The Knicks Fix

I spent about a half-hour before Saturday’s game standing on the Madison Square Garden hardwood, a court I often dreamed about as a kid. Some moments make you feel small. Like the one and only time I ever walked on the field at Yankee Stadium. These are times when you are supposed to feel humble. There is history here.

Unfortunately, I don’t expect too much history to be made here right now. At least not by the Knicks.

I meant to file something before the game, a little scene-setter I wrote when I was still buzzing about my first Garden opener, but the wireless at MSG was as offline as Jamal Crawford’s shot right now. Hopefully both will be back in working order in time for Monday’s game against the – ugh – Spurs.

My amateur analysis of the Knicks after three games:

1 - We can talk all we want about Stephon Marbury’s low production or Channing Frye’s struggles, but the Knicks collectively are a bad defensive team and that – and only that – is what’s hurting them the most. Very few players in this league can guard an opponent one-on-one with consistent success, so help defense is so critical. With the Knicks, they are too easy to break down and their interior defense is non-existent. I made a point in today’s game story to point out how Frye had zero fouls in 24 minutes. Neither he nor Eddy Curry recorded a blocked shot, yet the Pacers got several layups and tip-ins and short-jumpers.

Can we see one hard foul? What is Kelvin Cato’s role on this team? If he has six fouls to give and is only expected to play five minutes a game, he should use every foul he’s allowed. Same goes for Renaldo Balkman. I can understand Curry being concerned with conserving his fouls because the big man does get called for some questionable ones just because he’s so big and brutal, but Frye has no excuse for leaving that game without a single foul. Standing with his arms extended when someone drives the lane is useless.

I’m not saying the Knicks should hack-and-whack at every opportunity. But, man, send a message. And I’ve seen how NBA players shoot free throws these days. I’d take the chance on giving up one point instead of two any day. Thomas needs to institute a no-layup rule. I don’t mean flagrant fouls, just make em count.

2 - The Knicks need to feature Curry as the centerpiece of the offense. I know he’s not the best passer out of the post, but he is showing that he can take just about anyone to the basket. They should ride the big cat early in games and establish him and then as doubles come down, that’s when guys like Steve Francis and Marbury should slash and cut and Quentin Richardson can be an outlet for a three to keep the defense honest.

3 - As I said back in one of my early blogs, Frye needs to sit. David Lee is a better fit with Curry because he attacks the boards – something Curry just doesn’t do – and Lee doesn’t need the ball in his hands to be effective. He’s a smart player, a good passer and a better defender. Frye might put less pressure on himself if he’s coming off the bench.

4- And my last point is, quite honestly, I don’t think this team is that far off. They need to develop an attitude on defense, especially the guys inside. Isiah Thomas came from the Bad Boys days when Bill Laimbeer used every foul he had, John Salley had the length and athleticism (like Frye) to deflect and deter shots and Dennis Rodman (Balkman) was harassing people on the court and in the first row. The Knicks don’t have a great amount of talent – Francis and Marbury just aren’t the players they once were, deal with it – so they need to find other ways to win games. Leaving the paint more open than the HOV lane is not the way to do it.

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It’s been a whirlwind few days to open the season. Memphis on Wednesday, Atlanta on Friday and I went straight from LGA to MSG on Saturday. With back-to-backs – we have five straight Friday-Saturday games to start the season – you don’t have much time to reload. So you rest your brain when you can between stuffing it with as many facts, quotes and anecdotes possible. On the plane from ATL to LGA, I popped in some John Coltrane on the MP3. “A Love Supreme.” You’d be amazed how thoughts can somehow flow into a rhythmic stream when Coltrane (or Miles) is playing in your ears.

I know I’m gonna need more this week. There’s a lot to digest in such a short period of time.

This week, after the Spurs game, we go to Denver (Wednesday), Houston (Friday) and San Antonio (Saturday). That will make five cities in 11 days. Six if you include Manhattan, which, for those of us who live out on the Island, it’s an all-day trip unto itself (and one I love making!).

I have to be honest, I actually enjoy this part of the job. I love the action, the movement. I love different venues, different places. I’m not one to sequester in my hotel room. I get out and feel the town. Some places get you hyped up, like Chicago or Boston of Philly or, of course, L.A. You’ll never hear me complain about traveling. The only thing I don’t like about it is being away from my family. But being away also makes coming home more special. There’s nothing like a tight hug from your kids when you walk in the door. Plus, after a summer of being home every day, I’m sure they don’t mind getting me out of the house for a while!

Speaking of family, I’m off today for a reason. It would have been my dad’s 61st birthday. A year ago today we had a great party for him, a surprise party. He was going through some tough things medically, but his smile that day was unforgettable. We lost him in July and, as expected, it still hurts. It always will.