If you had told me that Carmelo would have 9 points, and that the Knicks would still score over 100, I wouldn’t have believed you. Keys to the win –> JR Smith and his normal efficient self (can’t believe I just typed that). Felton picked up the slack and played efficient Batman to JR Smith’s Robin, which was a nice surprise.

Also, Novak’s timing and stroke has just been off this season — have to think he’ll regain the touch. Not sure I’d say Tyson has been playing the same defense he was playing last year. His help rotations haven’t been very quick to challenge drives and watching Splitter spit him up and chew him out and hit FTs in the 4th was infuriating.

But that’s what’s promising, we are still not clicking on all cylinders offensively and we still got a win on the road in San Antonio. We also got Chuck on the bandwagon for about 15 minutes last night, until Spike Lee called him out and he jumped off it…

jon abbey:

when am I going to start to read articles about rebounds being flat out overrated?

That is a good point. That was one thing I wanted to address in the preview, but I ran out of time. I was kinda shocked to see NY in the bottom third of the NBA in rebounding, but just did not have time to explore why that is or why that isn’t not hurting them.

Juany8: nobody tries as hard as Chicago during the regular season.

I would put any Scott Skiles coached team up against the Bulls as far as effort. The defensive scheme is nowhere near as strong, nor is the talent, but Skiles gets his players to sell out in every game.

My problem is that this current Knicks team has taken Miami’s small ball model on offense while still managing to keep a monster, sustainable offense. Wide open, in rhythm 3′s tend to drop pretty often, I can’t be the only one who remembers Miami role players shooting roughly a million % on 3′s in the Finals when they kept getting good looks, or Dallas the year before to Miami. However, no matter how you try to twist it, Amar’e can’t space the floor as well as Melo, or even Sheed. He’s also never been a good passer, something that is very underrated considering Melo is the one of the best playmaking PF’s in the league right now (assists are dumb) Hell, Melo has the same Defensive rebound % and roughly the same number of defensive rebounds as Amar’e had, the only difference in rebounding between them is that Amar’e is better at offensive rebounding, which this team doesn’t bother with anyways.

Amar’e is still a good player, but if he HAS to play in important moments, he limits the absolute potential of this team. You really want him chasing Battier around the perimeter in the playoffs? You want to trust him to play pick and rolls against Miami and Boston? All while lowering the spacing from what it currently is? Unless he gets good enough at defense and rebounding that he can replace Chandler instead of one of the shooters, I don’t see how this team’s chances at a ring are increased with Amar’e (and yes it’s time to start talking contender)

1. Jason Kidd really is a great PG security blanket. He bailed out the Knicks last night late in the fourth quarter with his shots, but it his ball movement that has been so spectacular.

2. The pass that ‘Melo made for the hockey assist after the Kidd steal was my favorite play of the night. ‘Melo made a great spin move to break down the transition defense, and then a better pass to lead to the kickout for the three.

3. JR Smith’s irrational confidence is incredibly important to this team, particularly in Amar’e's absence. JR made a floater in the lane followed by a killer three to help trigger the run.

4. The only clunker right now is Novak. He looks out of sorts on offense. I am amazed the Knicks are shooting so well from three despite Novak, instead of because of Novak. Makes me think that the current % might be sustainable, although I expect Novak to improve and others to cool off.

This team is dangerous.