<div align="center"> ^made by Knicks Analyst vs. Knicks 26-35 / Heat 49-16</div> <font size="3"> Date: 3/15/05 Time 7:30 (Eastern Time) TV: MSG, FSN-SEA, NBALP</font> <font size="4">Season Stats</font> Previous Games: Knicks: 90-80L vs. Seatlle Heat: 110-71W vs. Milwaukee Knicks: Record: 26-34 (.426) Standings: Fourth, Atlantic At Home: 19-13 On Road: 7-22 PPG: 96.6 Opp PPG: 99.1 FG%: .449 Opp FG%: .464 RPG: 40.8 Opp RPG: 42.0 Heat: Record: 49-16 (.754) Standings: First, Southeast At Home: 28- 5 At Road: 21-11 PPG: 102.4 Opp PPG: 95.2 FG%: .488 Opp FG%: .427 RPG: 43.2 Opp RPG: 40.7 *BOLD* indicates leads team in particular stat. Maurice Taylor and Malik Rose?s stats are when they became New York Knicks <font size="4"> <font color="DarkOrange">Knicks Starters</font></font> PG: Stephon Marbury 39.8pg 21.0ppg 3.0rpg 8.3apg Jamal Crawford 36.3mpg 17.5ppg 2.8rpg 3.9apg SF: Tim Thomas 27.2mpg 11.6ppg 3.5rpg 1.4apg PF: Mike Sweetney 18.4ppg 8.3ppg 5.2rpg 0.6apg C: Kurt Thomas 36.6mpg 11.8ppg 10.1rpg 2.0apg <font color="Blue"><font size="3">Knicks Bench:</font></font> Penny Hardaway 24.7mpg 7.6ppg 2.4rpg 2.1apg Trevor Ariza 17.7mpg 6.1ppg 2.9rpg 1.2apg Maurice Taylor 11.7mpg 5.5ppg 1.8rpg 0.5apg Malik Rose 17.2mpg 5.5ppg 3.8rpg 0.5apg Jerome Williams 15.8mpg 4.6ppg 3.6rpg 0.6apg Jermaine Jackson 7.0mpg 1.8ppg 1.3rpg 0.3apg Bruno Sundov 4.7mpg 1.6ppg 0.9rpg 0.1apg Complete Knicks Stats Alonzo Mourning?s stats are when he became a Miami Heat <font size="4"><font color="Red">Heat Starters</font></font> PG: Dwyane Wade 38.7mpg 23.8ppg 5.3rpg 7.1apg SG: Damon Jones 31.5mpg 11.5ppg 2.8rpg 4.3apg SF: Eddie Jones 35.7mpg 12.9ppg 5.1rpg 2.6apg PF: Udonis Haslem 33.1mpg 11.3ppg 9.2rpg 1.4apg C: Shaquille O?Neal 34.1ppg 22.5ppg 10.3rpg 2.9apg <font size="3">Heat Bench</font> Rasual Butler 18.4mpg 6.2ppg 2.3pg 1.0apg Christian Laettner 15.6mpg 5.6ppg 2.8rpg 0.8apg Keyon Dooling 15.1mpg 4.7ppg 1.2pg 1.7apg Shandon Anderson 17.7mpg 4.3ppg 3.0pg 1.1apg Michael Doleac 14.0mpg 4.0ppg 3.1pg 0.6apg Alonzo Mourning 4.7mpg 2.8ppg 2.5pg 0.2apg Steve Smith 1.0ppg 0.0ppg 0.0pg 0.0apg Complete Heat Stats <font size="4"><font color="Red">Injuries:</font></font> <font color="DarkOrange">NYK:</font> and Allan Houston and Jackie Butler <font color="Red">MIA:</font> and Qyntel Woods / Dorrel Wright / Wang Zhizhi <font size="4"> <font color="Green">Matchups:</font></font> vs. PG: We have Stephon Marbury against one Dwyane Wade from the University of Marquette. In addition to Dwyane Wade being one of my favorite players in the league, he is also scaring me. His numbers are scary for his second year, but I?m talking about what he?s doing in this matchup. Look for Wade to post up, and to make frequent drives to the basket especially with no one commanding the respect as a shot blocker. What I don?t want to happen is for him to put on highlights in my house. That is unacceptable. He is also a very good defender and Marbury has to be aware inasmuch as he is in his second year, Wade doesn?t play like it. Wade has also improved his shot drastically from last year. Despite this, the trifectas he shoots are at 23%. He has only attempted 21and made 5, which obviously meaning a majority of his game doesn?t consist of 3?s, nor shooting. Wade attempts 9.7 free throws a game due to his consistent drives to the basket. Marbury?s defense needs to be <strike>good</strike> great on Wade. Now guarding such a potent weapon on offense such as Wade is a big task so, it will be unfair to expect nor ask for him to shut down Dwyane, however a defensive effort is to be or at least should be expected by Marbury. Due to the sillyness of Time Warner, I was unable to catch the game on TV, but I did hear it on the radio. I heard quite a few times, ?And Antonio Daniels scores another EASY layup.? If Daniels was easy to slice through this token defense Marbury is offering, imagine what Wade can do! Marbury needs to put a body on Wade at all times. That time when Marbury forgets about him, is the time Wade yams it for a put back slam. The worst part of Marbury through out his career has been his defense. The man just simply plays none although he has the talent to be a good defender. Marbury?s defense is worse than my computer!!! If Marbury truly wants to win this game, he?ll know that there?s more to basketball than simply putting points on the board. vs. SG: Last time Damon Jones came to MSG, he was lighting it up from 3. He is a good shooter, but that wasn?t the main reason why he lit it up. Because of the defense that was being played. We can?t blame Jamal because he wasn?t playing that game. We need defense to win this game and whether or not Jamal Crawford decides to play defense will