The Raptors' big men will have a big edge over New York IMO. Donyell Marshall and Bosh's range would draw Mohammed and Sweetney away from their comfort zone, which is the post. If they do not come out, Marshall/Bosh would just shoot, and if they do come out, Marshall/Bosh would drive. Although Sweetney could manhandle Bosh on offense, I expect Marshall to be on him most of the game.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting mrj18:</div><div class="quote_post">Bosh is quick no question however, Sweetney is way too big and powerful for Bosh. Sweetney also has his share of agility down low as well. Sweetney has 35 more pounds on Bosh. So Bosh can easily get into foul trouble. Besides if things get out of hand for Sweetney, JYD is more than capable of giving Bosh a hard time. JYD is stronger and can match Bosh's quickness.</div> I don't think Bosh can get into foul trouble against Sweetney. He's well taught. He won't commit stupid fouls, he's a tough kid, and will stand his ground against him. If Sam sees the knicks running plays for him, he'll adjust and make double teams or go zone, seeing that the Knicks aren't a great shooting team.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trip:</div><div class="quote_post">The Raptors' big men will have a big edge over New York IMO. Donyell Marshall and Bosh's range would draw Mohammed and Sweetney away from their comfort zone, which is the post. If they do not come out, Marshall/Bosh would just shoot, and if they do come out, Marshall/Bosh would drive. Although Sweetney could manhandle Bosh on offense, I expect Marshall to be on him most of the game.</div> I dont know it depends alot on what Style Steph plays actually to the success of the Knicks bigmen. Last game vs the Raptors Steph was really looking to score 1st coming off of pick & roll situations. So it took away from the looks Kurt Thomas got in the pick & roll situations, when he pops out to the mid range area. But if Steph is looking to pass in those situations, the way Kurt Thomas has been shooting the ball this year from mid-range, I can see alot of success for the Knick big bodies. When Kurt Thomas is involved in the Knicks offense then he becomes even more active on the defensive side, with his on ball D. So Steph has got to invlove Kurt early for the Knick bigbodies to have success. KT jumper even opens up floor spacing for Sweets down low when they are in the game together. When Kurt is making that jumper, it drags bigbodies out toward him on the perimeter then you can really see Mike Sweetney's offensive rebounding skills.
Matt Bonner's shooting is not a fluke remember that, I think he's shooting 60% this season now, and this is mostly on jumpshots, I don't think I've ever seen him hit rim on a made jumpshot, craziness.
<font size="7">Halftime</font> <font size="5"><font color="DarkOrange">Knicks: 50 </font></font> <font size="5"><font color="Indigo">Raptors 43 </font></font> Well the game has been very up and down. The Knicks were really doing well in the first quarter. Then in the second quarter our second unit wasn't doing well. Palacio was getting layups. That is unacceptable. Right now the Knicks are "lacking continuity." Once we get our big leads we need to keep them. <font color="DarkOrange"><font size="4">NYK Leading Scorers:</font></font> Tim Thomas: 13 Nazr Mohammed: 12 Jamal Crawford: 10 <font color="Indigo"> <font size="4">TOR Leading Scorers:</font></font> Milt Polacio: 11 Matt Bonner: 6 Morris Peterson: 6 <font color="Red"><font size="4">Hot at the Half:</font></font> Tim Thomas so far has had a great first half. Hopefully he this game has helped him break out of his slump. He has 13 points and 5 rebounds on 6/8 shooting. If he continues to play like this all game long then we greatly increase our chances of winning. Now that he is actually playing it's like we are playing 5 on 5 instead of 4 on 5. <font size="4"> Final Prediction:</font> I am still taking my Knicks with a final score of 100-88 just to be safe. The Knicks know better than to mess up this game. So it will be a W for us.
I am happy we won but, the game should have never come down to the final seconds. At the end we played too nonchelant and it almost came and shot us in the foot. Crawford played well and had a season high 30 points on 11/22 shooting. Tim Thomas played well in the first but, died down in the second half. I guess this game had to be good because we won however, I was not pleased with the overall second half effort. We need to know how to close out games more instead of playing these dangerous kinds. If Vince made that layup we would have been up by one and would still be in risk of sending the game into OT. Knicks had MVP : Stephon Marbury with 18 points and a season high 15 assists, was definitely the catalyst today balancing scoring and passing. More games like this are definitely bound to come. Raptors MVP(a hard one): Milt Palacio with 14 points and 8 assists was playing very well off the bench. Many times he broke down the defense with and 1 layups. His 8 assists were crucial for a possible Raptor come back but, it was to no avail as Toronto came up short in this one.
Tough game just like I thought it would be. TT did well surprisingly. Although I doubt it'll last but who knows. Nazr performed. Basically got a contribution from everybody. The Knicks are still undefeated when scoring 100+ points. It looked like the Knicks were running away with it then they had to put some drama into the game. Good win. I still dont think Sweetney got enough shots but we still got the "W" and that's all tha matters.
I just got back. Crawford played extremely well, I'm very proud of him. Vince played well, as did T. Thomas . Vince was smiling and all of that and hugging Knicks players. This could very well be a sign of things to come. There is a lot to say about the game, if I was to write an entire recap it would easily be 10 pages long (in Microsoft Word-single spaced). So, I'm going to pass on a recap.
