N.Y. KNICKS ~ In A Deflating Game Two Loss, A Knick Was Born

TONIGHT

Friday,  April 22,  2011

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION

EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFFS

ROUND ONE

GAME THREE

Boston Celtics (2-0)

vs

NEW YORK KNICKS (0-2)

From

MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

After Seven Long Years, NBA Playoff Basketball Is

BACK in NEW YORK CITY

NEW YORK KNICKS: GAME TWO; Another Bitter Ending For The 'Bockers.


It started out as a bad first quarter for the Knicks. Rondo was running wild and helped get Boston out to an early 18-11 lead. Eventually, Rondo needed a break as he tired and asked out for a rest. That's when the Knicks tightened things up. They recovered and played a good last four minutes however trailing after one quarter. Meanwhile, Amare Stoudemire was already getting wrapped in bandages because his back was cramping up.

At 9:50 of the second quarter, the Knicks took their first lead of the game; 26-24. Carmelo Anthony was the hot, and only hand on deck for the Knicks. Word was received that Amare Stoudemire would not return in this game. So, Melo went on to score 16 points by half-time, with 10 rebounds; 4 assists; and 2 blocked shots.

A foul by Big Baby Davis with 01.2 seconds left in the half put the Knicks at the line. They'd make both free-throws and go the the locker room leading 45-44.

In the fourth quarter, the Refs resumed hating on Melo again by blowing two quick whistles in succession on him as Boston held a 76-74 lead with 9:08 left.

There was still 2:30 left in the game as the teams were throwing up more bricks than a medieval Freemason's convention.

When a time out was called with 0:49 seconds left, it was Knick ball as Boston held a 92-91 lead. After missing a lay-up, Jared Jeffries followed himself to make a lay-up off a pass from a double-teamed Melo making the score 93-92 Knicks, with 19 seconds left. With 0.13 seconds left in the game, Coach Rivers called Kevin Garnett's name down the stretch just as he had in Game One. Garnett posted and backed up Jefferies, then hit a soft right-handed hook in the paint. There was no double team by the Knicks.

The Knicks used their last time-out. On the ensuing in-bounds, Melo received the pass and saw the double-team coming. He found Jefferies down low and to the left of the paint and passed to him. Jefferies looked to pass to an open Bill Walker in the paint, but would have been better served going hard to the basket himself. Jared Jefferies was being defended by Kevin Garnett who caused him to cough it up. Garnett recovered the ball and Boston called time-out. The New York Knicks no longer had any time-outs and it was Boston's ball with 4.1 seconds in the game. The Knicks fouled with only 0.6 left. On the inbounds, Melo let his man run into the back-court with the ball killing precious seconds off the clock. The Knicks got caught starring or were just too tired. Boston made both free throws to make the score 96-93.

That's the way it would end.

Boston now leads the series two games to none. Next stop ~ MSG.

THE NEW YORK KNICKS ARE KNOCKING AT THE DOOR

Old School

With no Chauncey Billups; Ronny Turiaf nursing late occurring bum knees; and Amare Stoudemire lost to back-spasms in the first half, the Knicks had to play everyone from the Butcher and the Baker, to the Candlestick Maker.  Coach Mike D'Antoni was forced to recover more trash from his bench than an American Pickers episode.  Shawne Williams; Jared Jefferies; Roger Mason; Anthony Carter; Bill Walker ALL received more minutes than anyone would have anticipated.  And they all contributed to another great Knicks over-all effort.

But what an incredible loss! It was an absolute 96-93 killer.

Calling on Kevin Garnett to take Boston's last shot was logical.  He had a total mismatch against a helpless Jeffeies; helpless against Garnett that is.  But no double team?  Doc Rivers doesn't have a problem double-teaming.  Then again, it was easier for Coach Rivers to double-up anyone considering the Knicks were running out of options faster than Fred Wilpon.  I would much have rathered to take my chances on Boston hitting from outside again.  A Garnett hook in the paint carries with it too high a percentage of being made.

