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. Charlotte Bobcats Post Game Recap April 26

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Final Score: New York Knicks 104 Charlotte Bobcats 84

The Knicks won their final game of the regular season, defeating a lifeless Bobcats team 104-84 ending the season on a three game winning streak.  The Bobcats ended the season on their own streak, losing the last 23 games in a row, finishing with the worst winning percentage for a season in NBA history.  While the Knicks won tonight, the 76ers lost meaning the Knicks lock up the 7^th seed in the Eastern Conference and a meeting with the Miami Heat in the first round.  The 76ers will get the Bulls.

-Amar’e Flashback

Much like how Carmelo Anthony dominated without Amar’e Stoudemire on the floor was how it was for Stoudemire tonight with Anthony sitting out resting up for the playoffs.  Stoudemire finished with 21 points, scoring in an array of ways.  Stoudemire tonight was effective with his midrange jumper, rolling off screens and on drives to the basket.  It looked like the Stoudemire of old, especially in the 3^rd quarter when he finished a monstrous dunk over Tyrus Thomas for an and-one.

The Knicks should start Stoudemire against the Heat when the playoffs started, but should not hesitate to get him burn with the second unit.  If the Knicks can split up Stoudemire and Anthony for parts of the game and let each dominate for a stretch of time, it will help them in the long run.  If both are having a good game, it will be difficult to decide which one to send help at.

Tonight’s game was against statistically the worst team in the history of the NBA, but there were still encouraging signs to take out of it for the Knicks.

-J.R. Smith Steps Up

J.R. Smith has turned a corner since Mike Woodson took over as head coach, and he has to be a big reason for that.  The relationship between Smith and Woodson seems very similar to a father-son relationship.  Woodson comes down harder on Smith compared to some of the other players because he realizes Smith is a big piece to this team being competitive and they need him.

Woodson is able to communicate to Smith without turning him off and making him upset.  Smith has all the talent in the world, but can sometimes get lost in his own games causing problems for the team.  We have seen less of that since Woodson took over and I think it is because Woodson has gotten through to Smith that team basketball and continuity will be what leads them to where they want to be, not one-on-one show off basketball. 

The pushing Woodson gives to Smith only motivates him more to show the coach he is capable of doing what is asked of him.  For example, Smith now brings it consistently on the defensive end.  Tonight that pushing paid off as Smith led the Knicks with 22 points in a game which he gave a strong performance when it looked like not many people were interested in taking part.

Next up for the Knicks is the playoff series against the Miami Heat.  This is the beginning of the re-start to the rivalry from the 90’s when the Knicks and Heat would battle it out it seemed every year in the post season.  Saturday afternoon at 3:30 P.M. ET in Miami is when Game 1 of the series will take place.  

New York Knicks vs. Charlotte Bobcats Pre-Game News and Notes April 26

Thursday April 26, 2012 8:00 P.M. ET
New York Knicks vs. Charlotte Bobcats

The Knicks end the regular season tonight against a Bobcats team riding a 22 game losing streak.  This is an important game still for the Knicks, as their playoff seed is still not set.  If the Knicks and 76ers share the same result tonight, the Knicks will get the 7^th seed in the Eastern Conference and a first round match up against the Miami Heat.  If the Knicks win and 76ers lose they also get the 7^th seed.  The only way the Knicks can fall behind the 76ers tonight is a lose in combination with a 76er win.  So the question now comes, do the Knicks lose on purpose, trying to avoid Miami in the first round?  As a fan I do not want to watch my favorite team be the ones who end the Bobcats 22 game losing streak.  I may be in the minority tonight, but I want to see the Knicks come out firing trying to end the regular season on a high note and not lose to the Bobcats even if it means a match up with the Heat in the first. 

-Lots of Lineup Changes

The Knicks will start a very different looking lineup tonight, giving multiple players the night off.  Tonight’s starting lineup for the Knicks will be Mike Bibby, Iman Shumpert, Landry Fields, Josh Harrellson and Amar’e Stoudemire.  Baron Davis, Carmelo Anthony, Tyson Chandler and Toney Douglas are all sitting tonight.  Douglas is the only one who is actually not healthy enough to play, as he is sitting out because he is sick.  This will be an interesting game for the bench, as they will get extended playing time.  It is an opportunity for many of them to showcase what they have going into the playoffs trying to earn playing time from Mike Woodson.  Woodson has said he will use tonight to see who deserves minutes going forward into the playoffs.

-Show Up Tonight

The playoffs are right around the corner, so why not start with the intensity tonight?  It should not be hard to get the bench players to play hard tonight.  They are all fighting for a spot in the rotation for the playoffs and have nothing to lose.  There should be no drop off in intensity and work ethic with this group.  I actually believe the Knicks have a better chance of beating the Bobcats with this group because they will match the energy the Bobcats will bring trying to end their losing streak.

The Knicks want to ride a wave of momentum into the playoffs, especially because it will be a tough opponent in either the Bulls or Heat.  Losing to the Bobcats would destroy any good feelings the Knicks are building up, so tonight is a game they should come out in and try dominating from the start.

-Going for Recognition

Steve Novak has come out of oblivion this year and has turned in a great season for the Knicks.  Tonight he has a chance to secure the league lead in 3 point shooting if he knocks down a couple of jumpers.  The Knicks should do everything they can to get Novak that title.  He deserves any recognition he can get because of how well he has played this season, playing most of it out of nowhere.  He is better known for his championship belt maneuver than actually playing.  

