Trevor Ariza, Jamal Crawford and Mike Sweetney has shown that they can really contribute to the team. Ariza is averaging 11 points, 4.7 boards and 2 steals in the 3 games. Sweetney is averaging 12 points and 7.7 boards a game and Crawford who is leading the Knicks in scoring with 15 points. The knicks are currently 2-1 and will face the T-wolves and the mavericks 2 times in the next 3 games.
I have really been impressed with Trevor Ariza, his 1st step is extremely quick going baseline. But I havent seen the consistency he needs in his jumpshot, yet. Everything he does is in the open court & going toward the basket. During the regular season he wont be able to get in the lane as easy as he is right now during the pre-season, so he needs to prove that he has that perimeter shot. Also I like the effort he shows on Defense for a rookie. He knows how to the passing lanes well. And break up plays, so he might turn out to be a very good team defensive player down the road in his career. Jamal Crawford has shot the ball surprisingly consistent from the perimeter, so far. Its clear that with Steph's ablity to get in the lanes & breakdown defenses, he is going to get alot of good looks from the perimeter. So if he can make the jumper consistently, with his ablity to get to the basket, combined with Steph's skills that backcourt might fit alot better then I 1st imagined. Right now I dont see how A. Houston can get the starting nod over him come opening day. But houston still gonna be a key to this team, if they are going to be successful, because Iam not sold on the Knicks team perimeter shooting consistency, if Houston isnt in the every game lineup & key part of the rotation.
Ariza's jump shot will come along with time and with some help from Houston. Jamal Crawford though worries me. He performed well in the first two preseason games but then came the game against the Jazz....and well it was embarassing. Houston has a good chance of starting over Jamal Crawford. Crawford isnt consistent. For every good game he has he's goign to have a game from Hell. But he'll make an excellent sixth man. Sweetney is also developing a post up game which will be incredible help to the Knicks. All in all things are looking up for the Knick faithful.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Tribute to H2O:</div><div class="quote_post">Ariza's jump shot will come along with time and with some help from Houston. Jamal Crawford though worries me. He performed well in the first two preseason games but then came the game against the Jazz....and well it was embarassing. Houston has a good chance of starting over Jamal Crawford. Crawford isnt consistent. For every good game he has he's goign to have a game from Hell. But he'll make an excellent sixth man. Sweetney is also developing a post up game which will be incredible help to the Knicks. All in all things are looking up for the Knick faithful.</div> I didnt get to see the Jazz game, so I really cant say who played well based on the box score & final score everybody on the Knicks threw up a horrible night with the exception of Sweets. But right now, based on the Nets game & the Spurs game, which I did see, its hard to see Crawford not starting, at least at the start of the year. I think his ablity to get in the lanes really open things up for those cats. If Allan gets the start over him ,right now, I would have to say it would because the Knicks dont want to ruffle any feathers. He isnt on the court to prove that he is worthy of keeping his job over Crawford to be honest. I look to see what type of night Crawford puts up tonight vs the Mavs.The game will be televised on MSG. but I co-sign him as a inconsisent player. How long is houston going to be out, anyway? the story keeps changing.
Right now Houston is still rehabbing so it looks like Crawford will start. Crawford played very well in those two preseason games against San Antonio and New Jersey but very poorly in the one against Utah. He went 1-9. When I saw Crawford play in Jersey and against the Spurs I thought Houston had it. He's not playing so he cant defend his position and Crawford was doing so well. Then the game against Utah occured and I was stunned with his performance. Then I saw his stats from last year and it was a nightmare. He shot 38% from the floor and 30% from downtown. It came to me right then and there that whenever he had a good game he'd have a terrible game. Kind of like Van Horn(although he was most consistent when he was with New York). Houston's edge is his field goal percentage. He shoots 43% from downtown. He's much more efficient then Crawford and more consistent too. When Houston's healthy its hard for me to imagine Houston not beating out Crawford for the two spot. By the way you dont need two players on the court that can get into get into the lane. Just one which will be Marbury and the other to stay outside and get ready to shoot the three.
