The Knicks take on the Washington Wizards on Halloween Night, the second night of a back-to-back for the Wizards. Hopefully they will be tired out and the Knicks will be able to take advantage. John Wall and Bradley Beal are a tough matchup for the Knicks’ current starting backcourt, but hopefully they’ll be able to hang in there until the faster second unit enters the game.
Former Wizard and new Knicks Kevin Seraphim makes his season debut tonight. Hopefully he torments his former team!
Critics have been doubting that Rajon Rondo can ever become an elite player again. The veteran point guard, now with the Sacramento Kings, proved Friday night he still has some game.
Eric Bledsoe scored 22 points, backcourt mate Brandon Knight added 18 and the Phoenix Suns pulled away in the second half to roll past the Portland Trail Blazers, 110-92 on Friday night.
Beyond the result, perhaps what pleased Warriors interim coach Luke Walton most on Friday was his ability to evenly distribute minutes in advance of a quick turnaround to New Orleans and the first back-to-back this season.
Two emotional road wins to start the season for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Now, an emotional day awaits as they attend the memorial service of Flip Saunders.
Stephen Curry scored 25 points and the Golden State Warriors beat the Houston Rockets 112-92 on Friday night in a rematch of the Western Conference finals.
Kawhi Leonard had 16 points and Tim Duncan added 15 as the San Antonio Spurs regrouped after a sluggish start to defeat the Brooklyn Nets 102-75 on Friday night.
Bradley Beal scored 14 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter, and the Washington Wizards came back from a 13-point deficit to beat the Milwaukee Bucks 118-113 on Friday night.
Dennis Schroder made Atlanta’s two-point guard lineup look good by scoring 14 points and the Hawks held off Charlotte’s late comeback to beat the Hornets 97-94 on Friday night.
Marcus Morris scored 26 points, Andre Drummond had 20 points and 20 rebounds and the Detroit Pistons took control at the start of overtime to beat the Chicago Bulls 98-94 on Friday night.
DeMar DeRozan scored 23 points and Terrence Ross had 13 of his 21 in the fourth quarter as the Toronto Raptors took command in the second half and beat the Boston Celtics 113-103 on Friday night.
Derrick Favors had 20 points and 12 rebounds and Rodney Hood scored 17 points to lead the Utah Jazz to a 99-71 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night
LeBron James scored 29 points, Kevin Love added 24 with 14 rebounds and the Cleveland Cavaliers won their home opener, a 102-92 victory over the Miami Heat on Friday night.
MSG analyst and Knicks great Walt "Clyde” Frazier talks Kristaps Porzingis being "cool,” Carmelo Anthony's optimism and how even his own suit game fell off last season with The Post's Justin Terranova. Q: How has Porzingis developed since the summer league? A: I've seen tremendous improvement. He seems to be more aggressive, more relaxed. He…
Mike Breen's night job is getting in the way of his first love. The MSG and ESPN play-by-play man's regular season started Wednesday night with the Thunder's thrilling 106-102 win over the Spurs in Oklahoma City. But the normal excitement of the NBA season came with some trepidation this year as Breen's beloved Mets were…
Thabo Sefolosha was back in New York on Thursday for the first time since being acquitted of resisting arrest in April. Earlier this week, the Hawks forward said he would sue the NYPD and the officers who broke his ankle and ended his season. He also said he would use his platform as an NBA…
Carmelo Anthony's regular season has started the same way his preseason ended: with an ice-cold shooting touch the Knicks can ill afford. It's never a good sign when your unquestioned franchise player is also one of your coldest, but that's the situation the Knicks find themselves in. Anthony struggled for the second straight night to…
Queens native Kyle O'Quinn fulfilled a lifelong dream Thursday night at Madison Square Garden, playing at home for his childhood team. He had dreamed of the moment for years, but when he arrived, the picture was incomplete. Missing was his father, Tommie, who died in a car accident over the summer and had been a…
Outside the Garden before the home opener, workers from Phil Jackson's marketing department handed out free posters of the new, towering frontline of 7-foot Robin Lopez, 7-3 Kristaps Porzingis and 6-9 Carmelo Anthony. By midseason, the free posters may just feature the Latvian rookie for the 20-year-old may be the only reason to still show…
The draft-night trade that sent Tim Hardaway Jr. from New York to Atlanta shocked the young guard. It also gave him some added motivation, which he carried with him into the Knicks' home opener Thursday against his Hawks, a 112-101 Knicks loss. "They have a chip on their shoulder, just like I do,'' Hardaway, who…
Los Angeles forward Blake Griffin scored 26 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to guide the Clippers to a 104-88 victory over the short-handed Mavericks on Thursday.
