2012-13 Game Thread: Knicks vs. 76ers
February 24th, 2013 by Brian Cronin | Comments | Permalink |
[Editor's note: We had multiple game threads up earlier, but they're now consolidated, just so we can either rejoice or weep all together in one tidy e-place.]
Tonight’s game is big in so many ways. First off, most importantly is that the Knicks have lost four straight games so it is certainly always good to get a win when you’ve lost so many games in a row.
Secondly, this should be the introduction of Kenyon Martin as a Knick. With the Knicks’ lack of frontcourt depth (with Marcus Camby and Rasheed Wallace being out), Martin might play a very important role for this team. We’ll get our first look at him tonight (presumably).
Thirdly, the Nets (who sit a game behind the Knicks in the Atlantic Division) host Memphis tonight at the same time that the Knicks play the Sixers. A Nets loss and a Knicks win would be big.
Finally, the Bulls are in Oklahoma City tonight to face the Thunder. The Bulls are a game and a half back of the Knicks. The last time that the Knicks gained on two teams trailing them was, well, some time ago.
Let’s go Knicks!
Thomas B. adds:
In film school you learn to tell a story in a basic three act plot. The first act sets everything up, introduces you to the protagonists, and gives you just enough reason to root for them. The second act is the point where the protagonists are at their lowest point. They face a seemingly insurmountable foe and it seems that all is lost. In the third act, the protagonist overcome the adversity in a creative way. It’s a story we’ve seen many times. And those who tell that story best are being honored tonight.
If you split the NBA season into three parts of 27 games each (I know it should be 27.3 but lets just count the games against the Bobcats as the remainder we throw out), we are just about at the end of the second act with the 53rd game of the season, and boy boy does it feel like the lowest point. The Knicks are on a season high 4 game losing streak. The sharp shooting, crisp passing, and solid team defense of the first act all but gone. Don’t lose hope Knick faithful because the team can get an early start on the third act tonight with a home win against the Sixers.
Let our triumph over adversity begin. Your in-game thoughts here.
Shump Shump
if we win, multiple game threads for every game going forward.
Gotta try something.
Of course Thad Young returns for the 76ers tonight, couldnt have waited another game to return I guess.
“Thomas B. adds”
Oh do I get a Co-executive producer credit?
Lmao Thad young comes back to torture knick fans
Kidd looking active as hell tonight, also pretty quick with the dribble.
Defense active.
This team is just tough to watch right now.
I really hate Evan Turner
Knicks score 24 pts in 1st quarter and thats with missing a decent amount of layups and open 3pters.
Hi guys,
Long time reader, first time poster. Thanks to all that run and participate in this awesome community.
For some reason when Philly has the ball, all I can do is watch Nick Young. It is strangely fascinating to watch and I highly recommend you all do the same. Better than hoping and praying Jrue doesn’t drop another 35.
Prigs has to attempt the layup there.
Stat on a roll.
Pablo doing his best JR Smith.
If Prigioni hits the fadeaway 10 foot bailout shot, the Knicks will win every night.
I wonder if Mick Foley brought Socko with him to the game.
So was that mick foley?
On the other hand, that is a move JR Smith should be able to replicate. Threaten to go to the rim and the 13′ baseline fadeaway should be open every time. He should be able to knock down that shot consistently.
Put that one away for future reference.
Yeah, he is there to help promote the WWE HOF ceremony which will be held at MSG the weekend of WrestleMania which is behing held at MetLife Stadium. Foley is one of the inductees this year.
the offense waste so much time getting marshmellow the ball in the post to just have him jack up a shot or lose the ball. ugh always a pet peeve of mine.
Thanx Al , I remeber when he was mankind and I thought he was real and was scared of him lol
Real creative marshmello Neva heard that 1 b4
When the Undertaker first started in the WWF my little bro was afraid of him at the time and I used to impersonate him to scare my bro lol.
the sarcasm in that response is a bit strong.
but the bockers gave up a few points due to a badly flowing offense. right on time lol
Lmao @ Jill Martin catching lady wood over Justin tuck
Holliday did not even flinch to follow Shumpert when he cleared out to let Melo work one-on-one in the block. Strangely, Holliday also did not flinch when ‘Melo beat Turner and got to the rim.
