via the Daily News |
Just when you thought they turned the corner, following
back-to-back wins, the Knicks got blown out of their building by their bitter
foes the Boston Celtics. So much for them being an easy win this year. Maybe
the Knicks can’t perform in those hideous orange alternates. Maybe the Knicks
just haven’t figured it out. Maybe Boston is not as bad as we thought. Whatever
the reason was for that disgrace of a performance doesn’t matter. Let’s move
forward.
The Knicks try to add one to the win column tonight against
an equally disappointing Cleveland team. The Cavs are coming off an impressive
home victory against the Clippers. Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson both had
bounce back games after scoring a combined 9 points in a blowout loss to
Atlanta. Andrew Bynum has been quietly playing well for Cleveland this year and
has scored 20 points in back-to-back games.
The Knicks are coming off yet another dud of a performance.
Boston shellacked the Knicks 34-11 in the first period and never looked back.
Raymond Felton has lost a step. J.R. and Iman are too streaky and Mike Woodson
seems hell-bent on not giving Toure Murry a legitimate shot. The lone bright spot was Amar’e Stoudemire’s
17 points on 7-10 shooting. Against Cleveland the Knicks need to come out and
punch the Cavs in the face like what they did to the Nets on Thursday. This
game won’t be won in the first period, but it sure as hell can be lost.
For the Knicks to win the backcourt has to play great
defense and knock down some shots. Last game the backcourt combined for 5-25 (20%). Coach Woodson really needs to find out if Felton is slumping or has he
regressed back to his old Rip City self. You know the overweight and
overmatched point guard who Portland fans hated in his one year there? I’ve
been saying this for weeks, but with Kyrie Irving on the other side Coach
Woodson has to look at another option. If he doesn’t want to put Toure' Murry in for
whatever reason at least shift Shumpert to the point and platoon Smith and
Hardaway Jr. at the two.
Up front Melo and Bargnani should be able to hold their own
as long as they’re physical. We know Bynum can quit when the going gets tough
and Thompson cannot carry the frontcourt load especially while defending Melo
or Bargnani. This is an extremely winnable game if the Knicks show up. Everyone
needs to show up, from Coach Woodson all the way down to Cole Aldrich. If they
do that the Knicks will get a much needed win and if they don’t? May Jim Dolan
have mercy on their souls.
No comments:
Post a Comment