[New York Times] NBA Capsules (Fri, 30 Oct 2015 05:27:44 GMT)
Blake Griffin had 26 points and 10 rebounds, and Jamal Crawford added 15 points in the Clippers’ 104-88 victory over Dallas on Thursday night in Los Angeles’ home opener.
Blake Griffin had 26 points and 10 rebounds, and Jamal Crawford added 15 points in the Clippers’ 104-88 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night in Los Angeles’ home opener.
The Atlanta Hawks were one of the most unselfish teams in the NBA last season, ranking second in the league in assists and in a 112-101 win over the New York Knicks on Thursday, the Hawks once again shared the ball and the scoring.
Jeff Teague scored 23 points, Al Horford added 21 and the Atlanta Hawks beat the New York Knicks 112-101 on Thursday night for their first victory of the season.
Marc Gasol scored 20 points and Mike Conley added 13 points and 10 assists in his return home Thursday night, helping the Memphis Grizzlies rally for a 112-103 victory over the Indiana Pacers.
Sorry, folks, there was a bit of confusion. One of our newest writers, Heather Rose, will be handling the recap of the game tonight, but I thought that that meant that she would be starting the game thread, as well. My mistake.
Welcome to the Knicks’ home opener, as the Knicks try to run the Hawks out of the Garden. The Hawks looked sluggish in a Game 1 loss to the Pistons. Can the Knicks follow up yesterday’s amazing blowout victory with another win over a playoff team from last year? Let’s hope so!
Let’s go Knicks!
We join the game in progress as the Knicks hold a 6-5 lead in the first…
National Anthem:
So my building was sold again this year, which means I have to go through the process of training a new set of owners how appartments need heat. This is seriously affecting my drink choices. I’ve been home all day, and I’m freezing, so I’m thinking winter time beverages. In the fridge is some heavy cream, so I’m going with a Brandy Alexander. She usually doesn’t make an appearance until Christmas, but I’m wearing a sweatshirt right now.
Introductions:
CHRIS COPELAND!
Wow I love how folksy the Bucks owner is. Somebody tell me that “speech” to the crowd is somewhere on YouTube.
1Q
Porzingis loses a rebound. Someone make this kid carry around a pumpkin to build up those wrists & fingers. It’s October, so no one will notice.
Bucks run a pick & roll. Calderon desides to admire the bright lights for a few minutes as Milwaukee plays basketball. Bucks first guy misses, but the second makes the basket. Not a good start.
Kristaps shows some nice defense on a Copeland drive (was it a block). His length will be causing problems on the defensive end.
Calderon passes it directly to the Bucks. And then follows it up by letting them have an easy bucket off another pick. He’s looking like the 19th pick in the draft.
Wow and on the next play Michael Carter-Williams beats Jose on a back door alley-oop. If I’m coach, I’m putting in Galloway or Grant. 11-4 Bucks, Knicks time out.
Carmelo scores on a drive. He might as well, no one else is doing anything.
Porzingis has missed 3 shots I think. On this last one, Copeland just put a hand in his face. I’m glad I took the under with regards to his true shooting percentage.
O’Quinn & Williams are in, along with Vujacic, Galloway, and Melo.
Ooooh I just came up with a nickname for O’Quinn: Oaq.
