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| via NY Daily News |
As the world
continues to collapse around them, the Knicks try and right the ship yet again
tonight at MSG against the class of the Eastern Conference, the Indiana Pacers.
Coming off an embarrassing loss last night in Detroit where Rodney Stuckey looked like the second coming of Isiah Thomas, Coach Mike Woodson is starting
to look like he has no answer for this Knicks team. Effort has been at a
premium with the team showing signs of life only in spurts. Enough is enough. With
a restless owner, fed up fan base and a head coach fighting for his job, tonight is a must win for Knicks
The Pacers are
coming into the Garden with the NBA’s best record (tied with San Antonio) at
9-1 and with tons of confidence. It was only a couple of months ago these
Pacers cancelled the Knicks’ date with Miami in the Eastern Conference Semis. Tonight the Knicks will face a
Pacer team that is bringing back all the starters from that team and with a
reloaded bench of Luis Scola. C.J. Watson, and former Knick Chris Copeland.
Andrea Bargnani
and Kenyon Martin have a long night ahead them as Roy Hibbert has finally takenthe leap and become one of the top centers in the league and resident tough
guy David West who is no walk in the park. It is unknown if Amar’e Stoudemire is set to play, but if he gets
minutes let us pray that he at least looks at the person he is defending. Paul
George and Lance Stephenson have also made huge leaps and are not the same
players the Knicks saw in May...they are both vastly improved.
Carmelo Anthony
will have to put on a similar show he did against Houston when he was an
absolute monster putting up 45 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Outside of
Anthony, and recently Bargnani, no Knick has consistently put the ball in the
hoop. With Raymond Felton out it will be interesting to see the ball movement
or lack there of on offense. Woodson’s offense has been unwatchable at times with one
player dribbling and the other four just watching. This would be a great time for
the Knicks to give rookie Toure’ Murry some burn at the point. Murry was
impressive in the preseason and might give the Knicks the spark they need to
get going. Another player in need of a spark is J.R. He continues to struggle
from the field, which leaves Anthony to carry the load by himself. If Smith can get
going and Shumpert can shake off the trade rumors and get back to his usual
form the Knicks can definitely get an edge on Indy.
If Bargnani
continues to score and lure Hibbert out of the paint to make room for Anthony
and company and Martin can out-tough West that leaves Anthony vs. George and
Smith vs. Stephenson two matchups I have faith in the Knicks winning. If Murry
and or Shumpert hold George Hill from launching 3’s the Knicks are in business.
Unfortunately all of this means nothing without effort; hopefully the Garden is
jumping and infuses much needed energy. Let’s see what type of team comes out
tonight.
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