Knickstape Podcast Episode 9 - The boys are back in town! Jimmy to NY? Knicks bright future

Listen to "Knickstape Episode 9 - We're Back! Knicks future; Jimmy Butler to NY?; NFL Picks" on Spreaker.

The summers over, Knicks training camp is upon us, the NBA is officially back and so is the Knickstape Podcast! Mike and Luke talk Jimmy Butler rumors, the Knicks promising future, the over / under for the 2018-2019 season, give their NFL picks and of course, we end with the Knicks Shitty Player of the Week.

Knickstape Show Episode 7 - Meek is free. Lebron is almost free.

Listen to "Knickstape Show Episode - Meek is free. Lebron is almost free." on Spreaker.Knickstape Show powered by @SportsStockApp Episode 7: Luke and Mike discuss the playoff picture - Cavs looked screwed; Meek Mil's out of jail and Philly is going to win the East. Francesa's back on radio in New York- asshole move, but you got to love it. Knicks head coaching search will never end. Our SportsStock advice and picks and, of course, Knicks Shitty Throwback Player of the week.

Knickstape Podcast Episode 6 - Another Terrible Lost Knicks Season, Live reactions to a Mets collapse (lots of screaming and cursing)

Listen to "Knickstape Podcast Episode 6 - Knicks Season in Mourning, Live Reaction to Mets Collapse" on Spreaker.

Mike & Luke are back with another edition of the Knickstape Podcast. We mourn the end to another terrible Knicks season, preview the NBA Playoffs, James Harden doesn't like eating in front of people...and he goes on blind dates. We also talk some baseball and Luke reacts live to a terrible Mets loss to the Nationals

Knickstape Podcast Episode 5 - Back from Hiatus Catching Up on Life

Listen to "Knickstape Podcast Episode 5 - Back from Hiatus" on Spreaker. Back from a slight hiatus Mike & Luke talk: - Knicks tank fail - Steph Curry's 30th Birthday / Steve Kerr breaking it down with a broken back - Shaq's big, gross, painted foot - Shaq vs. Yao, who's bigger? - Best Knicks Play in History (voted by you) - Knicks Shitty Throwback Player of the Week

The Knickstape Podcast Episode 4 - NBA is finally back after a way too long break

Listen to "Knickstape Podcast Episode 4 - Post All-Star Break" on Spreaker.

We Talk:

- Fergie vs. Blac Chyna. Whose performance was better?

- Fixing the Dunk Contest

- Will the Uncle Drew Movie be better than Space Jam?

- Twitter Question of the Week: Best Knicks Announcer (Walt Clyde Won - debate ensues)

- Life Question: Accidental Venmo. Are you obligated to return money on apps?

- Knicks Throwback Shitty Player of the Week

The Apprentice

After weeks of speculation, tampering fines and James Dolan clashing, Phil Jackson finally found his guy to usher in the Zen Era in New York. The Knicks and freshly retired point guard Derek Fisher agreed to a five-year deal worth $25 million. If those figures look familiar to you it is because that is the exact contract Steve Kerr received from the Warriors after the Knicks reportedly low-balled him with a three-year offer worth a paltry $13 million.

Jackson wanted a young, inexperienced coach that he could mold in his patented triangle offense and who better than Fisher who ran that offense a majority of his career. While together in Los Angeles the two captured five championships including a three-peat in the early 2000s. It is assumed that Fisher will simply be Jackson’s on sideline buffer early on much like what Pat Riley did with Erik Spoelstra in Miami. One of the more respected players in the league, Fisher should not have a problem connecting with his players, something former Knick Coach Mike Woodson prayed for every night before he went to bed.

It will be interesting to see how the hiring is taken by free agent to be Carmelo Anthony. It was reported on multiple occasions that Anthony would embrace playing for Mark Jackson, but mum on other candidates. If Jackson expects to be competitive next year he will need his star back even if it is for an extra year a la Dwight Howard. Anthony has the option to opt in for one more season, allowing him to see how Fisher works out. In order to make Fisher’s job a lot easier keeping a player with Anthony’s skill set is a necessity.