Los Angeles Clippers vs. New York Knicks Post Game Recap April 25

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Final Score: Los Angeles Clippers 93 New York Knicks 99

The Knicks were able to come tonight and again protect their home court, finishing the season 22-11 at Madison Square Garden.  That is the highest winning percentage at home for the Knicks since the 2000 season.  With the win, the Knicks remained in contention for the 7^th seed in the Eastern Conference, but will not be able to move up any more.  With the Magic defeating the Charlotte Bobcats, the Knicks are officially out of the running for the 6^th seed.  This locks the Knicks into a first round match-up with either the Bulls or Heat. 

-Bench Shows up Again

The Knicks bench again was on fire tonight.  J.R. Smith led the charge, leading the team with 21 points, five assists and four steals.  Smith set the tone at the end of the first quarter putting the Knicks up 24-19 behind five points from Smith.  Steve Novak then picked up right where Smith left off starting the 2^nd quarter off with two straight 3 pointers within a minute time span.  Bench production did not stop there as Landry Fields later got into the act with six points of his own.  Before you knew it, the Knicks had built a double-digit lead and were in command of the game.

The stellar play of Smith as a playmaking point guard and Novak continuing his hot shooting in the 4^th quarter really helped put away the Clippers.  Mike Woodson decided to let it roll with the bench giving the starters pretty much the whole 4^th quarter off and they did not disappoint him.  The Knicks bench finished with 43 points compared to the 20 scored by the Clippers bench.

-Two Different Halves

In the first half, the Knicks were dominant in the paint.  The Clippers scored only four points in the paint compared to 10 for the Knicks in the 1^st quarter.  The Knicks were able to limit the dynamic front court of Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan to only six points combined in the first half.  What was even better was the Knicks did not allow either player to a get a dunk.

The second half was a different story for the Knicks.  They allowed Griffin and Jordan easier access to the paint, leading to a combined four dunks between the two.  The game was no longer out of hand once the Knicks allowed the Clippers to get to the basket.  Again, it was mostly against the Knicks second unit, so it was a positive at the same time they did not allow the Clippers to take the lead and held on for the win.

-Stoudemire Struggles on Defense

Everyone is aware that defense is not the top priority for Amar’e Stoudemire.  At times, it even looks like it is not in his top five while on the court.  But Stoudemire has to do a better job of buying into Mike Woodson’s team first approach.  Carmelo Anthony has bought in and he is playing some of the best basketball of his career; it is time for Stoudemire to follow suit.  Stoudemire was the culprit on multiple post ups by the Clippers and was easily exploited numerous times.  This led to multiple break downs on rotations and the perimeter defense, allowing the Clippers to shoot 11-25 from downtown in the game. 

-Get Flow on Offense

The Knicks have to figure out a way to work everyone into the offense.  Tonight, at least early on, they relied too heavily on Carmelo Anthony isolation.  The Knicks barely ran any pick-and-rolls for Stoudemire or Chandler, leading to a combined one point between the two of them.  Anthony did have nine points in the quarter, but it would be nice to see more people worked in.  It should be noted though as the game went on, Anthony was finding Stoudemire and Chandler more often rolling to the basket for easy dunks and lay-ups.  

New York Knicks vs. Atlanta Hawks Pre-Game News and Notes April 22

Sunday April 22^nd 1:00 P.M. ET
New York Knicks vs. Atlanta Hawks

The Knicks suffered a debilitating loss on Friday night at the hands of the lowly Cleveland Cavaliers and look to bounce back against the Hawks Sunday afternoon.  This is the 3^rd meeting of the season between the Knicks and Hawks, with each team winning on their home court in the previous match-ups.  It will be interesting to see how much energy and effort are put into the game because both teams are pretty much locked into their current spots in the playoffs with such a little amount of time left in the season.

-Playoff Picture

The Knicks now have a slim to none chance of moving up in the standings with only 2 games left after Sunday afternoon.  They no longer control their own destiny, needing the Magic and Celtics to both lose all of their remaining games in addition to the Knicks not losing for seeding to change in a positive manner.

The Knicks could conceivable move down in the standings, which may not be a bad thing. They currently hold the 7^th seed in the Eastern Conference, matched up against the Miami Heat.  This brings up an interesting debate to be had.  Do the Knicks play out the season and most likely get matched up against the Heat, or do they tank games and allow the Philadelphia 76ers to move ahead of them making for a series against the Chicago Bulls?  Seeing how things go in Atlanta will be a good indicator in which direction Mike Woodson will have the Knicks heading. 

Players are confident in the team and are saying they do not care who they match up with.  Tyson Chandler is just fine with facing the Heat in the first round.  "I'm OK with it," Chandler said earlier this week. "They've beaten us, obviously, every game that we've played them. But I don't feel like we've necessarily made the adjustments to that team. That's a team that you have to make adjustments (to) and make them pay for how aggressive they are. And we haven't done that yet in any of the games that we've played. We have to be willing to, if that's our match-up, to sit down, break down tape and really focus in." 

