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

Vucevic and the Magic atop the Knicks 105-100

Whats up everyone, Deven Del Priore here reporting from Point Pleasant, NJ. My twitter handle is DevenDel_18, follow up. Excited to have this opportunity to be apart of KnicksTape, and hope you enjoy the content as much I enjoy producing it. I’m going to try and keep most of these short and sweet, give you guys some notables of the game, and games that are coming up. So, without further ado, lets get it going.

After 4 days off, the Knicks took on the Orlando Magic at home yesterday in a game that everyone expected them to win… That was before Porzingis (ankle/sickness) and Hardaway (leg) were ruled out out for the night. Obviously those two are the heart of this team in every aspect of the game, but like every team, the next man in line has to step up. The three players that stuck out to me were Courtney Lee, Enes Kanter, and Michael Beasley. In my opinion they did their job, Lee playing 35 minutes with 19 points on 19 shots with 5 boards and a couple assists. Lee is a shooter, and #shootersshoot. Kanter with 18 points on 13 shots, gobbling up every board possible, battling with Vucevic all night. Definitely got his moneys worth, Vucevic is solid, definitely a player to look out for as the season goes on. Beasley had a surprisingly good night, looking like he was playing back at Kansas State dropping 21 points on 19 shots. Those guys took the opportunity with Zinger and THJ out and ran with it with it on the offensive end.

The Knicks got absolutely torched by Nikola Vucevic, who what seemed like did he whatever he wanted against Enes Kanter on the Offensive end, putting up 34 points and 12 boards. Gordon and Fournier were doing their thing per usual, but the rest of the Magic are obviously very very average and their record shows it at 10-14.

With basically the Knicks B squad (A squad is with Porzingis and THJ plus B Team), the outcome wasn’t so bad. The Knicks erased a 17 point deficit going into the middle of the 4th quarter of the game, and had a chance to sneak out a win toward the final minutes of the game, obviously didn’t happen, but had a chance. Bottom line is, with the starters put out there today, you cant be competitive. Not for a whole year, not if you want to make the playoffs. Lets chalk this up to the easiest possible thing there is to do, and that is that both Porzingis and Hardaway didn’t play. Which is exactly what I’m going to do every single time the Knicks lose when that duo is inactive. Ill take a healthy Knicks team over the Magic any day of the week.

Knicks take on the Pacers tonight at 7:00pm. Tune in, and don't forget to turn this post notifications on @KnicksTape Twitter to get input on everything Knicks!

.@zteusa Final 📊@Michael8easley: 21p@Enes_Kanter: 18p | 16r@MrLance42: 11p pic.twitter.com/a15CcNhpqd

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) December 3, 2017

7 out of the 8 next games for the Knicks are against teams under .500... Just something to look forward too. #KnicksTape

— KnicksTape (@KnicksTape) December 3, 2017

So the Knicks head to Indiana without KP and THJ who average 43.6 points total. They are bottom 3 in the league with scoring on the road (96.6). Oh and I forgot they're also 1-6 on the road. #KnicksTape pic.twitter.com/TNKpKS43tf  — KnicksTape (@KnicksTape) December 3, 2017

Lets eat tonight NYK #KnicksTape @KnicksTape @TalkinKnicks pic.twitter.com/lv2CL3K15m

— Ralph Cox (@DevenDel_18) December 4, 2017 

✈️➡️🏡➡️✈️➡️🏡. Join us @thegarden - tix at https://t.co/fn85V5Hfi8. pic.twitter.com/RxQO4NVWQh

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) December 4, 2017

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.

Heat will Prove to be Melo's Biggest Test Thus Far

via USA Today

Late Oakland Raiders Owner, Al Davis, said it best, “just win baby”. Last night the Knicks did just that, getting a much needed home win against the Pistons. It wasn’t the prettiest win in the world, but it got the job done. 

You aren’t awarded style points in this league, just wins and losses. Carmelo Anthony proved for a fourth straight game that he is the leader of this team. Without the Knicks only real rebounder, Tyson Chandler, they were able to hold off the big front line of the Pistons. When those tough minutes reared their ugly head late in the fourth Anthony kept his team’s head above water. He hit the big shot, made the big stop and grabbed the game sealing rebound. That’s what Melo was brought here to do. When Dolan gutted his nucleus to get him from Denver it was with the expectation that he could be the man that leads New York out of basketball irrelevancy. Last night was a reminder of that potential.

Tomorrow night is the ultimate litmus test for Anthony and his squad. LeBron James and the Miami Heat come to town and all bets are off when someone with James’ stature comes to the Mecca. If the Knicks do not come out crisp, James and the Heat will laugh their way to a blowout victory. Melo has quietly played well against James throughout his career going 10-7 against the King in the regular season. If Chandler is a no go once again Kenyon Martin and Anthony will have to pick up the slack on the interior. On the perimeter J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert have to get going in The Garden. The duo shot a combined 4-14 last night. Shumpert, coming off a hot streak in Texas was unable to recreate a similar shooting performance, but still managed to make an impact in the game. J.R. on the other side is still struggling shooting the rock, but has also taken notice of his slump and reduced his shot attempts.

