Kristaps Porzingis Named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month

Congrats to Kristaps Porzingis for being named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for October/November! He was so good that one month wasn’t enough!

Recap: Knicks 99 Sixers 87

Since the Knicks did not play a real NBA team yesterday, I didn’t feel the need for a real recap. Instead I decided to merge two of my interests and assign a Pokemon the Trading Card Game card to each Knick. For the 3 of you with kids that play the game, enjoy! For everyone else, just try to follow along.

Philadelphia 76ers 87 Final
Recap | Box Score
99 New York Knicks
Kristaps Porzingis, PF 30 MIN | 6-10 FG | 2-2 3FG | 3-3 FT | 10 REB | 2 AST | 0 STL | 4 BLK | 2 TO | 17 PTS | +6 +/-

Zoroak BREAK
Being that Breakthrough was just released, right now we’re not sure how good this card is. Although it seems of the new set, it’s the most popular one which is a good sign. It seems to have a handful of uses, as an attacker, as an escape rope, and a mimic. The more I see it, the more I’m impressed.

Carmelo Anthony, SF 26 MIN | 5-16 FG | 0-3 3FG | 2-2 FT | 6 REB | 2 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 4 TO | 12 PTS | +12 +/-

Shaymin-EX
It’s the most expensive card in the game, and just about every deck needs one. However once it’s talents are used, it sits there. So you wonder why the heck you have it out there. But yet you find you can’t make a deck without him. Classic card that you can’t live without when you have it, but it’s not as great as you’d imagine it would be when you do have it.

Robin Lopez, C 22 MIN | 3-6 FG | 0-0 3FG | 0-0 FT | 5 REB | 3 AST | 0 STL | 1 BLK | 2 TO | 6 PTS | +14 +/-

Wailord EX
Alone this card is useless. By the time you get enough energy on it to actually fire a shot, you could have powered up like 4 Entei’s. However in the right situation this can be a cog in a championship deck. Also you would never ever attack with this card. That’s just not its role.

Jose Calderon, PG 27 MIN | 4-8 FG | 1-3 3FG | 2-2 FT | 2 REB | 5 AST | 2 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 11 PTS | +11 +/-

Durant
In the early part of this decade this was a useful card. However in its 2015 incarnation, it’s largely useless.

Arron Afflalo, SG 23 MIN | 6-10 FG | 1-4 3FG | 0-0 FT | 8 REB | 0 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 13 PTS | +13 +/-

Professor Birch
When you first get this card you think it’s a good supporter card. It gets more cards in your hands, which is essential to Pokemon TCG. However that coin flip is the difference between drawing 4 cards and 7. And that inconsistency means you’re better off with Sycamore and/or Shauna. Eventually you stop using Birch for more consistent methods.

Derrick Williams, PF 19 MIN | 3-7 FG | 0-2 3FG | 2-4 FT | 2 REB | 1 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 8 PTS | +5 +/-

Charizard-EX
If this is your first EX (it was ours), you think WOW it’s awesome. It looks great, has a lot of hit points, & can (seemingly) do a good amount of damage. But as you face better players, you notice that it’s damage isn’t that much, it discards an energy every turn which really slows down the rest of your team’s development, and it’s just useless against water decks. So it’s a fun card to see, but not for serious players.

Kyle O’Quinn, PF 3 MIN | 0-1 FG | 0-0 3FG | 0-0 FT | 2 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 0 PTS | -5 +/-

Double Colorless Energy
At times this card seems awesome. It can power so many attacks. But under the surface are some weaknesses. It’s easily targeted for destruction. Not every pokemon needs 2 colorless energy in their attacks. It’s almost impossible to pull out of the discard pile (baby Yveltal aside). Yet it’s still extremely useful and you’ll want this card in just about every deck you own. You just can’t rely in it all the time.

Lance Thomas, SF 22 MIN | 4-7 FG | 0-1 3FG | 2-3 FT | 2 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 1 BLK | 1 TO | 10 PTS | +8 +/-

Golurk
This is supposedly a pretty good card. 130 hit points. It counts as both Fighting and Psychic. It can dish out 120 damage. Have I ever seen a successful deck with it? No. Am I scared when an opponent plays it? No.

Cleanthony Early, SF 3 MIN | 0-1 FG | 0-1 3FG | 0-0 FT | 0 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 1 BLK | 0 TO | 0 PTS | -5 +/-

Loudred
If a Loudred is never played, because no one would ever put him in a deck, does it make a sound?

