<div align="center"> Btw, sorry for it being shorter than usual, guys. I?m a little busy and can?t finish this tomorrow.
I think you got the point guards/shooting guards a bit confused. If New York can't win this game God help them.
Even with the sixers injuries, the knicks still dont have much over philly. All everyone on the knicks starting lineup care about is scoring. They have almost no d. Eddy Curry has some post moves and thats pretty much it. The sixers wont have much at all from their bench, which will force iverson and igoudala to get more minutes, and if iverson is averaging more points than minutes the knicks are gonna be in trouble. IMO the knicks are just too weak defensively to do anything this year.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">If New York can't win this game God help them.</div> It's only preseason though. But at the same time I agree you. Btw, there is a chance Iverson will not suit up tonight. He is a GTD and being that it's preseason, I have a feeling that he will NOT play. For his sake he better not.
So is Marbs the shooting guard this year? I know Larry mentioned thats what he wanted but I don't think Crawford is the right fit at PG. Might as well stick with Marbury.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">So is Marbs the shooting guard this year? I know Larry mentioned thats what he wanted but I don't think Crawford is the right fit at PG. Might as well stick with Marbury.</div> I think so. Prior to this upcoming game he was playing the two while I saw Crawford was doing all the dishing. Btw, I didn't know Scott Padgett was on the Sixers, although I wish he were.
Scott Padgett is on the Nets. I would go with Marbury at PG simply because he's one of the best at that position. Marbury can control the tempo and the game. I would much rather see a great decision maker like Marbury at PG then Crawford.
Maybe its just me but doesnt David Lee look just like Ariza in those pics? Anyway I'm still hyped about what the knicks could do this year. Last game David Lee played well on both ends and I hope the other players will begin to play with his intensity.
I'm just popping in to say that in the few minutes Frye has been in for, he has swayed away from a shot (Lee Nailon) that he was supposed to contest, if you don't believe me, watch the reqind or if you have tivo/DVR you can rewind and see for yourself. He lost an offensive board because he didn't hug the ball upon bringing it down - he just left it exposed. I've always been a huge Jackie Butler fan, and now he's showing what he can do. Awesome. I'm almost positive he'll make the roster now. Excellent heads-up play and he's done great. One more thing - Igoudala is showing how great he is. Wow. I loved him coming out of Arizona, I thought he'd be great - but now I see he has these great defensive instincts and a nose for the ball. He plays with tons of hustle and intensity and he is extremely talented. Future superstar - amazing talent.
That was a nice dramatic end to a dreadful first quarter. Frye made a nice offenseive play, but he really has shown that he is going out of his way to avoid contact. If you closely examine the final play in which Ariza goes up for the dunk, you'll see Frye jumping in the direction of the basket - but then he slowly fades back - something that he didn't do as a result of seeing Ariza attacking. You can't make such an extreme adjustment in that time - he was fading away. I saw that occur several times over the course of the quarter. We're being outhustled, you can see the guys on Philly really fighting for a roster spot, which is really a joy to watch.
The Knicks are playing horrible defense and offense. They came out in the 1st quarter just passing the ball and not penetrating or taking good shots. Crawford thinks he jordans and he's just trying to impress the crowd. As Usual Lee has suprised me with his good defense and scoring capabilities. Lee is going 2 be a great rookie for the knicks this year. I think he's playing better then MO and Rose. He deserves the starting job. Gay and Salmons are outhustling the knicks. Frye doesnt look at all agressive. He looks scared and always seems to be in the other side of the ball. Although he had some nice moves in offense, he's playing bad D. Like you said Butler is playing good basketball. He's around the ball and rebounding it. He was also scoring alot of points in the paint. Is it me or does Curry look out of shape? That ariza putback was amazing. Im excited for Trevor's 2nd year. He's improved his FT shooting and he's going 2 be a force off the bench.
Salmons has been electric - he's the only really good bench player Philadelphia has and he's playing great basketball. Lee's defense has been strong and Curry's rebounding has been weak. Crawford and Marbury have both been playing pretty poorly so far. Horrible game from the Knicks' perspective. They're playing like they don't think Larry will watch the tape - lazy basketball with awful defense. You can be sure that Larry will give them an earful tommorow.
I know see the effect that Larry Brown is gonna have on the Knicks. At first I thought It was going to be a bad decision to bring him in but now I like him as Knicks head coach. Knicks didnt play well tonight until late in the game but I'm still excited for the upcomming season.