Coach Mark Aguirre, must have done more then work with Nazr Mohommad over the summer & during training camp, I think he surgerically removed Narz' feet and replaced them with his...because Narz has been showing an array of post moves, I never figured I would ever see from him. His foot work looks great on his little drop step move toward the baseline. And the little 5 foot turnaround move he is developing is also impressive. I almost dare to say the Knicks have a legit post option in Mohammod. But I think we need to see him maintain a consistent level of play first. Anyway, Tim Thomas was smiling all game, during his semi-breakout performance. I didnt know members of his family died recently, I think that could have had a major effect on the way he was playing. The Knicks still werent that good defensively, that Raptors 2nd unit is a killer for New York, Palacio breaking down the Knicks D, off the dribble. And Bonner steping out from the painting and knocking down the perimeter J. But the Knjicks did set the tone for the victory in the 1st quarter. The way they came out and took away some of the things the Raptor's starters wanted to do. Jalen Rose and Chris Bosh didnt really have the impact on the game that the Raptors needed for them to have inorder to get the victory. Despite some poor 4th quarter play, defensively, silly turnovers, fouling Mo Pete taking a three etc. the Knicks played pretty solid today.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Henacy:</div><div class="quote_post"> Anyway, Tim Thomas was smiling all game, during his semi-breakout performance. </div> When you say 'semi-breakout peformance' you're talking about it in offense-based categories, right? Because he wasn't really hustling to get back on defense, and he didn't give anybody any help. He didn't communicate well on defense, and he got lost in screens and picks all the time. His defensive performance was poor, and three of his rebounds came right into his hands. It was a breakout performance on offense, but not so much on defense.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Knicks Analyst:</div><div class="quote_post">When you say 'semi-breakout peformance' you're talking about it in offense-based categories, right? Because he wasn't really hustling to get back on defense, and he didn't give anybody any help. He didn't communicate well on defense, and he got lost in screens and picks all the time. His defensive performance was poor, and three of his rebounds came right into his hands. It was a breakout performance on offense, but not so much on defense.</div> Yeah, I was talking about on offense everytime he made a jumper especially in the 1st quarter, he had a smile on his face. And I said semi because he still struggled in other areas despite shooting the ball well. He had a few stupid tunovers, that led to easy baskets by the Raptors. And stupid foul as well, wasnt stellar on the backboards. And his defensive effort has been up & down all year. Thats why I give him credit for a 'semi' breakout performance cause he got out his shooting slump.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Henacy:</div><div class="quote_post">Yeah, I was talking about on offense everytime he made a jumper especially in the 1st quarter, he had a smile on his face. And I said semi because he still struggled in other areas despite shooting the ball well. He had a few stupid tunovers, that led to easy baskets by the Raptors. And stupid foul as well, wasnt stellar on the backboards. And his defensive effort has been up & down all year. Thats why I give him credit for a 'semi' breakout performance cause he got out his shooting slump.</div> Ah I see. Very well said. Next time I will be more observant of the word 'semi'. I took it to mean that it was not a huge breakout game, but rather a game that simply breaks the slump. My fault, sorry.
Compared to what TT usually does it was good defense. I especially thought he played well when he forced Carter to his left and partially blocked his last shot attempt to get a point deficit. Btw, I was wondering when that sig was going to come. Very creative Knicks Analyst! I don't know how you could have found that Isiah Thomas picture with him not listening. I know this isn't the "Rate My Signature Thread" but, I'm giving it a dime.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting mrj18:</div><div class="quote_post">Compared to what TT usually does it was good defense. I especially thought he played well when he forced Carter to his left and partially blocked his last shot attempt to get a point deficit. Btw, I was wondering when that sig was going to come. </div> I have to agree in essense. Thomas usually does even worse (Yes it is scary) so today was his 'big day'. He was all happy and everything, but really it was nothing. A lot of the shots he took were set up for him by Wilkens. The most observant of us have noticed that early in the game, the plays are drawn up for Tim Thomas, and this time the plays were better. A better game for TT, of course, but not an outstanding performance worth some real recognition. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Very creative Knicks Analyst! I don't know how you could have found that Isiah Thomas picture with him not listening. I know this isn't the "Rate My Signature Thread" but, I'm giving it a dime.</div> Thanks, I try. ( ) lol
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Tribute to H2O:</div><div class="quote_post">Tough game just like I thought it would be. </div> thought you said the Knicks should never loose to the raptors? We played like garbage, absolute CRAP. and were a basket down on you. Lets all just admit that both teams are close and more than a match for eachother, so there's no more tensions. BTW - i think you guys might be underrating Bosh's ability to defend bigger opponents. He played center last year, and he was even skinnier then. No doubt he gives up alot of weight on sweetney, but he's got the length to give him fits as well as his quickness with his feet and he's a very smart player. Sweetney would get a few buckets based on his size...bosh would get alot based on his skill and foot work
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Knicks Analyst:</div><div class="quote_post"> Vince played well, as did T. Thomas . Vince was smiling and all of that and hugging Knicks players. This could very well be a sign of things to come. </div> wont happen. 0% chance of it happening...nothing to offer in a trade. Thought the media would have you believe otherwise.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting 02civic:</div><div class="quote_post">wont happen. 0% chance of it happening...nothing to offer in a trade. Thought the media would have you believe otherwise.</div> The facts are there man. You can ask anyone in this forum, if I am sick of all the rumors that come about being in New York and hearing all the New york Media. Though I doubt it [the trade] would happen, I'm not going to say it's impossible and that there's no chance of it happening.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting 02civic:</div><div class="quote_post">i just see a 0% chance since NY has nothing to offer of value to us.</div> Well I read in a paper that if Vince Carter doesnt get himself together the Raptors would consider trading Vince Carter for TT as long as the Knicks are willing to take up Jalen Rose's contract. And yes if you want me to say it I'll say it, The Raptors are a better team than I thought. I still think the Knicks have a better squad than them though.
