by Stop Mike Lupica on November 27 at 9:54AM
The key factor in determining whether a coach in Isiah Thomas' situation should be fired, is to determine if his team has quit on him.
Yesterday's performance by the Knicks illustrates that they have not.
The remain, however, somewhat fundamentally flawed defensively, though Isiah is working on that. Game notes:
As is often the case in these situations, the Jazz caught up to make a game of it late in the 4th, making the crowd at MSG (and me at home) very nervous. Were the Knicks going to blow this game, one in which they were leading since the first quarter?
Okur couldn't hit the open jumpers tonight. And the three pointers fell for the Knicks in the 1st half (second half they were only 1/7, but at least they didn't over-rely on the them).
But there are good signs, too. The Knicks only turned the ball over 14 times; when the Knicks can hold on to possessions, they are tough to beat. They aren't going to get outrebounded very much, so this was one of those rare games - the Knicks were outboarded 42-32 (which also illustrates how few boards there were, thanks to the hot shooting of both teams). If they can beat one of the few teams capable of outboarding them, that's a good sign. And six blocks for the Knicks is a season-high.
And the offense was very balanced - Zach Randolph was the go-to guy early and late in the game, but Crawford and Marbury carried the team very well. Curry, Richardson, Balkman, Lee and Robinson all had key contributions, and the bench is getting shorter, which is good. Only 9 players used; Fred Jones DNP, and even Jeffries was only utilized for 9 minutes. He's useful on certain matchups, but overall his minutes should be kept low, depending on the situation. It seems that slowly the rotation is taking shape, finally.
The Celtics are up next, and that will be a good game I'll bet. The Knicks are clicking again, and have some confidence now. The Celtics have only lost twice since Garnett-Allen-Pierce came together; one of those was in the preseason, in a playoff-like battle against this Knicks team. If the Knicks can match that effort, it might lead to an even bigger victory.
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Yesterday's performance by the Knicks illustrates that they have not.
The remain, however, somewhat fundamentally flawed defensively, though Isiah is working on that. Game notes:
- Zach Randolph opens up a big first quarter, hitting his first 5 shots from the field, for 11 points.
- After relying on Zach early, Q-Rich hits a three, then Marbury hits a couple of threes of his own. It's 23-18, Knicks. First the inside shots, and now the outside shots, are falling. This offense isn't that good, normally. Is this an anomaly, or is the team stepping up and getting better?
- In one sequence, the Knicks deflect the ball three times, but Okur somehow gets it, and hits a three. 29-25 Knicks. That would be Okur's only three of the night, despite many open looks. His outside shot was off yesterday, a huge break for the Knicks. It wasn't like their defense was in his grill; he just bricked a lot of shots that normally he hits.
- At the end of the first, its 31-27 Knicks. Knicks shoot 63%, Utah 65%. Good offense or sh*tty defense?
- Balkman starts the second quarter with a beautiful pass to David Lee under the basket for a dunk. Nice assist, Renaldo.
- Oh, for the start of the second quarter, the Knicks are going big - Nate Robinson is flanked by Balkman, Lee, Jeffries and Curry.
- Balkman hits a jumper. That's two in two games! He's got an improved handle, an improved jumper, and an improved passing game. Holy sh*t, he might be the rare player to fulfill his full potential. If he does, Balkman would be the ultimate testament to Isiah Thomas' career here - much maligned, but in the end surprisingly talented.
- Marbury has three threes and 12 points so far versus Deron Williams. 45-40 NYK (6:00 left in the second).
- The Knicks are 5/8 from 3PT land thanks to Richardson's three. 50-42 Knicks. The Knicks are generally not a good three point shooting team.
- Marbury is schooling Deron WIlliams... the drive plus the foul. 53-44, Marbury has 15 pts.
- Both teams are really good at rebounding; there aren't many offensive rebounds here, and there are like six people in the paint fighting for every single board.
- The Knicks are doing a good job of getting the sloppy Jazz to turn the ball over.
- Marbury just broke Deron's knees with a wicked crossover. That was sweeeeet.
- A 8-0 Jazz run near the end of the second makes it 53-52 NYK, with 59.2 left.
- Always be closing: Crawford drives to the basket, makes it 55-52. After a stop, Marbury hits Crawford for the three! 58-52 Knicks at the half. NY is 6/10 from 3 point land.
- Only 6 turnovers for the Knicks in the 1st half.
- Richardson opens the third with a nice mid-range jumper. More of that Q, please.
- Deron just broke Marbury's knees with a great move. 62-57 Knicks in a very exciting and fun game.
- A Curry block (!), plus a Crawford jumper = 69-59 lead.
- Paul Millsap is killing the Knicks (Boozer is on the bench in foul trouble), having scored the Jazz's last 9 points, and single-handedly keeping them in the game. 77-68. He's also a rebound machine. In 23 minutes he will go 5/8 for 13 points and 6 rebounds, plus two assists.
- Crawford with the daily alley-oop to Curry. They have to connect at least once a game. 79-68.
