The New York Knicks have been on an impressive winning trend, well when considering the futility of the team in previous seasons. In the month of December the Knicks went 9 - 6, and since December the Knicks are 11 - 6 having won nearly two thirds of their games. Near the end of December the Knicks went on a short downturn in which they went 1 - 3. With the re-insertion of Nate Robinson in the starting lineup to start the New Years, the Knicks have cranked out a short two game winning streak in which they beat the Atlanta Hawks and had a runaway win against the Indiana Pacers in which they outscored the Pacers by about 48 points to close out with a 132 - 89 win.

The Knicks resurrgence over the month of December can be attributed to a slower game pace that has adapted to the talent level and skill sets of the players on the current Knicks roster and to an improved emphasis on defense, which has been spearheaded by the hustle, selflessness and intangibles of Jared Jefferies. Jefferies play has rubbed off on the rest of the team as they have shown more active feet on the perimeter, more active hands in the paint, and better coordination in switching up and providing help defense to their teamates. D'Antoni has also sprung a 2-3 zone, which Jefferies anchors with his excellent roaming and help defense abilities, that has helped slow and at times stall opposing offenses.

Kevin Pelton of Basketball Prospectus documents the Knicks defensive turnaround in his January 5, 2010 article "Making a Run: The New - Look Knicks."

Pelton's article is a good read but appears to not connect the dots between a slower game pace and a lesser tendency to merely gamble on the defensive end to create steals for purposes of forcing the D'Antoni fast break. The Knicks tendency to gamble to force the break had a sieve like effect on the Knicks early season defense as the bastardized version of D'Antoni's Seven Seconds or Less failed and fell by the way side.

Pelton's article can be found at: http://www.basketballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=847

An unheralded reason for the Knicks resurgence may also be attributed the the Franchises decision not to sign Allen Iverson, whose apparent me first attitude and displeasure towards practice, were contrary to the leadership the Knicks needed on the court and practice field and would have compounded the then Struggling Knicks already apparent malaise. In the absence of Iverson, and as Nate Robinson began a D'Antoni imposed "disciplanary" exile on the bench, Forward Al Harrington emerged from his role as 6th man. Harrington entered the starting lineup and his play set an example for the young up and coming forwards, Wilson Chandler and Danillo Gallinari. The example set by Harrington during the early part of the Knicks December revival came by way of his aggresive and decisive play on the court in taking the ball inside for higher percentage shots rather than merely relying on the vaunted D'Antoni long ball. Gallinari and Chandler appear to have learned from Harrington's example as both have shown greater aggression and decisiveness themselves in taking the ball inside rather than just launching three pointers.

For an excellent articl regarding the Knicks, and other NBA teams, recent revival in the midst of Mediocre NBA season with much parity at the lower tier of the league, read Randy Hill's - Knicks Among NBA Teams Rising From the Dead.

Hill's article can be found at: http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/nba-resurrections-010610

If the Knicks have had an impressive month long trend, the Charlotte Bobcats recent streak of play may very well be more impressive. Although the Bobcats were subpar in the month of December going 5 - 9 they have gone into a solid trend of play, as they have secure 4 of their last 5 wins against teams either in the playoffs field or very well in the playoff hunt. In particular the Bobcats recent wins have come against the 6th seeded Toronto Raptors, 5th seeded Miami Heat, 2nd seeded Cleveland Cavaliers and recently 8th seeded but now 9th seeded Chicago Bulls. While two of the Bobcats wins came at home against the Bucks and the Bulls, two of the four wins that have put the Bobcats into the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference have come on the road, where the Cats had previously gone 1 - 14. The Bobcats have also gotten the better of the Knicks during their last 5matchups going 4 -1 and currently controlling the season series with a 2 -1 record, with both wins coming at home.

The Bobcats recent climb in the ranks of the Eastern Conference may be attributed to the teams strength on Defense its control of the boards and this years acquisitions of Talented Starting Swing Guard/Forward Stephen J. Jackson, and Shooting Guard Flip Murray who have added a much needed scoring punch and swagger to the Bobcats lineup.

Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer chronicles, the impact that both Stephen Jackson and Flip Murray have had on the rising fortunes of the Bobcats in his January 4, 2010 article entitled "Jackson, Murray add needed strut to Bobcats."