The triangle offense was designed for a player like Anthony, a gifted passer, underrated rebounder and someone that can score with just about anyone in the league. With no draft picks in this year’s draft Jackson has to make do with the roster as is. Young highflyers like Iman Shumpert and Tim Hardaway Jr. (assuming they’re not dealt), Tyson Chandler down low, a sober J.R. Smith and Anthony as the centerpiece of the triangle is a playoff team in the Eastern Conference. If Amar’e Stoudemire can give a similar effort to what he gave towards the end of the season and the Knicks can sneak out an Atlantic Division title.

First, Fisher and the Knicks have to crawl before they walk. A whole coaching staff still needs to be filled and expect a lot of Jackson’s former associates to fill out those spots. Former players ranging from Scottie Pippen to Luke Walton have been connected to assistant coach jobs in New York according to Marc Berman of the New York Post in addition to former assistants such as Kurt Rambis.

When Jackson accepted to come turn around a Knicks franchise that has its focus on the glitz and glamor rather than basketball, he promised to build a winning culture and the Fisher hire shows that. While Fisher is the first to join Jackson in New York he will certainly not be the last. Could the Black Mamba himself, Kobe Bryant end his career with the only two guys he shared his five championships with? Can James Dolan finally get his hands on LeBron James after whiffing on the king in 2010? Will Fisher just be another lame duck coach to leave MSG before his contract is up? These questions will get answered in due time, but until then Knicks fans should focus on the positive, they have a new coach and his name isn’t Mike.

Tale of the Tape: Zen Master's Next Disciple

It’s that time of the year again in the NBA. The Finals are under way and the 28 other franchises are plotting to be on ABC come this time next year. With no playoff appearance, no draft pick and a marquee free agent to resign, the Knicks have a lot of work ahead of them. While James Dolan is enjoying rare success with MSG’s other tenant (the New York Rangers playing in the Stanley Cup) his Knicks staff has been mostly quiet. Since watching Steve Kerr pick the California sun over the bright lights of New York City, Phil Jackson and company have been mum.

Houston is plotting to make a run at the Knicks top gun Carmelo Anthony, looking to clear cap space to sign him to a max deal. Jackson has said he wants Anthony back and feels that he can help recruit talent to New York. In order for Anthony to sign, Jackson has to get a head coach sooner rather than later. Let’s break down the top five candidates for the first head coach in the Knicks’ Zen Era. The tale of the tape:

The Contenders

Derek Fisher: From all media reports and NBA fines, Fisher is Jackson’s number one contender. Fisher and Jackson reportedly had a brief chat this week and Jackson was recently fined $25,000 for mentioning Fisher as a candidate while still playing in the Western Conference Finals for OKC.  He coached Fisher in Los Angeles, winning 5 championships in their time together. Fisher like Kerr share a similar philosophy to Jackson and extremely familiar with the triangle offense. Jackson has said that he prefers a coach familiar with this system since it is the system he plans to implement no matter the coach. After seeing the success the Nets eventually had with Jason Kidd as their head coach the idea of Fisher going from player right to coach is not as farfetched as it would have sounded a year ago. All signs point to this job being Fisher’s to turn down.

Mark Jackson: The Knicks have yet to contact the former Golden State Warrior head coach, but expect that to change if Fisher gets cold feet. Although Jackson recently signed a five-year broadcasting deal with ESPN his contract does not forbid him from taking a head coaching job. There are few people that understand the wacky environment that is MSG and very few that understand the people of New York. Jackson is a native, a former Knicks and a damn good coach. Oh and Anthony has said he would embrace playing for Jackson on a couple occasions. In his time at Golden State Jackson was revered by his players something former Knick coach Mike Woodson never experienced. Expect the silence between Jackson and his former team to end in the near future.

 Kurt Rambis: Rambis was included in Jackson’s initial list and a deserving candidate. Rambis is a former third round pick by the Knicks and can bring a wealth of experience to the team. As a player he won four championships with the Showtime Lakers and was on Jackson’s bench for the Kobe-Shaq three-peat. He is another candidate that fulfills the triangle offense requirement and someone Jackson would feel comfortable giving the reins to.

The Dark Horses

 Mike D’Antoni: Just kidding. He may be a solid option for the New York Liberty down the road.