Chandler is not alone in not caring about match-ups, as the same sentiment can be felt by Jared Jeffries.  "If we keep shooting the ball the way we are, then definitely we're one of the top teams," Jeffries said Friday afternoon on ESPN New York 1050's "Ruocco & Lundberg" show. "I think against Miami's defense, I think you have to have a team that can shoot the ball very well. The way we're shooting the ball right now from outside, I think it'll be hard for a team like Miami to show on pick-and-rolls and rotate early to get to our shooters. So I think we're definitely one of the teams that they would be concerned about." 

-Continued Work to Cohesion

The game against the Cavaliers Friday night was a disaster right from the start with the Knicks looking out of whack on the offensive end and lacking the same intensity and cohesion they have been showing in recent games on the defensive end.  One reason behind this could be the return of Amar’e Stoudemire.  The Knicks need to get him up to speed and quick.  They are a much more dangerous team with him no matter how well Carmelo Anthony played when he put the team on his back.

For Carmelo Anthony, he needs to again readjust.  The Knicks play well when the offense runs through him and he gets touches every possession.  They need to continue to do that even with the return of Stoudemire.  They were unable to do that consistently enough on Friday, as Anthony had the same amount of shot attempts in the 2^nd half as points after the 1^st quarter, which was one.  

Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks Pre-Game News and Notes April 15

Sunday April 15th 1:00 P.M. ET 
Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks 

The Knicks continue their three game home stand Sunday afternoon in a matinee game against the Miami Heat and their big 3. The Knicks are coming off an easy victory over the Washington Wizards, which improved their record to 31-28. The Knicks currently hold a 2 ½ game lead over the Milwaukee Bucks in the playoff race and sit in 7th place holding the tiebreaker over the Philadelphia 76ers. They also sit 3 games behind the Orlando Magic for 6th place in the Eastern Conference and 3 ½ games behind the Boston Celtics for the Atlantic Division crown. 

-Defensive Intensity 

Since Mike Woodson has taken over as the Knicks head coach, the team has gone 13-4 and been a top defensive team. They have been holding opponents to 88.8 points per game, ranking 2nd in the NBA. This is going to be key in the game against the Heat. The Heat sport the 2nd best record in the Eastern Conference, but struggle against some of the top defensive teams in the NBA. This month alone the Heat have lost to the Grizzlies, Bulls, and Celtics twice, teams who all sport top rated defenses. The Knicks are looking to add their names to that list by using the same tactics. 

-Small Ball Match-ups 

With the injuries the Knicks are suffering through, they have been using a smaller lineup with Carmelo Anthony at the Power Forward position with Iman Shumpert moving into the lineup. Some teams can over power the Knicks because of the smaller lineup, but the Heat are actually one team the Knicks match up with well. You could even argue the Knicks hold the edge in the matchups depending on how the Heat play it. 

The Knicks have had a potent offense with Anthony playing the 4. There is no Power Forward in the NBA who can contain Anthony on the offensive end, giving the Knicks a huge edge. You would think the Knicks would have the same problem, but Anthony can hold his own on the defensive end. Also, throwing the ball into the post can throw teams off and change their game plans all together. 

Luckily for the Knicks, the Heat do not have dominant big men to worry about. Instead, the Heat are the ones who will have all the problems to answer. Anthony and Lebron James are expected to be matched up for most of the game with Dwayne Wade and Iman Shumpert squaring off as well. 

Where does this leave the last member of the Heat’s big 3 you ask? They are in a quagmire of sorts with him. Does Erik Spoelstra trust Chris Bosh in handling Tyson Chandler going small against the Knicks, or does he go with a traditional lineup and just hope Bosh can slow down Carmelo Anthony and leave bangers Ronny Turiaf and Joel Anthony to deal with Chandler? It will be an interesting development to keep an eye on. Game pace and tempo will be what dictates the moves being made. 

New York Knicks vs. Chicago Bulls Post Game Recap April 10

Final Score: New York Knicks 86 Chicago Bulls 98 

Tonight the Knicks say first hand that the Bulls are tough even without reigning MVP Derrick Rose in the lineup. Rose sat out tonight’s game with a right ankle injury, and quite truthfully the Bulls did not need him. Chicago still played their way of basketball, tough on the defensive end and grind it out, slow pace on the offensive end. The loss tonight was a devastating one for the Knicks, who fall to 29-28 and back into 8th place in the Eastern Conference. They now only have a 1 game lead over the Milwaukee Bucks going into their match up Wednesday night. 

-Where’s the Windex at? 

The Knicks got hammered on the boards tonight by the Bulls to the tune of being out rebounded 51-33. The difference on the offensive glass was even more nauseating for Knicks fans, as the Bulls held an 18-5 edge there. 

The domination for Bulls did not finish there, as they easily out scored the Knicks 25-5 on second chance points and 40-28 in the paint. 

When Kyle Korver is rebounding well against you it just is not your night. The Knicks lacked a rebounding presence tonight from anyone not named Tyson Chandler. It is one aspect of the game the Knicks will need to clean up down the end of the season. We know they are undersized and playing through injuries, there just has to be a more concentrated effort on the glass. When the Knicks are able to control the paint and pace, the results are much more positive than tonight. 

-Ice Cold Offense 

At times throughout the games, the Knicks look like a well oiled machine. Their offense hums like the engine of a sports car and they look unbeatable. They are working together as a unit and are cohesive. Then there are times where they are as cold as the arctic from the field. Tonight had more arctic than sports car. 