Bonnell's article can be found at: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/bobcats/story/1160425.html

The NBA.com webpage samples a portion of Bonnell's article and expands upon the Bobcat resurgence by focusing on the exploits of current Knicks' killer Swingman - Forward, Gerald Wallace's. The NBA.com's Sekou Smith dubs Gerald Wallace, "The Hardest Working Man in Basketball ... ", in his January 6, 2010 article.

Sekou's article can be found at: http://my.nba.com/cms/106755/the_hardest_working_man_in_basketball_...?ls=iref:nbahpt1

Now to a quick take on the upcoming Knicks game against the Bobcats

On a first take the matchup appears to be one easily favors the Bobcats. The Bobcats strength on defense was apparent in taking away the Duhon to Lee Pick and Role and the defensive pressure provided by the Bobcats athletic Swingmen in Stephen Jackson and Gerald Walllace present matchup challenges for the still offensively and defensively raw yet active Knicks Forward, Danillo Gallinari. The Bobcats strength in controlling and winning their rebounding battles in game played seems tailored to give the Cats the leg up on the boards against the Knicks who generally are unable to win on the boards. Those advantages should give Knicks fans further reasons to wonder whether the Knicks can pull off a win against the surging Bobcats.

However, the Knicks are no longer attempting to play the Seven Seconds or Less style of play, in which the team gambled to force steals that left their defense vulnerable and undermanned when the gamble fail, they are more methodical and deliberate in their offense and will only run when those opportunities present themselves. The more deliberate tempo to the offense is complimented by the Jefferies anchored defense which is complimented by the use of zones that play to Jefferies ability to provide help defense and roam where needed. The improved help defense and rotation had resulted in a eleven game stand in which the Knicks held opposing offenses under 100 points. On offense Gallinari, and Chandler have become less prone to settle for long jumpers and will drive inside. The Knicks also use picks and switches to free up their long forwards, Gallo, Chandler and Harrington to create post up opportunities against opposing defenders caught in mismatches. The Knicks have again redisovered that Nate Robinson can provide the team scoring when their other guns aren't firing on all cylinders- Nate and Harrington's scoring off the bench provide a much needed spark to the teams second units and give the Knicks strong and capable bench scoring. Nate's bravado and energy alone brings the Knicks an added swagger that they will need against the Bobcats guns Jackson and Murray.

This should be a good game as the two teams have played close games during the three prior occassions. There appears to be more riding on this game for the Knicks than the Bobcats, as the Cats have established themselves in the 7th spot in the Eastern Conference Playoff race and the Knicks need to avoid handing the Cats over a tie breaker should both teams find themselves in a last month or week run for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. A win by the Knicks would place them half a game behind the Milwaukee Bucks for the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference. Unlike the previous game on December 20, 2009, Gerald Wallace should play. Then again the Knicks should have their full aresenal as well as Nate Robinson is back in the rotation. The Bobcats have turned the tide on an awful 1 - 14 road record by starting off the New Years with a 2 - 0 road record with victories against the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers. Will the well rested Knicks with their improved tempo on the offensive end and commitment to playing consistent defensive basketball be able to stop the surging Bobcats and end their snap their three game winning streak.