Jeff Van Gundy: Van Gundy is the last coach to have legitimate success at MSG. Since      fleeing for Houston in 2003 the Knicks have had little to zero success at the head coaching position. Van Gundy, like his broadcasting partner Mark Jackson, does not fit the triangle offense requirement, but does fit the James Dolan management requirement. No other coach has handled Dolan better and can help mediate the Jackson-Dolan dynamic which has shown quiet friction. It is unlikely that Van Gundy gives up his cushy ESPN job for the foxhole at MSG, but a dark horse nonetheless.

 Patrick Ewing: One of the greatest players to ever don a Knick uniform and definitely one of the most underappreciated Knicks, Ewing has recently voiced his desire to be considered for the job. Ewing has put in the work, working as an assistant coach for 12 years. Both Jeff and Stan Van Gundy have said on multiple occasions that Ewing is deserving of head coach job. Ewing served on Jeff’s staff in Houston and on Stan’s staff in Orlando, including the year they went to the finals.  It remains to be seen if the Knicks will reach out to one of their greats, but it would not come as a shock if Ewing is at least brought in for a sit down. 

Keeping Up With the Jacksons

When Steve Kerr left Phil Jackson at the alter Wednesday in favor of the California sun and Stephen Curry’s silky smooth jump shot, the Knicks were left scrambling to find a new list of candidates. Kerr was Jackson’s number one choice and was as good as signed earlier in the week before Golden State full court pressed Kerr, offering him the fifth year the Knicks were not rightfully willing to go. Now what? Now Phil Jackson has to do what Donnie Walsh did in 2010 when the Knicks swung and missed on LeBron James, find someone and find them fast.

It has been reported that Jackson wants someone he has a prior relationship with. Some one that knows the triangle offense, former players and associates such as Derek Fisher, Tyronn Lue, and Kurt Rambis have been mentioned.  Who hasn’t been mentioned is former Knick also named Jackson. Mark Jackson. As Golden State’s head coach Jackson won 51 games and took the Clippers to a game seven with no center.

In addition to turning Golden State around, who better to bring back classic New York basketball than a fellow New Yorker? Jackson can invigorate a franchise that has been sleep-walking since Jeff Van Gundy fled MSG for Houston. 

In just three years Jackson had the Warriors near the top of the league in defense and helped turn Klay Thompson into a two-way player. Imagine what he can do with a Shumpert-Hardaway duo. Not to mention the biggest reason of them all, Carmelo Anthony, the guy Dolan gutted the roster for, has said he would like to play for him. Anthony has been mum on all other candidates, not to mention.

Anthony is not the only player that holds Jackson in high esteem. Curry, Jackson’s former star player made it clear that he loved playing for Jackson and learned a lot. LeBron James, another player the Knicks hope to target in 2014 was seen embracing Jackson before Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Jackson is a player’s guy which in a league where the players hold the most leverage than in any other is a huge advantage.

Phil reportedly wants “one of his guys” with current Oklahoma City guard Derek Fisher emerging as the leading candidate in the wake of Kerr’s decision to stay in California. He coached Fisher with the Lakers, winning five championships and there is no question that Fisher is sharp and you can make way worse hires than him (Mike D’Antoni anyone?). However if Jackson plans on turning the Knicks around sooner rather than later how can he not tap a coach that your free agent superstar would want to play for and someone that players have such high respect for? Jackson did agree to a multiyear deal to rejoin Mike Breen and Jeff Van Gundy as a part of ESPN's lead NBA announcing team, according to the Associated Press, but that deal does not stop him from accepting a head coaching position per Frank Isola of the Daily News.

Is the triangle offense that hard to grasp? Can Phil not teach Jackson the offense, have Anthony re-sign and get ready to make a push for LeBron, K-Love or Rondo in 2014? All the stars seem aligned for this to happen, the Brooklyn guy who played for St. Johns, was drafted by the Knicks, comes back home to turn the franchise around. The Fisher hire will show fans that the team is in full blown rebuild mode, the Jackson hire will show the team is turning things around as soon as possible. The ball is in your court Zen Master, show New York what you got. 

Slaughter at the Staples Center

Stick a fork in them. Wave the white flag. It’s over. Last night with the opportunity to inch closer to a playoff spot the Knicks took a massive dump losing to the lowly Lakers. The estranged Mike D’Antoni’s team made the future estranged coach Mike Woodson and friends look incompetent. You would have thought that Kobe Bryant went off for 40 or 50 points after glancing at the 127-96 final score. He wasn't even suited up. Neither was Pau Gasol or Steve Nash. A team with Xavier Henry as their best player on the floor torched the Knicks for 127 points and scored 51 points in the third quarter!

