The Knickstape Podcast Episode 2 - The Aftermath (KP Injured / Trade Deadline Insanity)

Listen to "Knickstape Episode 2 - The Aftermath (KP Out / Trade Deadline)" on Spreaker.

- KP out, where do the Knicks go from here?

- Trade Deadline Insanity - Mudiay to Knicks, Cavs trade everyone not named Lebron or JR

- Luke recalls witnessing Kemba Walker ask for a bottle of Grey Goose at the divey-est bar in America

- Where in the world is Eddy Curry?

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.

Knicks Got Their Swagger Back...For Now That Is

“I guess I got my swagger back!”

Those are the words of New York’s resident mogul Jay-Z and the phrase the Knicks were saying after a colossal win over the reigning champion, Miami Heat, last night. Carmelo Anthony and his squad passed every test with flying colors. Matched up essentially one-on-one with LeBron James, Melo held his own and put up 29 points on 50 percent shooting from the field in addition to eight boards and five dimes. James outscored Melo by 3 putting up 32-5-6. Without their defensive captain on the floor for a second straight night the Knicks frontline came up huge. Amar’e Stoudemire had his best game of the season putting up 14 points and 11 boards to help out Melo and Kenyon Martin. Even Raymond Felton added 14 assist and continued his success against the Heat.

The most impressive performance of the night belonged to Mike Woodson. I’ve given the coach a lot of (well deserved) criticism the past few weeks. Last night Woodson ruled with an iron fist benching team clown J.R.Smith. The benching caught everyone off guard (even J.R. himself) and was Woodson’s first real stand against Smith. Woodson has had an equator-long leash on the reigning Sixth Man of the Year, but it looks like Smith has finally reached the end of the road. In addition to the Smith benching Woodson gave his young guns those precious minutes we have all been hollering for. Toure’ Murry played well in his ten minutes of action, picking up two nice steals and slowing down those quick Miami guards. Tim Hardaway Jr. played 13 minutes and had the highlight of the night, baptizing Jesus himself: Jesus Shuttlesworth that is. The rook soured for a put-back slam that punctuated a 32-23 quarter for the Knicks.

The Knicks look to keep the momentum going Saturday in Philadelphia against a Sixers team that’s looking forward to the lottery more than a division crown. If Anthony and the Knicks continue to play like an actual team there is no way in hell they should lose in Philly. Anthony has taken a full leadership role and is navigating hiss team out of the abyss that they drove themselves into with a nonexistent end to 2013. Since coming back from injury the Knick captain has averaged 26.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists while shooting 47.7 percent from the field and a whopping 53.8 percent from downtown. With the supporting cast starting to find their roles watch out...the Knicks may in fact be back (fingers crossed). 

Kyle Lowry to Knicks, THJ May Need to Be Dealt

Multiple sources, first ESPN's Marc Stein and now the NY Daily News, are reporting that the Knicks are aggressively pursuing a trade with the Raptors that would send point guard Kyle Lowry to New York in exchange for the always-traded Raymond Felton and most likely another player. 

Depending on who they would give up, this could be a very smart move by the Knicks, who are severely lacking in the point position as Felton has regressed and has been bothered with the injury bug through the beginning of the season. Lowry, will provide some much needed defense, scoring and passing (averaging 14.6 PPG and 6.7 APG) and has become expendable with the Raptors acquiring Sacramento guard Greivis Vasquez, in the trade that sent Rudy Gay to the Kings last week. 

One obstacle in this scenerio is the fact the Toronto is also looking for a 1st round pick - something that the Knicks don't seem to hold until the turn of the next decade. Stein has reported that in-lew of a 1st rounder, Tim Hardaway Jr. may be included in the trade, making this a tough one for many to swallow. 

According to the NY Daily News, the Nets and Warriors are also interested in acquiring Lowry. Only time will tell. 

It's Judgement Day in Brooklyn

via CareerRocketeer.com

Take a collective breath Knicks fans. This year’s installment of Knicks basketball has been a disappointment to say the least. Coming off one of the better seasons the franchise has had in quite some time the team has followed that up with an early season performance reminiscent of the Isiah years. It comes as no surprise that there has to be a fall guy when such a disaster occurs. After failing to make Iman Shumpert that guy it looks like Jim Dolan has moved on to head coach Mike Woodson. According to Frank Isola of the Daily News a Knick loss to rival Brooklyn might have Woodson joining his buddy George Karl on the unemployment line. This coming after Dolan pledged his vote of confidence in Woodson, a vote that holds as much weight as a Rex Ryan Super Bowl guarantee.

