Open thread: Regular season game 38 vs. New York Knicks
by Mike Prada on Jan 14, 2009 7:30 PM EST
in Game Threads
Email
PrintWashington Wizards at New York Knicks, Jan 14, 2009 7:30 PM EST
The Essentials:
Wizards (7-30) at Knicks (14-22)
7:30 p.m.
Madison Square Garden
CSN+
This year:
November 7: Knicks 114, Wizards 108
November 22: Knicks 122, Wizards 117
Notable Knicks numbers this season:
22nd in expected winning percentage (.384)
2nd in pace factor (97.6 possessions per game)
21st in offensive efficiency/offensive rating (105)
19th in defensive efficiency/defensive rating (108.6)
Key Links: (drop any others in the comments)
Posting and Toasting
Knickerblogger
What Would Oakley Do
Seven Seconds or Mess (great video breakdowns)
Starting Lineups:
Wizards
PG: Mike James
SG: Caron Butler
SF: Dominic McGuire
PF: Antawn Jamison
C: Andray Blatche
Knicks
PG: Chris Duhon
SG: Quentin Richardson
SF: Wilson Chandler
PF: Jared Jeffries
C: David Lee
Rather than preview the Knicks myself, I traded some questions with Knick blog What Would Oakley Do? His answers below the jump.
GO WIZARDS!
What's it like rooting for an organization that has clearly punted away the next two years just for the chance to land LeBron James? How do you get yourself excited about the current incarnation of the team?
Cognitive Dissonance is an issue for Knicks fans. We're simultaneously scheming for the future and trying to root for the team in the short term. It's a high-wire act for sure. One reason to keep rooting for a team with a low ceiling is the reality that two sub-.500 clubs made the playoffs in the East last season. I mean most teams have no legit shot at a title this season. Right? So, we're rooting for improvement (and perhaps one home playoff game) like most of the league.
David Lee. Nate Robinson. Suppose you had to choose just one to keep beyond 2010. Who would it be and why?
This is the Sophie's Choice that Donnie Walsh is going to have to make. Both are restricted free agents at the end of this season and both are very unique ballplayers who have benefited from the coaching change. Nate, who is mired in a brutal slump right now, is a preternaturally gifted athlete who can provide instant offense off the bench while playing both guard spots. Lee is a rebounder extraordinaire who is virtually a lock for a double-double if he gets the minutes. Both are fan favorites but both are never going to be the star of a team. At least not a good team. I think the free agent market will have a lot to do with who stays. If a team offers either player a huge payday then we'll probably have to let that player go. As of Jan. 14, I'd probably choose to keep Lee but only at a price that makes sense relative to his spot on the roster. And, of the two, I think he's the one more likely to be overpaid by another club.
What in God's name is Jared Jeffries doing playing center?
The use of Jeffries has been a pet peeve of mine since he arrived. Although he's the tallest player on the court, Jeffries doesn't really play "center." He's more likely to be found floating around the perimeter than messing about in the paint as we run a half-court set and Lee usually defends another team's top post player. Jeffries has actually been opening up games covering the opposing point guard. D'Antoni loves his versatility, but (in my opinion) hasn't figured out what to do with him. I think he's regressed as an offensive player since arriving from DC.
Thoughts on Chris Duhon: is he really playing well, or is he just a beneficiary of Seven Seconds or Less? Does he have a long-term future as the starting point guard of this team?
That's a little of column A and a little of column B. I was very, very critical of Duhon earlier in the year but he's placated me as of late. In this offense the point guard is so important and the club does stumble when Duhon becomes anonymous. He's at his best when he's driving and kicking to open jump shooters and at his worst when he stays around the perimeter. Although he can hit a three, most teams don't seem to respect his shot so he can't space the defense out if he lingers at the top of the key. I'd like to think that we're going to upgrade at the point guard position heading into 2010.
In terms of the "SSOL can never win a championship, ergo it sucks" debate, where do you stand? I'm simplifying the debate, but what's your general position on Mike D'Antoni's coaching style. I'm not really asking what you think of him as a coach, since I imagine there will be positive vibes, but what of his coaching style?
