Knicks look good (versus themselves)
For five days we got to see a glimpse of Mike D'Antoni's fun-and-gun Knicks, who will get the ball up the floor, then up at the rim at a pace so furious Eddy Curry hasn't been able to keep anything down all week.
Perhaps we shouldn't make a joke about Curry's illness -- the bacterial infection which has kept him out of camp all week -- because it has the Knicks concerned. There is hope about him making a return this week, but whenever he is feeling up to taking the court he will clearly need to take it slow. At 6-11 and nearly 300 pounds, slow has always been the issue for Curry. What D'Antoni had wanted to do was get Big Eddy playing faster. 
Just getting him playing is the goal right now. In the meantime, you're looking at a lineup of Zach Randolph and David Lee going up against Jermaine O'Neal and Chris Bosh in Wednesday's preseason opener. Tall order. Literally. (Whoa..that cliche appeared out of nowhere...my bad).
So while it's easy to come away from camp impressed with how well the Knicks get to the rim and finish and get up and down the floor, you do have to remind yourself that they're doing all of this against one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA last season: The Knicks.
[A refresher: the Knicks were ninth-worst in points against (103.53 pg), third-worst in field goals percentage against (47.4 pct) and the worst shot-blocking team in the NBA (2.6 blocks per game as a team, which was lower than the averages of individuals such as Marcus Camby (3.61), Josh Smith (2.8) and Chris Kaman (2.77)).]
There still aren't any shot-blockers (or even shot distractors) in the paint and none on the way even after Curry and Danilo Gallinari return. After an impressive first day, the only guy on the roster with swat team creds, Jerome James, slowed down noticably to where he even stopped dunking. Interior defense is limited to a lot of fake-and-retreat moves and rare challenges. Jared Jeffries was D'Antoni's early choice at center because the 6-11 Jeffries had the athleticism to run and also to defend down low, but with his injury the interior becomes a major issue.
The Knicks are hoping to hide their interior deficiencies by keeping the game in transition as often as possible and, perhaps, taking their opponents' bigs out of the game with the speed-factor. They'll also have to rely on something they did very poorly last season: help defense. People often criticize D'Antoni for not coaching defense, but he spent time on defense each day throughout the week with an interesting 5-on-3 drill in which there were three defenders in a triangle zone and they had to shuffle, talk and play areas against five offensive players. It was a very intense drill and D'Antoni made it competitive by rotating in different three-man groups.
There's no doubt the Knicks have a load of talent on the perimeter. Perhaps Donnie Walsh can use his excess of guards (what do you do with Mardy Collins and Anthony Roberson if Stephon Marbury is to remain?) to find some shot-blocking help on the trade market.
* *
My anticipated starting lineup and first four off the bench after watching a week of practice:
PG - Duhon
SG - Crawford
SF - Richardson
PF - Lee
C - Randolph
Reserves:
PG - Robinson
SG - Marbury
SF/PF - Chandler
C - Curry (by default)/ Malik Rose
Rookies - Get back to you on Gallinari. So far behind we can't even attempt to assess. Patrick Ewing Jr. has looked overwhelmed at times and his shot hasn't been good at all. But in transition he's had some very positive moments, especially as a finisher. He is strong enough to defend and goes after shots. He's a project. Danny Grunfeld can stroke it and is very confident. He has caught a few people off guard and competes. I've read he has an offer waiting for him in Spain.
Biggest surprise -- Seeing Jerome James running the floor and practicing all week with intensity and effort.
Biggest disappointment -- Jeffries' injury, because he came into camp loaded with confidence and looking good.
Most impressive -- Nate Robinson showing that player he was in the summer league two summers ago. He seems very comfortable in this offense and rarely forced a shot or took a bad one. Physically in phenomenal shape and never seems to get tired.
Most encouraging -- Zach Randolph and his "whatever-they-want" personality. Yes, it's early, but Z-Bo appears to have showed up willing to buy-in. And, yes, he still knows how to get his shots. But very competitive and energetic in camp. Even giving it his all running the floor.
Big issue -- The Marbury situation. If Stephon accepts a sixth-man role, it could work out great for both parties. D'Antoni has made it clear he's calling the shots and it's up to Stephon to fall in line.