The replacement for Woodson could be GM in training and former Knick cap buster Allan Houston. It’s no secret that Dolan loves Houston and would have no problem handing Woodson a pink slip and giving Houston his job.

This may be Dolan’s way of motivating Woodson and the team or it might be the truth. Firing Woodson at this point does not make much sense, and will most likely worsen the situation. Woodson coached the team to 54 wins last season with a well-built roster and got the Knicks out of the first round of the playoffs. The fall guys should be Jim Dolan and the front office for putting together a shaky roster, featuring no viable backup for the most important position on the team.

It all comes down to Thursday night in Brooklyn. We’ll see if Woodson’s players got his back. If the Nets embarrass the Knicks expect Houston to be on the bench by halftime. Now is the time for players that have defended their coach to back him up. Carmelo has often praised Woodson and J.R. Smith owes his new contract to him. Now would be the perfect time for them to really show their gratitude. Tomorrow is Judgment Day for Woody. Tomorrow we’ll see if his name will be tossed in the same group as Mike D’Antoni, Larry Brown and Isisah Thomas or with the Jeff Van Gundy or Pat Rileys. He’s been presented with a win or go home proposition from his owner, let’s see how his players respond.

An Open Letter to Coach Woodson

Coach Woodson,

We know these are dark times. We know you are without the anchor of your defense. We know the front office didn’t do much to improve the roster this past offseason. What we don’t know is why you don’t play the young bucks more. You were on the bench when Linsanity happened. What more do you have to lose? You’re the best coach this team has had since Jeff Van Gundy fled for Houston, but you are falling off your game. Your message is not getting through to the team. The effort is just not there. On Thursday you and your team can right some of the wrongs by beating that team from Brooklyn. Here are a couple suggestions for that battle.

As you saw last night and throughout his limited minutes this season, Tim Hardaway Jr. is a baller and not afraid to take that big shot. We get that you and J.R. are tight and that you think highly of him, but facts are facts; he’s coming off an injury and playing like it. We know how shaky J.R. can be and you can lose his attention as fast as you can get it, but he has not shown that he should be getting those crunch time minutes. Hardaway Jr. on the other hand has shown that he should at least get an opportunity to take those minutes. What do you have to lose? You can’t dip any lower than where we are right now.

Another young buck that hasn’t sniffed the court has been rookie Toure' Murry. Murry was impressive in the preseason, but has not been given an opportunity in the regular season. Instead you have opted for Beno Udrih, Pablo Prigioni and Raymond Felton to defend quick guards like John Wall, Damian Lillard and so on. This is eerily similar to Lin in 2011 and Copeland in 2012. Why not see if history repeats itself again? I have little doubt Murry can do as bad as the older guys have been on defense. Murry is a long lanky guard who can actually stay in front of these quick point guards. Again I ask, what do you really have to lose?

Finally let's get back to small ball. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Last year’s team finished with 54 wins; the most since 1995 when Pat Riley and Patrick Ewing still occupied the building. This team is at its best when Melo is at the four, Shump at the three and either Hardaway or J.R. at the two. Without Tyson, Martin can play the five with Amar’e or Bargnani backing him up.

In the end Coach, everyone's suggestions mean nothing. You’re the head coach. On Thursday you face the rival team from Brooklyn. A win against them will help to right this quickly sinking ship. The only thing that is certain is that some type of change needs to be made and you’re the only one in position to do so. It’s time to put all the cards on the table Thursday. We’ll be watching.

Sincerely,

Knickstape

Amar'e Frustrated as Melo and Knicks Make Their Way to the Mile-High

via Giphy.com

You find out the mettle of a team in its darkest hours. The Knicks don’t seem to have much of that. After their seventh straight loss the Knicks’ locker room is as united as the 2011 Red Sox. Their $100 million dollar Amar’e Stoudemire has had enough of losing and according to New York Daily News’ Frank Isola STAT’s frustration with the team is at an “all-time high”. That’s great Amar’e. This hasn’t been the first time Stoudemire has voiced his frustration with the team’s play. In his first year with the team starting out 2-8 when Stoudemire voiced his displeasure with the team’s effort. The team responded with a west coast winning streak. 

