by Stop Mike Lupica on February 2 at 11:19AM
The Knicks lost a close one tonight, 94-88, to the Blazers. I think a huge chunk of the blame for this loss falls on Isiah and Jamal Crawford, who could not hit anything tonight. On the flip side, teh Knicks played really well again, and are being really competitive, even on the fourth game of a tough, tough road trip. This is the team we have wanted to see all season.
David Lee does the tip off. Nate Robinson is also in the starting lineup. It's Robinson and Crawford (going against the Blazer's own Seattle area backcourt of Brandon Roy and Martell Webster), Fred Jones, Lee, and Randolph.
There's No Lee In Defense:
Key difference: Duncan is often double-teamed, for one. Two, he's a centerpiece of the Spurs' offense. Lee is not suppose to be... having that style. His style should be to limit himself to putbacks and alley-oop type plays. Finishing, not creating.
For example, Nate Robinson drives into the paint, draws a double, and just hits him off for the beautiful slam. 14-11 Blazers.
Zach-ing it to Portland:
The Knicks guards, particularly Nate Robinson and, on one occasion, Fred Jones, continue to drive and create. The Knicks end up leading after one, 28-24. Nate Robinson had 10 points and 3 assists in the first quarter.
Renaldo Balkman is coming in. It's now Crawford, Balkman, Jeffries, Randolph and Rose. It's 28-24 ... let's see what the hell happens now. By the way, that's quite an odd lineup, no? We'll call that the 5 players between 6'6 and 6'9 lineup, a.k.a. "Atlanta Hawks Style". The NY Knicks - now drawing inspiration from fellow lottery scrubs.
The Knicks, thanks to a couple of buckets by Randolph, build the lead up to 32-24.
And we have definitive proof that Crawford can dunk. 34-24, 7:20 to go.
De-fense. It's 36-24 with 6:30 to go; it's been a 27-7 run for the Knicks over the last 9+ minutes. The Blazers just can't figure out the Knicks' zone. Oh, and they are 0/7 with 4 turnovers in this quarter, which ends with an Aldridge jumper at 6:18 mark. A good amount of that defense is owing to the duo of Balkman and Jeffries on the perimeter.
There's No Lee in Defense, Part II:
Crawford's contest three is good. 47-38. Should have left him open!
Most likely Knick to sprain an ankle - Balkman. Most likely Knick to sprain someone's ankle, Bruce Bowen style - Balkman.
Check that - most likely Knick to sprain a finger trying to foul someone on purpose - Balkman. He's hurt, but the quarter is over. It's 49-38 Knicks at the half. Note that Balkman's appearance = +7. Only four turnovers by the Knicks, and a 26-17 rebound advantage.
The shot clock has been out of control this game. Someone needs to tell Paul Allen to buy a new clock. We're now on our third lengthy delay to start the third.
David Lee again goes with the double, leaving Aldridge open. This time he misses, but come on, bro... guard your man.
Zach is schooling his old frontcourt teammate Pryzbilla. He's dropped like six points on him already this quarter. 57-42 Knicks.
One thing that has happened since Marbury went down is that opposing team's have not hit threes as often as they were before. Better perimeter defense, by virture of eliminating one of the weak ends.
And as I type that, Blake nails a big three to cut it 57-49, and give the Blazers a 7-0 run. 7:35 to go in the quarter.
Aldridge again scores on Lee. 59-53. But Crawford hits a floater to end the momentum for a bit. Blake misses a contested jumper, and Crawford finds Lee under the basket, but... he gets blocked by Pryzbilla. Lee is up to 15% on the season.
Damn, the Blazers are rolling. A big three by Roy (what was that nonsense about less threes?) cuts it to 61-59. That's a 17-4 run since the Knicks went up 15. That's all in 3:45. Bring in Balkman, damnit!
Renaldo to the rescue, part II:
Right on cue. Balkman is in for Fred Jones. 4:15 mark, 61-61. Let's see what happens. Jeffries, Crawford, Lee, and Randolph round out the offense.
Big three point play by Lee (set up by Jamal). Then Ohhhhhh SHIT... Balkman grabs a defensive rebound, and despite being behind everyone he storms up the court, all the way to the basket, where he comes this close to become the first person every to shatter the backboard without even touching the rim. The good news is he got fouled. He hits one of two. 65-61.
Damn, that was sick, though. Balky almost took it coast to coast on a regular, interior rebound. How many 6'9 SFs can do that?
This is the Knick crew that dominates the boards. Good. As long as they can play tough defense and not turn the ball over, this lineup is pretty dope.
Crawford misses, but Balkman and Lee both grab offensive rebounds. Lee ends up committing an offensive foul, but it's an example of how this lineup is board controlling.