First, I'll air my one complaint with D'Antoni. I think his ego led him to brutally mishandle the Marbury situation. Other than that, the vibes are positive. I think he can coach a team to a title. His teams would need to shoot well for the duration of the postseason as so much depends on having shotmakers on the floor, but I think that every team needs some luck to run through the postseason. As far as his anti-defense rep, I think that the most important part of defense is desire and a close second is ability. I think that D'Antoni can inspire that sort of desire in his players. Everyone seems to genuinely enjoy playing for him. I think he just didn't have players with enough defensive ability in Phoenix. Steve Nash is a turnstile no matter how hard he tries. So, given the right personnel, I think that D'Antoni's style can win a title.
Say LeBron decides to re-sign in Cleveland, D-Wade decides to stick with the Heat and Chris Bosh stays in Toronto. What's your backup plan? Does it disturb you in any way that the Knicks seemingly don't have one? Am I wrong about that?
If all of that happens then the Knicks could still end up signing Joe Johnson, Hedo Turkoglu and Amare Stoudemire. Or some other combination of players who are available that season. Which would still be an exponentially better team than any I've seen in NY since the turn of the century. Everyone forgets one HUGE thing when panning the Knicks rebuilding efforts. And that thing is that most teams do not have a shot at winning a title right now. I'd count the Wizards among that group. And, most teams have no actual plan to acquire enough talent to win a title. And, I'd say the Wizards huge commitment to Arenas puts them in that group too. The Knicks do actually have a plan in motion. It might not pan out, but at least they are actively trying to put together a legit championship roster. And, it won't happen overnight. The 1969-70 Knicks were not built in a day. Why is it wrong that Walsh decided to blow up a team that was abysmal in the hopes of putting together a champion within a few seasons? What else were they supposed to do? Keep together the crappy core signed up by Isiah Thomas? Give Jamal Crawford and Zach Randolph even longer deals? No way. So, I think that most people are missing the boat when they talk about the Knicks "throwing away" two seasons. What exactly did we throw away?
109 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
i know he looks like him
but jared jeffries isn’t luc mbah a moute. also, the knicks aren’t the bucks.
!!!111
Posting and Toasting: Blogging Robin Hood-Style Since 2007
I blame Butler
He seems like he won’t drive ever.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Butler and Jamison just aren't driving at all
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
career night for jefferies?
odds are in his favor
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Jan 14, 2009 7:50 PM EST reply actions
It wouldn't take much
The Washington Wizards: providing career scoring nights for unknown opposing bench players since 2004.
god i hate this NY team
chuck and run.
still maintain that Q’s game is garbage
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Jan 14, 2009 7:54 PM EST reply actions
Butler should have passed it to McGee
The Washington Wizards: providing career scoring nights for unknown opposing bench players since 2004.
Finally, someone went backdoor
NY’s overplaying like crazy. Nice fake by Antawn.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
mike james would average 22 ppg on the knicks
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Jan 14, 2009 7:56 PM EST reply actions
Or 22 shots per game.
The Washington Wizards: providing career scoring nights for unknown opposing bench players since 2004.
they can have him
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Jan 14, 2009 7:58 PM EST up reply actions
no thanks
has javale mcgee ever tried to block a free throw?
Posting and Toasting: Blogging Robin Hood-Style Since 2007
Does he not remind you of Marcus Camby in 1999?
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
a little more retarded
but he’s younger. so yes.
Posting and Toasting: Blogging Robin Hood-Style Since 2007
camby definitely was more polished
coming into the league, great college career (who was the other good player on that UMASS team?).
but i swear mcgee should try to be like camby as he develops
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Jan 14, 2009 8:03 PM EST up reply actions
I wouldn't mind.
If McGee was the second coming of Camby.
The Washington Wizards: providing career scoring nights for unknown opposing bench players since 2004.
who did that pass hit?
and where did it hit him?
Posting and Toasting: Blogging Robin Hood-Style Since 2007
It sounded painful. And Crittenton, I think.
The Washington Wizards: providing career scoring nights for unknown opposing bench players since 2004.
Why is Mike James playing so many minutes?
