<font color="gray">San Antonio Spurs (19-6)</font> at <font color="darkorange">New York Knicks (6-17)</font> Madison Square Garden, New York Wednesday, Dec.21th 7:30pm, MSG, WB35, NBALP <div align="center">vs.</div> <font size="2">Today, December, 21st, the defending NBA champs will make their annual visit to the world’s most famous arena. At 19-6, the Spurs have the league’s second best record and roster loaded with talent. In addition, San Antonio has the Knicks’ first round pick the 2006 NBA Draft which currently stands at 29th in overall. After losing yesterday’s game in heartbreaker against Milwaukee, San Antonio looks to retaliate against a struggling Knicks team in search of an identity.</font> [div=50%] <font size="3"><div align="center"><font color="GRAY">San Antonio Spurs</font></div></font> Project Starters <div align="center"> </div> Backcourt <font size="2">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/tony_parker.jpg[/imgl] <font color="grey">PG –Tony Parker </font> 20.2ppg, 6.3apg, 53.8%fg Averaging 20.2 on a 53.8 FG%, Tony Parker has been quite impressive this season. The French point guard has improved his shooting and that has open things up tremendously for him. If you guard him close, he will blow right by you with his quickness, but if you give him room to shoot, he’ll make you pay. Also, did you know Parker leads the league in points in the paint? James and Frye have to make sure he doesn’t get many points from there. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/michael_finley.jpg[/imgl]<font color="gray">SG – Michael Finley</font> 10.7ppg, 3.7rpg, 1.6apg A free agent because of the “Allan Houston” rule--ironic isn’t it?--Finley comes into the starting lineup for the injured Ginobili. While not capable of dunking on you anymore, Finley has a serviceable jumper and cannot be left open. When Duncan gets doubled, Finley is capable of knocking down the open jumper. His shooting percentage is a bit deceiving, so the Knicks should watch out.</font> FrontCourt <font size="2">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/bruce_bowen.jpg[/imgl]<font color="gray">SF – Bruce Bowen</font> 8.1ppg, 3.7rpg, 46.1%fg Bruce Bowen on Trevor Ariza isn’t a match-up for the ages, but they’re important defensive players for both teams. Ariza isn’t looking to score, so Bowen has nothing to worry about, and Bowen isn’t either unless he’s wide open from the left corner three which he shoots 50%. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/tim_duncan.jpg[/imgl]<font color="gray">PF – Tim Duncan</font> 20.9ppg, 12.2rpg, 50.1%fg An early candidate for MVP, Mr. Fundamentals has been consistent all season long. He’s giving you a solid 21/12 and his post presence is key to the whole offense. With him drawing double teams, Bowen, Parker, Finley, Barry, Van Exel, Nesterovic, Horry, Udrih all thrive. Wow, I just basically named their whole roster. We don’t (or any other player in the league) don’t have the answer for Duncan, we can just hope to contain him. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/radoslav_nesterovic.jpg[/imgl]<font color="gray">C – Rasho Nesterovic </font> 5.7ppg, 4.4rpg, 1.2bpg Rasho Nesterovic is a very good piece to their starting lineup. He’s a solid defender and can shoot the fifteen-footer. This creates space for Duncan to operate in his office. He can also pass the ball well, so he can’t hope to double team anyone.</font> <u>Keys To Game</u> <font size="2"><font color="gray">Shooting</font> We’ve seen the Knicks’ defense totally collapse on the perimeter against good shooters. When guys like Pat Garrity can kill you from behind the arc, surely Bowen, Finley, and Horry can do some damage. <font color="gray">Get Duncan Going Early</font>We’ve seen the Knicks not being able to get themselves out of holes they dig themselves in. If the Spurs can deflate their confidence, it will work wonders for them</font> [/div] <font size="3"><div align="center"><font color="darkorange">New York Knicks</font></div></font> Projected Starters <div align="center"> </div> Backcourt <font size="2">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/stephon_marbury.