Its not just the missing that's killing

I was deeply disturbed by Gallo's comments about missing his 3pt shots. He's killing himself for missing so many if them. Its not that he's missing shots. Its the fact that he takes so many uninspired 3pt shots. They are momentum killers and it allows the opposing team to get out and run. That's building their confidence. Not to mention the Knicks are bailing teams out because you can't really defend a Guy that is taking the shot whether you defend it or not. That has to be on teams scouting reports because every team the Knicks face are basically doing the same things to the Knicks.

The Knicks have gotta wake up. I'm not ready to abandon D'antoni yet because his offense works. His players aren't playing basketball. Now its not all his players because Felton, Wilson, Landry, Amar'e and Turiaf have come to play everynight. They aren't settling for 3pt shots just because they feel they are open. Gallo, Douglas, Rodger, and Walker are the most guilty of this crime. I believe its wrong to put this on D'antoni even though his philosophy calls for a lot of 3pt shots. Thing is guys need to know what a quality 3pt shot is.

The Steve Nash conspiracy needs to stop. Felton is doing a solid job this year. He's not a slow footed sliding/angling, hold the rock to the last second guard. He's a pedal to the metal power guard that can get to the rim and finish easily. He's hitting his outside shots. He's finding the open man. The problem lies on the players around him with no regards for what's going on out there at any particular time. As the co-captain he should be getting in the face of guys like Gallo and the other shooters. Stop taking these halfway contested shots! Its one thing if ball movement finds a player wide open. The guys are just taking shots because they are behind the line. Shooting is a rhythm. You simply can't just take 3's just because you are a "good shooter".

How come rookie Landry Fields has figured it out? The dude shoots when he's wide open. The rest of the time he spends playing basketball. He drives and moves the ball very well. He crashes the boards. The dude moves without the ball. The dude knows when to take his man and "finish his breakfast" (r.I.p. Franchise). Why can't Gallo, Douglas and the other shooters figure that out?

No trades on the horizon? All this blogger is asking for is a true center to start games. Knicks need a proven rebounder/shot blocker/finisher. No big name...just someone that has experience. At this time I would trade Gallo to do it. I'm more than comfortable with Amar'e, Wilson, Felton and Landry starting games. Shawne Williams and eventually Azubuike could make up for the "loss" of Gallo. Everyone has a hard on for Melo, so what's the big deal?!?!? The time to do it is absopositively right freakin now!!!

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Give Shawne Free

Anybody know who Shawne Williams is? Most only know what's written or said about the kid from the past. He's a typical guy from the inner city. It cracks me up to type that because that's where I'm from. I also played basketball and I know what you can get into playing especially at a high level. You're popular. Everyone wants to be around you. Everyone wants to see you destroy your next defender on the basketball court. You're going to attract the wrong attention. What's not really analyzed is the fact that you more than likely will grow up with kids that will walk that fine line between good and not so good. Some will turn out downright bad! I've never been arrested. I know guys that have been. I've never been stabbed, shot, or sold a drug in my life. I do know guys that have and still are doing those things (allegedly :/). Point being, these are my friends. You have a choice to follow or lead. Some cases you might not have much of a option depending how harsh your circumstances are. Now I don't know Shawne Williams personally. I'm just painting a picture for you through my own experience. Shawne Williams has never done jail time, but he's known to have kept some grimy company. He's had a couple of brushes with the law and his door was almost closed altogether because of this. How do you cut off childhood friends when you are basically still a child.

The problem is the dude became a public figure as soon as he was drafted into the NBA. He was only 20 years old. How many people can hold down a part time job at McDonalds at 20 years old while going to school? How many have the attention span to stay focused at a full-time job at that age? People do it but these are the impressionable years where you are trying to figure out this space we call life. What are you doing? Where are you going? Why am I doing this? Why am I still friends with this person? Why won't she add me on BBM? Who's this guy commenting on my girls facebook page? While this is happening, imagine making a million dollars a year with nothing but free time, basketball, a camera and a microphone in your face? What happens when you go out with your boys from the "inner city" that you grew up with who you love like brothers and you run into a heated situation with another group that aren't too happy to see you blowing money and getting all the girls?

