Tough back-to-back for the Knicks (and for me...woke up in sunny California, stepped off a plane in snow. So it goes).
Expect to see a lot more of that zone, especially with Knick-killer Kyle Korver (lotta Ks there) on the floor. Mardy Collins is still starting at the point, but Isiah Thomas hinted that Nate Robinson's play has given him reason to consider moving Lil Man N8 into the Fave Five.
Clearly Isiah reads the Knix Fix....
Anyway...No Jessica Simpson at Staples, despite erroneous reports. She ain't here in Salt Lake, either.
STARTING LINEUPS
KNICKS
Richardson
Randolph
Curry
Crawford
Collins
JAZZ
Kirilenko
Boozer
Okur
Brewer
Williams
* - Curry was a game-time decision because he's fighting off flu symptoms. David Lee has had a couple of unheralded solid performances on this trip. He should get minutes tonight.
Enjoy the game.
Comments (3)
I hate these back to back games on the road. I realize it's the monster for every team in the league.I'm worrried about a blowout.
THANKS, ST. KNICK” Utah fans had extra incentive to root against the Knicks on Wednesday, and every day for the next two years. The Jazz will claim the Knicks’ first-round pick in one of the next three drafts, probably in 2010, regardless of where the pick falls that year.
Phoenix acquired the pick as part of the Stephon Marbury deal in 2004, and later sent it to Utah. The pick is protected through 23 this year and through 22 in 2009, but becomes unprotected in 2010.
I once wrote that Q was the worst starter in the NBA. "Thanks" to Mardy, I stand corrected. That guy just seems lost on the court. He is out of his depth. Just leave him on the bench until his contract expires and pretend he never happened. Please.
The extensive use of Mardy is just an example of another really irritating aspect of Isiah the coach - the unwillingness to set a rotation and stick to it. All season, guys play a ton of minutes one night, then sit the next with no rhyme or reason. For a while Curry and Zach got the quick hook for not playing defense, but they are both back (Curry not last night, mercifully) and their defense hasn't improved. Nate has been up and down - last night it seemed he played less then Mardy (haven't checked the box score yet). As a coach, Isiah is the worst kind of moron - the kind that thinks he is clever - like each game is a chess match, and he has to use his pieces in a different way each night (Williams is a brute, so a big point like Mardy is needed). No. Set a rotation and STICK WITH IT FOR A WHILE! Build some coherence and consistency. Mardy will never in a million years neutralize Deron Williams, so stay with the guy who has been playing pretty well, even if he is small, rather than messing up whatever gelling has taken place.
I know people disagree on how much effect coaching has in the NBA, but for what its worth, the Knicks never win because of it - the team is outcoached on a nightly basis. Almost all the wins come because of a simple formula - hustle and effort, a crappy opponent and improbably hot shooting from the freelancing guards. Thats it. The recent improved play came in part form guys like Lee, Nate and Blakman responding to more minutes. So put together a rotation, stick with it, and maybe some more improvement/development will follow.