It’s easy to second guess a decision after it happens, but if I were put in the same position, I would have started Josh Harrellson.  In limited minutes, Harrellson was very active for the Knicks on both the offensive and defensive boards and played great defense.  He was +8 in his five minutes of action, giving the Knicks a spark they could have severely used.

-J.R. and Tyson Bring It

There were not many positives to be brought out of this game that may have set the NBA back a few years.  It was very reminiscent of the old rivalry games between the Knicks and Heat from the 90’s.  Not everyone was prepared for such a slobber-knocker, but two people, J.R. Smith and Tyson Chandler, definitely were.

Smith struggled from the field, going 5-18 for the game scoring 12 points, but he never backed down once from the duo of Lebron James and Dwayne Wade.  Smith provided great effort on the offensive and defensive ends of the court and was a trooper for Mike Woodson.  Smith also provided two highlight reel dunks that looked like they would turn the momentum of the game in the Knicks favor.  The second dunk ended an 8-0 personal run by Lebron James brought the Knicks within eight with 8:45 remaining.  The Knicks sadly were not able to build off of that as the wheels fell off after that and the Heat continued their onslaught.

Tyson Chandler was another positive for the Knicks.  Chandler looked 100 times better than he did in the first two games of the series, having a major impact on the glass and a major reason the Heat struggled so much through the first three quarters.  Chandler finished the game with 10 points, but more importantly grabbed a game high 15 rebounds, adding two blocks as well for good measure.  Chandler showed tonight why he won the Defensive Player of the Year award and how important he is to the Knicks success.

It all comes down to Sunday afternoon for the Knicks.  It is a do-or-die game, as the Knicks face getting swept and eliminated from the playoffs for the second consecutive season.  Game 4 starts at 3:30 P.M. ET Sunday afternoon back at Madison Square Garden as the Knicks look to extend their season for at least one more game.  

New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat Game 3 Pre-Game News and Notes

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Thursday, May 03, 2012 7:00 P.M. ET

Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks

Game 3 2012 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals 2-0 Heat Series Lead

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 -Injury News and Updates

Amar’e Stoudemire is out for Game 3 because of the laceration on his left hand he got when hitting the fire extinguisher after Game 2.  He says he wants to be back for Sunday afternoon’s Game 4, but he is currently listed as doubtful.  One positive he does have going for him though is that the injury is on his left, non-shooting hand.

Jared Jeffries is starting to feel better, as head coach Mike Woodson said that Jeffries minutes can be increased for Game 3.  Before the series started, Woodson had said that Jeffries would be limited to 15 minutes a game, but has played only 11 minutes combined in the first two games.  Jeffries will help add to the Knicks interior defense, something that has been lacking thus far in the series. 

Tyson Chandler is all systems go.  After receiving the Defensive Player of the Year award, Chandler will look to show why he got it tonight at full strength.  He says that he is 100% and fine after suffering through the stomach flu Games 1 and 2.  Look for him to have a dominant performance on both offense and defense with the absence of Stoudemire.

There had been rumblings that Jeremy Lin was going to attempt a comeback for Game 3, but that has been shut down.  His knee did not respond as well after full contact practice earlier in the week, and his return has been pushed back again.  It is now doubtful that he will return for Game 4 as well, meaning that the chance of seeing Jeremy Lin again this season are becoming less and less likely.

The Miami Heat’s Chris Bosh welcomed a baby boy into the world this morning.  He is questionable for Game 3 because he returned to Miami late last night to be with his wife.  The Heat have not yet ruled Bosh out, holding out hope he can return to New York in time for Game 3. 

Mike Woodson will have a lot of decisions to make going into tonight’s game with his starting lineup.  With two starters being out, Woodson will have to change up his lineup for the third time in three games.  There have been whispers that Steve Novak will step into the starting lineup, but he would present tough match-ups on the defensive end for the Knicks as he would struggle to guard Lebron James or Chris Bosh.  In my opinion, the best option would be starting Josh Harrellson.  He provides great defense and rebounding, allowing Chandler to guard the Center instead of Bosh, keeping him closer to the basket where the Knicks need him.

-Bench Production

With the Knicks missing two starters, the bench unit is going to look a little different but they will need to step up nonetheless.  Players will get playing time tonight that hasn’t all series and they have to be prepared for game action.

