<div align="center"> Anyway, Rasheed is as versatile as they come. He can play all front court positions, and with his long arms and the way he shoots, it is almost impossible to block his shots. What Kurt Thomas can?t forget his Wallace?s range. He can shoot the 3 and when left open is a dagger to the opposition. He also has some nice foot work in the post. Isiah was supposed to get him, but obviously the trade didn?t work out. When Marbury penetrates the Wallace/Wallace connection will have to leave someone off their man which could be Kurt and his midrange jumper. Hopefully he?ll have just as good a game or better than what he had in NY against Milwaukee. Our only true captain will have to step up tonight. vs. C: Ben Wallace on Nazr Mohammed. Toughie for Nazr. Ben Wallace?s defense is as serious as they come. An average of about 2.5bpg shows defense. He can also kill Mohammed in the rebounding department as well. Nazr needs to show his little range in the paint forcing Ben to play him closer resulting in more room for the Knicks so Marbury, and Crawford can penetrate easily. He also needs to become an intimidator as well. I don?t think he?ll play well because of the defense and his groin. I think we?ll need Baker just hopefully he plays decent as well. He looks lost and confused and it looks like the alchohol did a number on his brain cells. Even look for Bruno to get some minutes! He will give us a perimeter threat and keep Wallace out of the paint. Toughest matchup we have right there. <font size="3"><font color="DarkOrange">Knicks Bench Summary</font></font> Alright we don?t have defensive specialist Jamison Brewer however, even better we have a rejuvenated Penny Hardaway on our side who has been thriving with the jumpshot since he returned he?s been averaging around 12 points, and 3 assists. He provides a great spark for us. In addition to Hardaway, we have Sweetney who has been thriving in the little minutes he?s been receiving. He is an absolute threat and now that he developed a little jumper, he should give more trouble. I do see him slightly struggling against the likes of the Wallace?s hopefully he proves me wrong though. Last meeting before Ronald Dupree injured Ariza, he was having a great game. He was producing well for us and showed us flashes of what he will be in years to come. Jerome Williams will be needed as a stopper and any offense he can give us will be a plus. <font size="3"><font color="Red">Pistons Bench Summary:</font></font> Pistons possess one of the deepest benches around. Anyone you throw out can produce and well for that matter. They play with a great deal of energy which can?t faze us tonight. The addition of Puerto Rican star Carlos Arroyo gives them an even bigger threat off the bench. The Knicks need to try and contain their bench because the starters are trouble enough. <div align="center"><font size="4"><font color="Green">Key Matchup:</font></font> Slowing Down The Motor City General ?Starbury? vs.?BBBBillups? If the Knicks want to win this game, taking out Chauncey Billups will help. Taking Billups out will take away their biggest threat from down town and in addition it can throw Detroit out of its whole offense. Marbury especially needs to play good defense on Billups. If his teammates watches him playing defense it will influence them to play too. Marbury needs to keep the Knicks offense clicking at all times especially since they are playing such a great defensive team. Important matchup between these two and there is no doubt in my mind that it is the official Knicks @ Pistons game thread key matchup!</div> <font size="4">My Prediction:</font> The Knicks have been surprising all of this season. They start wining and have the Atlantic up by so many games than all of a sudden they just start losing. Then gradually they start fighting themselves back into everything. They usually come out sharp after the fact they are playing an elite team is acknowledged. I don?t know, but I think we have a chance guys. We just have to come out and play with heart and effort and if we lose we can?t complain because we did our best. The Knicks I think will come out sharp, but as we know, we can?t really old on to leads, but I think we?ll lose this one in a pretty good effort 94-90. We are at war and I need some soldiers. Go out there and fight Knicks!! <font color="RED"><font size="4">THIS GAME IS AT 7:30 EASTERN TIME!!! </font></font>
Great writeup as always. Let's hope Herb and the team had a good rest and a productive break so we can come out playing with energy and strong defense.
Thanks, Platehpus Yeah, the energy and effort needs to be there tonight. Remember how we played against the Suns, and the Heat? If we can come out with that same intensity we'll be alright.
I see us coming out fired up. I'm sure after the nice rest the first practice was intense. I'd like to think that Isiah and Herb got the team together to discuss the last half of the season, and how important it is to play it out hard and strong. I'm honestly expecting a win as the teams pride is at stake now, not a playoff spot.
Considering the Pistons won by 30 in the last meeting and since then, the Pistons have got alot better while the Knicks have got worse so realistically anything less than a 20 point win for the Pistons would be a surprise to me. BTW good preview, you deserve props for the full in depth previews you do for every game. You deserve a far better team to support.