really determine our future...that is unless he scores 50 points. Wade penetrates, Shaq posts up and Damon shoots. That is a perfect threesome (no homo). The Knicks can?t allow Jones to get open looks. Anyone who shoots treys at 41.6% needs to be taken care of defensively. Again, I didn?t see the game yesterday but according to the boxscore, Jamal had Allen on lock down, while also locking himself down as well. Allen shot 35% from the field and 25% from 3 point range. If Crawford did that, then a less prolific scorer and a shooter less accurate than Allen should be something he can do again. I thought I would never have to say this, but - what Jamal needs to do is score. The last couple of games he has been struggling significantly from the field. I don?t know why but he just is. We need all the help we can get against the Heat and our second option on offense needs to be ready to go today. Jamal also shoots 36% from behind the arc so that needs to be good today and provide us with the spark we need. Again, Crawford needs to take smart shots. Every position is always valuable, but it makes it much more valuable when you?re playing against potential NBA champions. Also what I?ve been pleased of recently is the dimes Jamal is throwing around lately. As a natural PG not being able to dominate the ball as much is hard, but he is still scoring and passing rather well. If he continues to be smarter in the shots he takes and thinks make the extra pass instead of passing, it will be another factor in whether we win can win or not. vs. SF: Tim Thomas has been playing better as of late. Now some people might respond to that by saying??Well could it have gotten any worse???? To that I respond?I have no idea. For what it?s worth Tim Thomas has resurrected his percentage to 44%. That is very good considering how he started the season. I do believe a good chunk of the season has been hovering around the high 30?s. He is also amongst the leaders in 3P%. He shoots 41.3%!! That?s pretty good according to league standards so imagine his standards. Tim Thomas last game had one of his best games of the season. Playing hurt, he had 13 points on 4-7 shooting, including the game tying trey to getting the MSG crowd on their feet and giving the Knicks energy to lose in overtime. He also had 5 rebounds and 7 assists only surmounted by Marbury with 8 assists. If double T has a similar performance to what he had last meeting, we will be set at the 3 position. Now to his opponent Eddie Jones who is having somewhat of a disappointing season. Teammates of Shaq thrive off of his mere presence. While players such as Dwyane Wade, Damon Jones, and Udonis Haslem are having career years, the 33 year old swing man from the University of Temple, is having the worst year of his 10 year career. Despite this, Jones is capable of exploding at anytime. This means Tim needs to play Jones extra hard and not allow his confidence level to rise up. I mean Tim has 4 inches and 40 more pounds on Jones I think he is capable of adding some stress on Jones, it?s just a matter of what Tim will do. I guess that depends on which way the wind blows, huh? Hopefully at the very least, Tim has a good offensive game. Keeping Jones from becoming a force is what we need. Wade and Shaq are enough so taking out role players is a must if the Knicks have any intentions on wining this game. vs. PF: Possibly the most improved player in the league against a potential NBA star. Sweetney really needs to stay out of foul trouble. It has been a problem. If Sweetney plays big minutes he will produce. He just might be one of the most efficient players who play under 20 minutes. In just 18.4 minutes, he gives you 8.3 points, 5.2 rebounds a game. He has many pounds on Haslem so he needs to pose a threat there. Him posting up will give us much needed space on the floor. With Crawford?s shooting inconsistent, we don?t really have a perimeter threat with us except Allan Houston who is out. Kurt Thomas is a very good perimeter threat, but more than likely, he will be on the other side of the court meaning the only way Sweetney will be able to swing it to Kurt, is throwing a dangerous cross court pass that can easily get intercepted and create easy fast break opportunities. This means Sweetney?s role is even more important. He needs to pass out of double teams well, and he also needs to get to the line, rebound, give us space and simply do his thing. I was reading in the Daily News today, Sweetney might have some minutes playing against Shaq. Sweetney has the size but his height might be an issue. He is obviously a tougher match for Mike than Udonis Haslem. Haslem is very athletic and hopefully some