And has Randolph chucks up an airball with the clock expiring, guess who grabs the board and tips it in quickly? Balkman. 69-63 Knicks at the end of three. Add another +6 to Balkman's sheet, please. The Knicks are up 37-24 in rebounds, and have only turned it over 7 times.
Three's Company:
I do believe that the Blazers have not hit a three in this game while Balkman has been playing, um, shooting guard. Just noting.
"See the Blazers now lacking confidence in their perimeter shooting..." That's BALKMAN, Blazer b*tches!
Outlaw misses again from three, as Balkman again closes the gap quickly. Malik Rose's jumper makes it 71-63 with 8:45 to go.
Aldridge hits a pair of FTs at the 8:00 mark for the Blazers' first point of this quarter. 71-65.
2nd chance points: Knicks 17, Blazers 2.
Crawford feeds it inside to Balkman for a dunk. 75-67.
Blake hits the first three on Balkman's shift. 75-70. Of course that's entirely on Crawford, but it still slightly blemishes the beauty of Balkman.
With 5:48 it's 75-72. Randolph misses the drive, but Balkman with another amazing tip. 9 points, 9 rebounds for Renaldo. 77-72.
The final 5 minutes:
Robinson blows past Blake. 79-72.
Outlaw misses a pullup, Randolph boards.
Randolph gets stripped, shot clock expires. Too much ball hogging on Zach. 4:00 to go.
Roy gets inside, goes up for the layup... Balkman blocks it from behind. Huge play.
Randolph again takes too long, and the clock expires. But remember: the shot clock is messed up.
Blake hits a jumper off a pick. 79-74, 3:05 to go.
Lee gets stripped or blocked.
Blake hits a jumper. 79-76. 2:29 to go.
Crawford misses a jumper.
Roy throws an errant pass, picked off.
Robinson to Lee. 81-76. 1:50 to go.
Outlaw is fouled by Lee. 81-77, 1:40 to go (he hits one).
Crawford misses an open three.
Jack drives all the way. 81-79. Balkman almost blocked it. 1:20 to go.
Foul on Outlaw. Clock resets. 1:05 to go.
Randolph misses a three. WTF?!? 50 seconds to go.
Roy misses a pullback jumper. 38 seconds to go.
Crawford misses another jumper. Ugh. 17.3 to go, Portland ball.
Outlaw ties it with a jumper at 5.6 mark. Balkman played great defense on Roy, with Jeffries doubling. He kicked it over to Outlaw, and he just got the shot off before Balkman got over to him. 81-81.
Crawford with another brick. We're going to OT.
Now check those events again. You have Crawford misses some huge shots, but more importantly you have Crawford's man (Blake) scoring some crucial baskets.
Working Overtime On A Friday Night:
Even when Balkman gets blocked, he gets the ball back and hits. 83-81 Knick, 3:30 to go.
David Lee and Balkman run into each other on defense, and Outlaw takes advantage by taking it to hole and dunking it. 86-85, Blazers.
Crawford misses another jumper, but Balkman tips it out, tracks it down. He's an animal!
Jack drives, and hits a huge layup. 88-85 Portland, 46.3 to go. Time to draw up another play that will result in a brick by Crawford.
Actually, no. Robinson hits a huge floater. 88-87, 38.8 to go. De-fense. De-fense.
Roy misses the shot, but tips it in. 90-87.
Crawford misses a three, but Balkman gets the offensive rebound. Nate Robinson gets fouled. He misses one of two. 90-88 with 13.7 left.
Jack hits two free throws with 11.6 to go. 92-88.
Robinson misses the drive. That does it pretty much. Blazers will win 94-88.
Tough loss, but again... great determination by the Knicks. Great play by the bench. And pretty soon, the Knicks will be home playing sub .500 teams... don't be surprised if a little winning streak is on the way, starting tomorrow in Seattle.
Player of the Game: Renaldo Balkman. Tonight was a 5-spiff performance.
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David Lee does the tip off. Nate Robinson is also in the starting lineup. It's Robinson and Crawford (going against the Blazer's own Seattle area backcourt of Brandon Roy and Martell Webster), Fred Jones, Lee, and Randolph.
There's No Lee In Defense:
- LaMarcus Aldridge scores eight points (4/5) on Lee early. It's 12-4 Portland. The Knicks should switch Lee to defending Pryzbilla. Pryzbusiness. Pryzbilla in Manila.
- Ah, Lee does get Aldridge to stupidly foul him twice, thus bringing in our old friend Channing Frye at the 6:20 mark. Frye is rocking a 1970's mini-fro, by the way. Kinda like the chick in Dead Presidents.