New York Knicks Coach and Starting Lineup

Charlotte Hornets Coach and Starting Lineup

New York Knicks versus Charlotte Bobcats

14-20 (.412) 3rd in Atlantic, 10th in Eastern Conference Home Record 8-10 Road Record 6-10 Last 10 Games 6-4		15-18 (.455) 4th in Southeast, 7th in Eastern Conference Home Record 12-4 Road Record 3-14 Last 10 Games 5-5
Knicks' Statistical Leaders		Bobcat's Statistical Leaders
D. Lee              18.8	Points		G. Wallace      17.9
D. Lee              11.0      (7th in NBA)	Rebounds		G. Wallace      11.8      (3rd in NBA)
C. Duhon           6.5     (10th in NBA)	Assists		R. Felton          5.1
L. Hughes          1.44	Steals		R. Felton          1.85     (Tie for 7th in NBA)
J. Jefferies          1.12	Blocks		T. Chandler      1.16
D. Lee             57.267   (6th in NBA)	Field Goal Percentage		R. Felton        47.143
W. Chandler    84.000	Free Throw Percentage		S. Jackson      81.967
D. Gallinari        .408	Three Point Percentage		R. Felton            .385
Team Statistical Comparison
New York Knicks		Charlotte Bobcats
Pts. Per Game 101.9 (9th in NBA) Opp. Per Gm.     102.7 (23rd in NBA)	Points		Pts. Per Game       92.8 (27th in NBA) Opp. Per Gm 93.0 (2nd in NBA)
Pct. Per Game 45.21 (20th NBA) Opp. Per Gm.     47.37 (26th in NBA)	Field Goal Percentage		Pct. Per Game     44.60 (21st in NBA) Opp. Per Gm. 44.64 (9th in NBA)
Pct. Per Game .338 (19th in NBA) Opp. Per Gm. .306 (1st in NBA)	Three Point Field Goal Percentage		Pct. Per Game       .323 (24th in NBA) Opp. Per Gm.       .334 (7th in NBA)
Att. Per Game       21.6 (28th in NBA) Opp.  Per Gm.      24.1 (13th in NBA)	Free Throw Attempts Per Game		Att. Per Game 26.6 (5th in NBA) Opp. Per Gm. 22.2 (3rd in NBA)
FT. Per. Gm. 76.81 (11th in NBA)	Free Throw Percentage		FT. Per Gm.        73.72 (22nd in NBA)
Tot. Per Gm. 41.1 (19th in NBA) Opp.  Per Gm.      44.5 (27th in NBA)	Rebounding		Tot. Per Gm.         40.0 (27th in NBA) Opp. Per Gm. 39.3 (8th in NBA)
Tot. Per Game 31.0 (10th in NBA) Opp.  Per Gm.      33.6 (27th in NBA)	Defensive Rebounds Per Game		Tot. Per Game      29.9 (23rd in NBA) Opp. Per Gm. 29.4 (10th in NBA)
Tot. Per Game      10.1 (25th in NBA) Opp. Per Gm.       10.9 (12th in NBA)	Offensive Rebounds Per Game		Tot. Per Game      10.1 (27th NBA) Opp. Per Gm. 9.9 (5th NBA)
Total Per Game 21.6 (10th in NBA) Opp. Per Gm.       20.1 (14th in NBA)	Assists		Total Per Game     18.7 (26th in NBA) Opp. Per Gm. 19.5 (8th in NBA)
Total Per Game     7.62 (12th in NBA) Opp. Per Gm. 7.03 (10th in NBA)	Steals		Total Per Game 7.82 (6th in NBA) Opp. Per Gm.       7.73 (24th in NBA)
Total Per Game     4.29 (24th in NBA) Opp. Per Gm. 4.38 (8th in NBA)	Blocks		Total Per Game 4.70 (18th NBA) Opp. Per Gm.       6.64 (30th NBA)

 

STARTING LINE-UPS
Knicks' Probable Starting Line-up	Bobcats's Probable Starting Lineup
W. Chandler (Guard/Forward)	S. Jackson (Guard/Forward)
J. Jefferies (Forward/Center)	G. Wallace (Forward)
D. lee (Center/Forward)	N. Mohammed (Center)
D. Gallinari (Forward)	B. Diaw (Power Forward)
C. Duhon (Point Guard)	R. Felton (Point Guard)
Key Reserves	Key Reserves
A. Harrington, N. Robinson, J. Bender	R. Murray, D. Augustin, D. Diop
Injuries	Injuries
* L. Hughes, D. Milicic, and E. Curry out with injured egos due to no playing Time	* T. Chandler out recovering from stress fracture in left foot.

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D'man: We could have this!

As you so astutely observed we have een holding teams under 100 points.In the NBA-Never Buy Antoni's b.s., if you play serious D you will always win your share of games, note the resurgence of the Spurs.The Browncats are interesting because they play the "right" way.They attack from the forwarda and Speedy Felton has always been a problem.We have to stop at least one forward from his normal scoring game and limit Felton.Also on our side is the Cats don't play great away.Bottom line is if we D-up strong, and we may need Larry Huge defensively here, hear that Mr. Flexibility,and we find some confident scoring, we are at HOME!We can win this game.Look for some block shots in the middle from Bender, if possible.Cutting off the slashers from the middle would make thw Boobcats jump shooters and that would be great for us.We owe them.LGK
P.S.Free Plax,Give Arenas a YEAR for stupidity and arrogance in the pistol waving huddle fiasco.These guys are role models whether they accept it or not.Kids are dieing every day from guns.Sorry Gil, but that was just plain dumb!Stern, change your first name to Howard.What took you so long, Mr. Equivocator.

1

January 07, 2010

Lives: ... http://www.Knicksfanticsblog.com

Excellent article, on point comment.