To say it was a disgrace of a performance would be as big as an understatement as saying Mike Woodson will be head coach next season. The leading rebounder for the Knicks was Carmelo Anthony with 9. Where was Tyson Chandler? Where was Amar’e Stoudemire? Why can’t Raymond Felton play a month of good basketball? Is Mike Woodson trying to get fired or has the locker room given him a giant middle finger and started planning vacations? These are questions that Phil Jackson has to answer sooner rather than later.

Last night’s performance was a microcosm of the whole season. Every time it looks like the Knicks are going to wake up they go back to sleep. During their winning streak there was ball movement, defensive pressure, enthusiasm. Last night? There were more open lanes to the basket than I-105. Woodson showed as much leadership as his team did effort. New President of Basketball Operations Phil Jackson had a similar sentiment on the situation. The game left Jackson so disgusted he decided to leave the game with nine minutes left in the fourth quarter, to walk his dog.

Jackson got to see first-hand how much work he has to do in the offseason. That’s all the organization should be focused on. This season is over. Last night was the third or fourth time the Knicks have defecated on a chance to right their wrongs. Jackson and the Knicks need to start looking to the future and if Carmelo Anthony is a part of that future. If anyone on the roster right now is part of the future for that matter. Jackson told the New York Times that the team needs a talent overhaul. Yes lots of talent and a prayer should do the trick. 

The Zen Era

If you told me in January that Phil Jackson would be the Knicks' President of Basketball Operations I would ask "what was in that beer". If you told me James Dolan vowed to cede power to Jackson I would tell you to check into Alcoholics Anonymous. Yet here we are in the middle of March with one of the best basketball minds in the world calling Madison Square Garden his new home. 

Everyone knows Jackson’s credentials by now (if you don’t leave ESPN on for five or ten minutes), Jackson is getting paid a king’s ransom of $60 million to leave the beautiful Cali weather and his fiancée Jeanie Buss behind. What we don’t know is how quickly Jackson can undo almost two decade’s worth of mistakes by a meddling owner who said at Jackson’s press conference “I am by no means an expert in basketball.”

We know Dolan, believe me we know. However, to Dolan’s credit, he took a huge step in the right direction yesterday. He listened to his loyal fan base and confidants and made a move that has franchise altering potential. Was this his way of stopping the embarrassment of the fan protest outside of the Garden Wednesday night? Maybe. Was this a way to say sorry for the Andrea Bargnani deal? I hope so. Is there anyone better to turn around this organization? Maybe, but they’re already employed by other teams.

Jackson brings a firm identity with him, something the Knicks have been looking for since Jeff Van Gundy fled to Houston, an identity not just for the basketball team, but for the whole organization. If this man got Kobe Bryant to share the basketball imagine what he can do to not only the neighborhood ball hogs that fill out the Knicks’ roster, but the power hungry hogs that fill out the Garden executive board.

He brings the basketball expertise that the Knicks lost when Donnie Walsh was sent packing. Naysayers say that Jackson is an exceptional coach, but unproven as a front office executive. That is why they are called naysayers. The hiring of Jackson is already the best move the team has made since they were eliminated by the Indiana Pacers last April.

But what does this really mean? Who’s in and who’s out? Time will answer those questions. Jackson told the media yesterday that he plans on talking to the team before their big game against that Pacer team Wednesday. It will be interesting to see how the team comes out after a pep talk from one the best coaches ever.

Looking forward Jackson says he supports Mike Woodson, but it would be an all-time shocker if Woodson is on the bench for the Knicks come next season. Insiders have said that Jackson’s disciples, guys that know his triangle system will be the logical choices. TNT Analyst Steve Kerr who won three championships with Jackson in Chicago has been rumored to be the front-runner. Marc Stein of ESPN went as far as to say it is Kerr’s job to turn down. Other candidates include Brian Shaw who was supposed to succeed Jackson in LA. Shaw is already under contract as Denver head coach, but that won’t stop the Knicks from inquiring (see Thibodeau, Tom).

