<font color="red">Los Angeles Clippers (28-17)</font> @ <font color="darkorange">New York Knicks (14-32)</font> Madison Square Garden, New York Tuesday, Feb. 7th 7:30pm, MSG, KTLA, NBALP <div align="center">@</div> <font size="2">The Knicks finally showing effort? Huh? Yes, on Sunday, despite a 93-89 loss to the Rockets, Knick fans remain hopeful their beloved Knickerbockers will show this type of resiliency against a rejuvenated Clippers team reaching 11 games over .500 for the first time in franchise history. Lead by newest teammate Jalen Rose, will the Knicks win for the first time since … (when did they win again?) or will they add another ‘L’ to the loss column.</font> [div=50%] <font size="3"><div align="center"><font color="red">Los Angeles Clippers </font></div></font> Projected Starters <div align="center"> </div> Backcourt [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/sam_cassell.jpg[/imgl]<font color="red">PG –Sam Cassell </font> 18.1ppg, 6.6apg, 45.3%fg Say whatever you want about Sam—he plays no defense, he talks trash, and to top it all off he’s funny looking. However, you have to acknowledge the drastic change in the Clippers’ record since he’s taken over. The Clippers now have an experienced point guard who knows how to take advantage in clutch situations. We Knick fans should know this first hand when he torched us in the NBA Finals. If this game gets close, we must be aware of the one they call E.T., I mean Sam I AM. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/cuttino_mobley.jpg[/imgl]<font color="RED">SG – Cuttino Mobley</font> 16.5ppg, 4.6rpg, 3.6apg Cuttino “the cat” Mobley isn’t the best player on the Clippers, but he averages the most minutes per game. Obviously he has more value to the team then his numbers show. He’s a very capable outside shooter and a very pesky defender. I didn’t see the game against Houston on Sunday, but judging from the box score, it seems like the Knicks played better defense. Let’s keep this up for a second straight game. FrontCourt [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/quinton_ross.jpg[/imgl]<font color="red">SF – Quinton Ross</font> 5.5ppg, 2.5rpg, 1.5apg He’s starting to kick off the game with a tough defensive presence. He’s not much of an offensive player, but on the fast break he uses his athleticism well to get some nice buckets. For a player who was never drafted, he’s not too bad at all. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/chris_kaman.jpg[/imgl]<font color="red">C –Chris Kaman</font> 11.0ppg, 9.4rpg, 1.0apg Kaman has really improved since he first came in the league. No, he’s not a Michael Olowokandi type—he’s much better. He has some great moves in the post and is a fantastic rebounder averaging 9.4 boards in only 32 minutes of action (I wish Curry was more like that). Kaman’s main flaw has been his defense. Last summer, 82games ranked him as one of the worst defensive centers in the league. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/elton_brand.jpg[/imgl]<font color="red">PF –Elton Brand</font> Brand is actually one of my favorite power forwards in the league. He used to play for my current AAU team along with Ron Artest, but he’s obviously more levelheaded than him. Brand is good for a double-double every night and despite being on one of the worst teams in recent years, you never hear him complaining. The Knicks must contain him although that’ll be hard to do, especially going up against someone as versatile as him. When doubling, rotations must be quick enough to contest three-point attempts. <u>Keys To Game</u> <font color="Red">Keep Curry in Check:</font> The Knicks are very reliant upon Curry on offense. If he isn’t producing the Knicks usually don’t win the game. Taking out Curry will require double-teaming because Curry is an awful passer out of the post. <font color="red">Rain Down Jumpers </font> When was the last time we’ve seen the Knicks play consistent defense? Yes, back in the 90’s when they had Pat Riley and Jeff Van Gundy. Hitting shots from the perimeter, especially three-point range usually deflates the Knicks’ confidence and already loses the game for them. [/div] <font size="3"><div align="center"><font color="darkorange">New York Knicks</font></div></font> Projected Starters <div align="center"> </div> Backcourt [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/jamal_crawford.jpg[/imgl]<font color="DarkOrange">PG – Jamal Crawford </font> 14.4ppg, 3.2rpg, 3.9apg After a long, frustrating slump, Crawford looked to be more comfortable and it showed shooting 9-15 from the field and 5-9 from downtown. Crawford is very effective when he’s comfortable like during the Knicks’ 6-game stretch. Hopefully he can continue to do well with Rose having his back. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/quentin_richardson.