The Knicks suffered through many of these cold spells tonight. To start the game they went 0-6 from the field and to start the 2nd quarter they missed 10 of their first 11 shot attempts. The bad start in the 2nd quarter led to the Bulls getting the lead back and holding onto it for the remainder of the evening. The 3rd quarter did not go much better, as the Knicks went on a nearly 8 minute span of scoring only 2 baskets. The Bulls do have a very good defense, but the Knicks certainly helped them look the part tonight. 

-Batman Needs a Sidekick 

Carmelo Anthony has done everything and more on the offensive end since injuries purged the Knicks roster. He scored another 29 points tonight, going 11-19 from the field. It was Melo or bust for the Knicks tonight, and they busted. Anthony did everything he could but could not beat the Bulls for 2 consecutive games by himself. Finding that consistent scorer behind Anthony has been a struggle for the Knicks since Amar’e Stoudemire and Jeremy Lin went down with injuries. There are people who say the Knicks are better off with only one of the superstars, but anyone who seriously believes that is an idiot. The Knicks are much better off with their full allotment of players compared to how they are now. 

-Bench Struggling 

Is this the real Knicks bench, or just an aberration from how they had been playing in the past weeks? It has been slightly overlooked because of how well Carmelo Anthony has been playing, but it is something to keep an eye on. With all the injuries, some players roles have been changed but the two key players off the bench, Steve Novak and J.R. Smith have hit a lull in their play. 

Novak has spoiled us with his shooting prowess since being inserted into the lineup, but has hit a cold spell. He has not hit a 3 pointer in the last 2 games. The shots just are not falling for him because he is still getting open looks, he just can’t get them to go through the basket. 

As for J.R. Smith, his numbers look good but taking a deeper look will show you the truth. He is the definition of a streak shooter, and it shows when you take that deeper look. He has good scoring totals for a player off the bench, but does 15 points really sound that good when it is on 14 shot attempts? If J.R. Smith is able to become a more efficient scorer it will not only help the Knicks but help himself in the long run. 

The Knicks get back at it tomorrow night with a quick turnaround. They will be playing in Milwaukee against the Bucks in what could be the Knicks most important game of the season. The game starts at 8:00 P.M. ET on ESPN. 

New York Knicks vs. Chicago Bulls Pre-Game News and Notes April 10

Tuesday, April 10, 2012 9:30 P.M. ET 
New York Knicks vs. Chicago Bulls 

After an excitement filled thrilling game Sunday afternoon, the Knicks and Bulls are back at it to finish their home and home series tonight in Chicago. The Knicks have been rekindling rivalries with teams over the last 2 seasons, and it’s safe to say the Bulls are one of those teams. The Knicks currently sit in 7th place in the Eastern Conference, tied with the 76ers and a game ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks. Tonight will be the 4th and final meeting between the Bulls and Knicks for the regular season, but could match up in the first round of the playoffs if everything falls into place. 

-Injuries Concerns 

The injury front for the Knicks has gotten murkier since Sunday. Tyson Chandler was seen at points with heavy wrapping of ice on his elbow, something that will be monitored since he is also dealing with wrist and groin injuries. Jared Jeffries returned Sunday for the Knicks and did not report any negatives, so he will be a go for tonight. 

The Bulls on the other hand could be without Derrick Rose tonight. He was seen in a walking boot last night, but no longer was wearing it today. Rose did not participate in the morning shoot around with his teammates and is appearing unlikely to play tonight. Bulls Head Coach Tom Thibodeau says Rose will be a game-time decision. The Knicks would be lucky to have Rose not play, but the Bulls are very deep and are 15-7 this season without Rose. 

-Attack the Basket 

The Knicks heavily relied on jump shots in Sunday’s meeting with the Bulls. It worked in the 1st quarter when the Knicks were able to open up a 27-6 lead. After that, the shooting became less and less efficient, scoring less points every quarter after that allowing the Bulls to get back into the game and take the lead at the end of the 3rd quarter. It would be beneficial for the Knicks to attack the basket more and get to the foul line. 

The Knicks are an above average free throw shooting team, and have players capable of getting to the line at will. If they are able to put pressure on the Bulls front line it will go a long way. Attacking the basket will also allow the Knicks to open up the Bulls defense. If they are attacking the basket with efficiency, the wings and guards of the Bulls are going to have to come off their assignments opening up open jumpers instead of contested ones. 

-Fields Disappearance Act 

Early in games recently Landry Fields has made impacts on the game. But once the second half comes around, Fields turns into a different player. Woodson does like playing J.R. Smith in favor of Fields because he can help run the Point, but the real reason is because of the liability Fields is shooting the ball. 
In the 2nd half the defense picks up and timely baskets are a must, something Fields has struggled with. Also when the game is coming down the stretch, Fields hurts the team at the free throw line, shooting a putrid 57% from the foul line. If Fields can improve his jump shooting he will see more time on the court. Until then he will continue to start games but watch from the bench at the end of them. 

-Carmelo Anthony’s Heroics 

Carmelo Anthony has done exactly what he said he would when Amar’e Stoudemire and Jeremy Lin went down with injuries, which is carry the team. Anthony has lived up to the billing knocking down countless number of clutch shots and scoring a large portion of the Knicks points. He has also become more engaged on the defensive end, showing effort he had not shown prior while playing for the Knicks. While it is a sight to see for fans, they also have to wonder how long can this keep up? 