Bigger issue -- Gallinari's back. He hasn't been able to run hard for two months. Now he's already a week behind in learning the system along with being two months behind in conditioning and strength. Might be a while before the rookie proves he can be effective.
Biggest issue -- The interior defense. Amare Stoudemire was hardly a formidable force as the last line of defense (awful on help D...just ask Marion), but he still had 2.06 blocks per game. Curry isn't just going to instantly turn into Bill Russell, but they'd take Bill Cartwright at this point.
* *
Saratoga was in my rear view mirror around 9 p.m. Friday night. Four hours to reflect on the week that opened the new season -- and new era -- for the Knicks.
And, of course, the long drive allowed me to wear out the battery in my mp3 player, sing at the windshield and think about how enjoyable it was to spend some time in the leafy, postcard town at the start of the foliage season. We probably won't be back next year, only because the Knicks are expecting they will be next in the NBA's European trip plans. With D'Antoni and Gallinari on the team, Milan would be an obvious location.
Yeah, training camp and some preseason in Milan. Not exactly an assignment Mike Rowe would be interested in. But I'll take it.
But if we're not to be back for another two years, if at all, I leave The Spa with good memories, aside from the treat of being able to actually watch the Knicks practice.
There was jogging down Broadway and it's row of stunning, meticulously-perfect homes that give me the itch to visit Lowes for a new project on my own shack. Meeting people like Greta, the vegetarian hostess at Circus Cafe, who is from Oceanside and is the daughter of -- get this -- a butcher. Running into one of my high school teammates, Pat McCloskey, who is a Manhattan lawyer and a former star guard for Skidmore. He came up to visit his alma mater and catch a Knicks practice. A million years ago he was draining threes for St. Anthony's in a huge Catholic League playoff game. It was also fun to mingle with the friendly coeds at Skidmore and convert a few to join Fixer Nation. "Hey, I read you today!" one fella called to me a day after I scolded him for not knowing about the Fix.
Atta boy, son. There's hope for you yet.
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Comments (21)
AH,
Did you see the infected Curry or are we relying on the Knicks' word regarding his health?
Funny though but I saw Bynum play a few times in High School. Some or most days, he appeared bored with the level of competition.
I spent a lot of time in Plainsboro, NJ and was fortunate enough to see Andrew play a few times. His upside potential was very clear back then and yes, he needed a kick in the behind once in a while. Who doesn't?
I guess we saw 2 different Andrews.
I guess Channing Frye was heaven sent.
Oh well.
The concern with a running team that can't defend is early 90's Paul Westhead Denver Nuggets redux (the Michael Adams era) - lots of high scoring, but ghastly blowouts on a regular basis. The thing about the Suns under D'Antoni is that because of their tempo they gave up a lot of points, but when adjusted for pace, they weren't so bad. At any pace, the Knicks are terrible defensively, and this seems a bit like the elephant in the room - running is great, but tons of positions when you can't stop anyone ends ugly. Alan - Any word on defensive strategies from camp?
Re. Bynum - the present version would look nice in blue and orange, but given the horrible personnel development environment around here the last few years, who's to say he turns out the way he did? Also, he wasn't considered a lock as a h.s. senior, so much as I came to hate all things Isiah, he doesn't seem particularly culpable on that one.
Above should say tons of possessions, not positions. Ooops.
Love the updates and insight, Alan! You're the best!
The starting lineup is the worst in the NBA. God help the Knicks and the sots who pay $100+ to see them this season. They will get smashed with no defense or height. But Nate, Zach, Craw and Lee will have great offensive numbers. Big deal....
Starby as a bench player will be more cancer....Walsh must be praying he'll play well now and some team will become desperate for a pt. guard and deal for him. Dream on, Donnie...but it is possible.
Isiah must have mega-millions in his bank account. He should pay for the buyouts. What a rat!
Curry and James are pigs for not reporting in shape at 270 lbs. Why don't NBA GMs put weight clauses into the contracts? If anyone else in another kind of job in this society shows up unfit to perform, they get sacked. Those piggies are so filthy rich. Who else gets paid obscene million$ every MONTH to be fat and unable to play up to a pro level??? Where is their sense of obligation, or athletic pride, or integrity? Pathetic! Hiring Pat Ewing Sr. as a mentor and conscience would have been a brilliant move. I don't get it -- how do they get away with their slovenly ways? And why do guys like us who make under $100K or $50k support this crap???