The recipe for a Knicks victory is simple, hit threes and control the glass. The Knicks will not win if Anthony is the only person scoring. The second leading scorer last night was Andrea Bargnani with 13 points. That’s not going to cut it against the defending champs. Coach Woodson is going to have to mix it up (FOR ONCE) and will need to go back to the rotation he used in Texas. giving Torre Murry and Tim Hardaway Jr. at least 15 minutes. Murry only played five minutes on Tuesday comared to Raymond Felton's 30. Felton played well last night, but the only thing he can stay in front of is a refrigerator. Quick-footed guards blow by Felton with such ease it’s a joke. Woodson needs to give Murry those minutes, let him slow down those quick Miami guards and force them to beat you shooting jump shots. The Knicks have given us a reason to believe in 2014 and tomorrow night will show us if this turn around is real or just a smoke screen. 

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. 

Struggling Knicks Welcome Pacers to the Garden...Uh Oh

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.

Time To Freak Out: Knicks Weekly Panic Meter

via NBC Sports

At 3-6 and sitting at 12^th place in the Eastern Conference and third place in the Atlantic Division the Knicks are experiencing serious early season struggles. This can be attributed to the loss of their defensive anchor Tyson Chandler or the minutes limit on both Amar’e Stoudemire and Kenyon Martin. On Sunday the Knicks were thrashed by 20 by the same Atlanta Hawks team they beat a couple nights ago. Tempers are starting to run high. Fans are starting to panic. Let’s break it down.

Orange Is the New Black

For the fourth time this season the Knicks sported their orange alternate jerseys and for the fourth time they lost. The Knicks are 0-4 wearing their alternates and have been competitive in only one of those four (at Chicago). It may be time to hang the orange unis up and go back to the traditional home whites and road blues. Unfortunately that is some wishful thinking as they plan to wear the alternates at least 6 more times this season. Honestly they should be winning no matter what jerseys they wear, even if it's those ugly Christmas pajamas. 

Woodson’s Hot Seat

The fire under Coach Woodson’s behind might be bigger than MSG at this point. The team has looked like they don't care at times. Opposing teams have been getting to the basket like they have E-ZPass. While it is far from Woodson’s fault that his team has given as much effort as Andrew Bynum did in Philadelphia someone has to answer. With no viable back-up for Chandler signed in the offseason Woodson has been left to scramble for anybody willing to defend the basket. Andrea Bargnani has surprised a lot of people this past week as he finally seems to be fitting in on offense and turned in a superb effort against Dwight Howard on Thursday. As great as Bargs has been playing the Knicks need a legitimate center that can guard the post and grab rebounds. Frank Isola reported earlier today that Woodson is thinking about inserting Kenyon Martin into the starting lineup to help fill this void.

So Long Shump?

Iman Shumpert for whatever reason seems to be the Fall Guy of the Knicks early season struggles. The team tried to deal Shumpert away to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for high-energy guy Kenneth Faried but was denied. ESPN New York’s Ian Begley reported that the Knicks have now reached out to the Boston Celtics in hopes of forming a deal centered around Shumpert and Rajon Rondo. While this is the only deal that makes sense short and long term for the team the thought of the rivals doing business is hard to imagine. Hell if the Nets could heist the Celtics why not the Knicks? Anything outside of a Rondo deal, or for a big that can provide some size and rebounding in Chandler's absence, would not be a wise move by GM Steve Mills.

Courting Melo

Melo is not a happy camper. He was quoted by Marc Berman of the New York Daily Post saying “We got to play harder. We're not playing worth a [expletive] right now.” The team’s effort or lack of is starting to irritate Anthony as he continues to be a one man show on offense and watching opponents come into his house and wipe the floor with his team. Raymond Felton has been getting shredded by any point guard with a good first step, J.R. is regressing to the old J.R. and Tyson Chandler is out for at least five more weeks. The front office isn’t doing much better shopping Shumpert who Anthony thinks can be a great player in a couple years. If Shumpert is dealt for anyone not named Rajon Rondo or Gasol be afraid Knicks fans, be very afraid.

Panic Meter: 6

The lack of effort is getting to the point where you wonder if the team actually cares anymore. They have not defended their home court at all starting 1-5 at The Garden this year. They lost 10 games at The Garden all year last year. The Knicks have a difficult upcoming week with matchups against a big Detroit team, the Indiana Pacers, the best team in the conference not named Miami, and Washington on Saturday. This stretch will put the team’s heart to the test and by Saturday night we will see how much pride this unit has.