The problem with the Knicks is that they're mediocre, yet they have enough moments of shine to give hope where there shouldn't be any. They clearly have the Kings' number, having won 7 straight against them but unfortunately for the 'Bockers, the NBA has 31 teams, not 2. They have good players, but they just aren't good enough together and one good game won't change that. And let's face it. The Kings are not the most physically imposing team in the history of the league. Out-rebounding them is not a huge accomplishment. And when two less than stellar defensive teams meet, there are going to be opportunites for shots, rebounds and blocks. Numbers don't tell the whole story here. The Knicks are the NBA equivalent of the scratch-off lottery tickets. They'll win you $5, maybe even $20 from time to time, but they won't win you $60 million no matter how many you scratch.
Ahem, uh...that post was supposed to be sarcastic. I wanted to show that made some accurate pedictions.
I'm not saying they will be accurate every game, so much that they lost tonight. I just think that the Knicks can achieve a lot more than what the general media believes they will. KVH isn't soft, or at least not this year. The guy is averaging almost 20 points per game and almost 9 rebounds per game. Thomas is proving why he's a much better power forward then a center. He's averaging 12 rebounds. He alone had 5 blocks versus the Magic. I don't think the Knicks had and games that totaled 5 blocks last year as a team, if any. Houston has improved drastically since the first few games and has scored 25+ points in the past three games. Deke is playing well in the limited time Chaney has been giving him. Why they are limited, I don't know. The guy had 4 blocks last night. If that doesn't warrent 35 minutes per game, I don't know what does. Sure he won't block 4 a night, if he averages 2 blocks, 8 rebounds and 10 points, the Knicks are in good shape. They can only get better once Dice returns. The only problem will be: who will play power forward. Thomas's numbers deserve a starting role, and Deke needs to be the starting center. Maybe trading Dice for a point guard? Though they'll have to prove that he still can play.
I am extremely pleasently suprised with how my Jazz are doing this season. Some total morons said they might only win 8 games this year, breaking the NBA single season record of futility set by the 72/73 76ers (who finished 9-73). Welp, the Jazz are 4-2 now, and have beat some decent teams to get there (Minnesota, Phoenix, Portland). Granted, those wins came at home, but still, anyone who thought Utah would be a cupcake is insane. Granted, I didn't think it was a stretch to think they'd finish last in the west, but it won't be easy, most of the time, getting a win over us.
Keon Clark out 6 weeks due to bone spurs in his ankle. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1657327
Harpring and Kirilenko will have to step up if they are to make up for Clark's 2.0 ppg. The Jazz are a nice surprise though, and it shows you how good a coach Jerry Sloan is. Of course, if they keep playing well, they'll jeopardize their chance of getting the #1 pick in next year's draft.
This is one of the surprises I have found myself. Thanks to the NBA Pass on the dish, I have had the chance to watch this post-Stockton/Malone Utah team. I knew Harpring could get his points. That Karilinko guy looks so skinny and has the funky hair, but plays so strong and with passion. I know the local fans must already love the guy. In all the league turnover this season, I focused on the peices Utah added, and lost. In doing so, I forgot what Skip said... ...Jerry Sloan must be a factor in this early success. D'oh! Just as I was talking about all the roster changes and almost half the coaches, too, not only is Jerry a quality coach, but he brings stability. The guy has been there for ages and runs a solid program. I think the ownership side helps provide this, too. They have stuck with Jerry and have gone after all the guys within their budget and the guys Jerry wanted. Just think, Utah lost the free agency battle with a few good players, but they got players who in the end, really wanted to be there. I don't know how many players and teams force these marriages doomed for failure when they only crunch numbers, ie: $$$$$.
You cannot stop Chris Mihm. You can only hope to contain him. Seriously though, the Cavs have some weapons. Give them a couple of years and hope that Illgauskas can still stand on his two legs, they might make some noise in the playoffs.
I once made a sandwich for Chris Mihm when I was working at a bakery in Austin and he was playing at Westlake High School. If I remember correctly he had a Nicoise sandwich. I liked the possible Bill Parcell's quote invoked by Alan Houston: `You are what your record says you are.' http://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/11/sports/basketball/11KNIC.html
Those Jazz man. And Sloan can coach. Even Greg Ostertag is producing. I'm looking at the how the current Utah Jazz players were drafted, etc.: low picks wisely used, and other teams castoffs. As for the Van Gundy battle- can you tell which one is older?
Don't count out Golden State! I know they seem to have played a boat load of home games to start the season, but they are playing solid ball. Even undermaned and overmatched, they are playing hard and I hope the home fans can appreciate this fact. We'll see how Nick Van Exel does with this team. He can't quit on them because his good play will be his ticket out of there. I just hope he doesn't become that pain-in-the-ass we all know he can be. This team deserves better due to their effort alone. Oh yea, the fans. Well, it tells alot about a fanbase when the TV pimps the mini-season tix package by talking about all the visiting teams that are included! Hey Warrior fans! Wanna see LeBron and the Cavs, the Lakers, the Spurs?
Great!! Maybe Chaney will only play him for like 10 minutes because he'll cause disadvantages for the other team!! Just like Mutumbo! I mean, you finally get a 7-0+ tall center, so why bother play the guy when he'll average 10+ boards and 2+ blocks.
Deke gets limited minutes for a very good reason. He's like an old pickup truck -it's more than capable of hauling stuff around town, but you sure aren't going to take it on your road trip to Key West. Better to have Mutombo's interior presence for 82 games rather than use him up in the first 3 months of the season.
Are the Magic really 1-7 (0-6 at home)? I wouldn't fire Doc Rivers just yet, but if these results continue... In fact, I see it like this. If T-Mac scores around 20 a game, they will win. If he goes over 30 a game, they will lose. I also read that they miss Armstrong, that energy the team needs from time to time. I liked the trade near the end of the season last year, lost one good guy for two good guys, but who could have thought this would happen?
The Orlando Magic need a decent point guard to set up the scorers. The Nets waived Doug Overton, and signed Robert Pack to a non-guarenteed contract. I'm not sure why the Nets let go of Anthony Johnson. While he's not as talented and gifted as Zoran Planicic, he knows the offense. http://www.nj.com/sports/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1068786615310990.xml The Chicago Bull's Jamal Crawford is released from the hospital with a sprained neck. He's out, day-to-day. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1661644 Maurice Cheek's contract is extented by the Portland Trailblazers. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1661322
The Orlando Magic fired Doc Rivers as head coach. ESPN Insider's Chris Ford reports Atlanta, New York and Chicago are possible next stops for Doc Rivers. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1664543 Orlando still needs a point guard, a center and outside shooters. And Juwan Howard hasn't found his niche on the team.
Friction in the Nets locker room. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story? id=1667330 Crime and the NBA: Houston Rockets forward is charged with is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and assault with bodily injury. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1666691 I'm thinking there's way too many injuries. Between the Olympic qualifiers and European championships, too many of those players are hurt.