The Knicks Thread....

[Andrew]

And you thought MJ's "I'm Back" set the basketball world on fire.

[SteveHTOWN]

And you thought MJ's "I'm Back" set the basketball world on fire.

This is mean!
Really thought - not hoped - Sheed will join the Lakers... I'm glad for the Lakers he didn't.
Feeling sorry for NY.

[Jeffx]

I've learned my team about getting up for the Knicks. They've disappointed me every season since their last title. Unlike younger fans, I'm not doing handstands over ONE friggin' playoff win in 11 years. There was a time when not getting to the second round was considered failure - shows you how far this franchise has fallen.

Enough talk Carmelo & Amar'e - show us you can play together and lead. Win a playoff series and give Miami all they can handle - then I'll be impressed.

[Jeffx]

Now Amar'e's out 2 to 3 weeks with left knee problems - oy vay. Will this cat make it through the season?

[SteveHTOWN]

Now Amar'e's out 2 to 3 weeks with left knee problems - oy vay. Will this cat make it through the season?

It's more likely he'll be out even longer...

[Kyrius]

Yup. It's confirmed.

My favorite player will probably start on January Oh man... Get well STAT.

I hope they trade him away from the Knicks. AWAY FROM MELO >.>

Gallo/STAT/Chandler days. I miss those days!

[SteveHTOWN]

Who would trade for him?
~60 mio over the next 3 years for a player that can't get/stay healthy...

[rise]

Yep, this officially shits all over my fantasy team.

[Its_asdf]

I'm praying that the Raptors won't be last place in the Atlantic division and there's actually a fairly good chance that they'll at least beat the Knicks. I'm not really a fan of their roster at the moment.

[Andrew]

It's not all doom and gloom! According to Deron Williams, Felton is better than Lin.

[Jeffx]

Amar'e is just about done.

[SteveHTOWN]

If Amar'e doesn't retire (which is something I do not expect him to do now), Knicks will be mediocre at best over the next three years with his contract in the books...
When do you guys think 'Melo will leave?

[NovU]

It's not all doom and gloom! According to Deron Williams, Felton is better than Lin.

If that doesn't pan out to be true, the Knicks are in trouble and there's good chance they'll miss the playoffs. This team was totally out of playoffs picture before the linsanity last season.

[Jeffx]

King Bloomberg did the right thing forcing the NBA to postpone tonight's season opener. WTF was the NBA thinking? The rail system is still fucked up. No word on Saturday's game vs Miami.

[Andrew]

Impressive start to the season, picking up the win over Miami. A clinic in shooting the ball from three, though Melo's shot selection was...questionable, at times.

[Jeffx]

I agree with Coach Woodson said after the game - everyone will benefit from having Jason Kidd on this team.

Like Jeremy Lin, it's amazing how a dude like Steve Novak just fell through the cracks and clicked with this team Think of all the cats who never get in the right situation.

[Andrew]

The Knicks have picked up a few such players over the years. John Starks would probably be the most successful example.

[Doobie]

I went to the game earlier today!! Fantastic. The ball movement is looking beyond good, but Melo and Smith's shot selection at times is very questionable. Honestly though, through two games the defense is looking beyond good.

[Jeffx]

Not every win is going to be pretty, which happens during the long NBA season. These Knicks showed the ability to grind one out last night against Dallas.

[Andrew]

Can't be too disappointed with this start.

[rise]

This is going to be a scary team when Shumpert gets back.

With things clicking in New York right now, I do expect an Amare trade by the deadline. I think there are teams who will take a chance on him, I really think a healthy Stoudemire is still an All-Star in this league. New York would have to take back a Tyrus Thomas, Andris Biedrins, John Salmons, or Richard Jefferson-like contract back but I think it would be worth it.

[SteveHTOWN]

This is going to be a scary team when Shumpert gets back.

With things clicking in New York right now, I do expect an Amare trade by the deadline. I think there are teams who will take a chance on him, I really think a healthy Stoudemire is still an All-Star in this league. New York would have to take back a Tyrus Thomas, Andris Biedrins, John Salmons, or Richard Jefferson-like contract back but I think it would be worth it.

I couldn't think of any team but the Nets, Magic or Atlanta who would be in general stupid enough for a trade like that. And even from this teams I do not expect that kind of a trade for STAT in his (current) condition, even if they could get rid of a bad contract by themselves.

[Stress Fracture]

It also seems like the Knicks don't feel Fields' departure.

[stereoxide]

It also seems like the Knicks don't feel Fields' departure.

Because they have JR Smith.

[SteveHTOWN]

It also seems like the Knicks don't feel Fields' departure.

Because they have JR Smith.

Because Fields sucks monkey balls?!
He just hit ~20% of his shots over the last 5 games and he has not even hit a single 3pter (out of his tremendous 3 attempts) this season... This makes him a monkey ball sucker surpreme!

[NovU]

Nearly entire Knicks have been overachieving so far in the season. Harden came down hard. I see the Knicks doing the same in a near future. But can't deny they looked solid in their last game. It's bit early but perhaps I underestimated these guys. I thought they'd be a fringe playoffs team.