One player we know will be prepared is J.R. Smith.  He has been the best player for the Knicks thus far in the series.  The Knicks will need him to provide a scoring punch off the bench and help carry the load along with Carmelo Anthony.  Smith has been aggressive on the offensive end and defensive end.  He has taken on whatever Mike Woodson has asked him to do and succeeded.

It would be nice to see Steve Novak get going as well.  The fans at the Garden are going to be going crazy tonight and Novak having a good performance will only increase that.  Every time he touches the ball, there is a little more buzz in the crowd.  If he’s able to get a few shots to fall early, the game could be there for the Knicks taking.

-Carmelo Anthony Slides to the 4

Carmelo Anthony will be moved to the starting Power Forward position tonight with the absence of Amar’e Stoudemire.  This has been a position that Anthony has thrived in throughout the season.  He causes match-up problems for opposing teams because there is no power forward in the NBA that can contain him.  It also helps that Anthony can hold his own on defense against bigger opponents because of his excellent strength and power. 

Having Anthony at the 4 will also bring one of the Heat’s bigs away from the basket.  Anthony does a lot of his work from the perimeter, so bringing the Heat’s big men away from the basket will not only make it easier for Anthony to score, but at the same time open up the lane for easy attempts for his teammates.  

-Attack the Paint

The Knicks have been badly outscored in the paint through the first two games of the series.  This is a trend that must be reversed if the Knicks hope to make some noise and end their 12 game playoff losing streak. 

One reason for this is the lack of Tyson Chandler.  Battling the stomach flu, he has not been himself on either end of the court.  Finally feeling better heading into game 3, expect the gap of scoring in the paint to come closer to the Knicks.  Chandler will add easy points for the Knicks while taking away scoring from the Heat.

Attacking the paint will also result in more trips to the foul line.  The Knicks have not been as aggressive as the Heat (and don’t have the refs helping them out like the Heat), leading to less free throw attempts.  If the Knicks are able to get to the foul line more and slow down the game it will go a long way for them, as they could be battling fatigue with yet another injury decimating their team.  

New York Knicks Grades: Game 2 of Series vs Miami Heat

Game 2 was much better for the Knicks, but the end result was still the same.  The Knicks lost to the Heat 104-94, falling down 2-0 to the Heat in the series. 

Coaching: Grade: B

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 The Knicks were not able to pick up the win in game 2, but the game plan was definitely better this time around.  The necessary changes were made on the offensive end by Mike Woodson and his staff.  The offense is most successful when it is ran through Carmelo Anthony, and the Knicks struggled to get him into position to make plays in game 1.  In game 2, Woodson tweaked the offensive sets.

Carmelo Anthony was smothered by Lebron James and company on his post ups in game 1.  The Heat defense made it nearly impossible for Anthony to receive passes and make plays because they fronted him and then sent a double team.  This frustrated Anthony and the Knicks, evident from the 3-15 shooting and blowout victory for the Heat.

In Game 2, the Knicks put Anthony in better positions to succeed.  Woodson tweaked the offense by having Anthony start more at the top of the key instead of on one side the court.  This opened up the floor making for a better free-flowing offense.  It also enabled Baron Davis, J.R. Smith and Mike Bibby to run the patented pick-and-roll game, making for easy opportunities around the basket. 

The reason this grade is not higher is because the Knicks still have not made up a game plan to slow down the Heat.  After having a top 5 defense in the regular season, the Knicks have been embarrassed in two games by the Heat, giving up over 100 points in both contests. 

One reason for this letdown has been because of the health concerns the Knicks have been facing.  Tyson Chandler has been fighting the flu, and Jared Jeffries is not 100%, unable to play more than a few minutes per game.  Losing Iman Shumpert in Game 1 will also hurt the Knicks defense, but a good game plan put in would help.

Backcourt: Grade: B-

Baron Davis gave the Knicks a valiant effort in Game 2.  Davis, battling his newest injury to his back, soldiered on and gave the Knicks as much as they could have asked for.  He is on a minute limit, but played nearly the whole second half, 21 minutes, after only playing six minutes in the first half.  Davis scored 12 points and added six assists.  The Knicks could not have asked for a better performance from Davis who is visibly hindered by his nagging injuries.