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkorange">PG – Stephon Marbury</font> 18.1ppg, 6.2apg, 3.7rpg Going up against Tony Parker, Marbury needs to bring his A-game on defense to prevent easy baskets. Beating a team such as the Spurs is already hard enough; the Knicks need to prevent every easy basket and Tony Parker tends to get quite a few easy layups on a gamely basis. In addition, with Curry still recovering from his injury the Knicks will need scoring from Marbury. If this is truly Marbury’s team, like he says it is, he will need to carry us tonight. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/quentin_richardson.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkornage">SG – Quentin Richardson</font> 7.6ppg, 4.2rpg, 1.6apg Richardson has struggled all this season, but had a solid game against Indiana hitting two clutch three-point baskets in the fourth quarter. He’s also been rebounding well. With Curry out, Brown might allow Q to operate down low to create somewhat of a post presence. Either way, if we have any hopes of winning, Richardson will have to step up and have one of his better games.</font> Frontcourt <font size="2">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/trevor_ariza.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkorange">SF – Trevor Ariza</font> 5.2ppg, 4.0rpg, 1.4apg I don’t know how Ariza will be utilized today. He doesn’t have much offense and Bruce Bowen isn’t a threat either. I guess he’s just here for energy and rebounding. It is important for Ariza to have a hand in Bowen’s face on the perimeter. The last thing we need is Bowen to kill us from beyond the arc… [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/jerome_james.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkorange">C – Jerome James</font> 3.3ppg, 2.8rpg, .56bpg With Curry out we need James to step up and for his game to match his talk. He has some moves in the post, but I wouldn’t want him getting the ball in the post on me. We just need him to play good defense and not turn the ball over. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/channing_frye.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkorange">PF – Channing Frye</font> 14.8ppg, 6.5rpg, 0.95bpg Well, Frye is going against his first big-time NBA superstar. He won’t be able to hold Duncan, but all we need is an effort from him. Also, on offense he has to be clicking with that jumper. We need all the help we can get. It should definitely be interesting to see how he fairs in this match-up. </font> <u>Keys To The Game</u> <font color="darkorange">No Early Holes</font> The Knicks have a knack for digging themselves into early trouble. Going up against an elite San Antonio team, once your down, your out for the count. If the Knicks can’t buy a basket, make sure San Antonio can’t either. <font color="darkorange">Stay Motivated </font>It’s easy to throw this game away, but the Knicks must stay motivated and remember impossible is an opinion (for the most part). If Atlanta can walk away with a win in San Antonio then so can New York. Also, with the MTA strike, the amount of people present at MSG might be few, but they have to stay motivated. Prediction: Post them below.
Nice preview as always MrJ. Anyway quite simply put we are not winning this game. No analysis needed. I just hope Nazr doesnt make us look bad. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Purple Fever:</div><div class="quote_post">Contrary to popular belief, I think the Knicks can win this game given the circumnstances.</div> After losing to the Bucks the other night I have a feeling the Spurs are going to blow the Knicks out. Just a hunch. Anyway I think Isiah Thomas should be fired.
Well I am pretty upset now. We are playing the world champs, but still. Anyway I think I should be the GM of the Knicks.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting BobbyEscobar:</div><div class="quote_post">I couldnt even watch that game.</div> <font size="4"><font color="red">You are very lucky.</font></font> Marbury can?t guard anyone JJames (I fell sorry for this guy, he is just horrible) QRich (What happens with him, he doesn?t even have confidence to shoot the ball) The only player I like today was Jamal
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting j0se:</div><div class="quote_post">I watched the whole game, we played pretty well in the fourth.</div> The Spurs were playing a third string point guard and some guy I've never seen or heard of at center. And even those guys were bored and waiting for the final buzzer. You cant say someone played well in garbage time. Noone cares. That's why it's called garbage time. Anyway I think Isiah Thomas should be fired.
