Knicks look for Bargnani to Step Up Big to Stop the Slide

via Fansided.com

The Knicks wrap up their home and home series with the Charlotte Bobcats Friday looking to snap a three game losing streak. The first half of the series took place on Tuesday, a game most Knicks fans hope to quickly forget. For the second straight game the team came out lethargic and let their opponent score at ease. Even more disastrous was the news that came out Wednesday, defensive anchor Tyson Chandler will be out at least a month with what the team is calling a fractured right fibula. Chandler is the Knicks best defender and only real defensive presence down low. Going into Charlotte it will be interesting to see who is going to fill that void at center for Coach Mike Woodson. Jeremy Tyler is reportedly close to joining the team, but has yet to begin rehab. Amar’e Stoudemire had a rough game Tuesday, but what a time it would be for STAT to shut up naysayers and come up big. Kenyon Martin played decent on Tuesday, but with a minutes limit on both him and Stoudemire it’s hard for either to get in rhythm. Seven-Footer Cole Aldrich would make the most sense to at least get a couple minutes at center as Aldrich has yet to take off his warm-ups.

For the Knicks to snap this losing streak the perimeter defense has to be exceptional so expect a lot of Pablo Prigioni and Iman Shumpert on Kemba Walker and Gerald Henderson respectively. Woodson has opted to go with Andrea Bargnani at the five (UHH OH), so Carmelo Anthony will have to be a monster on the boards which he has shown he can do. On the offensive end the Knicks are still a work in progress and waiting for J.R. Smith to return from suspension. For Friday expect Tim Hardaway Jr. to get a lot more minutes as he has proven that he can score when given the opportunity. Raymond Felton will have to get the offense moving early in the game and keep the pace high so they cannot get exposed in the half court with no real center. Bobcats marquee free agent signing and low post monster Al Jefferson didn’t play Tuesday and didn’t play on Wednesday against the Raptors. If he ends up sitting out again it gives the Knicks the upper hand. In the end the key for the Knicks will be effort. If they come out firing they will be in good shape, but if they come out dragging their feet and letting people in the paint like EZ-Pass it’s going to be a long night.