But if you're inclined to pick on Jared Jefferies for botching up the play in the last seconds of the game, remember how and why Jared Jefferies was brought here in the first place.  He is here because the Knicks traded a roster full of players to acquire Melo.  But even before the trade, we still had no viable center.  After the trade, the Knicks were in desperate need of a body and not that he even fit the bill.  He was just.....there.  But it should remind everyone this team is still a work in progress.  Next season, my expectations will increase.

In the end though, Yes, - the Knicks lose because Jared Jefferies was in a position of paramount importance to end the game.  No Coach dares draw up a last second play for Jefferies and remains employed to talk about it.  That's why Coach D is off the hook....again, even though he got out-coached in the closing moments of the game for the second consecutive time.  Coach D had limited options in that situation.  Melo chose to pass to Jefferies.  Melo said so and we all know it - That was the right play.  However, Jefferies should have gone straight to the basket looking for two and a foul.

In defense of Jefferies, so much for me thinking Toney Douglas was going to play with Rondo.  That situation was a total fail.  So, it's all relative.

But after the way the Knicks played in Boston, we should be upbeat about their chances to win at Madison Square Garden.  They've sustained intense defensive efforts in the first two games.  That more than their points totals have kept them in both games.

Chauncey Billups will be a game-time decision.  The hope is Amare Stoudemire returns at full strength after suffering back spasms.  And Ronny Turiaf needs to return to game one form also.  His knee hobbled him late in game two.  His presence on the floor could have certainly helped late in the game against Garnett.

While Amare was dominating in game one, Melo was off his game.  In game two, Melo played like a player possessed while Amare sat out.  If the Knicks can get these two on the floor and have them play to their capabilities together, with a little support, the score should creep towards 100 points come game three. Coach D said as much that it's necessary to get to the century mark next time out.  It's a sound thought considering the Celtics were not a high scoring team during the regular season.  I still think if the Knicks can run early, Boston's legs will be spent late in the game.  And by Boston, I really mean Pierce.  I don't want him beating us.

Ray Allen had the touch in game one but was quiet in game two.  Rondo likewise, had an off and on two games.  Garnett has been Boston's most consistent player.  That leaves Paul Pierce.  He's been somewhat dormant but won't be staying quiet for long.  He's the one who loves playing in MSG and maybe he's been saving himself these last two games?  Nah.  But, I'm afraid he'll show up at a very inopportune time for the Knicks.  We'll find out.  That's why we play the games.

Make that two games now, Boston seemed interested in losing but found a way to pull out in the end.  For the Knicks, they were two games we failed close out.  But the Knicks are knocking at the door.  Maybe by playing on our home court,  they can bust it open.  I think we still can survive without Chauncey, but obviously we need Amare playing at one hundred percent.  The rest of the cast needs to continue their surprisingly spirited efforts.  Meanwhile, a good game by Amare and Melo at the same time and continued emphasis on defense might get them over this hump.

Earning His Knickerbockers:  CARMELO ANTHONY

Coming off a sub-par opening game in the series, game two was a superlative effort on Melo's part.  After Amare went down, he took anyone who was left on the Knicks' bench and pulled them along to within a few seconds of victory.  But last game makes two tough luck loses in which Melo has been directly involved in the outcome.  Regardless, after his performance in Game Two, Carmelo Anthony is now officially home.  By the end of the first half he had 16 points.  He ended the game with 42 points to lead all scorers.  Throw in 17 rebounds; 6 assists and some blocked shots; and what you have is exactly what the Knicks thought they were getting; his big game potential.  But after Game two, I think all Melo's naysayers finally have to settle in for what is sure to be an interesting relationship together.  Even though it came in a loss, he still offered up a great performance.  But because we did in fact lose in game two, his performance will only remain a glimpse of what the Knicks can be, instead of making it the stuff of Knick Legend.  In the mean time, Carmelo Anthony officially became a Knick to the people it matters most.  He can start working on the rest of the story tonight.