Just ranting.
DTR
Thank you Jerome James for your effort so far in practice. EFFORT and HARD WORK is what I expect from all Knicks player. I haven't seen you in practice, but I am going to trust Alan's words for now.
Hmmmm Mustafa. By any chance did you also see him play in Metuchen or Trenton? I must admit that I had to look this up because when I saw Bynum he was not at West Windsor High which he attended for part of his freshman year. (Perhaps we are neighbors -- maybe related -- because I am close by and I know some former West Windsor players and coaches. Maybe you're one of them, but I don't think they are Knicks fans).
Anyway I do think we saw different Bynums. I saw him his Senior year when he was all the rave. He attended St. Joes and West Windsor was not on the regular season schedule his senior year.
(Perhaps my opinion would be different if I saw him when his line was 21 pts. 15 rebound and 10 blocks against Rochester East which was 17-1 with it's only lose to a nationally ranked team from New York (Niagra Falls High). I did not see that game but I saw quite enough his senior year to not be impressed with the idea that he was on his way to the lottery.
So you forced me to the video-tape of my old ass memory, but I still don't understand your point. What exactly are you suggesting?:
1. During his freshman year, Andrew Bynum was good enough for any smart scout to see that he would perform better by his third year in the pros than Channing Frye would coming out of Arizona.; or
2. That as a big bored high schooler one could tell that he had the skills and the heart that guaranteed he was going to be a premier center in the league without playing a day of college ball; or
3. That a good scout would be able to tell the difference between boredom and laziness and should have known that he would have played better when the competition got better.
And are you also discounting the fact that Bynum did not start working really hard on his conditioning until the summer that Kobe called him out (that was last summer wasn't it). Bynum's people had him in the gym working out with Kobe, something he had not done before in a way that impressed Kobe and the coach that this kid was finally serious.
So are you serious that someone should have known that Bynum would be much better than Frye by his third year if he was in New York? If so, I strongly disagree.
Did anyone else see Bynum his senior year?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wt8tln4b94Q
I can't buy the line that Zeke ran up about Bynum being unable to deal with the Garden or whatever. He's a liar. Especially when it looks like he's been proven wrong. Frye gone, Bynum gets a clue, all of a sudden, Zeke is a psychoanalyst. And the Suns were about to take Frye the way they were going to snatch up Balkman.
So we're saying he could have been......Curry? I guess it is a point well taken. I was in favor of taking him only because draft express, draft net, etc... were tooting his horn and scouts started talking him up as he went up the charts. Never saw him play. Its possible to hit on these guys. But if you didn't take him because you were full up at the center position with James and Curry ( I was in favor of the Curry trade - not the draft picks, but getting him) well that's even worse.
But I still hang this on Zeke, because saying drafting him would be a waste because Zeke's system (System!!! Hah!) would have wasted him, is, well, still Zeke's fault. If he can't develop players why is he drafting them, any of them; actually why is he a GM, or a Coach. That's just malpractice - the patient died because he should have chosen a better surgeon than me. Or like Enron writing off losses on money they loaned themselves, and booking profits on the same money when it shows up in another division.
I trust the Jersey guys who watched him play, that you all were not impressed, nevertheless, we are paying as much for Zeke's many sins of omission (not ending the Starbury-Brown feud) as well as commission (Clyde would have done that better), and if you run things like a dictatorship, or late Stalin-era Soviet Union, you are responsible for it all.
Scenes from training camp:
http://ca.youtube.com/user/PostingandToasting
your payroll is blown for the foreseeable future;
your best player is an egomaniacal thug, has never won anything, and is despised by his teammates;
your center is 50 pounds overweight;
your second best player is the most overplayed player in the league;
your number one draft pick may be chronically injured;
your team blocks less shots than 3 individual players in the league;
your starting small forward shoots under 40% from the field;
at least your not a cubs fan!