2

January 07, 2010

Cool G: Cooleyhigh http://comcast.net

Gents I am looking forward to an exciting game this evening between two evenly matched teams. Although Charlotte has been Offensively challenged, the addition of Stephen Jackson has helped.

The Knicks, are a pretty good offensive team that suffers from Defensive lapses, but the insertion of JJ in the hole has help to cover up some weak spots like DLEE.

And lastly, I am not bashful, so I'm just going to lay it out there. Men can bring guns to event s where the 1st African-American President is giving a speech and Gilbert Arenas is suspended without pay for bringing Fire-Arms ot the arena and he has not been charged or found guilty; and Plaxico took his to the club where he shot himself....He's in the POKIE! Not condoning or excusing the stupid behavior or Shananigans...BUT

I'm just saying...

ONE LOVE! GO KNICKS!

Keep it POPPIN!

3

January 07, 2010

Orange and Blue: ... http://nyer.sosblog.com

D'Man

Point well taken.

Raymond Felton has done a great job of getting to the paint and getting his shots to go. He lead the Cats in their come from behind win during the second game of the season.

4

January 07, 2010

Orange and Blue: ... http://nyer.sosblog.com

I may LBE this one.

Stay tuned folks!

5

January 07, 2010

D'man: Got caught in the cookie jar David?

Professional sports leagues sometimes have their own self-interests in mind, something that was apparent on Wednesday when the N.B.A. made unavailable a picture of Gilbert Arenas, who was joking with his teammates by shooting them with his fingers pointed like guns. Arenas made the gesture at a game Tuesday to poke fun at his decision to bring several guns into the Wizards' locker room two weeks ago. The N.B.A. saw no humor in it and suspended Arenas without pay on Wednesday, even before the police completed their investigation into the original gun episode. Even before the suspension was announced, the N.B.A. asked Getty Images, which distributes photos taken by the league's photographers, to make the picture of Arenas and his teammates unavailable for reproduction.

New York Times

Hey David, did you learn that censorship thing from your partners the Chinese gov't, or is it a leftover from your civil rights days, Mr. Attorney?

6

January 08, 2010

DLTKnicks: 2010

THE KNICKS HAVEN'T LOSS A GAME ALL YEAR!!

Don't know how long I could keep saying that.

7

January 08, 2010

Orange and Blue: New Game thread for Knicks @ Rockets http://nyer.sosblog.com

Fanatics

I'll be setting up a game thread for tonights game at Houston. There are some interesting themes in this meeting and matchup between the two teams, which I believe will make for an interesting write up and read.

8

January 09, 2010

D'man: True test

The Browncats talk about playing the right way, the Rockets actually do it without mirrors, nice squad!Best test yet.Beat these guys and I'm a believer.We can talk about Best of the Rest and the Playoffs.LGK
The politicos are talking about Freeing Plax, good, get him to talk to some kids about losing their guns.That might save somebody.Gil needs SOME REASONABLE time to smarten up and lots of community service after too.Opportunity is knocking.

9

January 09, 2010

Orange and Blue: ... http://nyer.sosblog.com

D'Man

I agree with you. This game against the Rockets will be the toughest test to date.

The new game day thread should be out aroun 4:30. Check it out at half time of the Jets v. Bengals game.

I'll be rooting for the Jets of course!

10

January 09, 2010

Post-up Prince: ...

As DlT notes, beating the Rockets on their home court, and perhaps without Harrington, will be a true test of the team's progress. They will need a good game from N8 and Duhon, as well as the steady contributions from the unsual suspects (Lee, Chandler & Gallo) plus far fewer turnovers than those committed against the Bobcats, to stay in the game.

N8 committed 7 turnovers against Cats, including a potentially costly one at the end--jumping between two defenders and attempting to pass to a blanketed teammate was a foolhardy decision. As Clyde noted, better to have walked than attempt a pass in that situtation. Other options would have been to throw the ball out of bounds or even a rainbow shot at the basket, where a rebound could have landed in a Knick hand. Nevertheless, N8's spark and energy off the bench was instrumental in the Knicks win.

I am hoping Harrington can play tonight. If he is healthy enough, Walsh may want him showcased for a potential trade in February for T Mac. I am not convinced that would be a good trade for the Knicks given the current team chemistry developing. I prefer keeping Buckets for a playoff push, and to show a competitive spirit in the first round against either Boston or Toronto. I am also concerned that T Mac is too injury prone at this point in his career to be relied on.