No excuses for this guy. Alot of you that read or probably skimmed through that first paragraph don't want to hear about that. These guys at face value have been giving a silver spoon and in some cases totally screwed up their opportunity at making millions playing a game most of us play for fun. This perspective is also fair. At the same time, people are allowed to evolve. You are not human if you don't. We have environmental issues, and family issues to break free from so you can figure out how you want to leave your life in your own space. Some never realize they have that choice and never evolve. Shawne Williams is 26 years old now. He'll be 27 in February. He's seen the street. He's seen the red carpet. He also knows what it's like to stand outside looking in, hoping someone will notice him and let him in the backdoor. Donnie Walsh was in Indiana when his nba journey began. Donnie, now with the Knicks, has given the man a second shot at redemption.

I think of Shawne Williams as that infected soldier that was chained up in the backyard of the movie "28 days Later". The dude has got to be hungry. The media is ignoring him and to his credit, he is keeping himself out of their columns with off the court nonsense. The Knicks aren't winning right now. Team captain and face of the team Amar'e Stoudamire is calling his team basically a bunch of pansies. Shawne Williams is no pansy. Only evidence we have of this in a Knick uniform is his brief showing in the pre-season. He was very active and was a tough cover in limited minutes. He was good enough to beat out fan favorite Patrick Ewing Jr. I personally think Shawne Williams can contribute to the Knicks in the 8 man rotation. If I were to compare Shawne to anyone in the league, it would be Stephen Jackson. Jackson had his share of retardation in his career but I think we all are in agreement when I say Stephen Jackson is a warrior on the basketball court. Their games are eerily similar, especially early on in Stephen's career. With that said, why not give this kid a shot at playing. The Knicks that are already on the court aren't doing the job. It's not like he's going to kill anyone's minutes. Timofey Mosgov's minutes need to be eliminated all together. Anthony Randolph probably needs more minutes. When Ronnie Turiaf get back healthy, he's going to be a lock to play. Wilson is also a lock to finish most games with 30 plus minutes. There are the dinky little minutes that Roger Mason and Bill Walker have been getting. Shawne Williams could slide into that slot. Shawne is more of forward but he can surely play shooting guard at times. The Knicks have nothing to lose at this point. The Knicks are desperate. Shawne Williams is sitting on a 1 year contract with no guarantee he'll ever be asked back on any NBA roster in the future. I'd take my chances with this guy. He's got more to lose and his focus should be at an all-time high. Amar'e wants his players to play with urgency. D'antoni has got to see Shawne Williams tail wagging at the end of his bench. Give that dog a bone.

Pieces don't fit the puzzle

I'm one of the few out there that still believe's in D'antoni's offense. Just about every possession there's a play to be made. Problem with these Knicks is not the fact they are missing their shots. Its the fact that they come down the court and settle on simply taking 3 point shot after 3 point shot. They are simply bailing out the opposing defenses and igniting the fast break which instills confidence in the other team. Its also killing the concentration the Knicks showed during the first 5 games of the year. Is the sky truly falling for the 10th season in a row?

Captain Patience Mr. Donnie Walsh has done a wonderful job thus far with regaining cap flexibility, attracting a superstar player, and stocking youth. The problem with his finished product is he banked on these young guys to somehow mature at the same time and fight for a playoff spot. We all knew there were questions to be answered. Donnie said it himself as well as D'antoni. D'antoni gave fair warning during the pre-season that there were question marks and the season was riding on whether they were going to come out positively. Biggest question mark is whether or not Gallo can step into a lead role as a possible #2 option behind Amar'e Stoudamire. So far this season Gallo is proving to be who he is. A bit role player. He's a legit double diget scorer but in the mold of a solid starter. Gallo is not a go to threat. Could he eventually become one? That lies the problem because the Knicks aren't supposed to be an eventually team in 2010. They are supposed to be a team built for right now. Signing Amar'e to that 5 year deal says so.

What they the hell happens now?