I was refreshing my drink (and not watching) when Jerian Grant scores. Promise to catch the next one.
Derrick Williams just split two defenders, and had Oaq wide open under the hoop. He keeps the ball and gets fouled instead. Assists are meaningless to this man.
On the Bucks feed, I see William Shatner doing a commercial for a local law firm. Nice owner? William Shatner endorcing local business? Where is this magical place called Milwaukee?
We’re not even 12 minutes into the new season, and I know who Derrick Williams is. He’s the guy at your local court who can score, but will shoot the ball anytime it hits his paws.
He’s taken two shots while I wrote those sentences about him.
OK the color guy on the Bucks telecast just mentioned “analytics” about Williams getting to the free throw line. I’m getting the suitcases out.
Jerian Grant with a nice drive & scoop layup to score. Told you I’d catch the next one.
Knicks up 27-23.
2Q
Derrick Williams scores again to start the quarter. He’s definitely fun to watch so far.
Oaq on Monroe with a nice defensive stop (blocked shot?). Looks like he can defend against centers which is a good thing.
Bucks telecast is (partially) sponsored by Wendys. I’m fucking there! (Side note: is their chili the healthiest thing you can get in any fast food restaurant?)
Attempted alley-oop to Porzingis. Not even close. Put that back in the binder until next year.
On the other end his length is still causing problems. On this possession it was the cause of a back court.
Kristaps drives baseline and scores off the glass.
Knicks up 49-34, and Derrick Williams has 15 points.
Porzingis with a block! What if he’s half of Dirk’s offense, but with a strong defensive game?
Michael Carter-Williams now torches Vujacic for an easy basket. Guards wanted, non-defenders need not apply.
Porzingis is the trailer on a Galloway breakaway. Takes three shots and gets fouled on the last one.
Then Kristaps gets a steal, but Vuajic underthrows the alley-oop. Next year, guys. Next year.
Zinger again at the line for being fouled on the break.
Oaq scores from the blocks with 3 on him. Where were you in 1993?
Porzingis again at the line. Maybe my pre-season concerns were unfounded.
Oaq just thwacked Bayless on a fast break drive that looked like something the Iron Sheik would have pulled. The Buck announcers say he reminds them of … Charles Oakley. How much are plane tickets?
Porzingis gets it on the low blocks. He’s a bit out of control, but gets bailed out by a Milwaukee foul. Oh and he’s at the line again!
HALFTIME
Knicks winning 63-51. I can see the MSG cast interviewing Derrick Williams in the background.
3Q
Switched to the Knicks’ feed. I have to grab the mute on my tv remote and inch up on the volume. We New Yorkers are a loud people.
Anthony knocks down a three. He’s been quiet for Melo thus far.
Anthony takes 2 more shots. They’re obviously trying to get him into the game more.
The Knicks are up 70-55. Did I drink that much?
Melo comes up gimpy on a contact play. My heart just skipped a beat. But Anthony stays in the game and appears OK.
Kristaps on the half court trap is like having a windmill come to life and attack you. His presence helps force an easy steal for Sasha, and an easy transition score.
On the next play Porzingis on Copeland and Chris dribbles the ball out of bounds. Zinger gets the ball in the post and pitches it out for a three. Then on the next Knick possession, he gets the ball in transition and scores again. Here is your window to the future.
After a pair of Lopez free throws, they’re up by 20. Maybe the Brandy Alexander is on time, because Christmas has come early!
Porzingis gets the ball wide open at the top and nails a three!
With 4:35 left, Derrick Williams comes back into the game for the first time. Oaq enters as well. And before I can finish that, DW launches and misses a three.
Monroe stays in the game and tries to cut the lead. But Galloway hits a pair of threes, and Williams draws a foul to keep the Knick afloat.
O’Quinn attempts a three pointer with the shot clock expiring. It came about as close to the rim as if I had shot it.
4Q
90-73, Knicks. I still need some time to process this.