of his explosiveness doesn?t give Mike some trouble or more importantly, any fouls. vs. C: It is Mr. Consistency against Shaquille O?Neal a.k.a. Shaq a.k.a. Big Diesel, a.k.a. the most dominant center in the league. Kurt has perhaps one of the most toughest opponents on him. He is playing Shaquille O?Neal the most dominant center in all of basketball. He is also a future hall of famer so Kurt Thomas really needs to have a good game. While Kurt Thomas is a great post defender, he is not used to playing centers that carry around with 300 pounds of fury. He is big and that is a reason why he is effective, but Shaq has very good footwork. Kurt Thomas has an extremely important role today. Kurt Thomas has to have that midrange jumpshot working today. His range extends to about 18 feet and further when he?s heating up. Once Shaq leaves his comfort zone?the paint, it will open it up for Marbury to penetrate and dish to: Tim Thomas or Jamal Crawford for an open 3, and Sweetney for some space in the post. So I guess you can say in a way, Kurt Thomas? performance will effect the whole team. He needs to take advantage of the open looks he?ll get. He needs to hit his shots. His defense and rebounding will be needed as well. Also as a captain, I expect him to bring out the best of the Knicks. Kurt just needs to play his usual self and keep Shaq out the paint, and do the best he can. Last meeting, Nazr Mohammed had Shaq on smash!! He had 16 points and shot 5-16 from the field. If the Knicks can get someone to step up similarly to what Mohammed did last meeting and take out the diesel, we can definitely get a win tonight. It?s about effort, smarts, and even some luck. <font size="3"><font color="DarkOrange">Knicks Bench Summary</font></font> We need our bench the most than any other team. Every single person is valuable. Malik Rose has played Shaq on numerous occasions and other bigs in the west. He is very experienced. He even played him in the playoffs! The experience right there is priceless. The only thing is the Spurs had a deep defensive team as opposed to the Knicks shallow, lackadaisical and inconsistent defense. We need Malik to give Shaq a hard time and exude the experience wining two rings. Maurice Taylor needs to continue being the force in the post. He needs to give us space, draw doubles and simply open the floor. He also needs to rebound, draw fouls and play with effort. Ariza needs to provide us with defense?pick off the lazy pass, maybe block a shot or alter a couple and give us some offense here and there...make free throws score on the break etc. The Heat will leave him open for some easy midrange jumpshot opportunities. So Ariza needs to take advantage of that. Jerome needs to give us the same energy and hustle he always does. Last game against the Sonics, Jerome did just that. His energy will give us momentum, and easy opportunities. Penny needs to play smart make his jumpers and think about the extra pass as well. Jermaine gives us defense, and even Bruno needs to hit jumpers and move Shaq out of the paint. If Bruno hits 3?s, Shaq will have to front him. We need a concerted effort from everyone on the Knicks today every single player needs to play well tonight. <font size="3"><font color="Red">Heat Bench Summary:</font></font> The Heat have a very good bench and one of the reasons why the rivalry lasts between them. The only players from the original Knick/Heat rivalries are: Allan Houston, Kurt Thomas, Alonzo Mourning and Eddie Jones. The thing that makes it more interesting are the former Knicks on their roster. Doleac and Anderson who had a very big role for the Knicks, are now gone. I?m sure we can expect good games from them and especially from Anderson who was let go. Yes we gave him money to leave. Smart? I don?t think so, but we can?t talk about the past now, we have an important game ahead of us. The Heat bench has a great shot blocker in Alonzo Mourning, Laettner and Rasual just simply playing their roles and who can forget about Keyon Dooling? These guys are loaded. The Knicks need to try and make the bench more of a non-factor because handling Wade, Shaq, and perimeter threats in the Jones?, are enough trouble. <div align="center"><font size="4"><font color="Green">Key Matchup:</font></font> TEAM LEADERS STARBURY vs. FLASH What a confrontation! Marbury and Wade is definitely a contender for matchup of the year. The two franchise players are in search of a win. The only difference is one of them needs the win more than the other one. Can you guess which one it is? Anyway, as if seeing two very talent players isn?t exciting enough, expect to see some highlight reels. Both posses some of the leagues best crossovers, some feline quickness, and both don the #3. Expect one of the leagues best offensive outings. If they are taken out of the game, both squads lose their two leading scorers. What makes it more interesting is that they are two ?tweeners? instead of real floor generals so expect more scoring and in a dramatic fashion. I have a strong feeling that whoever has the better game, their respective team will win.