First off, what made the team successful straight out the gate? Not 3 point shooting...but none other than good old fashioned New York style defense! Surprisingly what was the Achilles heal starting off the season? Rebounding! All I read and hear from people is that the Knicks need another alpha dog. Yes the Knicks need legit second scorer to help Amar'e, but how does another scorer improve the defense and rebounding? If the Knicks were to trade for a legit second fiddle, we'll be watching a lot of one on one before long and probably more losing.

The Knicks need to reestablish that defense they showed those first 5 games. Its a shame how a throw in Guy in the David Lee trade, Ronnie Turiaf, is the one that truly needs the help. His energy on finishing plays inside along with his stingy defense is sorely missing since he's been hurt. That's what needs to be replaced and stockpiled onto the roster. Ronnie is not a starter, but he is a hell of a bench Guy. He needs an anchor in front of him. Timofey Mosgov was starting but lost his spot only to get it back. He clearly has the ability, but the Knicks are not in the wait and see business this season. He needs to be benched and brought along slowly. He fouls too much, turns the ball over and just needs to get used to the bullshit calls of the NBA officials. As I stated in a previous blog, the Knicks need to get a legit nba center. I mentioned Erick Dampier who is currently a unrestricted free agent, and Sam Dalembert who's in limbo on a young Sacramento team. There are other options and the Knicks need to explore them. They can afford to move players as well because the Knicks have tons of redundant talent. Azubuike is also due to make his debut in a month or so. Shawne Williams is another player who in my opinion could provide similar production to what we're currently seeing out of Gallo and Wilson.

I believe in the 2010/11 season its playoffs or bust. The Knicks don't have to repeat the sins of the past by trading for has beens with long contracts. The Knicks need players with experience that can fit immediate roles and have minimal impact on the cap. I don't think the Knicks have time to wait for guys to wake up. Right now the defense needs to be fortified. The team has to become a defense creates offense type of team to keep the confidence up which is what's needed to make the D'antoni offense look good. Time is not ticking anymore....its literally banging.

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Time to tighten up

Let go the nonsense written about Isiah Thomas link with the organization. Forget about Phoenix, 7 seconds or less and Steve Nash. Totally ignore Carmelo, and CP3 for now. Open your eyes and see what the Knicks have become after being in limbo for the last two years. They have come full circle and become a team that defends like their tradition indicates. Nobody could have predicted the Knicks would be leading the league in blocks like they are. They are averaging nearly 3 times as much as they did last season. It shocks me to write that. What shocks me even more is actually watching games and witnessing it first hand. Tack on the amount of changed shots by sheer intimidation and you realize this is no early season fluke. The 2010/11 Knicks defend that rim.

What's the buzz amongst fans though? What are the reporters reporting? They are talking about everything I asked you to ignore at the beginning of this piece. The asking price for Carmelo is probably too high at this time. Yes the Knicks need another alpha dog but they need not sell their soul to do it. Why the hell are people still talking about Chris Paul when Raymond Felton has been playing very well against the leagues best. He's gone toe to toe against Rondo, Andre Miller, Derrick Rose, and John Wall. He's basically gone even in each match up with comparable statistics.

What are we looking at and how can these Knicks improve? To answer that you first need to ask this question. Who are they trying to beat? Boston, Miami and Orlando...hello?!?!? Ronnie Turiaf has been a joy to watch but his energy needs to be preserved. The future at the center spot is Timofey Mosgov. He's not ready yet. He could possibly find his game by December or towards the end of the year. The Knicks time is now. I never thought I'd endorse this Guy, but Erick Dampier is a free agent right now. He's looking for a team. Ignore the fact he's been a huge under achiever and embrace the fact this man is a huge steal at a veterans minimum salary. He's gonna rebound, and defend plus he's only 35 years old. Inserting him at starting center allows Turiaf to go nuts all year backing up the 4-5 spots all year. I believe this is the cheapest way to solidify the front court. It also allows the Knicks freedom to toy with finding that true second option on offense. Another name I'll throw out there is Samuel Dalembert. He's an expiring contract on a sactown roster that includes that rookie Phenom Demarcus Cousins. Maybe the Kings do Dalembert a solid and laterally trades him to a team he can start on? Both Dampier/Dalembert take an already furious shot blocking team makes them downright scary.