Finally got my internet connection back!  That means we're going to win!

Mike.BTB

N.Y. KNICKS ~ Tighten Up And Do It Again; Game Two

National Basketball Association

2010-2011

EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFFS

TONIGHT

GAME TWO

NEW YORK KNICKS (0-1)

vs.

Boston Celtics (1-0)

Not from the Boston Garden

NEW YORK KNICKS: Mike D'Antoni Coached a Good Game.  But Doc Rivers Mastered The Moment.

Two things are true about the coaching in this series; - Mike D'Antoni prepared the Knicks well with an effective plan on defense.  And Doc Rivers out-coached Coach D in the last minute of the game. 

Doc Rivers mapped out a way to get Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen the ball for their most important possessions.  Coach D was never able to spring Amare Stoudemire free down the stretch.  Instead, Chauncey Billups pulled up lame on a lay-up and Carmelo Anthony chucked up a brick to end the game.  Doc Rivers held on to timeouts for the closing moments of the game..  Coach D did not.  Doc Rivers got points every time coming out of his time-outs.  Coach D did not and then ran out.

This time around, Coach needs to find a better way to keep Amare Stoudemire more involved during crunch time.  Doc Rivers drew up a plan to stop Stoudemire after he scored twelve points in the fourth quarter before the Celts pulled it out.  And just as Doc had an answer for Amare, he also managed to uncork Ray Allen late in the game.

Mike D'Antoni came on board as an offensive minded coach.  He needs to get his team to play defense again, but he needs to live up to his reputation and design plays that will get the Knicks closer to one hundred points.

LANDRY FIELDS:

It's unfair to pile on the rookie.  But the fact is the Knicks need Landry to be the player he was before the Melo trade.  It's strictly a numbers issue.  The Knicks don't have em.  The Knickerbockers not only need the defense he provides, they need his ability to rebound from the two spot.  But mostly they need Landry Fields to adjust for Ray Allen and Boston's points off the bench.

Again, it's up to Coach D'Antoni to find a way and reintegrate Landry into the offensive flow and get him uncorked again.  The problem is Landry is better at letting the game come to him and reacting on the floor than he is with something drawn up for him.  He was a tremendous opportunist before the Melo trade when more players were involved with the offensive mindset.  I said in my last post, that's what happens when you shelve the Team Concept and adopt the Star System.  You might even call Landry an X-factor.  His points are crucial for making what hopefully will be another supreme defensive effort by the Knicks, successful.

Free Throws and Elbows:

* I'm expecting Carmelo Anthony to have a substantially better game.  But I'm expecting likewise from Antonio Pierce.  That's why Landry Fields is so important to the Knicks right now.

* I'm also looking forward towards Amare Stoudemire continuing his dominance over Kevin Garnett and

Big Cry Baby.  Amare is the younger, more spry, and more energetic player between him and Garnett.  That will prove itself out when Amare has the ball.  I don't think Garnett's game will be taking much of an up-tick after Game One.

* I think Toney Douglas at the point helps the Knicks speed up their tempo.  The Knicks have played without Chauncey before and aren't necessarily dependent on him.  Douglas' legs are fresher.  We'll see how the supposedly Old Legs of the Celtics hold up going into Game Two.  And Toney Douglas will more easily keep up with Rondo more so than Chauncey could have.

* Landry Fields has to match-up with Ray Allen over the course of the series.  But the Knicks need to come up with an answer to Jermaine O'Neal right now!  He'll eat us up if Coach D doesn't think of something quick.  Enter Ronny Turiaf.  The Knicks need a sustained defensive effort from him all series long.

* I think the Knicks played very well last game and are capable of sustaining this effort.  Some things need to go our way though; like whistles; but all I think the Knicks need to do for Game Two is to rewind and play it again. 

The true adjustments needed to be made by both teams in this series will come after this game.

Let's Go Knicks!!