</div> <font size="4">My Prediction:</font> The Knicks are just coming off a disappointing loss to the Sonics on Sunday. The game was very winnable, they just didn?t take advantage of their opportunities. While the Knicks are an underrated home team, they are playing one of the NBA?s best teams. I mean this team is good. Again, this is a bias fan speaking so of course I am going to take my Knicks, but I also have another reason. Last game, the Knicks took the Heat down to the wire and sent the game into overtime. They could have won, but again close it out. I really think with everyone pumped up about the game and Herb Williams really stressing this game especially if it is a possible first round opponent, we will win it. Me being a Knicks an makes me pick them with a score of 96-94. But someone looking outside of the box a fan of neither team is making me choose the Heat 106-93. I think by halftime I might be able to make a sure prediction, but then again this is the Heat. The Nets were in the game at halftime on Saturday and we witnessed what happened. I predict a very interesting and fun game to watch I?ll tell you that much! <font color="Red"><font size="4">Don?t Forget:</font></font> <font size="3">THIS GAME IS AT 7:30 PM EASTERN TIME!!! AND IS ON 1050 AM ESPN RADIO</font>
Yup. 106-93 sounds just about right. Nice preview although I have to say...you're dreaming if you think we're winning this game. By the way Sweetney and Shaq are going to be guarding each other since Sweetney is the biggest body we have. So this will be the one game where I wont rant about Sweetney not getting fed in the low post enough. He'll be almost a nonfactor against Shaq unless he gets some open midrange jumpers. Sweetney will just another body that we throw at him. Sweetney, Kurt Thomas and Malik Rose will all be called upon to guard the Diesel. Last time we met the Heat it was close because their three point shooters werent hitting the open shots when we doubled and tripled Shaq. I dont think we'll be as lucky this time. Unless Shaq is off his game tonight we've already lost. On the bright side... we'll be one step closer to Tiago Splitter.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Tribute to H2O:</div><div class="quote_post">Yup. 106-93 sounds just about right. Nice preview although I have to say...you're dreaming if you think we're winning this game. By the way Sweetney and Shaq are going to be guarding each other since Sweetney is the biggest body we have. So this will be the one game where I wont rant about Sweetney not getting fed in the low post enough. He'll be almost a nonfactor against Shaq unless he gets some open midrange jumpers. Sweetney will just another body that we throw at him. Sweetney, Kurt Thomas and Malik Rose will all be called upon to guard the Diesel. Last time we met the Heat it was close because their three point shooters werent hitting the open shots when we doubled and tripled Shaq. I dont think we'll be as lucky this time. Unless Shaq is off his game tonight we've already lost. On the bright side... we'll be one step closer to Tiago Splitter.</div> I really hope we win. This will definitely be a tough one but I wouldn't be surprised if we lost. We also weren't playing without Crawford so I don't know. Speaking of dreaming, last night I had a dream that we beat the heat in game 7 and Houston did the same thing again. Then when he was about to speak, as soon as he opened his mouth I heard BEEP, BEEP, BEEP! That was my alarm clock waking me up.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting mrj18:</div><div class="quote_post">I really hope we win. This will definitely be a tough one but I wouldn't be surprised if we lost. We also weren't playing without Crawford so I don't know. Speaking of dreaming, last night I had a dream that we beat the heat in game 7 and Houston did the same thing again. Then when he was about to speak, as soon as he opened his mouth I heard BEEP, BEEP, BEEP! That was my alarm clock waking me up. </div> lmfao thats hillarious but sucks too
Wow, the Knicks are actually up in this game. They are playing great and are up 60-50! They just called a timeout. If they play like this all the time, making the playoffs wont be the question, it's how far they can go.