There is a ‘Melo problem right now on offense. The Knicks do not have a good strategy to feed him when Turner fronts him in the mid-post. Ball does not reverse to create a passing lane.
Kidd, Felton, Shumpert/Novak, Chandler are on the floor.
They ran a ton of continuity in the first quarter, creating open shots for guys with very little success.
I really don’t think there’s a point to posting anymore.
Exactly. and if melo is up against a good defender it kills more time on the clock. meaning he either HAS to put something up or pass it to a teammate with very little time to get a good shot.
Shump is such a liability on offense right now its getting to the point where I honestly think he should start getting DNP-CD’s soon. I understand he is a big part of the team’s future but for this season I just dont know if he will ever be healthy enough to contribute. He needs a normal off-season to hopefully get back to 100% by October and next training camp. For the rest of this season just bring him off the bench in certain situations for defensive purposes or if others are in foul trouble because right now he doesnt deserve automatic minutes.
To be clear, when ‘Melo is fronted in the mid-post, one of the other big men (Chandler or Amar’e) has to flash to the opposite elbow to catch the entry pass and immediately look for ‘Melo going backdoor. The Knicks did not do this last year when the Heat fronted ‘Melo during the playoffs, and the offense totally shut down.
Dirty secret is that Kidd can’t make a decent opp pass anymore. Really horrible with that pass all year.
The Chandler flash is pretty much worthless because no one defends, so the Knicks opt to try to create as much space as possible by clearing it out.
Would like to see the Amar’e flash though.
Mick Foley? Wasn’t he a wrestler by the name Mankind?
They could go to more Melo in high pick and roll, but he’s being utilized in the Melo post because of the matchups — either too slow, or too small. Collins doesn’t have anyone who can guard him down there.
Mankind, Cactus Jack and Dude Love
In the middle of the Knicks great second quarter run, ‘Melo got the ball on the left block and passed out of the double on the diagonal to a wide-open Shumpert on the elbow. Shumpert’s shot clanged off the back of the rim.
+1.
LoL he had the right idea on that last play tho, it just so happened that he stepped on the line.
when he does get his offensive confidence and can provide a consistent 10-12pts he will be a good piece.
How do you think a Felton, Kidd, Shumpert, Chandler, player x offense should function normally function?
He looks quick, athletic, strong, nice shooting form… the results are awful.
I’d stay patient. This is not a Ronnie Brewer situation.
exactly.
the offense needs to come a little bit more organically. Way too many times Felton and kidd have just held the ball above their head to just feed melo the ball or try n make a play with melo.
Woodson DEF has to figure out how to incorporate melo better. its either have melo bring the ball up or wait to feed him in the post and good defensive teams will/have use that to their advantage.
to be honest, i rather have them not wait on melo to create something. move the ball over to the next man till it gets back to melo or an open shot is available
Shumpert needs some extended garbage time runs to work out the shooting rust when it does not matter. Cause right now, his defender simply is leaving him alone and playing free safety (or, in Holliday’s case, falling asleep while ‘Melo goes to rim unmolested).
Shump hits a three. Shumpites wipe up your drool.
Holy crap, that became 20 up in a hurry.
Go back and watch the first quarter offense please.
shump for 3!!!!! maybe we can build on this
Go back and watch the 2nd quarter. It wasn’t pretty.
28 points, dude.
Nice comeback. And very true.
how many did the bench produce? im betting on more then half.
chandler sticking up for melo. i like that
melo did start it, but calling that a flagrant is a little crazy
after these exchanges, chandler tends to up the intensity 10x. we will see what happens
i just doubled checked if anyone is even remotely interested lol. 17 points by the bench in the 2nd quarter.
Melo-STAT PnR. OH YES.
A bunch from the bench. Three fg from Stat, 2 from Smith, one from Prigs and Novak. Zip from Shump, Kidd, and Felton. 2 from Melo. 1 from Tyson.
Very bad interior defense from Philly in the second.
I think Kidd had a predetermined amount of 3′s he was allowed to hit this season and he used them all up early.
novak on iso d with amare bringing the help at the rim is a painful sight to my eyes
LOL!
i agree. knicks bench produced that in a good amount of time to boot.