Davis’ backcourt mate, Landry Fields, did not fair as well.  Fields only played 18 minutes, most of which seemed to be wasted.  Fields has lost all confidence in his jump shot and is a liability on the offensive end.  Passing the ball to him is a waste of time, as he will just take a dribble or two and pass it back out; going nowhere fast.

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Fields also has become a liability on the defensive end, as Dwayne Wade did whatever he wanted to Fields on offense.  He scored from all over the court and was virtually unstoppable.  Fields will need to step up his performance with the Knicks facing so many injury concerns.  Fields is solely responsible for this grade being so low after such a performance from Davis.

Frontcourt: Grade: B+

Unlike in Game 1, Carmelo Anthony got off to a scorching start this time around.  He ended up scoring 30 points, adding nine rebounds.  He came ready and prepared to play this time around.  His confidence was sky high and he attacked the Heat defense from all different angles. 

For the Knicks to have any chance of winning games, they will need performances like this from Anthony the remainder of the series.  They would also like to have efficient games from Amar’e Stoudemire, like he had in Game 2.  Stoudemire went for 18 points and seven rebounds, much more involved than Game 1. 

Sadly, Stoudemire will most likely not have that opportunity.  He punched the glass container that holds the fire extinguisher in the Heat locker room, getting a very ugly laceration.  Medical attention was needed as sources say half of Stoudemire’s hand was ‘hanging off’.  He will miss Game 3 and does not seem likely to play the remainder of the series after receiving 15 stitches in his hand.

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Defense: Grade: C-

The Knicks once again gave up 100 points, 104 to be exact, which will not be acceptable when trying to beat the Heat.   

The only positive for the Knicks on defense was the improved play of Tyson Chandler.  He was much more active in Game 2, aggressively going after rebounds and playing a lot more like his old self.  He grabbed seven rebounds, and looked like he was more engaged.  His energy level was also much higher, visibly looking more engaged and energetic; closer to the normal level up play Chandler is accustomed to.

Chandler says he should be fine by Game 3.  It would be a huge boost to a Knicks team to have Chandler playing at full health.  With Jared Jeffries being limited and Iman Shumpert being lost for up to 8 months, the Knicks are without a lot of their defensive stoppers.

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Another thing that may help the Knicks on defense is Amar’e Stoudemire not playing.  Stoudemire has been atrocious on defense on all season and was not getting any better in the series against the Heat.  Chris Bosh was taking advantage of Stoudemire every time they lined up against each other.  The Knicks defense has been better all season while Stoudemire sat on the bench, so hopefully the trend continues if Stoudemire isn’t going to be playing. 

Bench: Grade: B-

The bench was better than bad, but worse than good in Game 2 against the Heat.  They did what they regularly do, providing hustle and energy.  But they also had some of their weakness exposed, one of which being defense without Jared Jeffries. 

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J.R. Smith brought the same intensity and aggressiveness he did in Game 1, showing just how tough he is.  Smith did not back down from Lebron James or Dwayne Wade, taking on whatever Mike Woodson placed in front of him.  Smith also provided a nice punch in the scoring column, going for 13 points on 6-11 shooting.  He was the only Knicks outside of Jared Jeffries limited minutes, to finish with a positive +/-. Smith has been the most consistent and best player for the Knicks in the first two games in my opinion.

Mike Bibby gave the Knicks good minutes again off the bench.  The Knicks did not suffer a letdown with Bibby running the team.  He actually got big minutes in the first half, playing 18 of his 21 minutes in the first half, as Mike Woodson rode the hot hand.  Bibby has been a pleasant surprise for the Knicks in the playoffs.

Novak is the one who was exposed the most in Game 2.  Novak was caught multiple times in the wrong position on defense, allowing for wide open 3 point attempts for the likes of Shane Battier and Mike Miller.  If Novak is not knocking down 3 pointers, he has very little reason to be on the court most of the time.  It was encouraging to see Novak grab five rebounds though.  But he will need to step up the effort on the defensive end as well, as Novak will see a lot of playing time with all the injuries he Knicks have and his prowess he has of knocking down perimeter jump shots.