The long shot candidates are Jeff Van Gundy, someone that knows how to handle Dolan if Jackson ends up having less power than he thought and a cult hero in New York. Find a Knick fan who doesn't love JVG and I show you a Nets fan. The other is Woodson being retained. This is not completely out of the question. If the Knicks get into the playoffs and somehow win in the first round then the team would have to bring him back. It’s a long shot, but still a shot.

What Knicks fans care about most are what this means for Carmelo Anthony and his impending free agency. Will Anthony exercise his one-year option a la Dwight Howard to see what Jackson does with actual cap space flexibility and a first-round draft pick? Will he re-sign for a max contract and put his trust in Jackson to lure that second star in 2015? Anthony has given mixed signals first saying that Jackson’s arrival will have no effect on his free agency decision, but called the move a “power move” by the Knicks. Jackson is known as a culture changing connoisseur and he sure has his work cut out for him. If history serves as any measurement, the Zen Era will be a fruitful one for the Knicks.

A Tough Pill to Swallow

If you’re a big believer in omens then the Knicks’ loss to the basement dwelling Milwaukee Bucks says one thing. It’s time to bottom out and start over. Last post we delved into the possible scenarios the Knicks can take to rebuild. The fork in the road is Carmelo Anthony. The team obviously wants him to be that franchise guy and have made that extremely clear. However sometimes you need to lie in the grave you dug. When the Knicks gutted their roster for Anthony they knew they were wagering their future on Anthony. While Anthony has been virtually the only Knick that has played well this year he is also the team’s most valuable asset. I would hate to see Melo go, but there’s not much wiggle room here.

via thesportsquotient.com

The front office has tried to hide this grim path by pitching yet another pipe dream of a big three of Rajon Rondo, Melo and Kevin Love. That’s not happening. Love will probably end up back home in Los Angeles donning Laker purple and gold. Rondo will most likely still be in Boston. That leaves Anthony and the Knicks in the same position they are in right now. With a Knick front office as out of touch with reality as the Grammy committee is with hip hop, holding onto that pipe dream might be what happens at the trade deadline.

The most logical choice for General Manager Steve Mills and company to do is sell. Everyone named Tim Hardaway Jr. and Iman Shumpert are for sale and you can even talk me into keeping Jeremy Tyler around. Everyone else, please exit stage left. We already know that teams have inquired about Tyson Chandler. The center will be a huge shot in the arm for a contender like Portland, Golden State or the Clippers. I doubt there would be a shortage of suitors for Anthony and maybe Mills can convince a team to take on either a J.R. Smith, Ray Felton or Andrea Bargnani in that deal. The focus for the Knicks should be draft picks and young talent.

The great teams in this league have reached that level through the draft and player development. Those two things are Chinese to James Dolan, but if he ever hopes of smelling the NBA Finals he has to learn 

Chinese. The Knicks have two very good backcourt youngsters in Hardaway Jr. and Shumpert. If developed correctly they can be a great platoon for years to come. Jeremy Tyler has shown some promise as a rotation player. It’s never easy to admit that you’re wrong and I never expect the Knicks to say they were wrong about any moves they made. What they could do is for once do the smart thing by bottoming out and rebuild the right way. They owe us that much.

Shump Hits Black Gold in Texas

Everything is bigger in Texas and the Knicks got two huge wins in their Texas road trip. They could’ve swept their Texas slate had it not been for late game mental errors. Nonetheless the Knicks have come into 2014 with a new attitude. Amid trade rumors and heavy criticism, Carmelo Anthony and company finally look like a basketball team. Iman Shumpert got his swagger back putting up a career-high 27 points in a win against the reigning Western Conference Champion Spurs. Following that with an equally impressive 26 points in a tough loss to H-Town.  In the finale against Dallas Shump hit big shots late to secure the game.

The team returns to The Garden for the first time in 2014 with hopes of changing their luck in the New Year. Coach Woodson is starting to mix it up giving younger guys like Toure’ Murry decent minutes and it has paid off. Murry’s defense in the second quarter in San Antonio helped the Knicks get going. With Kenyon Martin getting healthier by the day the second unit looks a lot better with Murry, Hardaway Jr. and STAT.  J.R. Smith and Beno Udrih continue to struggle finding their range, but both have had key hustle plays to help keep the Knicks alive. 