Speaking of bad interior D, knicks are starting to get worked in the paint.
amare has been good on offense today, but his defense and reounding today have been classic amare
I laugh at people who think JR Smith is a good defender (because he can jump high).
we need a back up center, stat.
(see what i did there -__- )
Crickets, Knicks must be playing well.
JR Smith is capable of producing spectacular defensive plays, because he jumps high. That does not make him a good defender.
Stat is finally hitting the elbow-extended jumper. If he has that shot, he is dangerous.
Did Frazier really repeat himself there that this is Amar’es best game as a Knick?
Exactly
Where’s Kenyon? Why give him a 10 day contract then?
Pretty sure he’ll get signed through rest of year. Woodson wants to give him more than one practice.
Novak actually looked nasty in grabbing a defensive board.
Knicks have been running the ball up court, even when they are not in the fast break. As a result, they have had about 2-3 seconds more each possession to execute their offensive sets.
why can’t grab boards like these every night. i wanna see k mart
Felton did the right thing swinging the ball to an open Kidd for 3. Kidd missed by a country mile. Something is wrong with Kidd’s shot.
Good point.
Jr smith with the good defense because of his hi-jumping lol
hawes was head hunting there. why doesnt woody oput in kurt and let him knock hawes block off, just for good measure
If felton gets hurt the seasons over :(.
golly, what a garbage shot by melo. just lazy. up 5 with 30 seconds to go and you jus tdribble and hoist a three?? i know it doesnt matter now, but we really have zero killer instinct. as soon as we get a little room, we just get lazy as a team
jesus
Anyone wonder why Stat had to sit out the end? Woodson being too rigid w lineups? You dont have to be all this my closing lineup.
Probably should have had him come in for Kidd- the Knicks basically had to play 4 on 5 on offense down the stretch as they constantly doubled off of Kidd- that’s why you saw some bad shots from Felton and Melo. I guess Woodson figured they just needed one or two stops to put the game away so why not ride who was out there.
Yeah, benching Amar’e for the final 8+ mins was weird. Played 22 mins. I know he picked up his 5th foul but if Woodson had no plans whatsoever of playing him down the stretch then why take him out?? Just play him until he fouls out since he was on fire.
Also, that’s back-to-back very good games from JR. Aside from getting backdoored early he was pretty disciplined on both ends of the floor. And two straight very good defensive games from Chandler- very active challenging shots. Both very good signs going forward.
Nets blew the game late vs Memphis thankfully. DWill played great but he was limping like crazy, if he and JJ arent going to be healthy for the rest of the season they are done.
5 fouls?
Yeah but as I mentioned above Woodson obviously wasnt saving him for down the stretch since he never came back into the game. So whats the point of sitting him with 5 fouls if you werent protecting him from picking up his 6th foul so he could re-enter later in the game.
Turner ate him up, but eventually his shot will start to fall like this regularly.
Kidd just can’t be on the floor down the stretch, there has to be a better alternative.
I’ll take the W, Amar’e looked really good, I don’t know why he’s not getting more run yet. Woodson did allude to a minutes limit still with him today, but it’s time to let him play 30-32 minutes, including starting.
He’s averaging 5+ fouls per 36 minutes, so he’s basically imposing his own minutes limit on himself at this point.
that sounds correct initially, but 1) he hasn’t had more than 4 fouls in a game before tonight since the Boston game on 1/24, and 2) you get to keep playing (if your coach lets you) until you get six fouls. so I disagree.
Just got home from the game, very enjoyable, although a bit too close for comfort at the end. Our seats were right at the tunnel entrance for the Knicks City Dancers, so had to work hard to focus on the game. Observations:
Amare had a good offensive game, but he is a truly terrible rebounder (not exactly a news flash!)
JR was the star of the game, hands down
Shump threw down a nasty reverse dunk in warmups, so his lift is definitely there. His lateral movement also looked good.
Novak played a better game defensively than usual.
whew, just looked at the schedule again. I’d like to be optimistic, but I think we’re going to be in sixth place twelve games from now after the West Coast trip, I’m guessing at 36-29.