- Further proof that someone at MSG checks out this site: The show a graphic that says 14.6% of Lee's shot attempts are block! He's number one in the NBA. Okafor is #2 (11.7%), Jianlian is third (10.2%), and Duncan is forth at 9.6%.
Key difference: Duncan is often double-teamed, for one. Two, he's a centerpiece of the Spurs' offense. Lee is not suppose to be... having that style. His style should be to limit himself to putbacks and alley-oop type plays. Finishing, not creating.
For example, Nate Robinson drives into the paint, draws a double, and just hits him off for the beautiful slam. 14-11 Blazers.
Zach-ing it to Portland:
- I still think Randolph is a better perimeter shooter than Crawford. At least on wide open shots.
- And I think he just swished an open three. 18-17 Knicks. Wait, seriously... Randolph just hit an open three. And it didn't even faze me. We're about three weeks away from Isiah starting Randolph at SG. Crawford, Randolph, Jeffries, James, Curry. It's coming, mark my words.
- And now Randolph (the center) just got a second foul. He's stepping out, and replacing him is... Malik Rose. Damn. Yet the other options - Jeffries, James - don't seem any more enticing. Randolph Morris maybe?
The Knicks guards, particularly Nate Robinson and, on one occasion, Fred Jones, continue to drive and create. The Knicks end up leading after one, 28-24. Nate Robinson had 10 points and 3 assists in the first quarter.
Renaldo Balkman is coming in. It's now Crawford, Balkman, Jeffries, Randolph and Rose. It's 28-24 ... let's see what the hell happens now. By the way, that's quite an odd lineup, no? We'll call that the 5 players between 6'6 and 6'9 lineup, a.k.a. "Atlanta Hawks Style". The NY Knicks - now drawing inspiration from fellow lottery scrubs.
The Knicks, thanks to a couple of buckets by Randolph, build the lead up to 32-24.
And we have definitive proof that Crawford can dunk. 34-24, 7:20 to go.
De-fense. It's 36-24 with 6:30 to go; it's been a 27-7 run for the Knicks over the last 9+ minutes. The Blazers just can't figure out the Knicks' zone. Oh, and they are 0/7 with 4 turnovers in this quarter, which ends with an Aldridge jumper at 6:18 mark. A good amount of that defense is owing to the duo of Balkman and Jeffries on the perimeter.
There's No Lee in Defense, Part II:
- Aldridge is back in the game, and he's doing his thing again.
- David Lee just left his man to double someone, and Outlaw got an easy dunk.
Crawford's contest three is good. 47-38. Should have left him open!
Most likely Knick to sprain an ankle - Balkman. Most likely Knick to sprain someone's ankle, Bruce Bowen style - Balkman.
Check that - most likely Knick to sprain a finger trying to foul someone on purpose - Balkman. He's hurt, but the quarter is over. It's 49-38 Knicks at the half. Note that Balkman's appearance = +7. Only four turnovers by the Knicks, and a 26-17 rebound advantage.
The shot clock has been out of control this game. Someone needs to tell Paul Allen to buy a new clock. We're now on our third lengthy delay to start the third.David Lee again goes with the double, leaving Aldridge open. This time he misses, but come on, bro... guard your man.
Zach is schooling his old frontcourt teammate Pryzbilla. He's dropped like six points on him already this quarter. 57-42 Knicks.
One thing that has happened since Marbury went down is that opposing team's have not hit threes as often as they were before. Better perimeter defense, by virture of eliminating one of the weak ends.
And as I type that, Blake nails a big three to cut it 57-49, and give the Blazers a 7-0 run. 7:35 to go in the quarter.
Aldridge again scores on Lee. 59-53. But Crawford hits a floater to end the momentum for a bit. Blake misses a contested jumper, and Crawford finds Lee under the basket, but... he gets blocked by Pryzbilla. Lee is up to 15% on the season.
Damn, the Blazers are rolling. A big three by Roy (what was that nonsense about less threes?) cuts it to 61-59. That's a 17-4 run since the Knicks went up 15. That's all in 3:45. Bring in Balkman, damnit!
Renaldo to the rescue, part II:
Right on cue. Balkman is in for Fred Jones. 4:15 mark, 61-61. Let's see what happens. Jeffries, Crawford, Lee, and Randolph round out the offense.
Big three point play by Lee (set up by Jamal). Then Ohhhhhh SHIT... Balkman grabs a defensive rebound, and despite being behind everyone he storms up the court, all the way to the basket, where he comes this close to become the first person every to shatter the backboard without even touching the rim. The good news is he got fouled. He hits one of two. 65-61.
