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. 

Kyrie-Bynum Offer Tough Task for Confused Knicks

via the Daily News

Just when you thought they turned the corner, following back-to-back wins, the Knicks got blown out of their building by their bitter foes the Boston Celtics. So much for them being an easy win this year. Maybe the Knicks can’t perform in those hideous orange alternates. Maybe the Knicks just haven’t figured it out. Maybe Boston is not as bad as we thought. Whatever the reason was for that disgrace of a performance doesn’t matter. Let’s move forward.

The Knicks try to add one to the win column tonight against an equally disappointing Cleveland team. The Cavs are coming off an impressive home victory against the Clippers. Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson both had bounce back games after scoring a combined 9 points in a blowout loss to Atlanta. Andrew Bynum has been quietly playing well for Cleveland this year and has scored 20 points in back-to-back games.

The Knicks are coming off yet another dud of a performance. Boston shellacked the Knicks 34-11 in the first period and never looked back. Raymond Felton has lost a step. J.R. and Iman are too streaky and Mike Woodson seems hell-bent on not giving Toure Murry a legitimate shot.  The lone bright spot was Amar’e Stoudemire’s 17 points on 7-10 shooting. Against Cleveland the Knicks need to come out and punch the Cavs in the face like what they did to the Nets on Thursday. This game won’t be won in the first period, but it sure as hell can be lost.

For the Knicks to win the backcourt has to play great defense and knock down some shots. Last game the backcourt combined for 5-25 (20%). Coach Woodson really needs to find out if Felton is slumping or has he regressed back to his old Rip City self. You know the overweight and overmatched point guard who Portland fans hated in his one year there? I’ve been saying this for weeks, but with Kyrie Irving on the other side Coach Woodson has to look at another option. If he doesn’t want to put Toure' Murry in for whatever reason at least shift Shumpert to the point and platoon Smith and Hardaway Jr. at the two.

Up front Melo and Bargnani should be able to hold their own as long as they’re physical. We know Bynum can quit when the going gets tough and Thompson cannot carry the frontcourt load especially while defending Melo or Bargnani. This is an extremely winnable game if the Knicks show up. Everyone needs to show up, from Coach Woodson all the way down to Cole Aldrich. If they do that the Knicks will get a much needed win and if they don’t? May Jim Dolan have mercy on their souls.