[Andrew]

Fields seemed to have a lot of promise, but he was never the same after the Melo deal and a change of scene doesn't seem to have helped him at all.

[Jeffx]

Fields play improved during Linsanity, but once Carmelo returned, it was business as usual.

[Doobie]

Wow what a game against San Antonio. WOW.

[Andrew]

Impressive effort to remain unbeaten. This start has to be a pleasant surprise for Knicks fans everywhere; it remains to be seen how long they can keep it up and how far they can go, but they're looking pretty good right now.

[The X]

I'm waiting for Amar'e to come back & ruin it all, ala Melo last season

[Stress Fracture]

Switching roles, eh?

[Jeffx]

Impressive effort to remain unbeaten. This start has to be a pleasant surprise for Knicks fans everywhere; it remains to be seen how long they can keep it up and how far they can go, but they're looking pretty good right now.

I'm at a loss for words, Andrew. Carmelo had what, seven defensive rebounds???? He's really stepped up his game. Jason Kidd has been unbelievable, and J.R.'s bought into Woodson's program. Amazing.

[Andrew]

So long as Isiah stays away, the future is promising.

[The X]

I think Kidd might've been the stabilising influence the team needed. Even Sheed probably helps in that regard. Having some of core of Mavs' title team in Tyson & Kidd really helps this ball club. But in the end, it will come down to Melo. If he buys in 100%, then they're a chance. JR Smith has always been super talented, so it's just getting him on the same page. They need Amar'e to come back & play a Horace Grant like role, if he'll accept it that is.

[Dan's Brain]

I think i remember hearing an analyst (probably JVG) suggest the notion of Amare playing a 6th man role when he comes back. Worth considering? Thoughts?

[Andrew]

Definitely worth considering, just might be a hard sell to make to him. It's a lot of money to pay a sixth man but if he's willing to accept the role, it works out and they keep winning, so be it.

[Jeffx]

I think i remember hearing an analyst (probably JVG) suggest the notion of Amare playing a 6th man role when he comes back. Worth considering? Thoughts?

Sounds like a plan.

[rise]

Everyone knows Amare is capable of so much more and he realizes that. He'd probably ask for a trade if the Knicks relegated him to the bench.

[SteveHTOWN]

He WAS capable of so much more. Unless he don't get his legs in shape, Philly might be the only place where he could dream of being a starter in the near future...

[Andrew]

Trading him is easier said than done but if it came to that, it might not work out too badly for the Knicks.

Meanwhile, tough loss to the Grizzlies, who are looking pretty good themselves early on and have been tough to beat at home, going back to last season.

[Jeffx]

Playing Carmelo at the 4 against Memphis is asking for trouble. That front line is no joke - physical and nasty.

[SteveHTOWN]

Playing Carmelo at the 4 against Memphis is asking for trouble. That front line is no joke - physical and nasty.

Lakers could/ should provide the same problems as Memphis.
But Knicks could have gotten away with the W in that game if they'd just made enough of their 3pointers. Rebound numbers were pretty much even (34 [NYK]-35 [MEM]). Both teams blocked 6 shots, so despite Memphis frontcourt, Knicks had their chances...

[SteveHTOWN]

I Might Be a Knick if D’Antoni Stayed

Well, if that's the truth Knicks fans have all reasons to be glad. Seems like Linsanity is officially over. It also seems, that D-Will was right about Felton (who plays not only better than Lin but also much better than most people expected him to do).

[Andrew]

The initial craze is over, but I wouldn't write off Jeremy Lin just yet. He's not shooting the ball particularly well through the first ten games but apart from that, he's doing alright. That said, the situation seems to have worked out fine for the Knicks thus far.

[Jeffx]

Playing Carmelo at the 4 against Memphis is asking for trouble. That front line is no joke - physical and nasty.

Lakers could/ should provide the same problems as Memphis.
But Knicks could have gotten away with the W in that game if they'd just made enough of their 3pointers. Rebound numbers were pretty much even (34 [NYK]-35 [MEM]). Both teams blocked 6 shots, so despite Memphis frontcourt, Knicks had their chances...

Plus the Knicks were hurt by foul trouble. But they bounced back nicely and now go on a three game road trip.

I like Lin - he helped save the season, but Pringles had to go. He didn't get along with Carmelo, and wasn't going to adjust his system, so goodbye. Woodson holds these cats accountable, something Pringles never did. With LA, he won't need to get in dudes faces - Kobe will handle that.

[Jeffx]

So long as Isiah stays away, the future is promising.

For the first time in 12 years, Dolan did something right (I didn't count Walsh - he was forced on Dolan by Stern). Woodson is the right fit for this team, and he gets along with his star player.

I criticised Grunwald for acquiring these old cats, but it's working so far.

[Jeffx]

Well, you're allowed a few stinkers in an 82 game season. That performance in Houston was as bad as it gets defensively.

[Jeffx]

Somebody pinch me - Knicks are 2-0 against Miami???????

[rise]

Come on. The Knicks without either of their All-Stars beat the Heat? After I changed my prediction in the prediction thread from NY to Miami after finding out Melo was going to be out? LOL.

Didn't see the game, but apparently the Knicks went nuts from three.