Damn WE LOST!! (note: JWohl's post was edited due to the fact that it was all cursing. In fact he just kept saying the f word and the s word again and again and again. JWohl)
Why must fate and destiny always have to stabb me and the Knicks in the heart? This time, the knife was in the hand of Dwayne Wade...sigh...
wow its like a curse and at home too. i got to admit they played very good but came up short.wade makes it wit a hand in his face,thats either skill or luck
A 'crushing' defeat. We played extremely well and lost to the Heat with Wade's jumper at the end. "Crushing defeat" was how it was described. Tommorow I'll have an editorial about how the defeat wasn't 'crushing', but quite the contrary. Be sure to check it out. (Yes, that was a teaser )
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Knicks Analyst:</div><div class="quote_post">A 'crushing' defeat. We played extremely well and lost to the Heat with Wade's jumper at the end. "Crushing defeat" was how it was described. Tommorow I'll have an editorial about how the defeat wasn't 'crushing', but quite the contrary. Be sure to check it out. (Yes, that was a teaser )</div> Wasnt a crushing defeat....wasnt a crushing defeat?!?!?!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Knicks Analyst:</div><div class="quote_post">A 'crushing' defeat. We played extremely well and lost to the Heat with Wade's jumper at the end. "Crushing defeat" was how it was described. Tommorow I'll have an editorial about how the defeat wasn't 'crushing', but quite the contrary. Be sure to check it out. (Yes, that was a teaser )</div> thats all I have to say right now
Damn right it wasn't a crushing defeat. Don't be a fool. Who are you kidding? Did you even watch the game? You certainly don't sound like you did. Let's just pretend for a minute here that you did watch the game. How was it crushing? We lost in the final seconds, we didn't have and still don't have a legitimate shot at being successful in the post season. I'm not going to say any more. I'm saving the rest for my editorial. Which should change your mind pretty quickly. And if it doesn't, then you probably need to learn a bit more basketball.
yay <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Knicks Analyst:</div><div class="quote_post">Damn right it wasn't a crushing defeat. Don't be a fool. Who are you kidding? Did you even watch the game? You certainly don't sound like you did. Let's just pretend for a minute here that you did watch the game. How was it crushing? We lost in the final seconds, we didn't have and still don't have a legitimate shot at being successful in the post season. I'm not going to say any more. I'm saving the rest for my editorial. Which should change your mind pretty quickly. And if it doesn't, then you probably need to learn a bit more basketball. </div> well there is a good side to the loss......EDITORIAL FROM KNICKS ANALYST....i never seem to be able to talk to him or gain any information from his so I am excited!!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting JWohl:</div><div class="quote_post">well there is a good side to the loss......EDITORIAL FROM KNICKS ANALYST....i never seem to be able to talk to him or gain any information from his so I am excited!!</div> Nice one, Joshua.
my name <font size="5"><div class="quote_poster">Quoting Knicks Analyst:</div><div class="quote_post"> Nice one, Joshua.</div> <font color="Blue">MY NAME IS JWOHL</font></font>
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Knicks Analyst:</div><div class="quote_post">Damn right it wasn't a crushing defeat. Don't be a fool. Who are you kidding? Did you even watch the game? You certainly don't sound like you did. Let's just pretend for a minute here that you did watch the game. How was it crushing? We lost in the final seconds, we didn't have and still don't have a legitimate shot at being successful in the post season. I'm not going to say any more. I'm saving the rest for my editorial. Which should change your mind pretty quickly. And if it doesn't, then you probably need to learn a bit more basketball. </div> Uhhh...it was a defeat...and I was...crushed? And so were the....uhhhhh....Knicks? Yes, it was a well played game by us. But it was a crushing defeat in the sense that we were so close to winning and we played so well but we still loss.