11

January 09, 2010

Peaceman: ... http://Knicksfanaticblog

A trade for Tmac has me in a delema.
Harrington has no history of chronic health problems. He would be a major factor in a playoff push. Tmac is a Gamble.
On the upside, if Tmac is healthy and is able to bring 100% of his potenial to New York, he would be like having Bernard King back in the Garden. We would be in a postion to advance DEEP into the playoffs if we have a 100% Healthy Tmac. The downside is we haven't had much luck with
bringing injury prone Superstars to New York aka Jeff Ruland, Steve Francis,Rolando
Blackman, ect,ect,ect. Tmac also has motivation to reclaim his "Superstar staus." A high risk-high reward type senario indeed. I feel the gamble is worth it! Johnathan Bender so far is encouraging! Maybe it's time for a little Luck to come our way? What do you guys think?

12

January 09, 2010

Orange and Blue: ... http://nyer.sosblog.com

Technical difficulties with adapting a new OS to my Mac slowed me down.

I'm working on the latest article and thread.

Sorry.

Let's go Jets!

13

January 09, 2010

Orange and Blue: F Off Bloguin! http://nyer.sosblog.com

FUCK!

The Bloguin Administrator ate my article! FUCK!

I'm done with this shyt for a while!

I put alot of time into it!

Damn them fuck them! Fuck!

14

January 09, 2010

D'man: Hats off to Houston!

Not Alan,the jump shooter, who complimented Lee on his deservedly improved offense.That was his side of the court.Lee's improvement offensively is tremendous, but he still doesn't have a money, money, money, low post move.And his defense is still suspect,though he does push big guys well until they overpower him, even in the hole where Landry and Scola, I still can't believe San Antonio gave this guy, Scola, away to keep an older Oberto.Scola is the real deal on both side of the floor, and so for that matter is Landry.In fact I would love to have a feisty team just like the Rockets to root for.We definitely got the wrong guy from Duke.Battier is flat out a great teamate, and a fine player.Does all the dirty work and is Crazy Glue Award winner.Kudos to him.Think about it.They are good enuff to not want Trade-me McGrady, while we're trying to get this fragile questionmark.Yes, he's talented, that's when he plays, sometimes.Rumor is Rockettes are going after Bosch, who would be a great fit.They beat our asses in the 4th, particularly our guards who couldn't stop them and then committed the cardinal sin of not boxing out.Lowery, a non starter, is a decent player, was good at Villanova too, but has obviously put some time in at the weight room.He killed Duhon and Nate couldn't keep Aaron G in front of him.The turnovers also hurt us bad.They caused them with tough, tougher D.But basically, defensively we quit on our side in the 4th, and they kept coming smelling blood in the water.Lee scored nicely in the first half, but points in money time are different although most peole only look at the total, rebounds too!Give the Rockettes a lot of credit, you look at those guys and they shouldn't be winning, but they play serious team ball and that's something to emulate.We are doing a lot better now, playing D and sharing the ball so I am a lot happier.These guys are watchable, but we still need a shot blocker, a low post scorer, more defense vs. quick guards, etc.But beggars, us, can't be choosers.Interesting note, Lee's hands appear to be a lot stronger than before.Whoever is coaching him offensively deserves a lot of credit.He will get his money next season, somewhere.It cold be here, depends on the Master Plan.The Knicks decision to keep or trade him is a tougher one now than ever.He will probably make the All Star team as a coach's choice and he deserves that, but he is a back up center at best on a chip team.He must learn to play better D at the power slot if he wants to start.I would have wrote him off but his astonishing, yeah, astonishing improvement offensively makes me think maybe he can do this thing.If he becomes a quicker defender and can stop 4's he is golden.If not, he becomes very movable.Sounds like heresy, but look at a guy like Scola or Landry.They do what he is supposed to do without the fanfare the NY press gives Lee.Get better defensively or get gone Dave.I'm on your side, but....Last, hats off to Jared Jeffries who is doing a good Superman imitation on D, with Chandler's able Tonto.The Rockets broke 100 and we lost, but those little guys were tough for a 6'10" guy to keep in front or too quick to help on.Jared may actually be tradable to a defensively challenged contender right now, but where would that leave us, Way,way, under the cap where we want to be, and up the creek defensively.What do we watch then?Tough decision.Maybe Jimmy D can ask Tiger what he thinks.Durant coming in to make life interesting.Brace the team D up.The kid is gonna score, but if we stop everyone else...Still Free Plax in July, LGK, Remember guys, LeBx is watching, waiting, anticipating...

15

January 10, 2010

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