If Knicks Plan To Go Deep In Playoffs, They Need To Start Winning At MSG
Earlier this season, the new and improved New York Knicks turned Madison Square Garden into what it once was before: a nightmare for visiting teams. With the support of sellout and raucous crowds, the Knicks won their first 10 home games this season by an average of 12.3 points. The 10-0 home start was the best the franchise has experienced since the 1991-92 version of the Knicks won their first 11 home games.
Since that hot home start, the team has sputtered at MSG. In their past 17 home games, they’ve gone just 9-8. While they’ve maintained a high average margin of victory in the nine wins (24.1, aided by the 39-point blowout against the Sacramento Kings), five of those wins have come against lottery bound teams. Six of their eight losses have been to teams who would qualify for the playoffs if they began today (Houston Rockets, Chicago Bulls twice, Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Clippers). The other two losses were to lottery bound teams (Portland Trailblazers and Toronto Raptors).
J.J. Redick On The Knicks’ Radar?
According the Alex Kennedy, the New York Knicks and Orlando Magic “have discussed a J.J. Redick for Iman Shumpert trade. Kennedy goes on to say that more players would be involved and the two parties might need a third team to facilitate a deal. Of course, “nothing imminent,” but it’s on the Knicks’ radar.
Like I wrote about yesterday, the Knicks are in a win-now mode and the idea of trading Shumpert makes sense. With that said, trading for J.J. Redick makes particular sense.
Latest Rumor: Stoudemire and Shumpert for Josh Smith
According to Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld, the New York Knicks are shopping a two-player package of Amare Stoudemire and Iman Shumpert “in an attempt to land a significant player.”
While it’s still a far-fetched rumor, Kennedy’s source said that the Knicks have thought about partnering with the Hawks in a trade, offering said package, in hopes of securing Josh Smith.
Should The Knicks Trade Iman Shumpert?
Let me start this by saying that Iman Shumpert is one of my favorite players on the Knicks. Of course, should he be traded, I’ll continue to root for him, but this piece considers the team as a whole.
The 2013 NBA trade deadline is quickly approaching, and as each day passes, more and more rumors spawn. For the Knicks, each and every one of these rumors involve second year guard, Iman Shumpert, who is just a few weeks back from an ACL injury. Shumpert has been thought of as the future of the franchise, as he’s the youngest player on the roster and has a high ceiling. At this point, there’s no real telling how high Shumpert’s ceiling is, but I’m here to argue that that tidbit of information doesn’t mean anything.
What Happened to the Defense?
Last season, the Knicks had a Defensive Rating of 101.0 or 101 points per 100 possessions, good for fifth in the league. This was despite having notorious pace addict Mike D’Antoni as their head coach for most of the season. This season, the Knicks, now coached by reputed defensive guru Mike Woodson, have a Defensive Rating of 106.1, good for 15th in the league. So how did our beloved Knickerbockers go from one of the league’s elite defensive teams to right smack in the middle?
Should Knicks Trade For Dudley (Even If It Costs Shumpert)?
With Alex Kennedy bringing up the Knicks are potentially interested in acquiring Jared Dudley, let’s take a look if there is a deal that makes sense for both teams.
First thing to remember is this trade has to work from both teams’ perspectives. It’s well known the Suns were seriously interested in taking Iman Shumpert in the 2011 NBA Draft, but decided to go with Markieff Morris.
The Suns aren’t going to want to add any money on their cap in the near future. Phoenix is looking to keep cap space open to be able to take on extra money in trades or for free agency. If they are trading Jared Dudley, who is arguably their best asset, unless it’s apart of a bigger package that reels in a number one scoring option, their not clogging up their cap.
Knicks Have Interest In Jared Dudley
According to Alex Kennedy of Hoopsworld, the New York Knicks have interest in Phoenix Suns shooting guard, Jared Dudley. Kennedy doesn’t mention any potential offer the Knicks would present to the Suns, nor does he confirm the Knicks have had internal discussions of a swap. All Kennedy says is that the Knicks are interested in Dudley.
In a realistic world, the only player the Knicks have that would interest the Suns is Iman Shumpert. If you turn back the clocks to this past summer, the Suns showed interest in Iman Shumpert in a potential Steve Nash sign-and-trade. I could see the Knicks dangling Shumpert for Dudley and a first round draft pick, which, in my mind, would be a pretty attractive deal for both sides.
Now, Shumpert is one of my favorite Knicks, but if this trade presented itself, I’d likely accept it. Here are some quick thoughts:
(Media Heavy) Recap: Knicks 120, Kings 81
The New York Knicks beat the Sacramento Kings by 39 points, 120-81, in route to their 30th victory on the year. The Knicks are currently tied with the Miami Heat for first place in the eastern conference, and with a Toronto Raptors win tomorrow, Mike Woodson will head to Houston and coach the Eastern Conference’s All-Star team.
Recap: Knicks 96, Bucks 86
New York Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony dunks during the first half of NBA basketball game the Milwaukee Bucks, Friday, Feb. 1, 2013, at Madison Square Garden in New York. At left is Bucks’ Beno Udrih. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
In a possible preview of a first round playoff series, the Knicks defeated the Milwaukee Bucks at Madison Square Garden last night by a score of 96-86. The Knicks entered the game second in the Eastern Conference while the Bucks entered seventh in the conference standings. The Knicks were led by Carmelo Anthony’s 25-point, eight rebound, six assist performance. The Bucks were led by Ersan Ilyasova, who stuffed the stat sheet with 19 points, seven rebounds, four steals and three assists.
JR-STAR
Following the announcement of the All-Star reserves last week, Knicks fans reacted in one of two ways (if not both) – 1. Good for Tyson, it’s about time he got in… what an absolute joke that he is not a starter. 2. “How in the hell is JR Smith not on this list”.
When news broke that Rajon Rondo would miss the all star game with a torn ACL, many JR fans held their breath, hoping a late substitution would bring #Tape8 to Houston. But alas, the self-proclaimed Basketball God, one David Tyrannical Stern, bestowed the honor upon Brooklyn Nets Center, Brook Lopez.
As they so often do, Knicks fans took their outrage to twitter: (For example) -
2013 Knicks Mid-Season Awards
With 41 games behind the New York Knicks in this 2012-2013 campaign, it’s officially mid-season time and the Knickerbockers stand at a solid 28-15 record, good for second best in the East. Time to take a look back at which players surprised us, which storylines boggled our minds, and other random things that we can all share a laugh about. Enjoy.
Recap: Sixers 97, Knicks 80
This one was over before both team’s starters could even break a sweat. The Philadelphia 76ers embarrassed the Knicks last night, routing them by a score of 97-80. Sixers first time All-Star Jrue Holiday led Philly with a career high 35 points while dishing out six assists and grabbing five rebounds. Carmelo Anthony led the Knicks with 25 points but shot just 9-for-28 from the field.