AllNet, that is precisely why I think the Knicks have a better chance. After reveiwing the tape numerous times, plus with their season on the line, and realizing how important an upset like this is, I think they can come close. The Knicks bring their A games when they want to and I think a 6 day preach from Herb Williams might get them on track. Thanks AllNet, I do try and provide good previews for everyone here. It's not possible to like a better team because I like the best team. Sure they're not doing well right now, but what team doesn't have ups and downs during their franchises history? We play in the greatest city in the world in the world's most famous arena (aka the mecca of basketball) Once my Knicks get back on track and tear up the league, it'll be even better. But I'm Knicks for life!!!
game tonite As excited as I am for the game (i always am excited (adhd)) i cant feel optimistic about this one. My only consolation is we seem to play better against good teams than bad teams
Keep The Faith <div class="quote_poster">Quoting JWohl:</div><div class="quote_post">As excited as I am for the game (i always am excited (adhd)) i cant feel optimistic about this one. My only consolation is we seem to play better against good teams than bad teams</div> Stay Strong JWohl! Always know even if we lose this game and the next and the next one after that and the rest of them, we have a lottery pick.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">BTW good preview, you deserve props for the full in depth previews you do for every game. You deserve a far better team to support.</div> Yep, you do a great job, but the New York Knicks are painful to do it for ................................ anyways the New York Knicks finished the 1st half of the season with a win, and have won 3 / 6 which is a vast improvement. I doubt they'll get over the Detroit Pistons because the New York Knicks do not have the best road record, and they don't have enough offensive support to over come the Detroit Pistons defense. Though I do expect the New York Knicks to come out hard and fast, there is no other way if you think you can still make the playoffs. Tim Thomas needs to play well if the New York Knicks have any chance of winning, granted Stephon Marbury and Jamal Crawford have expected standards of 20+ points and the New York Knicks bench led by Penny Hardaway and Mike Sweetney step up to the plate and outplay the Detroit Pistons in the paint, as they have alot of size. I have my fingers crossed .............. Detroit Pistons 102 New York Knicks 88
Not a bad preview. I have some reservations on what you said about TT. Thomas has been awful, but the question doesn't remain. It's been answered - he's never going to utilize his skills. And I definently wouldn't say that Tayshaun Prince can do it all as you implied or hinted at. The Knicks are getting burned in pretty much every match-up, like you said. Knicks: 83 Detroit: 92
Dont know what to say. I want the Knicks to win...but at the same time I want them to lose to improve their chances of getting the number one pick. Either way I'm happy and sad. The Pistons are more than likely going to help send the Knicks further down the standings and get the Knicks that much closer to getting the top pick. Marbury will not be able to stop Billups' forays into the paint and Rip will light up Crawford. The Wallaces will dominate the paint on offense and defense. Dont see how we can pull this win off. I hope I didnt depress anyone.
Despite the score, the Knicks played an awful first quarter. Horrible defense from Marbury, drifting away from Billups on the perimeter and such. Ariza was awful, mathematically he 'gave' Detroit 6+ points. Crawford's deadly shooting and Kurt's excellent passing is the only thing driving the Knicks as of right now, if you could even call it 'driving'. Driving not a good adjective, we seem to be standing outside, I haven't seen even a shred of intensity in any of our players. And of course, TT gets two early fouls since he doesn't want to play and would prefer chewing gum and sweating on the sidelines. I don't know, this team can't win. Something has to be done. And that 'something' sure as hell isn't trading Kurt.
Halftime <font size="7">Halftime</font> Knicks 42 Pistons 51 <font color="DarkOrange"> <font size="4">Knicks Leading Scorers:</font></font> Jamal Crawford: 14 FG's: 6-12 Trevor Ariza: 6 FG's:3-5 Stephon Marbury: 6 FG's 1-4 Kurt Thomas: 6 FG's 3-9 <font color="Blue"><font size="4"> Pistons Leading Scorers:</font></font> Tayshaun 14 FG's: 5-7 Richard Hamilton 10 FG's: 5-5 , Chauncey Billups 8 FG's: 2-9 <font size="4"><font color="Red">mrj18's Hot at the Half Player:</font></font> <font size="2">Jamal Crawford</font> Where would be without Jamal's shooting this half? Not realy far obviously. He shot the ball very well and passed well too. He had 1 turnover from being stripped by Ben Wallace. He is playing point guard and distributing like one. He has been a catalyst in tonights game now we just need Marbury and Kurt to step up. The only thing I am concerned with him about is Rip. He has 10 points on a perfect 5-5 from the field. Crawford needs to step up the defense because scoring well is great and all, but it means little if your man scores a lot on you as well. Overall, good first half from Crawford. <font size="4">My Prediction:</font> The Knicks are lucky they're not down by more. The Pistons have opened the gap after we just recently cut the deficit to 3 because of Jamal. We need stops and smart play. Kurt Thomas and Marbury have to step up and have a better scoring role. Kurt has had opportunities, his shots just weren't falling. Marbury as the leader isn't stepping up on offense and Billups has had many opportunities. Marbury needs to keep a body on him like he is capable of doing. I think Brewer's hard nosed defense is what we really will miss. The Knicks need to take advantage of their opportunities while limiting Detroit's. Silly plays caused this deficit and the only way to reverse it is if we start playing TT's least favorite word...smart!
It'll be a blowout (20+ pt margin) to the Pistons. Once again Knicks show what they are made of. Bring on the draft please!!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Platehpus:</div><div class="quote_post">Sigh.</div> Yup. I couldnt agree more. We quit already. I dont know why Williams didnt just leave Sweetney and Ariza in. They'd at least be out there hustling trying to give us a good showing. "Sigh" says it all. Sigh.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Platehpus:</div><div class="quote_post">Sigh.</div> Amen. No more to say. *sigh*