Anthony is more than willing to shoulder the offensive load, but he will need a sidekick to score along with him. Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith right now seem the most capable with Tyson Chandler mixed in, but they have to do it on a more consistent basis. 

Smith has averaged 13 points in his last 5 games, but is taking almost 6 3 pointers and 14 shots a game in that period. Smith is the definition of a streak shooter, but needs to find a way to be more consistent. It would go a long way for him and the Knicks if he could. 

As for Shumpert, he has improved upon his shooting after working with Allan Houston recently on his release. Shumpert has all the talent in the world; he just needs to harness it. His shot selection is suspect right now, and will improve with more time playing since he still is a rookie. He had back to back 25 point games against Atlanta and Orlando a few weeks back, but other than that has been inconsistent. 

Consistency is key not only for Shumpert and Smith, but the whole Knicks team. It will take more than one person to get this team into the playoffs and to succeed. 

Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks Post Game Recap April 8

Final Score: Chicago Bulls 99 New York Knicks 100 OT 

This afternoon’s game had all the intensity and energy of a playoff game. The Garden was buzzing like it hasn’t buzzed in what seems forever. The Knicks opened up a huge lead, going ahead 27-6 in the first quarter but relinquished the lead throughout the rest of the game, becoming less and less efficient as the game went on. Carmelo Anthony would not let the Knicks lose the game this afternoon, willing the Knicks to a win with clutch shooting throughout the game. With the win the Knicks are now 29-27, holding onto a playoff spot. They moved into 7th place with the 76ers falling into the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference after losing later in the night. 

-Carmelo Anthony Brings His “A” Game 

Carmelo Anthony came to New York because he wasn’t afraid of the pressure that came with it and wanted to succeed on the biggest of stages. That is exactly what he did this afternoon against the Bulls, having his best game so far in his Knicks career. Anthony started the game aggressive, going 5-5 in the first quarter en route to 12 points, and didn’t let up the entire game. Anthony finished with 43 points 7 rebounds and 3 assists, willing the Knicks to the victory tonight. He knocked down two huge 3 pointers in the 4th quarter and overtime, the first getting them into the extra period and the 2nd giving the Knicks the lead with 8 seconds remaining. Anthony seems to have regained his touch and is playing basketball like the Carmelo Anthony Knick fans thought they were getting from Denver. 

-Team Effort on Defense 

The Knicks knew they were going to have their hands full with MVP Derrick Rose, but they laid forth a plan to stop him and executed it as well as Mike Woodson could have hoped for. Iman Shumpert and Tyson Chandler anchored the strong defense that revolved around stopping the Bulls biggest threat in Rose. Rose was forced to shoot a below average 8-26 (30.7%) and commit a very uncharacteristic 7 turnovers. Rose had missed the previous 12 games because of a strained groin, and the Knicks took advantage of him being out of rhythm. 

-Contain the Bulls Second Opportunities 

In the last meeting between these two teams, the Knicks were unable to match the inside presence of the Bulls, getting dominated on the glass. Today was no different, as the Bulls out rebounded the Knicks 59-47; the difference laid in the second chance opportunities. The Bulls were tied for tops in the NBA in second chance scoring heading into the match up today, led by Joakim Noah, who is one of the best offensive rebounders in the NBA. The Knicks were able to limit him to only 2 second chance points in the game tonight, which went a long way in the Knicks being able to hang on while still being shorthanded and undersized. 

-Too Much Perimeter Play, Diverging from the Game Plan 
The Knicks were able to build a big lead to start the game against the Bulls, which ended up being the deciding factor in the game. The Knicks relied too heavily on their jump shooting today, which got them into trouble after the opening quarter in which Carmelo Anthony carried them. For large portions of the game there was no offense being ran by the Knicks, just a lot of one-on-one play resulting in contested jump shots and empty possessions. 

The Knicks also got away from their defensive game plan in the 2nd half. It resembled more of the meltdown against the Pacers last week than the stifling defense the Knicks showed at the start of the game when they jumped out to a 27-6 lead in the first quarter. The slower rotations, thought to be from fatigue, allowed the Bulls to get open looks from 3 point land and they took advantage. The Knicks were able to get stops when needed, and eventually pulled out the tough, hard fought victory. 

-More Injury Concerns 

Right as the Knicks get a person back from injury in Jared Jeffries, they have another active player suffering injuries. Tyson Chandler has been battling all types of injuries all season, and seemed to suffer another one in the game this afternoon. He was seen wearing heavy ice packs on his elbow while sitting on the bench. This is something to monitor in the coming days because there is only so much pain one person can take. Chandler is a tough player and will not complain about the injuries so you can only hope for the best and that he does not miss any game time. 

The next game for the Knicks is against these same Bulls Tuesday night in Chicago at 9:30 P.M. ET 

Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks Pre-Game News and Notes April 8

Sunday, April 8, 2012 1:00 P.M. ET 
Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks 

The Knicks continue their tough stretch of games this afternoon, in the first game of a home and home series against the Chicago Bulls. The Knicks are coming off another blow-out win of the Orlando Magic on Thursday night and look to continue their hot play of late. This is the 3rd meeting of the season between the Knicks and Bulls, with the Bulls taking the first 2 games. Each of the first 2 games was close, coming right down to the end. 