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
yeah
no excuses for this team sucking, but crap like that seems to happen a little too often to them.
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Jan 14, 2009 8:08 PM EST up reply actions
First quarter thoughts
- I was glad to see McGee come in as the first center off the bench rather than Songaila.
- Turnover and goaltending aside, what I took from that one play was that McGee got down the court as quickly as a guard. Even when he screws up he amazes.
- Crittenton was the first guard off the bench again, which as I think about it isn’t the worst thing in the world. If Taser comes out, then Butler switches to the 3 and it’s a Crittenton-James backcourt, which I prefer to James-Young. James shoots too much to be able to properly share the ball with NY, I think.
- Despite what I just said, Mike James should never play an entire quarter. I don’t care if it’s the first and Tap’s using some weird logic to rest NY for the fourth. Never.
- I still think it’s weird to hear “the biggest basketball event in the world is heading to Phoenix.”
What I really like
Is that Taps keeping JaVale in even though this would be exactly the type of “matchups” game JaVale normally would sit in.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Nice jump hook!
JaVale needs more touches in the post, if only to diversify the offense.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Harrington is DESTROYING us.
The Washington Wizards: providing career scoring nights for unknown opposing bench players since 2004.
How does Nate Robinson not get a tech there?
That was B.S. taunting after the block on Crittenton.
Representing DC with Wizards & Stuff - Truth About It Dot Net
to be fair
i think nate was just generally “taunting” without a target. crittenton just happened to be in his immediate vicinity.
Posting and Toasting: Blogging Robin Hood-Style Since 2007
Ok, maybe it wasn't "B.S" level, but he immediately turned in his direction.
Hellva block though.
Representing DC with Wizards & Stuff - Truth About It Dot Net
wiz are not what you'd call
a physical team.
someone put one of these pretty little jump shooters on their butt
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Jan 14, 2009 8:27 PM EST reply actions
We suck at pick and roll defense.
The Washington Wizards: providing career scoring nights for unknown opposing bench players since 2004.
gotta make this team
beat us by going inside.
it kills me to see them beat us by jacking up 3’s every possession.
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Jan 14, 2009 8:36 PM EST reply actions
Second quarter thoughts
- If Tap’s going to play the matchup game with McGee, he should do the same with Songaila. This is probably one of the worst teams for him to try and muscle around.
- I wish Young got to the free throw line just a little bit more. He’s been making those fadeaways, but upping his free throws can help give him more room to operate and increase his efficiency even more.
- Related to one of my earlier thoughts, is it me or did Young seemed to disappear from the offense a bit when Mike James came in?
- Welcome back, Caron.
I don't like James at the PG...
I like Crittenton better… with James at SG…
Even better is Crittenton and Young…
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
Wizards just need to run them off the 3-point line
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
I don't get to watch any wizards games since I've been in Ohio...
but can anyone tell me if NY has really turned a corner or if he’s simply playing out of his mind?
rockin' the crab dribble since 2009
A bit of both really
He really has improved over last year… More efficient on Offense. Better defensively (although still not a good defender)… Turns the ball over less. Better assist numbers (although still needs improvement)…
But if you’re asking if he will continue putting up 20-point games for the rest of the season? NO….
Right now, he’s shooting over 65% for the last 4 games… that can’t continue.
But he is better than last year… and showing improvement even from earlier this year.
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
I'm not talking about from last year
I’ve seen my fair share of wizards games this year, just not the last couple wheres he’s been putting up ridiculous numbers. I know he can’t keep shooting 65% a game, my real question is, what’s he doing offensively?
rockin' the crab dribble since 2009
To me....
It seems like he’s driving more, which he’s turning into better shots – his fadeaway shot, while sometimes ill-advised, is pretty unblockable. But really it seems that he’s integrated himself more into the offense.
The Washington Wizards: providing career scoring nights for unknown opposing bench players since 2004.
Don't know what you want to know
He hasn’t “turned a corner”…. but rather steady improvement all year.
The last 4 games is an aberration… he can’t continue shooting those long 2-pointers and expect to continue shooting 65%…….