HA! Very good, NYK Pride. I had fun reading that. You were crushed because we lost to arguably the very best team in the league in the final seconds to the hands of an electric youth who is flourishing in the league? You make it sound like it was game 7 of the finals. We lost a close one against a good team, we're not a premier powerhouse team that's about to make noise in the playoff picture. We're lotterey bound, wow. Sad loss. Just because it was in the final seconds, but that just shows how well we played the rest of the game. I'll save the rest. Please, pipe down with the mocking and such. You made your point, you were disappointed in the final seconds. I'm going to write something that says that the game was a good sign of things to come. You don't want to read it, you don't have to. I recommend you do, so you can learn but it's your decision. I would love for you to disagree with what will be my editorial, maybe we can....start a debate....me and you. Really though, if you want to listen to me, do it. If you don't, don't. But don't get confrontational and sarcastic. It's not necessary and you just look foolish. And you will feel foolish when you read my editorial. If you don't feel foolish, well then....wow.
but one <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Knicks Analyst:</div><div class="quote_post">HA! Very good, NYK Pride. I had fun reading that. You were crushed because we lost to arguably the very best team in the league in the final seconds to the hands of an electric youth who is flourishing in the league? You make it sound like it was game 7 of the finals. We lost a close one against a good team, we're not a premier powerhouse team that's about to make noise in the playoff picture. We're lotterey bound, wow. Sad loss. Just because it was in the final seconds, but that just shows how well we played the rest of the game. I'll save the rest. Please, pipe down with the mocking and such. You made your point, you were disappointed in the final seconds. I'm going to write something that says that the game was a good sign of things to come. You don't want to read it, you don't have to. I recommend you do, so you can learn but it's your decision. I would love for you to disagree with what will be my editorial, maybe we can....start a debate....me and you. Really though, if you want to listen to me, do it. If you don't, don't. But don't get confrontational and sarcastic. It's not necessary and you just look foolish. And you will feel foolish when you read my editorial. If you don't feel foolish, well then....wow.</div> I have but ONE thing to say to <font color="Navy">NYK PRIDE</font>: OWNED
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Knicks Analyst:</div><div class="quote_post">HA! Very good, NYK Pride. I had fun reading that. You were crushed because we lost to arguably the very best team in the league in the final seconds to the hands of an electric youth who is flourishing in the league? You make it sound like it was game 7 of the finals. We lost a close one against a good team, we're not a premier powerhouse team that's about to make noise in the playoff picture. We're lotterey bound, wow. Sad loss. Just because it was in the final seconds, but that just shows how well we played the rest of the game. I'll save the rest. Please, pipe down with the mocking and such. You made your point, you were disappointed in the final seconds. I'm going to write something that says that the game was a good sign of things to come. You don't want to read it, you don't have to. I recommend you do, so you can learn but it's your decision. I would love for you to disagree with what will be my editorial, maybe we can....start a debate....me and you. Really though, if you want to listen to me, do it. If you don't, don't. But don't get confrontational and sarcastic. It's not necessary and you just look foolish. And you will feel foolish when you read my editorial. If you don't feel foolish, well then....wow.</div> Wow k.a. looks like you try to make people seem like idiots just because you have a differnt opinion. You do remember this is keyindabox (tha knick), your friend, right? All I was saying that the last second shot was crushing because we were so close to beating one of the best teams in the league and it wouldve done so much for our confidence. You act like the one defintion of a crushing defeat is yours.... And I <u>will</u> read your editorial, because I think it will be good and I will enjoy reading it. And no need for trying to make me look like a fool who doesnt know what he's talking about, k.a., we all dont think alike. I didnt appreciate you "grilling" me, making me look like an idiot. Dont try saying stuff when you dont know what Im thinking. You cant go by one post I did, which shouldnt even have been taken that seriously.