The question heading into Tuesday’s matchup against the Pistons; was this Texas road trip a farce or the beginning of turn around the Knicks have been desperately looking for? Carmelo Anthony has had a rough year of criticism and trade rumors, but is starting to look like the leader his team has needed since the veteran presence of Jason Kidd and Rasheed Wallace left the locker room. Melo willed his soldiers to victory in Dallas and if this continues the Knicks can start climbing themselves out of the giant hole they dug. Detroit is coming off a mauling at the hands of the Grizzlies on their home floor. The Pistons do play better on the road going 8-8 compared to their 6-12 home record.

If the Knicks come out firing like they did in Dallas they can wrap this one up early. Coach Woodson has to continue riding his young guns. Their energy has changed the way the team comes out. If Shump remains hot and J.R. can start getting back to driving to the basket like he did last year he will start getting those open shots to hit. Expect Anthony to continue his good play and focus more on how he leads his squad during those tough moments. Those stretches of adversity will be where the Knicks will win or lose this game. So far the Knicks have given us no reason to doubt them in 2014; let's hope that does not change. 

Knicks Head to D-Town to Try and Derail Early Slide

via NY Post

Tonight the Knicks head to the Motor City hoping to snap out of their early season doldrums.  Their opponent is a Pistons team that is also struggling to meet expectations after a busy offseason that included the acquisitions of Brandon Jennings, Josh Smith and the return of former Piston great Chauncey Billups. With both teams sitting at 3-6, and in need of a win, expect this game to be intense and scrappy.

The Knicks are going up against the gigantic frontcourt of Greg Monroe, Andre Drummond and Josh Smith, meaning rebounds will be at a premium. It will be interesting to see if Coach Woodson starts Kenyon Martin alongside Andrea Bargnani and Carmelo Anthony to add some much needed toughness. With Metta World Peace already ruled out Amar’e Stoudemire will have to bring his best game and make an impact in his limited minutes. Adding Martin to the starting lineup allows Melo to match up with Josh Smith who is no easy cover by any means but it saves Anthony the punishment of banging with seven footers Monroe or Drummond all game.

n the backcourt the matchup to watch out for is Brandon Jennings versus Raymond Felton (if he plays). Felton hasn't looked good to start this season and has had trouble guarding elusive point guards. Woodson may throw Shumpert, Prigioni or newfound rival J.R. Smith at Jennings. 

The Smith-Jennings feud is easily the best storyline heading into this game after the two traded shots on Twitter. Jennings has always played good against the team that passed on him in the ’09 Draft, but this feud might fuel J.R. to break out of his early season rust and light up the building. J.R. always has the potential to shoot the lights out of the gym just as much as he can shoot his team out of the game. If he regains that balance of driving to the basket and launching from downtown expect a huge game from the reigning Sixth Man of the Year.

This game will be a grind no doubt and the frontcourt has to come with its A++ game against that huge Detroit presence. If Bargnani can replicate what he did on Thursday against Houston and Martin’s energy and toughness frees up Melo to not worry about banging down low the Knicks are in good shape. 

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PETITION TO SAVE SHUMP

https://www.change.org/petitions/mr-dolan-do-not-trade-guard-iman-shumpert

Since the Knicks were eliminated by the Pacers in the second round of last year’s playoffs the team has been looking to make moves to please soon to be free agent Carmelo Anthony. Every move the Knicks have made or plan to make in the near future revolves around re-signing their franchise player. Trading the Knicks only real asset and player that Melo thinks highly of is not the smartest move. It is also unwise to trade away your only line of defense when James Harden, Kobe, Westbrook and Rose come to town.

Iman Shumpert has fallen out of favor with both Owner James Dolan and Head Coach Mike Woodson making him most likely to leave. The team already tried to get Kenneth Faried in exchange for Shump and it is reported more teams have inquired about the talented shooting guard. Trading Shumpert would be a panic move that the Knicks will regret just as much and maybe even more than not matching Jeremy Lin’s offer sheet. 

Please help talk some sense into James Dolan and sign our below petition to keep Iman Shumpert in the Orange and Blue!! 

PETITION: MR. DOLAN DO NOT TRADE SHUMP

JR to start as Knicks look to bounce back from embarrassment

via SportingNews.com

On Wednesday the Knicks head to A-Town to fulfill their owner’s guarantee and get a much needed win. We all know what happened on Sunday (we’ll forget it happened). We all know James Dolan is very upset. We know Mike Woodson is on a scalding hot seat. Word leaked out Tuesday that the Knicks we also be without Amar’e Stoudemire per Ian Begley of ESPN New York. 

