Knicks get Maliced at the Palace

The Knicks commemorated the 9th anniversary of the Malice at the Palace by putting on their own embarrassing show. Luckily no fans were physically hurt, only heart broken. The frustrations continued in Detroit as the Knicks fell to a shaky Piston squad, 92-86, dropping their season record to 3-7.

Following the themes of this year so far, the Knicks offense was stagnant as their point guard play remains suspect to the 10th degree. Beno Udrih, who started in place of the injured Raymond Felton, scored 0 points and was having  hard time getting everyone involved. Andrea Bargnani, one of the Knicks most consistent scorers, took only 2 shots in the entire second half, ending the game with 12. Melo scored 25 points but his struggles from the field continued shooting only 8-20. 

Amare, at times actually looked like his old self on offense. Powering through for several big dunks. But his defense, much like the whole team's, was an absolute different story. Look at this picture, it sums up the Knicks night pretty well:

via @NBASportsLegion

STAT really earning the "Standing" part of his nickname. Literally in the middle of the floor starring up at the stands like he got hypnotized by the empty Palace . Just straight confused. 

The play of the Knicks tonight will definitely heat up the trade rumors to an even higher level. A capable point guard who can be trusted with controlling the floor is desperately needed. As well as another big man who can pull down rebounds and become a presence in the paint. It would not surprise me if Dolan urges GM Steve Mills to pull the trigger as soon as possible. But in Dolan-esque fashion it will most likely be a trade for a shooting-guard, because, ya know, we don't have enough of those. 

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.