We can only hope history repeats it self. Going into tonight’s tilt with Denver the Knicks will have their chance to get back on track. Winning fixes everything. In order to win the Knicks will have to show effort, something that comes naturally to every team except the Knicks apparently. The lack of leadership in the locker room is growing more and more obvious. Last year veterans like Jason Kidd, Rasheed Wallace and Kurt Thomas kept order through thick and thin. This year it seems like no one in the locker room has that leadership ability. This is not a reflection of Mike Woodson. Woodson isn’t out on the court, on the front lines. Every team needs that on the court coach, a role Melo has tried to take on, but has come up unsuccessful. J.R. Smith continues to prove his doubters right, Shumpert has clearly been affected by the trade rumors and Tyson Chandler won’t be back for another two weeks. 

Amar’e Stoudemire is not the player he once was, but maybe he can be the leader he never was. The Knicks aren’t going to get their money’s worth from Stoudemire on the court. Stoudemire can earn his money another way; he can be that veteran leader and get that locker room in order. He’s been in the game long enough, played with vets like Kidd, Steve Nash and Grant Hill. The first step for Stoudemire will be practicing what he is preaching. Stoudemire said the ball movement needs to be better when asked about Shumpert’s and others Knicks’ struggles; in order for the ball to move you have to kick it back out of the post Amar’e! I have faith in Amar’e and I believe his leadership can turn the ship around like it did a couple seasons back. For once Knicks fans hope history repeats it self.

Eastern Conference Shakeup: Rose Out

via SI.com

The Chicago Bulls announced today that star point guard Derrick Rose is out indefinitely with a medial meniscus tear in his right knee. The injury will require surgery and there is no official time table for his return. Some players have returned from an injury like this in as little as two weeks, while others have been out the entire year.

After missing all of last season rehabbing his injured left knee this is becoming another heart-break for the city of Chicago and the NBA as a whole. If Rose is sidelined for any substantial period of time, his absence will surely hurt the Bulls championship aspirations and will shakeup the Eastern Conference's playoff projection. 

It is still early, however, without their former MVP in the lineup the Bulls are not the threat they were thought to be. Although you hate to wish injury on anyone, this could be good news for the Knicks, who have gotten off to an extremely slow start in a deep conference. Time will tell, and many hope Rose's return will be a speedy one, but let's hope the Knicks and the entire league can take advantage until the point guard returns. 

Tale of the Tape: Moving Forward

via The Guardian

If you’re still fuming over the no call on Carmelo Anthony’s final shot or the ticky-tack foul called on Iman Shumpert (who Melo doesn't want to see trade which is good news for us) just remember one thing; it can’t get any worse. The Knicks will close November with a whopping zero home wins. While this is disheartening and frustrating last night’s game gave me hope. Let’s look at some of the takeaways from last night’s heart-breaker.

• Effort: So the Knicks do have heart....at least for one night that is. Coach Woodson’s defense was the best it has looked all year. Players were fighting on the boards, jumping on loose balls for four quarters. Excluding the last couple possessions where J.R. Smith left Pacer’s one-trick pony George Hill open to do the one thing he’s good at (launch 3’s) the defense and overall effort was great and something they can build off of.
• Support Group:  Last night we saw Melo get some much needed help when he needed it most. Beno Udrih had his best game as aKnick putting up 19 points, taking some of the scoring load off Bargnani who had an off night and Shumpert who was using all his energy to hold Paul Geroge in check. Kenyon Martin and Metta World Peace’s intensity really helped the others get going on both ends.
• Return of J.R: It finally looks like Smith has found his rhythm as he had a season-high 21 points on 8-19 shooting. While he did miss a wide open three late in the game that he shouldn’t have ever shot it looks like Smith is closer to returning to form.
• Monster Melo: Last night Melo proved he is worth the big bucks. He led the team in scoring putting up 30 points and was an absolute animal on the boards grabbing 18 rebounds.  Melo was pedal to the metal for all 42 minutes he was on the floor. By the last two minutes he looked so exhausted it was amazing to see him still score. If the Knicks can just get Melo that sidekick that Amar’e never became the Knicks can challenge anyone in the East.

Moving forward the Knicks head to Washington where they will have their hands full with the great young backcourt of John Wall and Bradley Beal. If Felton is no-go expect Udrih to get his third straight start. The fact that Coach Mike Woodson refuses to give rookie Toure’ Murray some minutes is head scratching to say the least. Maybe Woodson gives the long limbed guard some time against a big and speedy point guard like Wall, as he will be a lot for Udrih and Prigioni to handle.  If the Knicks do bring that same intensity to the Nation’s capital I expect a long awaited victory. The only direction for the Knicks NEED to go right now is up. 

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.