Williams starts it off with a slam. Then goes coast to coast to draw a foul on Copeland. He. Doesn’t. Pass. Ever.
Williams takes another shot. I’m curious what his usage will be when the dust settles.
After a Galloway three, Derrick Williams with a blind side block. New York up 98-79 with just under 9 minutes to go. I don’t think we’ll see the starters again…
Nope I’m wrong. They’re back in with the lead cut to 15. They are Melo, Vujacic, and Porzingis. No Rolo.
Williams cares not if starters are in or not, and takes (and makes) another 3.
Kristaps can’t secure another defensive rebound. Pumpkin buddy. Pumpkin.
Ok now it’s an 18 point lead with 4:41 to go. Why is Carmelo in the game in the first of back-back games? Fisher?!?!
Porzingis holds his ground against Monroe and forces a miss. I think I just noticed he’s playing center. But one thing I’ve kept my eyes on: Porzingis’ is solid defensively when he stays on his feet.
It’s a 17 point lead with 3:02 to go. Why is Carmelo Anthony in? This is the only thing I can think about it. Why???
MILWAUKEE — Kristaps Porzingis, the 7-foot-3 rookie, looked shaky at the beginning of Wednesday's season opener and, like the rest of the Knicks, he got better as the game wore on. On Porzingis' most symbolic moment, Langston Galloway missed a fast-break layup. Porzingis grabbed two follows while getting harassed. But he pulled the ball down…
MILWAUKEE — Hours before tipoff of the Knicks' season opener against the Bucks at the BMO Harris Bradley Center, coach Derek Fisher was talking about the excitement of building a foundation for becoming a good team, not just for this season, but for years to come. When asked by The Post what that foundation must…
Raymond Felton scored 18 points to lead eight Dallas players in double figures and the Mavericks rolled past the Phoenix Suns 111-95 on Wednesday night in the teams’ season opener.
CJ McCollum scored a career-high 37 points, including six 3-pointers, and the Portland Trail Blazers opened the season with a 112-94 victory over the depleted New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night.
Blake Griffin scored 33 points and Paul Pierce endeared himself to his new teammates by putting Los Angeles ahead for good with a late jumper in the Clippers’ 111-104 season-opening victory over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night.
Russell Westbrook had 33 points and 10 assists on Wednesday night to help Billy Donovan win his N.B.A. coaching debut as the host Oklahoma City Thunder beat the San Antonio Spurs, 112-106.
Chicago guard Jimmy Butler helped the Bulls withstand some shaky moments by scoring 10 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter during a wire-to-wire 115-100 victory over the Brooklyn Nets.
The Detroit Pistons are two games over .500 for the first time in more than six years, and the most encouraging sign may be Andre Drummond’s free throws.
The Washington Wizards spent the preseason getting a feel for the new high-scoring, breakneck pace on offense that coach Randy Wittman wants to be their calling card.
Russell Westbrook had 33 points and 10 assists to help Billy Donovan win his NBA coaching debut as the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the San Antonio Spurs 112-106 on Wednesday night.
Derrick Williams scored 24 points, 20-year-old Kristaps Porzingis had 16 in his NBA debut, and the New York Knicks beat the Milwaukee Bucks 122-97 on Wednesday night in the season opener for each team.
Kevin Love had 17 points and 13 rebounds, Richard Jefferson had 14 points and the Cleveland Cavaliers built a big early advantage and wrecked the Memphis Grizzlies’ season opener with a 106-76 victory Wednesday night.
Danilo Gallinari scored 23 points and the Denver Nuggets never trailed in a 105-85 victory over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night in the season opener for both teams.
Jonas Valanciunas had 21 points and 15 rebounds, DeMar DeRozan scored 25 and the Toronto Raptors beat the Indiana Pacers 106-99 on Wednesday on opening night for each team.
Jimmy Butler scored 24 points, Nikola Mirotic had 18 and the Chicago Bulls won for the second time in two nights to open the season, beating the Brooklyn Nets 115-100 on Wednesday night.
