Let's do it. I figured I should start this because we got our first "news" of the season: -Of course it's JR Smith news! http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/sto...rk-knicks-suspended-violation-nba-drug-policy It was for marijuana.Now I'm sure the Knicks could say JR is healthier than he really is so the 5 game suspension overlaps with games he couldn't play but the Knicks say he can play. I'm sure the NBA will also be watching this closely, so coming off an injury, an extra 5 games for JR to rest isn't the worst thing in the world. -Onto the schedule: http://www.nba.com/knicks/schedule The Knicks have no preseason games at home (yes I watch preseason basketball ) because of renovations to MSG. Can't wait to try and catch a game this year. -Other news for MSG: http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/knicks/post/_/id/47390/5-things-to-know-about-msg-relocation -The East: Miami, Chicago, Indy, BK, and NYK should be the top teams in listed in no order from 2-5. I think NYK is the 5th best team and I think BK is better on paper (said this last year too, so yeah let's keep it going) but the Knicks did grab the 2nd seed with nobody expecting them too. Getting outta of that 4/5 matchup is key, because it would a ridiculously tough battle and I think there's a decent sized drop off between the top 5 and the rest of the East. The Atlantic Division is now watered down with BOS and PHI tanking and TOR being TOR. So that leaves NY and BK fighting for it. Oh and Copeland is on IND, that's going to be annoying to see. -Expectations: I think falling outside the top 5 and/or not getting to the second round would be disappointing. Since we got Melo these have been our playoff trips: 1st year: Swept by Boston b/c of Jeffries fumbling a pass and KG illegal screen (still bitter) 2nd year: Win one game against MIA while Lebron learns everyone hates when he flops... 3rd year: Beat Boston in an excruciating way, lose to IND in an excruciating. -Roster http://www.nba.com/knicks/roster/2013 I have NO clue how Woodson is gonna manage. We have Ray, Pablo ,Beno, Shump, JR, MWP, Bargs, Amare, Chandler, KMART, and Melo. 11 players that deserve some minutes plus Hardaway JR and CJ Leslie. My hope is that Woodson gets Melo and Chandler a bunch of rest so they don't head into the playoffs banged up. I have no idea what to expect with Bargs. I think the theory is to place him at the 3 point line with Melo out there, but use him as typical 4 defensively. From the 3 point line, the theory is Bargs can hit open shots or make the right pass, additionally he can dribble instead of shooting, something Novak didn't like to do. I'll miss Novak, but with the lack of use Woodson had for him, it was a decent move besides the whole money thing. Yeah, please add on the more we learn. Also, I think this celebration is here to stay, I hope it is: Three to the dome/Knickstape. A positive outlook on a Knicks season, yes it is :metal:
Fuck JR Smith. Biggest mistake of the off season was signing that scumbag loser. Get him off my team. We ain't winning a title with him.
I honestly think the Knicks can finish ahead of BK in the regular season just because BK is focused on one thing and one thing only: a championship. They are going to be resting their starters throughout the season and it could also take a while for them to get some chemistry down.
Eh we'll see. As annoying as "Will Melo opt out will be", I expect "Will Lebron leave" will be 100x more annoying. Overreaction. He was suspended 5 games at the beginning of the season for marijuana. He's going to be a vital part of the team and there are many other reasons besides JR Smith that we aren't winning a title unless we get a whole lot of luck.
I could see this too. But it will be primarily KG and Pierce resting and Deron/Joe/Brook can be good enough to win those games where they aren't playing. Chemistry and adjustments will be important things to watch and become extremely important come playoff time.
I honestly do not see him having a season as "good" as last years. He led scoring coming off the bench, but he played starter minutes. Problem is he single handedly shot us out of games when he was struggling. He was still streaky, and honestly I see more of the same ups and downs next year. The difference will be that he won't have nearly as many up streaks. I believe it was pure fluke. Hopefully I'm wrong and it was just the knee that tanked him in the playoffs, but I honestly think he's a mentally weak player. I don't care that he smokes weed, but we resigned a guy who's out the first 2 weeks(at least) of the year due to injury and ON TOP OF THAT he's now suspended. I would rather have brought in a consistant 10-12 point guy that doesn't streak and shoots high % shots rather than just bombs away scoring 18 points on 30% shooting. Woodson better hold him more accountable this year. I'm tired of him just giving JR the green light to stop and pop, which kills continuity and is one of the reasons we were dead last in assists last year. More ball movement. I only want to see stop and pop from Melo.
To my understanding of the cap, we couldn't have used that money on anyone else. So no JR or JR, I'm taking JR with this team. The way this team is built, on paper JR is the second best scorer. Hopefully Shump, Amare, and Bargs can chip in a lot more. His last year FG % was below his career average, his 3p % less than his career average, FT % higher, Assists, steals, blocks (by .1), and rebounds all up on his career average. I think it's possible to repeat his year that he had last year. The most important thing is that in theory the bench offense doesn't have to run through him. We will obviously use Pablo/Beno to bring up the ball, and then Shump, Amare, and Bargs and MWP can contribute hopefully. His defense is also really underrated, JR Smiths. He gambles a little too much for my liking, but he was flying all over the place in the BOS game. Doesn't hurt to have another perimeter defender who is at least average, (Felton is not in my opinion) EDIT: I wish I could find the stat, but JR shot worlds better from 3 when he didnt take a dribble. So, again in theory, if we get more scorers on the bench unit JR will be spotting up more than handling the ball.
http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/sto...-brooklyn-nets-co-host-2015-nba-all-star-game Nets get the Fri/Saturday night events, Knicks get the ASG on Sunday. Should be a great weekend
http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/story/_/id/9726545/steve-mills-returning-new-york-knicks-front-office-sources-say SMH Knicks WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING?
Came here to talk about this, glad everyone is as upset as I am and I'm not crazy. Keep an eye on those Shumpert rumors and Woodson is probably on a short lease. Don't think this makes any sense, so that leads me to believe it was a Dolan move.
According to Iag Begley of ESPNNY, Ray, Pablo, Melo, Bargs, Chandler starting tonight. I'm really interested to see how the Knicks will utilize Melo/Bargs/Chandler trio. It has potential, but Bargs and Melo aren't the greatest defenders, and both are supposed poor wing defenders.
Shump and Tim Haraway Jr. are feeling it this game. Hopefully that can translate to real games. Shump did shoot .400 from 3 last year I think. The Knicks 16-20 players are blowing the game in the 4th right now but they'll never see the court in meaningful minutes, still frustrating to see. Beno looks to be an interesting piece to the Knicks original PG duo of Pablo and Felton. Melo and Bargs looked rusty, Bargs I can see where there can be potential but he didn't show much of it today.
2nd preseason game done, Knicks down there bench players blow another lead, and they can't get it back this time. Not too worrisome obviously, although it was nice seeing Tim Hardaway JR hitting a gme winner last time. Shump should be more explosive offensively this year and it seems he has a better grasp of how to finish at the rim. Hardaway Jr can be used in an off the ball role primarily. Right now two main holes are backup center and 3rd PG. Beno struggled today with a ton of fouls, he can be successful in that role but if he isn't it leaves a big hole behind Felton as you don't want Pablo playing 30 minutes and JR, Iman, Hardaway, and Melo shouldn't be used as PG for long periods of time
I think New Jersey and it's aged Boston clown show is going to be the number one NBA disappointment of the 2013-14 season