-Injury Updates 

This afternoon, both the Knicks and Bulls are expected to have people return to their lineups. The Bulls are expecting MVP Derrick Rose to return this afternoon from his 12 game hiatus because of a strained groin. It could not have been worse timing for the Knicks, but they have some players of their own returning that should help the cause. Jared Jeffries is expected to play on Sunday, giving the Knicks another defender to throw at Derrick Rose. Bill Walker is also expected to see his role expand, as he received only 16 seconds of token garbage time against the Magic on Thursday. 

-Contain Derrick Rose 

The Knicks have struggled all season containing the opposing teams’ guards, more specifically the Point Guard. Derrick Rose has been no exception, going for 32 points in each game. It was not the easiest 32 points in his career, but 32 points is still 32 points and the Knicks have to find a way to better contain him. With Iman Shumpert now in the starting lineup, the defensive assignments will be something to watch throughout the game. The emergence of J.R. Smith off the bench and the return of Jared Jeffries gives the Knicks plenty of capable defenders to throw at Rose throughout the game. 

-Control the Paint 

With Amar’e Stoudemire being out, the Knicks have gone with a small starting lineup. It is something that works against certain teams like the Magic, Bucks, and Cavaliers who do not employ the most conventional lineups such as the Knicks. But the Bulls play bruising Power Forward Carlos Boozer and high energy Center Joakim Noah. The Knicks will have their hands full throughout the game with those two, and will need a collective effort from everyone in controlling the paint. Again, the return of Jared Jeffries can not be overstated because this is yet another area in which his return will be a great help in. The Bulls are one of the best rebounding teams in the NBA, dominating the Knicks on the glass in the last meeting between the two teams which ultimately led to the Knicks demise. 

-Bench Play 

The Bulls bench has gotten some great experience because of injuries throughout the season to the starting lineup. They have more than serviceable big man Taj Gibson, sharp shooter Kyle Korver, and battle tested Ronnie Brewer. The Knicks bench will have to bring energy and toughness tonight to match-up with the Bulls tonight. Look for J.R. Smith and Steve Novak to come out firing to contend with the lack of size the Knicks have in the middle. 

New York Knicks vs. Orlando Magic Post Game Recap April 5

Final Score: New York Knicks 96 Orlando Magic 80 

The Knicks, at least for one night, learned their lesson after Tuesday night’s meltdown against the Pacers. Again tonight the Knicks held a 15 point lead going into the 4th quarter; just tonight they were able to hold it down, beating a dysfunctional Magic squad by 16 tonight. The Knicks only added to the problems in Orlando with the beat down they gave the Magic tonight. They increased their lead to 1 ½ games over the idle Milwaukee Bucks and improved to 4-2 without Jeremy Lin and Amar’e Stoudemire. They have also won 10 of 14 games under Mike Woodson and have beaten the Magic in 2 consecutive meetings. 

-J.R. Smith responding to Coach Woodson 

Tuesday night could not have ended in worse fashion for J.R. Smith, who was ejected after tossing Leandro Barbosa with 4 seconds remaining. Mike Woodson took it upon himself to give Smith a talking to, reminding him that he needs to remain professional on the court even through the tough times. 

Smith responded very positively tonight, scoring 15 points to go along with a career high 9 assists. He also shot 3-4 from behind the 3 point line, giving the Knicks the offensive punch they sorely need to go along with Carmelo Anthony, who finished the 19 points and resting the whole 4th quarter. 

-Good Point Guard Play 

The Knicks got great play from their Point Guards tonight, which is vital to their success. Baron Davis had a great floor game, scoring 5 points to go along with 5 assists and 3 rebounds. Also very important is that Davis got an extended rest tonight, playing only 19 minutes with the Knicks having such a big lead. 

With Davis getting to sit so long, that in turn means someone else stepped for the Knicks. Tonight that guy was Toney Douglas who had his best game in what seems like forever. Douglas scored 15 points off the bench for the Knicks, adding 6 assists and 5 rebounds. It was a great coming out party for Douglas as the Knicks are going to need him to step up behind Davis with the injury to Jeremy Lin. Douglas showed great confidence tonight, something he had been lacking and ran the team well when on the court for Davis. 

-Outstanding Defensive Effort 

The Knicks dominated the Magic last week because they were able to control the paint containing Dwight Howard and limiting the Magic’s 3 point shooting. That again was the winning formula tonight. The Knicks out rebounded the Magic 41-35 and were able to contain the 3 point shooting of the Magic. 

Tyson Chandler dominated Howard, holding him without a point until the final seconds of the 3rd quarter. Howard also was held to 8 rebounds and forced into 5 turnovers. Chandler being able to guard Howard 1-on-1 enabled the rest of the Knicks to stay home on their assignments, forcing the Magic into tough contested jump shots. The results were 37.5% from the 3 point line, 41% shooting overall and a total of 80 points. 

The Knicks will get a much needed rest, not having another game until Sunday against the Chicago Bulls at 1:00 P.M. ET at the Garden. It is the first of a home and home series, which will conclude the following Tuesday in Chicago. 