The Hawks are coming off an impressive win against Charlotte in which they had 26 assists as a team and scored 100 points for the seventh straight game to start the season. This is not the type of team you want to face when you’re as thin up front as the Knicks. Andrea Bargnani, Kenyon Martin and Carmelo Anthony are definitely going to have their hands full keeping Al Horford, Paul Millsap and Elton Brand off the glass. Look for a lot of Metta World Peace in this tonight as he was one of the few Knicks that showed up to play against the Spurs on Sunday and his energy will be relied on. It’s going to be a very long game if Bargnani puts on an encore performance on how to get put on waivers. Against the Spurs he had one more rebound than Spike Lee and looked like a man with no country on the defensive end. Both Al Horford and Paul Millsap are all-star level forwards and have the ability to grab 20+ rebounds if Bargnani and company don’t show up again.

In what seems to be the theme of Carmelo Anthony’s career the main storyline on offense is who is going to help Anthony score.  J.R. Smith will make his first start of the year tonight, coming in at SG to replace Prigioni. The move may surprise some, as the starting line-up will be extremely scoring heavy and not very defensive. However, with Tyson out and the team struggling to put up buckets, Woodson is forced to get creative. Putting your 5 best players on the floor together is his best choice right now.

Rookie Tim Hardaway Jr. remains one of the only constants on Coach Woodson’s bench as he was one of the four players to crack double digits in points against the Spurs. On defense Felton and J.R. will have their hands full with speedy guards Jeff Teague and rookie Dennis Schroder as well as a red hot sniper Kyle Korver who is currently shooting a scorching 54 percent from downtown per Basketball-Reference.com.

All of this means nothing without effort; something that was absent Sunday and has changed on a game by game basis. This is either going to be a grind out win that the Knicks need now more than ever. If they come out flat and get blown out of the gym again expect the beginning of wholesale changes to follow.

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.

James Dolan Back with a Vengeance

Pouty James Dolan & Johnny McEnroe via SportsonEarth.com

When James Dolan told General Manager Steve Mills, Coach Mike Woodson and his staff that he expects this year to end with a parade in the Canyon of Heroes I can imagine their faces resembled a deer staring into the headlights of an oncoming vehicle. Whether Dolan was fed up with all the praise that Mikhail Prokhorov and the rival Nets have been getting over the offseason or he is genuinely tired of mediocrity like the rest of the fan base is still up for debate. What is not up for debate is that the Knicks roster as it stands today does not  look like a championship caliber team.  This is no fault of Woodson who is the best head coach the Knicks have had since Jeff Van Gundy, but the fault of owner James Dolan himself. Going all the way back to the hiring of Isaiah Thomas and the preceding disaster that knocked the franchise back a decade This is the same owner who promoted Dream Week to fans, a week where the best players in the league like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony would come to the Garden and wipe the floor with the home team. The same owner who gave the fans the pipe dream that Lebron James will be in a Knick in 2010 only to miss out and  give Amar’e Stoudemire a $100 million guaranteed contract as a consolation prize all the while the whole world knew his knees could shut down at any moment.

Dolan’s heart is in the right place, but it is clear that his decision making is not.. The firing of Glen Grunwald who did a tremendous job building last year’s team in favor of Steve Mills was a disturbing move. Now Dolan expects this Knicks roster to win a championship. I can hear LeBron James and Dwyane Wade laughing from South Beach. Now while every owner should expect that from his team why not come out last year and say that? As it stands now, last year’s roster was considerably better than this year’s squad. On top of that the Knicks did virtually nothing in the off season besides drafting Tim Hardaway Jr. and adding Andrea Bargnani. The only person Dolan should be furious at is himself for not letting his basketball guys handle basketball operations. My advice for Dolan is to keep quiet, give these players time to get a feel for each other and show Anthony that this franchise is dedicated to winning.