Damn, that was sick, though. Balky almost took it coast to coast on a regular, interior rebound. How many 6'9 SFs can do that?
This is the Knick crew that dominates the boards. Good. As long as they can play tough defense and not turn the ball over, this lineup is pretty dope.
Crawford misses, but Balkman and Lee both grab offensive rebounds. Lee ends up committing an offensive foul, but it's an example of how this lineup is board controlling.
And has Randolph chucks up an airball with the clock expiring, guess who grabs the board and tips it in quickly? Balkman. 69-63 Knicks at the end of three. Add another +6 to Balkman's sheet, please. The Knicks are up 37-24 in rebounds, and have only turned it over 7 times.
Three's Company:
I do believe that the Blazers have not hit a three in this game while Balkman has been playing, um, shooting guard. Just noting.
"See the Blazers now lacking confidence in their perimeter shooting..." That's BALKMAN, Blazer b*tches!
Outlaw misses again from three, as Balkman again closes the gap quickly. Malik Rose's jumper makes it 71-63 with 8:45 to go.
Aldridge hits a pair of FTs at the 8:00 mark for the Blazers' first point of this quarter. 71-65.
2nd chance points: Knicks 17, Blazers 2.
Crawford feeds it inside to Balkman for a dunk. 75-67.
Blake hits the first three on Balkman's shift. 75-70. Of course that's entirely on Crawford, but it still slightly blemishes the beauty of Balkman.
With 5:48 it's 75-72. Randolph misses the drive, but Balkman with another amazing tip. 9 points, 9 rebounds for Renaldo. 77-72.
The final 5 minutes:
Robinson blows past Blake. 79-72.
Outlaw misses a pullup, Randolph boards.
Randolph gets stripped, shot clock expires. Too much ball hogging on Zach. 4:00 to go.
Roy gets inside, goes up for the layup... Balkman blocks it from behind. Huge play.
Randolph again takes too long, and the clock expires. But remember: the shot clock is messed up.
Blake hits a jumper off a pick. 79-74, 3:05 to go.
Lee gets stripped or blocked.
Blake hits a jumper. 79-76. 2:29 to go.
Crawford misses a jumper.
Roy throws an errant pass, picked off.
Robinson to Lee. 81-76. 1:50 to go.
Outlaw is fouled by Lee. 81-77, 1:40 to go (he hits one).
Crawford misses an open three.
Jack drives all the way. 81-79. Balkman almost blocked it. 1:20 to go.
Foul on Outlaw. Clock resets. 1:05 to go.
Randolph misses a three. WTF?!? 50 seconds to go.
Roy misses a pullback jumper. 38 seconds to go.
Crawford misses another jumper. Ugh. 17.3 to go, Portland ball.
Outlaw ties it with a jumper at 5.6 mark. Balkman played great defense on Roy, with Jeffries doubling. He kicked it over to Outlaw, and he just got the shot off before Balkman got over to him. 81-81.
Crawford with another brick. We're going to OT.
Now check those events again. You have Crawford misses some huge shots, but more importantly you have Crawford's man (Blake) scoring some crucial baskets.
Working Overtime On A Friday Night:
Even when Balkman gets blocked, he gets the ball back and hits. 83-81 Knick, 3:30 to go.
David Lee and Balkman run into each other on defense, and Outlaw takes advantage by taking it to hole and dunking it. 86-85, Blazers.
Crawford misses another jumper, but Balkman tips it out, tracks it down. He's an animal!
Jack drives, and hits a huge layup. 88-85 Portland, 46.3 to go. Time to draw up another play that will result in a brick by Crawford.
Actually, no. Robinson hits a huge floater. 88-87, 38.8 to go. De-fense. De-fense.
Roy misses the shot, but tips it in. 90-87.
Crawford misses a three, but Balkman gets the offensive rebound. Nate Robinson gets fouled. He misses one of two. 90-88 with 13.7 left.
Jack hits two free throws with 11.6 to go. 92-88.
Robinson misses the drive. That does it pretty much. Blazers will win 94-88.
Tough loss, but again... great determination by the Knicks. Great play by the bench. And pretty soon, the Knicks will be home playing sub .500 teams... don't be surprised if a little winning streak is on the way, starting tomorrow in Seattle.
Player of the Game: Renaldo Balkman. Tonight was a 5-spiff performance.
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SML, good report as always. And even though Crawford missed something like his last 12 shots, I put this one squarely on Isiah -- again.
Let's see, Jamal goes ice cold in the 4th. Here is an idea. Let's have him take the last three shots including a the last two on designed isolation plays. WTF? Why do you have a coach? How about Nate Robinson taking the last few?
We gave the game away.