Isaiah Thomas had 27 points and seven assists, and the Boston Celtics beat the Philadelphia 76ers 112-95 on Wednesday night in the season opener for each team.
Just a quick look at the box score and some quick thoughts. Tomorrow morning I’ll share my game notes.
* Derrick Williams was on fire: 24 points on 17 shots.
* Co-MVP was Langston Galloway. 16 points on 10 shots, including 4-5 from downtown. He looked like he couldn’t miss. At the end of the game he had an easy layup and gave it up to Early for a bucket. Very unselfish!
* The offense looked good on designed plays. There were a number of scores after breaks, and as a Knick fan, I welcome this change. Credit: Derek Fisher.
* Melo had a quiet night in his return from injury. Thank goodness the Knicks didn’t need him. But Fisher still stuck him out there for 29 minutes, when he clearly wasn’t needed in the fourth quarter. Blame: Derek Fisher.
* Calderon looked awful. If him and Galloway play the same way for the next month, they’ll be switching spots.
* Zinger showed some flashes of what it is to come, but he’ll bring the growing pains with him. He looked best on defense (when his feet stayed on the floor).
So here we go with a new season for our beloved New York Knicks. Most pundits have predicted a poor season for our ‘Bockers. However just about everyone agrees that this season can’t be worse than last year’s.
More importantly this year lends more hope to our downtrodden franchise. Most notably is the start of the career of Kristaps Porzingis. New Yorkers are hoping the fourth overall pick has a long bright future ahead of him. Today we’ll get a glimpse of his, and perhaps our, future. Should he become a player worthy of such a high pick, the Knicks are almost certain to succeed during his tenure here.
But it doesn’t stop at Kristaps. Fellow rookie Jerian Grant also begins his journey in the NBA. While his ceiling isn’t as tall, if Grant can become a productive starter, he would give the Knicks two young players to build around. Meanwhile undrafted Langston Galloway returns for his second season, after earning a spot on the All-Rookie Second Team.
Brook Lopez gives the team a defensive minded center, the hallmark of every good Knicks team. Alongside stat-friendly players Kyle O’Quinn and Lou Amundson, New York could have a formidable interior defense. And veterans Jose Calderon and Aaron Affalo should provide more stability at the guard positions.
There are a lot of players to like on this roster, which makes this team different from most that I’ve covered in the KnickerBlogger era. Even if New York fails to win half their games, there should be enough happiness to go around for Knick fans.
And whether you’re an optimist, realist, or pessimist, we all stand together when our boys don the orange & blue. LET’S GO KNICKS!
Kurylo: I so want to take the over, but he only managed 41.8% in the preseason. The worst part of his shooting was his inability to draw contact (0.9 fta/36), which indicates to me he’s has a lot to learn about the NBA, especially the inside game. He’ll be good one day, and he’ll certainly have his moments this year, but I don’t think he’ll be able to sustain efficient scoring over the course of the season. UNDER
Cronin: I think once the season starts, he’ll get more outside shooting opportunities, and I think he’ll hit enough there to get over 50%. OVER
Ephus: Way under. Rookies do not get a good whistle. Euro rookies really do not get a good whistle. He is going to be battered on both ends.
Cavan: Slightly under–but only slightly. So much depends on how Porzingis fits into the rotation, and where. If he’s spending most of his time on the floor with Melo, that’s going to free up all sorts of open looks. In the end you have to defer to history, and rookies seldom get the looks, calls, or consistent playing time conducive to that kind of efficiency.