As far as what he’s doing offensively – it doesn’t look like he’s doing anything drastically different. Still shooting that fade away… Still occasionally driving to the basket. Seems slightly more at ease in the offense (especially since they’ve apparently scrapped the Princeton weave)…
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
Great
Now the video feed I was using doesn’t work. Young seems to be getting his with Mike James in the backcourt with him, so maybe scratch that observation.
atdhe.net?
Stopped for me too.
The Washington Wizards: providing career scoring nights for unknown opposing bench players since 2004.
Gross
Maybe it’s a good thing I can’t watch.
3:33 WAS – Shooting foul on A. Blatche
3:34 NY – D. Lee offensive rebound
3:35 NY – D. Lee misses a layup
3:36 NY – D. Lee offensive rebound
3:37 NY – D. Lee misses a layup
3:38 NY – D. Lee offensive rebound
3:38 NY – T. Thomas misses a layup
3:51 NY – C. Duhon offensive rebound
3:53 NY – T. Thomas misses a 26-foot three-pointer from the left wing
3:58 NY – T. Thomas offensive rebound
Yeah, I threw up in my mouth a little too.
The Washington Wizards: providing career scoring nights for unknown opposing bench players since 2004.
u gotta scroll down some but its there
i hope we dont blow it in the 4th qtr this time
*ok nvmd the link doesnt work..crap
"Aw Shucks" - Wade Phillips
this nick young fellow
pretty good
Posting and Toasting: Blogging Robin Hood-Style Since 2007
by Seth on Jan 14, 2009 9:23 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
too bad
he cant do anything else besides score. in 20 minutes he has 1 rebound and that’s it.
rockin' the crab dribble since 2009
Yeah
Who needs a Shooting Guard that is shooting 80% from the field, perfect from the FT line, perfect from the 3-point line, but can only grab one rebound….
Trade him
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
You said it yourself
this hot streak isnt going to last forever.
rockin' the crab dribble since 2009
Yeah
I also said he’s cut down on his turn overs…. upped his assists… is rebounding better this year… is playing better defense and is more efficient on Offense.
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
I'm not putting a knock on NY
Don’t get me wrong, I really like him and I think he’s really talented. But you can’t ignore the fact that hes not a good rebounder or facilitator.
rockin' the crab dribble since 2009
Does anyone else think
D’antoni would have been really good for this team?
rockin' the crab dribble since 2009
Yeah.
I mean, its not like we play defense now.
Also McGee would be getting like 90 ppg on transition dunks.
The Washington Wizards: providing career scoring nights for unknown opposing bench players since 2004.
What are the odds that Young will get a new career high again tonight?
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
but only a 50% chance of that
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Jan 14, 2009 9:35 PM EST up reply actions
It would be nice...
if Nick could hit the game winner.
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
How many times do I have to see
Knicks – Offensive Rebound on the ESPN gamecast?
rockin' the crab dribble since 2009
I hate when we play small.
Jamison or McGuire should not be at the 5.
The Washington Wizards: providing career scoring nights for unknown opposing bench players since 2004.
Yeah
You gotta think that David Lee wouldn’t be doing this much damage against Blatche or McGee…
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
Exactly.
The Washington Wizards: providing career scoring nights for unknown opposing bench players since 2004.
Tapscott...
Is an utter moron. David Lee KILLED McGuire/Antawn/whatever guard rotated over to get on him. He could have had Blatche or (better yet) McGee on him, but he’d rather watch Lee get easy bucket after easy bucket, rebound after rebound, by putting players much smaller on him.
I don’t get this crap! McGee is effective every second he’s on the court; he’s a game-changer. Tapscott refuses to see it. It’s driving me flippin’ insane.
Surprise! I disagree
Not with your overall point, but in saying McGee is effective every second he’s on the court. He’s not. He turns the ball over, can be muscled off the ball and takes himself out of some plays by thinking he can block every shot. He finished with a -8 for the game.
But. But. He’s a rookie. He’s what, 20, 21 years old? I would argue that McGee needs playing time precisely because he’s not always effective. He needs to learn how to be effective, how to recover, how to wait for the right moment to swoop in with the block.
