JR Back for the Showdown in Indy

via vlsportysexycool.com

The Knicks were brought back down to reality Tuesday night, falling to the Charlotte Bobcats 108-98. This game could be categorized as a schedule loss as Gregg Poppovich would call it. The Knicks may have been looking ahead to Thursday night's match-up against the rival Indiana Pacers. The Knicks started out nice, but as the game progressed the lackadaisical effort kept getting stronger and stronger.  Coach Woodson’s team didn’t have much interest in defending, letting AlJefferson and Kemba Walker go off for a combined 60 points. Tyson Chandler played only 15 minutes scoring 5 points and pulled down 4 rebounds. Carmelo Anthony struggled from the floor scoring 20 points on 9-22 shooting.

There was not much to talk about from this one other than, you guessed it, J.R. "Tweeting Asses, Smoking Weed, Untying Shoes, Etc." Smith. To the surprise of many Smith got his second DNP in four games. According to Frank Isola of the Daily News Smith’s benching comes after he and Woodson got into a confrontation regarding Smith’s minutes or lack thereof in overtime verse the Suns the night before. Woodson has seemed to reach his end with Smith and has him on a leash shorter than his brother Chris’ basketball career. According to various sources, Smith will play on Thursday in Indiana, and it will be interesting. Will we get the J.R. who doesn’t shoot the ball at all? Will we get the efficient Smith we got in Philly? Either way, expect a lot more Tim Hardaway Jr. who has been proving himself as a legit player since the season began.

The Knicks passed their first home test of 2014 in flying colors. Tonight they get their first road test of 2014 going to Indiana where the Pacers are close to unbeatable. Chandler and Kenyon Martin need to play their toughest game of the season with Hibbert and West always looking to bang in the paint. Anthony will have Paul George on his case and Shumpert will have to fight off the pesky New Yorker Lance Stephenson. The match-up that will swing the game is Raymond Felton vs. George Hill. If Felton can recreate whathe did against Miami the Knicks will pass another big test and take a gigantic step in the right direction.

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.