Heather: KP’s going to struggle at the start. However, there have been flashes of he and Melo developing a nice one-two punch, particularly in pick and pop situations. While I expect his outside shooting to be very good this season, his body frame is so thin that on the block, the kid’s shooting percentage is going to drop. Beyond 15ft, I wouldn’t be surprised if he flirts with 50%. however, overall, I expect him to be around 40%. UNDER
Fisher-Cohen: This is a tough question. Porzingis drew fouls well in summer league but not in preseason. He shot threes well in preseason but not in summer league. Even his Europe stats whimsically jump around from season to season and league to league. Given his age, his beautiful stroke, and the fact that bigs in the NBA are less comfortable defending the perimeter than in Europe, I’m more inclined to buy the shooting than the foul drawing, which fits better with the role he will be asked to play starting alongside Melo. For that reason, while I doubt he’ll average more than 12 or so points per 36, I do think he has a good chance to break 50% TS%.
Gibberman: Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm. I’ll go push. Exactly 50%. What kind of odds do I get for that? I think he ends up right around there. I don’t see him getting to the free throw line a ton and the three-point shot is going to take a little bit of time for him to get adjusted against NBA athletes closing out on him.
Carmelo Anthony Games Played: 62.5
Kurylo: To come up with this number, I took a weighted average of the last 4 seasons, counting every season twice, and 2015 only once. Basically the question becomes: can we discount 2015 when calculating Carmelo Anthony’s health? I’m taking the UNDER.
Cronin: 19.5 games is basically “Melo gets significantly injured again,” so I think the odds are strong enough that he won’t that I’ll take the OVER. I think 8-12 games is more likely.
Ephus: Over. If I am right that his minutes will down below 36 mpg, Melo’s odds of getting hurt decrease tremendously.
Not Carmelo Anthony
Cavan: Definitely over *cough*. Barring some *cough cough* kind of pizza rat-spawned plague that *BLLLLLAAAAACCCHHHH* causes one to hack up organs, he should be fine *cough*.
Heather: The Knicks have 17 sets of back-to-back games this year. Melo and Derek Fisher have both mentioned he may not play every back-to-back if he doesn’t have to. If the Knicks decide to rest him for eight of those back-to-backs, he’d still be over 70 games played. Aside from a routine ankle injury he always seems to suffer each year, I’d count on Melo playing around 70 games this season. OVER
Fisher-Cohen: If it’s games played as a Knick, I’ll take the under. But while it wouldn’t surprise me for Melo to go down for an extended period, that’s a lot of missed games, and to predict that many games lost to injury for any but the most vulnerable players is quite bold. OVER
Gibberman: It has to be over. I’m going to watch this team play basketball 82 times and Melo makes that a reasonably fun thing to do. Melo, play 75 games, I beg you. I can’t do last year again.
The offensive efficiency: the defensive efficiency.
(Taking the OVER means that the offense will be better than the defense.)
Kurylo: UNDER. I this this has the potential to be a decent defensive team. Adding Lopez obviously helps, but so do Affalo, O’Quinn, and holdovers Amundson, Galloway, and Porzingis. Now how much guys like Calderon, Vujacic, and Derrick Williams hurt the defensive efforts, I don’t know. But I think there’s a decent core of defenders on this team to make them average. Also I’m really hesitant on the offense given guys like Grant, Galloway, Vujacic, and for this year Porzingis.
Cronin: Totally agreed, Mike, with this being likely more of a defensive team than an offensive team (at least in year one of Zinger and Grant’s career). They might even turn out to be flat out good! UNDER
Not the Offense nor the Defense
Ephus: I go with the crowd: UNDER. O’Quinn is mean and tough. Lopez is not as mean and not as tough, but he is much bigger. Defense starts at the rim, and the Knicks will be able to protect it this year.
Cavan: Under. I don’t know why.
Heather: UNDER. Defensively, the Knicks have the pieces to be an above average defensive team. Honestly, I’d go so far as to say that their defense is what will win games and give them a shot at the playoffs. Lopez and Afflalo will help the starting lineup; Melo was committed on the defensive end during the preseason so I expect that to carry over; also, with Galloway, Grant, Williams, Early, and O’Quinn in the second unit, we know their mindset is to cause havoc defensively and get out on the fastbreak.