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkorange">SG – Quentin Richardson</font> 7.4ppg, 3.6apg, 1.4rpg They said his defense was excellent against McGrady on the radio. Funny thing is with an injured ankle Richardson was able to do this. Q-Rich has all the tools to be a great defender he just doesn’t always put his total effort on defense. He held LeBron to 2 points in the fourth when the Knicks beat them and McGrady to a little bit as well. If he can stop Mobley, the Clippers leader in minutes, we’ll greatly increase our chances of winning. Now, if he can only make shots… Frontcourt [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/jalen_rose.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkorange">SF – Jalen Rose</font> 16.0ppg, 5.0rpg, 11.0apg Not a bad Knick debut for Rose. He contributed with 16 points and 11 assists and the offense was much better. This is exactly what the Knicks needed. If he could just play some defense we’ll be okay. For another year of salary and an unprotected first round pick, it seems like the Knicks faired very well in this deal so far. Let’s take it game-by-game, though. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/eddy_curry.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkorange">C – Eddy Curry </font> 14.7ppg, 6.5rpg, 1.0bpg Last meeting against the Clippers Curry PWNed Chris Kaman and dropped 28 on him with most of his damage being done in the first half. But, that’s the problem with Curry. He seems to just lose it right after the first quarter. The Knicks need for him to remain intense throughout the entire game—not just the first couple of minutes. Until he develops that “swagger” on the basketball court, he will never be anything than a decent center. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/maurice_taylor.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkorange">PF – Maurice Taylor </font> 6.6ppg, 3.4rpg, 0.29bpg Taylor can be considered our best low post scorer. Not only can he bang down low with a very effective hook shot, but he can take you on the perimeter where he can knock down the jumper consistently out to 20 feet. If he can draw some fouls on Brand, play some defense, and rebound, Taylor would have done a more than solid job. <u>Keys To The Game</u> <font color="darkorange">Step Up in Crunch Time:</font> The Knicks had quite a few opportunities to win the game on Sunday, but they couldn’t capitalize. Going up against a Cassell-led squad, you know it won’t be easy during the fourth, so the Knicks need to take advantage on all possible chances they might get to win. <font color="darkorange">Rotations, Rotations, Rotations:</font> Sounds like Dick Vitale in the March Madness videogame, but it really is true for the Knicks tonight. Elton Brand is pretty much unstoppable and must be doubled sometimes, but when he is doubled, the man helping out must be able to recover quick enough to contest the shot of his opponent. The Knicks have the tendency not to do this. Prediction: Post them below.
Normally if we shot 32% from the field we'd be losing by double digits, but we took it to the paint and got 10 more free throws than the Clippers. The bigs did a good job of containing Brand who only has 8 points, but they're neglecting Chris Kaman who has 14/8 at the half. The defense overall has been great, though. The Clippers only have 36 points and two free throw attempts. Since Jalen Rose has come the offense has been pretty good -- almost as if Rose has been around since training camp. Guys are taking smart shot and are looking for the open man. I just want to know where in the world the defense came from? All of this without Marbury. A win against the Clippers is just the confidence builder we'll need going into New Jersey tommorow and on the road the next three games. It all starts now.
This team is so weird, we're playing defense now? I hope we don't lose, too much of an effort for a loss. Why hasn't David Lee get minutes? Rose is terrible.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"><u>Keys To The Game</u> <font color=""DarkOrange"">Step Up in Crunch Time:</font> The Knicks had quite a few opportunities to win the game on Sunday, but they couldn?t capitalize. Going up against a Cassell-led squad, you know it won?t be easy during the fourth, so the Knicks need to take advantage on all possible chances they might get to win. </div> Sounds so familiar.
It feels so familiar also...too familiar, that you don't feel anything, it just feels normal cause you're use to it. I wonder how we're going to lose the next game.
What the hell was Jalen Rose thinking? 5 second violation? That's just a stupid play by a 12-year veteran.
What a way to lose. I could have excepted losing because we played well but not because of stupid mistake like that.
Tough loss for the Knicks last night. Sam Cassell made some clutch shots to get the Clippers back in the game. Even though Rose had a brain fart on the final possession, I think the key collapse was on the inside. Chris Kaman abused the Knicks last night. He was scoring easily on the interior, you have to put someone like Kaman on the line more. The Knicks only had 13 fouls in this game, that is soft basketball.