Quietly the Knicks are awaiting the emergence of Azubuike from his patella injury that deleted his entire season last year. Patella tendons aren't acl's. Players tend to bounce back faster from this injury. Buike is the answer at the 2 spot. Landry Fields has been great and Walker solid. Buike is a legit scorer in this league. He could give you 13-18pts per game as a starter. Think John Salmons with a 3pt shot. I believe its absolutely crucial to make a move at center that compliments the defense now to coincide with Azubuike's emergence.

The timeframe between now and the trading deadline is absolutely critical for the Knicks season. Carmelo Anthony is out there. Denver could wait to trade Melo at the deadline. The Knicks need to know who they are by then. Defense, and a balanced offense. The time is now to tighten up before bad habits begin to set in. A move should be made not now, but right now.

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Asbestos good for the Knicks

Remember playing tag as a kid? Remember chasing down a slower friend only for them to call "base" or say "time out" just before you tag them? That's essentially what happened to the Knicks Tuesday November 2nd when the game was cancelled by asbestos. As a fan I was pissed because it ruined my night. I was going to hangout with my father at my place and then get him to drop me somewhere to hangout after. After I let that go, I took a deep sigh of relief because the Knicks were primed to get their first 30pt blowout coming off 2 heart breaking loses against Boston and Portland. The Knicks were that fat kid running for his life from their psycho classmate in the school yard. The fallen asbestos was the basketball God's calling "BASE!!!" for us. Whew indeed...



Let's face it...Orlando is on the other side of the NBA spectrum from the Knicks. Orlando has had about 3-4 successful years with basically the same coach and personnel. They are a team good enough to contend for a NBA championship. The Knicks are a newly assembled team with a ton of question marks. They already are facing injuries to two of those question marks. Their confidence has got to be down after giving away two winnable games to contending teams. A lost to Orlando could have been devastating to this young season especially with the fiery Chicago Bulls in the on deck circle.

The Bulls in the Derrick Rose era have built a reputation on being a scrappy, get after it kinda club. Rookie head coach Tom Thibodeau has made a living in the nba for years as a defensive specialist. He was Doc River's right hand man in Boston and was credited for installing the concepts they used to win the last few years in beantown. In Chicaco, with the injury to newly signed Carlos Boozer, Thibodeau has the team playing uptempo with Derrick Rose basically running wild with his options athletic enough to catch his drop off passes around the rim. Luol Deng has been taken off the baseline and been put in a position where he can have more freedom to score. He just came off a 40pt game against the Portland Trailblazers. The Knicks have their hands full but not quite as much as they would have with a offensively potent Orlando Magic team.

What separates Orlando and Chicago is their perimeter shooting. Orlando just has too many deep threats and the Knicks have been cursed with leaving shooters wide open throughout the years. Chicago doesn't have that luxury. Chicago does have the bodies down low that can compete with Orlando's bigs on the boards. Surprisingly the Knicks have gotten more physical and defensive minded inside but haven't been able to grab a rebound to save their lifes. The Knicks are averaging 8 blocks per game this year up from just 3 blocks per game the previous year...read that stat again if you need to. That stat alone helps to cancel out their rebounding woes. The bread and butter of these Knicks under D'antoni has been the jumpshot. It's seemed to fail them in their first 3 games. Gallo has been shooting 18% from the 3 point line. Toney Douglas and Chandler have been shooting roughly 25% from 3. They can't shoot blanks forever. Chicago likes to pack it inside and dare teams to shoot it so if there is a game the Knicks can crack open the offense, this is it. Hopefully the extra rest and practice time will settle down this club. Anthony Randolph is set to make his season debut. The adrenaline should be flowing so I expect some extra help inside especially on the defensive end.

Tomorrow...we'll love the Knicks tomorrow...it's only a day a way my dudes. Go Knicks!