Kevin Seraphin, C 17 MIN | 2-5 FG | 0-0 3FG | 4-4 FT | 6 REB | 3 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK | 2 TO | 8 PTS | +8 +/-

Lapras
When you get that first theme deck, Lapras is a monster. He’s a basic pokemon with over 100 hit points. He can take energy from the discard pile & power up other pokemon. He can do large amounts of damage if given enough energy.

But in the end, he doesn’t really fit in well with other decks. That energy acceleration doesn’t work early in the game, and those 110 HPs aren’t strong enough for late in the game. As you make better decks, you struggle to find spots for him that will cover those weaknesses.

Jerian Grant, PG 21 MIN | 5-9 FG | 0-0 3FG | 2-2 FT | 2 REB | 2 AST | 0 STL | 1 BLK | 4 TO | 12 PTS | -1 +/-

Eevee
This card can evolve into a bunch of average pokemon which can enhance the other cards around it. Any time you’re playing a deck that’s weak against water, fire, or electricity, you don’t want to see this card on your opposing player’s bench. The only thing that stops an eevee, is not having the proper card to evolve into. So for eevee, evolution is the key.

Sasha Vujacic, SG 6 MIN | 0-3 FG | 0-1 3FG | 0-0 FT | 2 REB | 1 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 0 PTS | -7 +/-

Lampent
The only reason to have this card in your deck is to discard it. Literally it’s better to throw him out that play him.

Langston Galloway, SG 22 MIN | 0-5 FG | 0-2 3FG | 2-2 FT | 3 REB | 0 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 2 PTS | +1 +/-

Pyroar
If you’re a new player, eventually you turn to fire to make a deck. It’s just a stage everyone goes through. FlashFire’s Pyroar is a good defensive card against EX and basic attackers. But his offense is sustainable if you’re chucking energy on his attack, you’re not powering up your other cards. Can he be useful in a more powerful deck? That is yet to be determined.

Derek Fisher

Flash Energy
“I got a special energy! I got a special energy! I got a special energy!”

“Double Colorless? Strong Energy? Dangerous Energy? Double Dragon?”

“No — Flash Energy! The special electric energy.”

“Have you ever seen a deck with it?”

“No.”

“Can you think of any uses for it?”

“No.”

“Does it do anything good?”

“No.”

“Still excited about it?

“No.”

Two Things We Saw

  1. When left alone to drive to the hoop & dunk with two hands, Porzingis looks like a praying mantis.
  2. Is this the poster Clyde said he had on his wall when he was a player?

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Knicks Morning News (2015.12.03)

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    Though suspended Jahlil Okafor is on the Knicks' Atlantic Division rival 76ers, part of Carmelo Anthony would like to consult with the rookie and give him advice. Anthony said that early in his career, he had to learn on his own and "feels bad'' the Sixers center is struggling so much with off-the-court issues, seemingly…

  • [New York Post] Ranking the six best NYC-area rivalries with an old-school twist (Thu, 03 Dec 2015 04:13:29 -0500)

    We probably can agree that none of the six intramural rivalries we have in New York City in 2015 can come close to the boiling, broiling resentments that festered from 1903 through 1957, when the Yankees, Dodgers and Giants shared the city and divided loyalties so fiercely fans were occasionally moved to violence and players…

  • [New York Post] Kristaps Porzingis dominating Jahlil Okafor in maturity battle (Thu, 03 Dec 2015 00:17:00 -0500)

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  • [New York Daily News] Melo hopes to talk to Sixers’ rookie Okafor about fights (Thu, 03 Dec 2015 06:31:46 GMT)

    Jahlil Okafor doesn’t really have a veteran voice of reason in the 76ers’ locker room, but Carmelo Anthony hopes to serve in that role.

  • [New York Daily News] Knicks snap losing streak by beating up on hapless Sixers (Thu, 03 Dec 2015 06:25:58 GMT)

    The Knicks found the antidote to a four-game losing streak and a rough stretch at home: those lowly 76ers.

  • [New York Daily News] Phil Jackson thrilled with ‘magical’ Kristaps Porzingis (Thu, 03 Dec 2015 06:23:51 GMT)

    Eighteen games into his prized rookie’s career, Phil Jackson sees more than what he imagined from Kristaps Porzingis.