- And now Crawford with a move on Deron. It's showtime here at the Garden. 81-70, 4:00 to go in the 3rd quarter.
- Oh, and a nice move from Deron, who finishes with a dunk. Damn! 81-72 in a shootout.
- Millsap got swatted by Richardson!
- Then Curry blocks Okur. That's two for Eddy.
- Holy cow... David Lee with a block, and Balkman, chasing a loose ball out of bounds, takes out the entire coaching staff of the Jazz, human bowling ball style.
- Here we go: the Knicks average less then three blocks per game; they have four in this quarter alone.
- The Jazz have offensive rebounds. They have 12 to the Knicks 6 right now. It's 89-80 NYK at the end of the third. The Knicks' offense has put 31, 27, and 31 points up so far this game per quarter.
- David Lee puts a move on Boozer, who doesn't want to play defense, apparently, because he has four fouls on him already. Wuss.
- Balkman puts a nice move on his man, then dishes a beautiful pass to a wide open Jeffries under the rim, but he can't handle it. Still, watching Balkman play... he's improving every game. If he can stay healthy (always a big "if" with hustle players), he might be something pretty to watch by the end of the season.
- Okur's poor three point shooting is helping the Knicks. I know, I said that already.
- I miss Malik Rose.
- Nah, I don't. Seriously, does anyone have a problem with Malik Rose's being condemned to the bench? Anyone? Does anyone value his "pull the chair" (which he can't even get away with anymore because every ref has seen it by now) routine that much? Okay then, let's vote: Malik Rose should join Jerome James, Randolph Morris, Wilson Chandler and Mardy Collins on the end of the bench, and Isiah should continue to trim the rotation down. Agreed?
As is often the case in these situations, the Jazz caught up to make a game of it late in the 4th, making the crowd at MSG (and me at home) very nervous. Were the Knicks going to blow this game, one in which they were leading since the first quarter?
- It's 107-104 with 2:00 to go, and Curry comes up with a big block! He's putting the "block" in Knickerblocker, ya'll.
- Richardson gets two big steals to make it 111-104, Knicks. Defense powering the Knicks. Defense? That earns the first standing ovation of the season at MSG for the Knicks.
- Carl Boozer has 30 points despite missing most of the third quarter due to foul problems. He's that good. His three-point play has cut it to 111-107. His final line would be 12-18 FG, 30 pts, 12 rebs (5 offensive), 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, only 1 turnover... in 30 minutes. He's a real MVP-type player.
- Curry misses a shot from inside the paint. Good shot, but it rims out. 40 seconds to go, Knicks up four.
- Brewer scores an easy two when he gets upcourt quickly. 111-109, Knicks, 35 seconds to go.
- Crawford misses a huge three-pointer with 10 seconds left...
- ... but Zach Randolph with the offensive rebound. 8 seconds to go, Knicks to inbounds (Randolph got fouled, non-shooting).
- They get in to Crawford, who hits the two big free throws. 113-109 Knicks, with 6.6 seconds to go.
- And Boozer throws it away. That should do it. Knicks win 113-109.
Okur couldn't hit the open jumpers tonight. And the three pointers fell for the Knicks in the 1st half (second half they were only 1/7, but at least they didn't over-rely on the them).
But there are good signs, too. The Knicks only turned the ball over 14 times; when the Knicks can hold on to possessions, they are tough to beat. They aren't going to get outrebounded very much, so this was one of those rare games - the Knicks were outboarded 42-32 (which also illustrates how few boards there were, thanks to the hot shooting of both teams). If they can beat one of the few teams capable of outboarding them, that's a good sign. And six blocks for the Knicks is a season-high.
And the offense was very balanced - Zach Randolph was the go-to guy early and late in the game, but Crawford and Marbury carried the team very well. Curry, Richardson, Balkman, Lee and Robinson all had key contributions, and the bench is getting shorter, which is good. Only 9 players used; Fred Jones DNP, and even Jeffries was only utilized for 9 minutes. He's useful on certain matchups, but overall his minutes should be kept low, depending on the situation. It seems that slowly the rotation is taking shape, finally.
The Celtics are up next, and that will be a good game I'll bet. The Knicks are clicking again, and have some confidence now. The Celtics have only lost twice since Garnett-Allen-Pierce came together; one of those was in the preseason, in a playoff-like battle against this Knicks team. If the Knicks can match that effort, it might lead to an even bigger victory.
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I just finished watching the (whole) game. My impressions:
Knicks looked like A TEAM.
Balanced offense, total effort on defense for 48 min, hustle, body language, support from the bench (= from who wasn't playing I mean)...
all very good signs from a fan's, and a coach's, point of view, reguardless of how the game ends
That's totally unexpected at least for who didn't follow your team since the start of the season
I mean, the idea of a f'd up, torn team is the farest u can think of
good that all this came vs one of the toughest opponent you can meet in the League, it could be a turning point in Knicks' season
ya gotta believe...
GO NEW YORK, GO NEW YORK, GO!!!!