I am not happy with Tap’s coaching, but it isn’t just that he’s not putting his most effective players on the court. That’s certainly part of it, but he also doesn’t seem to fully understand that, particularly in a season such as this, there should be learning opportunities for the young players and they’ve really only been coming through injuries to the veterans.
But...
David Lee was a neutral, i.e. “0”, +/- on the floor. That means you often can’t rely on that stat to gauge a player’s effectiveness, especially since Lee was the key to the game.
McGee, I absolutely believe, changes the mindset of the other team when he’s on the floor — that’s what I’m talking about. They know the middle won’t part like the Red Sea when someone drives the lane. You can see it, how there is less driving when he’s in, how there’s more fear around the basket. He definitely changes things. He makes mistakes, sure, and will continue to (and we agree on the need to get him more minutes), but he alters the other team’s gameplan, I’m convinced.
There you go - new career high for Nick Young - 31
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
It'd be nice to win one of these career games.
The Washington Wizards: providing career scoring nights for unknown opposing bench players since 2004.
Looked like Nick was thinking the same thing during the time out
He certainly didn’t have that characteristic smile on his face…. instead, looked dejected.
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
How do they shoot 60% for the entire game
and still find a way to lose?
rockin' the crab dribble since 2009
by giving up 19 offensive rebounds...and allowing the Knicks to make fourteen 3-point shots.
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
Minutes Watch
Jamison played 40 minutes
Butler played just under 40 minutes
Taser played just over 35 minutes
NY played just over 33 minutes
Mike James played just over 28 and a half minutes
Crittenton played 23 and a half minutes
Blatche played 16 minutes
McGee played 16 and a half minutes
Songaila played six and a half minutes.
Pecherov played the final 38 seconds.
Nick Young
Looks 8 months pregnant in his profile pic
http://www.nba.com/playerfile/nick_young/index.html
by morethesamewiz on Jan 14, 2009 10:02 PM EST reply actions
they lost again
so why do I watch?
So I can see the future….
Nick Young with 33 on an incredible shooting night.
McGee with 8 points, 4 rebounds and a block in 16 minutes.
Javaris with some nice drives; and some nice assists.
McGuire with another good game; and a couple of nice jump shots.
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
As these young players continue to improve....
Add a healthy Arenas and Haywood………………………
Arenas , Crittenton
Young , Stevenson
Butler , McGuire
Jamison , Blatche
Haywood , McGee
That’s a 4th or 5th seed playoff contender….
Trade the upcoming lottery pick, with one of the youngsters, and expiring contracts – and get a good piece in return (McGrady, AK47, David Lee, Joe Johnson, Shane Battier, etc…) – and they might be able to contend.
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
I'm excited about the future
This year in a lost season we have finally been forced to develop young players after years of mishandling. For me it’s fun (thats what I keep repeating to myself anyway), because unlike Thomas, Songaila, Dixon, Jamison, Butler, Arenas and everyone on the team for the past several years except Roger Mason, we have some variables. We have these five guys who nobody what levels of play they will reach. And we get to watch their development and find out how they turn out. Its 82 more games of Summer League, which if you have never gone to, GO its one of the best NBA experiences you can have (esp. if Gil keeps his word: “I’m definitely playing summer league so I can get my rhythm back,” Arenas said. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jan/11/arenas-return-appears-less-likely/)
And I have faith that these young guys along with our proven talents Arenas Jamison Butler and Haywood when our season (the only one that matters) starts October 2009.
by morethesamewiz on Jan 14, 2009 10:29 PM EST up reply actions
I wonder if Ivan will say anything
about Jamison and Butler not taking enough shots in the 4th now that Mike James is doing a lot of the taking.
God, I hope they're just showcasing James
I would hate to think they would be seriously considering keeping him…………
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sport
- Days of NBA Lives: Wherein Roy Hibbert tap-dances to Maine
- Grizzlies Valentine’s Day cards are the key to love
- Kevin Love would like the NBA to take the MLB’s approach on All-Star games
- Kobe Bryant fires a few hilarious salvos at Jeremy Lin
- Brandon Jennings states the obvious regarding his 2014 free agency, everyone goes nuts
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