New York Knicks vs. Portland Trail Blazers Pre-Game News and Notes March 14th

Wednesday March 14 7:30 P.M. ET 
Portland Trail Blazers vs. New York Knicks 

The Knicks look to end a 6 game losing streak against a team which is having its own struggles in the Portland Trail Blazers, losers of 6 out of their last 8 games. The Knicks have to focus on stopping Blazer Power Forward LaMarcus Aldridge, who leads them in scoring at 21.7 points per game. One positive in stopping Aldridge is the return of Jared Jeffries to action tonight (never thought I would be glad he is coming back). The Knicks will need to bring energy for the full 48 minutes as well, as the Blazers are not a team to back down. Cleaning up the glass should also be a priority, after the lack of presence on the boards is what led to the Knicks demise against the Bulls on Monday night. 

-Changing of the Guard 
The Knicks management and Coach Mike D’Antoni agreed to part ways earlier in the day, with assistant coach Mike Woodson given the reigns to the team for the remainder of the season. This is a move well overdue, as D’Antoni was a lame duck coach (in his last year of contract with no extension) and had lost the attention of a number of players. Players were questioning playing time, and at times did not know the schemes on offense or defense, leading to confusion and lack of cohesion on the court. 

D’Antoni was stubborn and stuck in his ways of coaching, which led to the budding of heads between him and many players, namely Carmelo Anthony. The two of them have been unable to get on the same page, leading to lackluster play for the Knicks as a whole. The schemes D’Antoni was putting in place were calling for players to do things they were not used to and not playing into their strengths. Sure they are NBA players and should be able to adapt, but it is hard to tell someone like Carmelo Anthony who was a perennial All-Star and leading scorer in the NBA to change his style. D’Antoni’s current offense was calling for Melo to play more at the 3 point line, instead of between the elbow and block where he is used to operating. This caused problems because Melo would gravitate towards where he was used to playing and would stall the offense. This also explains why Melo, along with Amar’e Stoudemire are having career low shooting numbers. They are being taken out of their comfort zones and being asked to do something they are just not comfortable doing. 

It is like taking a square peg and trying to fit it into a circle hole, it just cannot happen. This was a move that was a necessity if the Knicks hope to make anything of this season. Fans have waited over 10 years for a player the caliber of Carmelo Anthony, so moving him right now was not an option, so firing the head coach who he budded heads with was the next best decision. 

-Are Rumors a Distraction? 
Rumors are a part of the NBA and are always around. It is just something that players and coaches have to get used to and just it rub off. Before the news broke that head coach Mike D’Antoni was leaving, there were rampant rumors surrounding Carmelo Anthony. 

There were rumors that he wanted out of NY and was looking for a trade. He not only disagreed with D’Antoni’s coaching style, but was also supposedly not a fan of the upper management either. Rumors started swirling that the Knicks and Magic were engaging in talks surrounding around Anthony and Magic superstar Center Dwight Howard. The rumored trade was if the Knicks could secure a promise from Dwight Howard that he would sign an extension with them, they would package Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler for Dwight Howard and Hedo Turkoglu from the Magic. 

These rumors have died down since D’Antoni was dismissed, and there is now news that Dwight Howard has opted-in for playing with the Magic next season. I will believe all of this only after the trade deadline passes at 3 P.M. on Thursday afternoon, until then I am just going to sit back and relax and enjoy the show. For the record, Carmelo Anthony denies ever requesting a move, and says he is dedicated to the Knicks and this is where he wants to be. Again, ill believe it once I see it. 

-Return of Jamal Crawford 
Tonight Jamal Crawford returns to Madison Square Garden to play against his old team. The Knicks were players for Crawford this off-season, but were unable to come to an agreement and he decided to instead sign with Portland. 
Crawford was my favorite player during his time with the Knicks, and I always enjoy watching him play on the nights he returns. He was willing to take the big shots and was fazed by nothing. He did not back down from any challenge, and embraced the bright lights of New York. It was a shame to see him get moved 3 seasons ago, which is something he is used to and may have to prepare for again. 

There are rumors going around that Jamal Crawford will be part of a 3 team deal involving the Lakers, Timberwolves and Blazers. The proposed deal has Crawford ending up with the Timberwolves, with Michael Beasley going out west to the Lakers and Steve Blake returning to his old team the Blazers. I for one hope this deal does not happen until after the game so I have a chance to see Crawford in action against the Knicks tonight. 

Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks Post Game Recap

Final Score: New York Knicks 99 Chicago Bulls 104 

Another game, another loss. The Knicks losing streak has now reached 6, dropping them into a tie for 8th place with the Milwaukee Bucks. If the playoffs started tomorrow, the Knicks would be heading for the lottery. It would be flat out embarrassing if this team were to not make the playoffs. The fact they need to fight for their playoff lives and are 6 games under .500 are bad enough. There are a number of people saying this is a good moral victory because they at least competed tonight against the Bulls. But at this point, there is no such thing as moral victories. The Knicks in a downward spiral with very little signs of turning it around. They may be in 8th place but it is safe to say their season and peoples job's are on life support right now. 

-Amar'e Rounding Into Shape 
After adding 15 pounds of muscle this off-season, Amar'e Stoudemire finally seems to be rounding into shape as he losses some of that weight. Stoudemire put up another efficient game tonight, going for 20 points on 7-12 shooting from the field. He did most of his damage in the 3rd quarter, in which he scored 12 points and had the hot hand, but he took only 2 shots in the 4th quarter. For being such an offensive genius, Coach Mike D'Antoni has no clue when it comes to making this team run. Amar'e had the hot hand, so he gets put on the bench and upon returning is not part of the offense. 