Knicks Take on the Hot T-Wolves Tonight at MSG

via thehoopdoctors.com

On Sunday the Knicks welcome the red hot Minnesota Timberwolves to The Garden, led by star power forward Kevin Love and their flashy Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio. The T-Wolves come into the game a perfect 2-0, coming off an impressive blowout of Kevin Durant and the OKC Thunder on Friday. If the Knicks plan on staying in this game they will have to give Tyson Chandler help on the boards especially with Love and center Nikola Pekovic averaging a combined 23 boards a game per NBA.com. The Bulls were able to take advantage of the ‘Bockers on the boards outrebounding them 48-42 on Thursday. Look for Coach  Mike Woodson to use a lot of Kenyon Martin especially with Amar’e Stoudemire out against the T-Wolves big front line that is going to keep Chandler and company busy all night. It will also be interesting to see if Woodson opts with going small and playing Carmelo Anthony at power forward against Love or will he go big with Bargnani at power forward and Melo at small forward. The Knicks have had more success going small, but Love might be a lot for Anthony to handle over the course of the game.

The guards will also have their hands full with the crafty Ricky Rubio creating for Minnesota coming in averaging 10 assists. Look for Pablo Prigioni and Raymond Felton and maybe even Iman Shumpert late in the game to switch off trying to corral the red hot point guard and limit his opportunities. On the offensive end, the Knicks are still looking for that second scorer after Melo with reigning Sixth Man of the Year J.R. Smith still serving his five game suspension. Bargnani started to find the range in the second half of the Bulls game would be the most viable candidate if he can use his length to his advantage. Both Shumpert and rookie Tim Hardaway Jr. are other candidates who both hit their shots on Thursday and will be needed down the stretch to help Melo close. The most interesting storyline of this game will be what happens when the game is close late and the Knicks are forced to score in the half court, will Coach Woodson have an offensive set aside from give Melo the ball and stare at him. If the Knicks hope to compete in the postseason their late game offense actually has to improve drastically. After Rose hit the floater on last game everyone in the building knew Melo was getting the ball and his teammates would just watch. For Woodson to run a half court set someone will have to prove they can knock down shots down the stretch, look for Shumpert to fill this void if given the opportunity.

Expect this game to be very competitive throughout the game, with the winning team being the one that can control the glass and keep the opposing team star under control. The T-Wolves held Kevin Durant to 13 points on Friday so for the Knicks to pull this one out Shumpert, Felton and Hardaway Jr. all must hit shots help free up Melo when it counts.

Tip-Off is at 7:30pm on MSG Network.

Chandler Shines but Knicks Fall to Bulls on a D-Rose Circus Shot

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

In their first road game of the year the Knicks turned in a trick or treat type of performance, showing flashes of a team that can make noise in the East and looking like a team with no identity in others. Sporting their new orange alternate jerseys they took on the Bulls in Derrick Rose’s first game in Chicago since he tore his ACL against the Sixers in the 2012 playoffs. The story of the first half was the same for the Knicks; turnovers, turnovers and more turnovers. Andrea Bargnani continues to look lost on both ends of the floor racking up a remarkable three offensive fouls something he probably couldn’t replicate if he tried. Amar’e Stoudemire got his first action of the season and looked rusty to say the least scoring one basket on two attempts in limited minutes. Rookie Tim Hardaway Jr. was one of the few bright spots for the Knicks in the first half scoring seven points including one from downtown and a nice lay-in. Tyson Chandler continues to be the only constant for Coach Mike Woodson on the defensive end pulling down eight boards and scoring four points at the half. The Bulls continued to bully the Knicks in the paint with Chandler on the bench and took advantage of sloppy passing in transition buckets. Woodson has yet to get a viable back up for Chandler as Kenyon Martin is still getting his legs underneath him after not playing the whole preseason.

Both Carmelo Anthony and Bargnani started to find the range combining for 16 in third period helping the Knicks stay in striking distance heading into the fourth. The Knicks got fire at the five minute mark going on a 12-0 run sparked by Anthony and Hardaway Jr. to take a 78-76 lead. Chandler was a beast on the boards for the second consecutive night pulling down a monster 19 rebounds not including a number of his patented tip outs giving the Knicks second and third chances. A key review with 26 seconds left gave the Knicks the ball which resulted in a Noah foul on Chandler that gave the Knicks a 81-80 lead, then D-Rose acted like D-Rose sinking the game winner with five seconds left after a last minute Anthony heave was off the mark as the ‘Bockers fall 82-81 in Chi Town.