Fisher-Cohen: I worry about coaching when it comes to the defense. The Knicks are starting a bunch of slow players, and that’s how you get killed from 3. Teams that succeed playing big surround their bigs with ruthless perimeter defenders. Chicago has Butler, Memphis has Conley, Allen and Lee. Does Fisher fantasize that Afflalo can be our Butler/Allen? The starting lineup says yes, and when Fisher tightens his rotation, he’ll have the chance to mold all rotations in the image of his starters. OVER
Gibberman: A question like this is so difficult to answer without knowing what the Knicks rotation is going to be. If the starting five is Calderon, Afflalo, Melo, Porzingis and Lopez they’re going to be a terrible at everything, but the offense is probably slightly better than the defense because of the three-point shooting. #FreeTheSecondUnit
Knicks wins: 34.5
And this is not Las Vegas
Kurylo: Since I don’t see many here agreeing with Vegas’ Knicks win total line of 31.5, I’m going to up it to 34.5. Is that enough to discourage anyone here to take the over? Well anyone other than me. Honestly I might have taken the UNDER even if it were 31.5, but I’ll stick with the vegas line and say 32 wins. This team has too many things that have to go right: ‘Melo’s health, Zinger, the back court, Derek Fisher, Isiah Thomas, James Dolan…
Cronin: I have faith! I’m going for the same win total as Woodson’s last year! 37 wins, baby! OVER
Ephus: I have more faith! I’m going for the 38 wins that got the 1987-88 Knicks into the 8th seed. The team will end the season with 38 wins, because they will not take a game in the first round.
Cavan: Slightly over. For all its apparent youth-spurred strides, the East is still an unpredictable mess at best, and an unmitigated chemical spill at worse. There’s something about this team–the camaraderie, the chemistry, the smell–that suggests a defiance of expectations.
… Actually I figured out the smell: It’s Zinger’s herring paste hair product.
Heather: I like the makeup of this team and like Charles Barkley, I expect the Knicks to make the playoffs. The East won’t be as easy as it was in the past, but if this team can stay committed to a defense-first mentality, I expect many games to be competitive. A competitive game that needs a closer, sounds like the perfect opportunity for a healthy Carmelo Anthony to win some games. People forget that Carmelo Anthony carried his team to the playoffs every year, other than the last two seasons. I have the Knicks over .500, in the 40 wins range, without a doubt. OVER
Fisher-Cohen: Hffkggkg (phlegm generating noise) I spit on your optimism! Like the Spurs never seem to decline despite annual predictions to the contrary, so too does the East refuse to ascend. But I think this year you will at least see improvement from Miami, Boston, and Indiana, and probably from Philly, Orlando, Charlotte, Cleveland and Milwaukee as well. The one team that will be (much) worse is Brooklyn. So I’m going UNDER. But the Knicks WILL win New York.
Gibberman: I wanted so badly to be optimistic about this roster because there are some pieces I like — Melo, Grant, O’Quinn, Lopez, Galloway and Porizingis are all going to be enjoyable to watch. Between the young talent not being ready to have a positive impact and Fisher not playing the right lineups I’d be surprised to see this team get to 35 wins. I have to go under no matter how much it pains me to do so.
Stephen Curry threw his arm in the air in delight and body bumped teammates after knocking down shots from all over the floor, and it all looked so familiar to what happened here only four months ago.
[New York Times] NBA Capsules (Wed, 28 Oct 2015 05:51:41 GMT)
NBA MVP Stephen Curry showed in a hurry he hasn’t lost a step or his swagger, scoring 40 points to lead the Golden State Warriors to a 111-95 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night to open their title defense.
The Atlanta Hawks had no answer to Andre Drummond inside or Kentavious Caldwell-Pope outside as the Detroit Pistons got their season off to a winning start.
Nikola Mirotic scored 19 points and grabbed nine rebounds, and the Chicago Bulls held on for a 97-95 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday in the season opener for both teams.
Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr is still experiencing symptoms caused by complications following back surgery this summer and isn’t sure when he will resume his duties on the bench.
