Knicks Weekend in Review

On Saturday afternoon the Knicks beat the Nets, 98-91, in a game that was not all that exciting or interesting. Danilo Gallinari continued to be the most consistent and efficient Knickerbocker, netting 17 points on 6-12 shooting, and 3-8 on three pointers, but for some reason only managed to play 26 minutes. Al Harrington also had 17 points, on 6-14 shooting. David Lee had a rough time with Brook Lopez towering over him, and shot a poor 4-13, but he did manage 16 points and 12 rebounds, aided by 8-9 from the charity stripe. To Lee's credit, he fearlessly attacked Lopez and kept him frustrated and in foul trouble for most of the game.

Many may say this was a breakout game for Chris Duhon, and maybe he is getting out of his funk, but I think Duhon is hopeless. When the starting point guard on a high paced team has a "breakout game" and the result is 11 points, 8 assists to 2 turnovers, and 5 rebounds on 4-9 shooting, that is not good. A good game for Duhon is now any time he plays like a mediocre point guard. Ummmm hello Donnie Walsh, Allen Iverson is available for nothing. I know Iverson is not a true point guard like Duhon, but this breakout game for Duhon would be considered dreadful for Iverson. He could get 8 assists a night just driving and kicking to Gallo in the corner. Sure he may commit 3 or 4 turnovers, but he's also score 20-25 points, and draw fouls. The only thing Duhon ever does that benefits the team is pick and roll with David Lee. Lee is so adept at rolling, finding space and catching difficult passes that I think it makes Duhon look better than he really is. We saw this weekend that Hughes is just as capable picking and rolling with Lee (and maybe more so, since defenses have to respect Hughes driving and finishing), and we've also seen success with a Gallo/Lee pick and roll, so Duhon is perhaps overrated in that aspect of the game. More on Duhon later.

A nice trend that has emerged the past few games is the Knicks seem to be playing harder for the whole game, focusing more on defense, and just playing at a higher level altogether. The team has definitely been more consistent, and more committed and passionate as a whole. Eddy Curry seems to be injected with new life during his latest renaissance, notably shoving around Solomon Jones in his first game against the Pacers, and Kendrick Perkins yesterday against the Celtics. Others are attacking the hoop more often, and the team just seems better. Not good, but better.

The Celtics game was quite painful for me. I had a family get together for an early Thanksgiving, and my Dad wanted to watch the Giants game. His rationale was "why watch a game we already know the outcome of." He was assuming the Knicks would lose, obviously. I gave him a lecture about the beauty and unpredictability of sports on any given day, but I knew I had the game recording, so we put on the Giants and. On DVR late that night, as I watched the game unfold, I really thought the Knicks would win. I watched intently as Gallo threw down a monster slam and postured to the crowd, as Nate the Great finally got hot (not surprising being his muse, Will Ferrell, was in the front row filming a scene for a movie, with Marky Mark, Rosie Perez and Brooke Shields) and as KG ineffectively limped around and gimpily tried to defend a dominant Al Harrington. With 5 minutes left in the 4th quarter, the Knicks were up 89-84, and seemingly headed for victory. I was giddy with anticipation of the sure to be tense final portion of the game. Then I received the dreaded text from my dad. "We should have watched the Knicks. They went into OT before they lost again." Is there ever a time you plan to watch a game on DVR and somebody doesn't ruin it? I was deflated, disgusted, and in disbelief.  Instead of watching the final 5 minutes of regulation wondering if the Knicks would pull off the upset, I had to await the inevitable demise. Al Harrington was clutch in nailing 2 free throws to send the game to OT, but KG had the last laugh, with a buzzer beater from the top of the key that gave the Celts the 107-105 win. They had a foul to give, but once again did not give it, and were felled by the buzzer beater. Paul Pierce gets the game ball for this game, with 33 points on 17 shots, including an amazing 6-7 on threes, and also 9 boards, 6 assists, 2 blocks and a steal. He is consistently great and one of my favorite players to watch do his thing.

This was one of the few games this year that the Knicks played hard and tight throughout. They were asleep to start the 2nd half, but did not allow the deficit to get too large as they stormed back to take the lead. David Lee, Nate Robinson and Al Harrington all played great, and the Knicks were nearly able to overcome another dreadful night from the starting backcourt. Duhon and Hughes combined to shoot 3-17! That rounds up to 18%. Duhon played 47 minutes this time, for some reason, and put up 3 points and 6 assists. How is that possible? How is he starting? Why did he play twice as much as Gallo, when The Rooster was 4-8 with 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals in 25 minutes? Whyyyyyyyyyy Chris Duhon whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy?!? And as for the supposed development of the young future, Toney Douglas only played 6 minutes. What kind of world do we live in where Gallo and Douglas combine for 31 minutes, and Duhon plays 47? What does Coach D'Antoni see in Duhon that I can't?

Eddy Curry and Kendrick Perkins surprisingly didn't kill each other, but Curry did bodyslam innocent bystander Rondo out of midair for a crucial flagrant foul that resulted in 2 foul shots and the ball for the C's. I don't care I like the way he is playing tough and physical and not backing down. Al Harrington and Nate Robinson should save the over the top celebrations until after a victory is sealed. Al's shirt tugging and Nate's flexing and chest bumping should be saved for actual wins.

There are obviously a lot of positives to take out of this game. Sure, the Knicks did their usual get the fans hopes up as much as possible before losing, but they should have won against one of the elite NBA teams. Gallo has been mixing up his game more and his throwdown brought a tear to my eye. Check out the video! Cockadoodledoo! The defense is much improved, people are rotating quickly and contesting layups, even if they still can't stop a legitimate center (like Kendrick Perkins, who had 16 points on 7 shots, 13 rebounds and 4 blocks and may be the most underrated player in the league). I think it is not a coincidence that the Knicks played one of their best games when Jared Jeffries was inactive. Let's keep it that way! I just wish D'Antoni would embrace the future, exile Duhon, and give divide his 47 minutes between Gallo, Douglas, Nate, and Hill. It's also not too late to sign Iverson.

The Knicks have just begun on a very ominous stretch of the schedule, during which the Knicks face the Lakers, Kings, Nuggets, Magic, Suns, Magic and Hawks in the next week and a half. They will be lucky to win more than one of those, and could be looking at a 3-17 record before they face the Nets for another win on December 6th.

And of course, Scals played great for Boston, with a 3 pointer, a rebound, and stellar D.