Willis - "But I still hang this on Zeke, because saying drafting him would be a waste because Zeke's system (System!!! Hah!) would have wasted him, is, well, still Zeke's fault"
True enough. All I meant was that it was doubtful Bynum would have developed into the promising player he is now had he been drafted by the Knicks. Its two different types of managerial failing - less a case of "whiffing on a sure thing in the draft" and more an instance of "presiding over culture without accountability, where lies trump results and where season after season of utter failure is condoned and even rewarded at all levels of the organization." I don't see this as a Darko over Wade and Carmello draft gaffe as much as a case where a dysfunctional organization was hopeless with prospects (thanks again Isiah). Although tabbing a franchise center after almost a dozen GM's passed on him is the sort of thing one might expect someone with a keen eye for talent (remember that feeble defense?) would pull off.
Yes, I'm bitter over having my favorite team turned into a laughingstock punching bag.
Alan - a couple of questions, if you can spare the time from plotting the home renovations :)
How did the Knicks look in the defensive drill you described?
How did Q look? - he must have shown some kind of improvement over last year if you project him as a starter (please not the first quarter Q of last season...).
Alan, too early to call Gallinari a bust until proven otherwise?
As Walsh said, you can't make a mistake with that pick. Hmmm.
I hear you Pete. It got to the point that I was actually hoping that players I liked would NOT be acquired the knicks, just because I didn't want them to be subjected to the abuse. To me it was that bad, I was feeling sorry for potential draft picks.
I remember Lee went through a rough patch there for a while where he was clearly not the same guy. You could see all the joy had been bled out of him. I've been in work environments that were similar and its a soul deadening thing. Its better for Bynum really that he wasn't here. Another opportunity cost of Zeke's Funhouse.
That's what's so nice about D'Antoni - he's a pro and guys know where they stand. And even better, he's creative, positive, has intellectual integrity, utterly confident that the game is the game - not a shadow of his own ego. Let me find the guys that work - anybody can be anywhere if we can make it work. Chandler at the 4? Let's see if it works. And if it doesn't its the coaches fault, make a change, strategically or with players. If a player doesn't get it done its on him and he will not be asked to perform that role anymore.
I really hope Patrick Ewing Jr. makes the team! :(
I really hope Mike D'Antoni has a short leash on Q-Brick and replaces him immediately for Wilson Chandler when he's shooting 35% and getting burned on D.
Stephon Marbury will not accept a 6th Man role quietly. My hatred aside for him, the 6th Man combo guard off the bench role would be the best role for him. He's not a winning starting PG.
Alan, so when Jared Jeffries comes back, do you think he'll replace either David Lee or Zach Randolph in the starting lineup? Will be send Eddy Curry out of the rotation? I honestly cannot believe D'Antoni likes Jeffries. I'm so curious to see how he plays in this uptempo system when he can't hit a jumper or finish in the paint. He's also not a shotblocker and lacks strength defending the post.
It takes balls to admit you were in favor of the Eddy Curry trade (despite the picks).
Good man, Willis. It's easy to dismiss the fact that Knick nation was legitimately excited to have a real center for the first time in years ( not to belittle Kurt Thomas).
The picks are still haunting us, but let's just be thankful that we didn't give up an Oden, Durant, Paul, D. Williams, etc... It's depressing that this is the best defense for Curry at this point...
Let's just hope we're good enough by 2010 to at least be in the 14-18 draft range. I can't stomach giving up another top 10 for Zeke's mistakes.
Sergio, I'm with you on PE Jr. I like Malik and Houston, but a rebuilding team needs to hold on to young guys, even if they are projects. I think he'll catch on.
Stephon Marbury:
2008-2009 6th Man of the year Award!!!
You heard it here first...now give me a second so that I can put my shield up to defend all the shite you guys are going to throw at me for telling the truth
Big Tyme - not going to throw anything at you - I actually think that 6th man could be the best role or Marbury if he is around, assuming he'll accept it and not become a huge distraction. He might be willing if he likes the idea of a contract beyond the minimum next season. He could come off the bench firing - playing to his strengths (attacking the rim, looking for his shot, kicking out to shooters) without worrying too much about the things he's not so good at (running an offense, setting guys up, getting everyone involved). He's destroy other teams' second unit guards and when he is bricklaying (remember 41% from the field last season) he can get a quick hook.
Assuming he's willing to make it work
should've drafted anthony randolph !!!
marbury to the lakers for odom an throw ins to make the salary work
that would be great
stay tuned for more KnowLedge