  • [New York Times] George Powers Pacers to Win Over Clippers (Thu, 03 Dec 2015 08:21:27 GMT)

    Forward Paul George scored 31 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, and the Indiana Pacers won their sixth in a row with a 103-91 victory over the short-handed Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday at Staples Center.

  • [New York Times] George Scores 31 Points, Pacers Top Clips for 6th in a Row (Thu, 03 Dec 2015 06:57:44 GMT)

    Paul George had 31 points and 10 rebounds, and the streaking Indiana Pacers broke open a close game early in the fourth quarter to beat the injury-depleted Los Angeles Clippers 103-91 on Wednesday night for their sixth consecutive victory.

  • [New York Times] Bryant Scores 31 to Lead Lakers Past Wizards 108-104 (Thu, 03 Dec 2015 05:18:36 GMT)

    Two games into a farewell tour that’s already included an emotional night in his home city, a visit to the White House and a vintage performance, Kobe Bryant is still getting used to all the love.

  • [New York Times] N.B.A. Roundup: Warriors Reach 20-0 as Curry Scores 40 (Thu, 03 Dec 2015 04:30:24 GMT)

    Golden State extended the best start in N.B.A. history by beating the Hornets in Charlotte as Stephen Curry scored 40 points in three quarters for the fourth times this season

  • [New York Times] Duncan Has 16 and 10, Leads Spurs to 95-70 Win Over Bucks (Thu, 03 Dec 2015 04:22:15 GMT)

    Tim Duncan had 16 points and 10 rebounds in 19 minutes, and the San Antonio Spurs remained undefeated at home with a 95-70 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night.

  • [New York Times] Gasol Has Double-Double as Bulls Beat Nuggets 99-90 (Thu, 03 Dec 2015 04:19:12 GMT)

    Pau Gasol had 26 points and 19 rebounds to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 99-90 win over the struggling Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night.

  • [New York Times] Harden Scores 24 as Rockets Beat Pelicans 108-101 (Thu, 03 Dec 2015 04:19:12 GMT)

    James Harden scored 24 points to lead balanced scoring by Houston and the Rockets overcame a double-digit deficit for a 108-101 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night.

  • [New York Times] Jackson Rallies Pistons Past Suns 127-122 in OT (Thu, 03 Dec 2015 04:12:51 GMT)

    Reggie Jackson scored 24 of his 34 points after halftime, and the Detroit Pistons rallied from 16 down in the fourth quarter to beat the Phoenix Suns 127-122 in overtime Wednesday night.

  • [New York Times] Knicks 99, 76ers 87: Knicks End Losing Ways as 76ers Return to Theirs (Thu, 03 Dec 2015 04:12:07 GMT)

    Kristaps Porzingis had 17 points and 10 rebounds as the Knicks stopped a four-game skid by beating Philadelphia, which was coming off its first win of the season after 18 straight defeats.

  • [New York Times] Lowry Sizzles in 4th, Raptors Rally From 17 Down to Win (Thu, 03 Dec 2015 03:58:25 GMT)

    Kyle Lowry scored 22 of his season-high 31 points in the fourth quarter, DeMar DeRozan added 17 points and the Toronto Raptors rallied from 17 down in the third to beat the Atlanta Hawks 96-86 on Wednesday night.

  • [New York Times] Curry Scores 40, Warriors Top Hornets 116-99 to Go 20-0 (Thu, 03 Dec 2015 03:49:14 GMT)

    Charlotte Hornets broadcaster Dell Curry told his son before Wednesday night’s game, “do not ruin my night.”

  • [New York Times] Porzingis, Knicks Beat 76ers as Okafor Sits With Suspension (Thu, 03 Dec 2015 03:37:05 GMT)

    Kristaps Porzingis had 17 points and 10 rebounds to lead the New York Knicks to a 99-87 victory Wednesday night over the Philadelphia 76ers, who played without suspended rookie Jahlil Okafor.

  • [New York Times] Sixers Center Okafor Suspended for Two Games by Team (Thu, 03 Dec 2015 00:33:28 GMT)

    The Philadelphia 76ers have suspended rookie center Jahlil Okafor for two games after his involvement in off-court incidents in the past few weeks, the NBA team said on Wednesday.

  • [New York Times] 76ers Suspend Center Jahlil Okafor for 2 Games After Fight (Thu, 03 Dec 2015 00:31:29 GMT)

    The Philadelphia 76ers suspended rookie Jahlil Okafor two games Wednesday after the release of a second video provided details of his fight in Boston he hadn’t revealed to them.