-Bring Back the 90's Knicks 
This Knicks team should be embarrassed with how soft they played tonight. This game was there for the taking, and they were unable to grab it. The Knicks held the Bulls to 43% shooting, making it tough on the Bulls to score. Derrick Rose scored 32 points, but it took him 29 shots and a few favorable calls from the refs to get there. Even if you add up all those positives they do not come close to making up for the lack of toughness and fortitude the Knicks showed tonight. They allowed the Bulls to grab 22 offensive rebounds, giving them numerous opportunities on what should have been empty possessions. To put this into perspective, Bulls forward Taj Gibson had 8 offensive rebounds alone, which is as many as the Knicks leading rebounding, Tyson Chandler, had in total. Amar'e Stoudemire only grabbed 3 rebounds for the Knicks, who still struggle to put it together and successfully play all facets of the game. This is where the game was won, as the Bulls had 24 second chance points compared to the Knicks 6. 

-Time For a Change 
The current makeup of this Knicks team seems to be going nowhere fast. They seem lost during certain points of the game and are lacking leadership. Players and staff are saying all the right things to the media, but it is hard to believe that is how they are really feeling. Coach Mike D'Antoni should be fired if there is any hope for the Knicks this season. The players seem to have thrown in the towel on him, no matter how unjust that may be. Neither the players or coach are willing to change their ways and are budding heads. There is no way Owner James Dolan is going to give up on his pairing of Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony and admit to making the wrong decision, which leaves D'Antoni on the chopping block. D'Antoni has no clue how to make this team play together, even getting gifted almost 2 weeks of practice time around the All-Star break. With that practice time, the product the Knicks are putting out on the court is unacceptable. D'Antoni knew he had to change his stubborn ways to succeed, and seemed to finally be giving in some when he allowed Mike Woodson to be hired as a defensive consultant. It is about time Woodson is moved up and named interim head coach, because the Knicks are only bound for ineptitude under D'Antoni and the current “system”, which none of the players are comfortable playing in. 

The next game for the Knicks is Wednesda, March 14, at 7:30 P.M. ET at the Garden against old friend Jamal Crawford and the Portland Trail Blazers.

Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks Pre-Game News and Notes March 12th

Monday March 12 8:00 P.M. ET 
New York Knicks @ Chicago Bulls 

The Knicks are currently in a tailspin, watching their season potentially go down the drain. Currently on a 5 game losing streak, the Knicks take their show on the road to face reigning MVP Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls are currently one of the hottest teams in the NBA, losing only 4 times in their past 19 games. This will be the 2nd of 4 meetings between the Knicks and Bulls, with the Knicks losing the first match-up of the season in heart breaking fashion, 105-102. Some keys to the game and things to watch for: 

-Knicks Defense 
The Knicks have been very porous on the defensive end of the court lately, surrendering over 100 points their last 3 contests. Jared Jeffries is expected to be out again, leaving the Knicks without one of their best defenders and lacking depth in the front court. 
The Knicks will somehow have to contain Bulls Point Guard Derrick Rose, who will add to the list of tough Point Guard match-ups for the Knicks recently. Rose is thought of by many as the best Point Guard in the NBA, so the Knicks guards will have their hands full. The Knicks will have a tough time winning if they allow Rose to go off for 32 points and 13 assists like he did in the first meeting. Normally you could count on seeing big minutes from Iman Shumpert, arguably the Knicks best perimeter defender. But recently, his minutes have been cut drastically. Shumpert seems to be the player suffering most from the addition of J.R. Smith and the healing Baron Davis. 
The Knicks should consider playing some type of zone defense against this Bulls team. Playing zone would force the Bulls to not only knock down jump-shots, but also make it harder for Derrick Rose to get into the paint. Stopping Derrick Rose will be the game-plan for the Knicks, and any little wrinkle they can add to slow him down should be considered. 

-Coming Out Strong 
The Knicks have come out with little no energy and urgency throughout this current losing streak. If they are not up for a game against the Bulls, they will get run out of the gym. The Knicks are losing their grip on the 8th seed in the playoffs, and are in danger of missing the playoffs even with what Coach Mike D'Antoni called a title contending team earlier in the season, before Jeremy Lin was thrown into the fire. 
Questionable coaching decisions and players that seem disinterested have this team in shambles. Carmelo Anthony is quoted saying, “"We've just got to figure it out. Now is not the time to drop our heads and start thinking too much. We've got to figure it out, one way or another. Something's got to happen." Time is something the Knicks do not have, so they better figure it out soon or there will be a number of changes on the horizon. 

-Can Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire Co-exist? 
Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire combined for 60 of the 102 Knicks points to go along with 17 rebounds in the first meeting. If they hope to have any chance of winning, they will need to ride the backs of their 2 supposed superstars. The Bulls could be without both starting Center Joakim Noah and starting Small Forward Luol Deng (backup Guard Richard “Rip” Hamilton is also expected to miss the game), meaning the Bulls could potentially be as short-handed, if not more, than the Knicks. If all of those players miss the game, the Knicks have to take advantage and attack what would be a less formidable front court of Carlos Boozer, Omer Asik and Kyle Korver.