Comments on: Knicks 106, Celtics 104…. Wait, what?

By: swiftandabundant

swiftandabundant — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 05:00:51 +0000

I was ecstatic the first half. I almost died in the 3rd Quarter. And I was screaming when Melo hit that 3. On Christmas in the Living Room I was screaming at the tv. So they didn’t have Pierce (we didn’t have Davis and lost Shump). So its just one game and a lot of our flaws were shown in that 3rd Quarter. They came back and beat a team that has owned us for the last 4 years. The team showed great heart and its a good sign for the season. We have lots of work to do, but the future is bright!

The Knicks Are Back and so are Blaze and Willie G!
http://tinyurl.com/ChandlerStatMelo

By: Jafa

Jafa — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 18:12:41 +0000

JK47: We have lots of very winnable games coming up, even with our depleted roster. Next ten are: @GSW, @LAL, @SAC, TOR, CHA, @WAS, @DET, CHA, PHI, @MEM. The only games that look tough out of those ten are the Lakers, Memphis and Philly. The rest of those teams don’t figure to be playoff teams. Toronto, Charlotte and Detroit are some of the worst teams in the NBA.

I predict we start the season 9-1.

By: Gamecockerbocker

Gamecockerbocker — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 06:34:01 +0000

For a player who can do this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBH93iolNAQ, I’d say the finishing at the rim was fluky in game one for Shump Shump.

By: daJudge

daJudge — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 00:26:20 +0000

CJ–when you say the rim finishing was more fluky than normal, do you mean that you thought he got to the rim, but for whatever reason did not finish? Personally, I loved his attack to the rim, and his finishing can certainly be broken down, quantified and fixed. From watching the plays, I thought he was being a bit too fancy and was pinching his release, not going high enough on the back board, which is very common. He will improve on this and it is relatively easy to correct. You can take that to the bank. Also, I don’t think the rook realized how open he was on some of his forays. Who would have thought? Three point shooting not so much. Anyone that has missed an open lay up after beating his defender knows what I mean. However, his confidence is a major asset to predict success on the outside jumper, a three or otherwise. His smooth release is clearly important and I think all of you know that. His shot selection is another issue that can be taught, but probably not by BD or Coach (no snark intended).

By: The Honorable Cock Jowles

The Honorable Cock Jowles — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 23:56:42 +0000

It seems pretty clear to me that Shumpert needs to work on his jump shot before he starts jacking up the threes. He wasn’t a good shooter in college, and he won’t be now if he doesn’t put in a whole lot of work.

I think the rim-finishing was more fluky than normal (no way of quantifying that), but it’s his long-range shot that really sucks, no matter how “smooth” it looks. I think I remember him kicking his legs forward and leaning back a bit on his three ball, which is a big no-no. Straight up, Ray Allen style.

By: Caleb

Caleb — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 23:13:10 +0000

It’s only one game, so anything more than 5 comments here is overanalyzying, but why not?!? It’s fun!

The Knicks won. They beat a good team, with or without Paul Pierce.

The offense was good. Maybe ugly with no PG, but they put up very good numbers against a top defense.

The defense was awful.

It was a ragged game. 2 weeks of training camp, 2 exhibition games – what do you expect?

@20 and Shumpert… I’ll agree he looked good, and his shots weren’t bad, but let’s put down the rose-colored glasses. It’s not a fluke he never finished at the rim; he was a low-efficiency player in college and he’s not going to suddenly turn into a great scorer his rookie season as a pro. He and TD need to cut back their attempts and get the ball to the guys who get paid for it.

I’m a little worried about TD – he made the league as a defender (DPOY in the ACC, I think) but seems to have decided he would rather make a contract push by jacking up shots, than spend his energy guarding someone.

We knew coming in the Knicks were weak at PG, but it’s a lot easier to fill that hole than it is to find Tyson Chandler. Hopefully Baron will make for an upgrade.

By: daJudge

daJudge — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 22:29:57 +0000

Spree, nice article. BTW, I meant Melo’s isolations and “nuanced PnR’s”.

By: Spree8nyk8

Spree8nyk8 — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 22:23:44 +0000

http://nbaplaybook.com/2011/12/26/carmelo-anthony-and-the-pick-roll/

By: daJudge

daJudge — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 22:12:26 +0000

48 & 50. Given that it will clearly take time for players to get acquainted, the Knicks need to win games the old fashion way-Ugly. I’m great with that for now. I think expecting more is unrealistic at this point. Chandler will help us win the ugly games and so will Melo’s isolations.

By: BigBlueAL

BigBlueAL — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 22:10:50 +0000

Doc mentioned after the game that he made a mistake by not doubling Melo immediately and getting the ball out of his hands like he did in Game 2 last year.