The Knicks backcourt the way it is right now, just isnt going to work in terms of winning, I didnt like it last year. And my opinions have changed just because they moved Marbury off the ball a bit more. For one, that backcourt cant guard anybody never have and never willl. I dont care that Larry Brown is coaching them, yes he is great defensive minded, but you have to give the guy some defesive parts to work with...and the Knicks dont have any especially in the backcourt. As quick as Marbury & Crawford are offsensively they are equally as slow defensively. And both are to small to guard two-guards. Marbury will guard alot of two's because he is stronger then Crawford...but he is just as easy to score on really. And offsensively, I dont think the young core of bigs benefit from a backcourt that dominates the ball like that. I think those guys need the touches to develope...and with Steph and Crawford over dribbling or taking 25 foot jumpers everytime the ball is in their hands it holds back the young guys around them. The Knicks are not going to develope into a successful team oreintated squad until one of those two are gone. Me personally I would deal Crawford...Steph means to much to the New York area in general, everybody either loves him or hates him....but when ever you are talking ball his name always generates convo...and the Knicks need someone who still generates interest. But I think him and Larry Brown are going to bump heads alot, so it would shock me if he did go. But right now, I say Crawford has to go if the Knicks want to get better. And know this just isnt because John Salmons played with those guys all night off the dribble in one meanless pre-season game....It has to do more with just the general feel of the Knicks as a team.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Henacy:</div><div class="quote_post">The Knicks backcourt the way it is right now, just isnt going to work in terms of winning, I didnt like it last year. And my opinions have changed just because they moved Marbury off the ball a bit more. For one, that backcourt cant guard anybody never have and never willl. I dont care that Larry Brown is coaching them, yes he is great defensive minded, but you have to give the guy some defesive parts to work with...and the Knicks dont have any especially in the backcourt. As quick as Marbury & Crawford are offsensively they are equally as slow defensively. And both are to small to guard two-guards. Marbury will guard alot of two's because he is stronger then Crawford...but he is just as easy to score on really. And offsensively, I dont think the young core of bigs benefit from a backcourt that dominates the ball like that. I think those guys need the touches to develope...and with Steph and Crawford over dribbling or taking 25 foot jumpers everytime the ball is in their hands it holds back the young guys around them. The Knicks are not going to develope into a successful team oreintated squad until one of those two are gone. Me personally I would deal Crawford...Steph means to much to the New York area in general, everybody either loves him or hates him....but when ever you are talking ball his name always generates convo...and the Knicks need someone who still generates interest. But I think him and Larry Brown are going to bump heads alot, so it would shock me if he did go. But right now, I say Crawford has to go if the Knicks want to get better. And know this just isnt because John Salmons played with those guys all night off the dribble in one meanless pre-season game....It has to do more with just the general feel of the Knicks as a team.</div> You make many accurate points. Very good post here, Henacy. I fee;l the same way in some sense. However I am undecided on who I'd trade. They say that Crawford can play the one, and I saw him play it a bit last year. Personally, I don't see him as a player who could bring the ball up the court and set up the offense effectively - he makes quick decisions and many of them are stupid. They're both drek on defense - they're equally as bad. I see Marbury as more valuable, but he could possibly bring more talent into New York as trade bait. So while I'm still undecided, I agree completely with your post, and I have a feeling that many other psoters here agree as well.
I would deal Crawford. He has a bad shot selection and he just wants to showoff every game. I dont see him as a leader or a PG. Steph is the hometown kid. I dont see Marbury leaving because NY loves him and so does Isiah. He also plays a big role in the knicks. I would trade crawford for a backup SG or PG. Then I would move Q to the 2 and start Ariza or Lee at the 3. I think that lineup is bigger and more versatile.
Frye played a lot better. Nate looks to drive and score any chance he can. I DOUBT Larry's going to let him get away with that when he comes in for his 12-15mins. Eddy Curry has less finesse than Shaq. How sad is that. The drawbacks to the team: Crawford, Curry The assets to the team: Ariza, Lee, Robinson, Steph (so long as he "plays the right way"), Malik Rose I'm still not convinced they make the playoffs this year. Even with LB. Look at the talent Detroit had in the Wallaces Rip, Chauncey... and a decent bench. There isn't one player on the Knicks that compares to either of the Wallaces in terms of dominance or unguardability, Rip cancels out Stephon, and what are you left with, some promise and some hacks?... I feel that Stephon has slowed a bit too, those chunky arms of his are weighing him down. Face it, with Miami a lock, all 5 Central Division teams looking to play past April and improved Philly, Jersey and Celtic teams all in their own division, NY has a HUGE uphill battle from Day 1. This talk of how with Brown they're a lock to make the playoffs is a bit much.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting phunDamentalz:</div><div class="quote_post">Frye played a lot better. Nate looks to drive and score any chance he can. I DOUBT Larry's going to let him get away with that when he comes in for his 12-15mins. Eddy Curry has less finesse than Shaq. How sad is that. The drawbacks to the team: Crawford, Curry The assets to the team: Ariza, Lee, Robinson, Steph (so long as he "plays the right way"), Malik Rose I'm still not convinced they make the playoffs this year. Even with LB. Look at the talent Detroit had in the Wallaces Rip, Chauncey... and a decent bench. There isn't one player on the Knicks that compares to either of the Wallaces in terms of dominance or unguardability, Rip cancels out Stephon, and what are you left with, some promise and some hacks?... I feel that Stephon has slowed a bit too, those chunky arms of his are weighing him down. Face it, with Miami a lock, all 5 Central Division teams looking to play past April and improved Philly, Jersey and Celtic teams all in their own division, NY has a HUGE uphill battle from Day 1. This talk of how with Brown they're a lock to make the playoffs is a bit much.</div> Curry hasnt played competitive basketball in 6 months. no doubt that he's going 2 be less finesse then most players. We're still in the offseason buddy and I bet he's trying to lose that extra fat and get fit. And he's not disapointing either. He's averaged around 12 minutes with 12 ppg and 4 rpg. Thats really impressing for a new knick. I dont know how u call Marbury a drawback. He averages 20 and 8 and thats a drawback. He's not a ballhog and distributes the ball consistently. He's our greatest asset. Rip's numbers arent even close to Marburys. I would take Steph on my team over Rip any day. The Knicks are better then the Celtics by far and the 76ers and knicks are kind of the same. The 76ers havent made a huge addition to the team and the knicks won 3/4 games last season. The Knicks can squeeze in with a 7th or 8th seed.