RECENT POSTS:
One Bad Minute Out Of Forty-Eight; Game One ~ Mike.BTB
The Big Apple vs BeanTown ~ Mike.BTB

Mike.BTB

N.Y. KNICKS ~ One Bad Minute Out Of Forty-Eight; Game One

National Basketball Association

2010-2011

EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFFS

NEW YORK KNICKS (0-1)

vs.

Boston Celtics (1-0)

NEW YORK KNICKS:  They Let A Golden Opportunity In Boston Slip Away.  For Forty-Seven Minutes the Knicks Played a Defensive Gem.  Only The Last Minute Was Forgettable.


Did the Knicks let one get away?  You bet!  They were sensational for three quarters.  But the Celtics were never that far behind and rose up in the 4th quarter to snatch victory from the Knicks.  That's what they get for letting the Celts loiter around the scoreboard.

With 4:00 left in the fourth quarter, Mr. Big Shot; Chauncey Billups finally hit a big shot.  His three-pointer made the score 78-75.  Amare Stoudemire slammed home a reverse dunk to increase the Knicks' lead to 80-75.  Another Stoudemire slam had the Knicks up 82-78 with 2:45 left.  Then, Ronnie Turiaf kept the defensive pressure on Boston with his 5th blocked shot of the game.  With a little over one minute left, Amare had twelve points in the fourth quarter to that point.

But by 1:12, the score was tied 82-82.

After forty-seven minutes of superlative basketball, the last minute of the game witnessed a Knick unravelling.

Chauncey Billups attempted a left-handed lay-up (in which he got hacked over the head by the way), and crashed to the floor, writhing in pain.  He stayed down while play continued the other way after the missed attempt.  A few moments later left the game.  He suffered a sprained left knee and self-admittedly, was in much pain.  That came with 50.7 seconds left.

Then, with 37.8 second left, Tony Douglas nailed a huge three-pointer for the Knicks.

A point of major contention for fans about Coach D was that he didn't save a time out for the end of the game, and he didn't prepare his team for the back-door alley-oops! Kevin Garnett slammed home with 37.3 seconds left.  But the fact remains the Knicks still had a one point lead and the ball going forward.

This is when it got worse for the Knicks.  Carmelo Anthony was called for a very questionable offensive foul.  Yes! ...it was questionable for that moment when AP and Melo were BOTH jostling for position.  Did Melo's elbow get high?  Yep.  But that whistle was best left not blown.

Boston now had the ball with 21.0 seconds left in regulation time.  Boston worked it down and with 11.6 seconds left on the clock, Ray Allen burried a back-breaking three point shot. 

That made the score 87-85 but the Knicks had no time outs left to call.  So, the ball found it's way into Melo's hand for one last shot to tie or for the win.  Melo was thinking three all the way.  He didn't even try to penetrate.  He chucked up a bad shot with two Celtics on him, that clanked off the front of the rim.  Time ran out, and the Knicks let one get away.

Melo took the biggest shot of the night alright.  But it turned out to be that elbow he got whistled for.  Two points on that possession might have been enough to seal the game for the Knicks.  But then again, had Chauncey made his attempted lay-up and not gotten hurt, the outcome could have been equally different.

I don't really get caught up with whistles and with who gets them and who doesn't.  So I'm not interested in the foul called against Melo.  Garnett should have been whistled for his trip/pick and a foul should have been called on the play when Chauncey got hurt.  He should have been the beneficiary of a continuation call.  That's the way whistles go.

As far as Melo, he was brought here to talk that last shot.  He missed.  What are you going to do?  If Coach D manages a few things differently along the way towards a melt-down....

Scratch that.  It was a good game.  Coach D had a good game plan.  We fell a shot short.  The Knicks proved they'll be competitive.  They are going to give themselves a shot.




The Knickerbockers:  This is what I'm thinking...

First, we didn't have an answer for Ray Allen as I suspected.  Allen was quiet early in the game.  But he killed in the fourth quarter and in the closing minute of the game.  Landry Fields all but disappeared.  Some one is going to have to match Ray Allen's points this series if the Knicks want to keep pace with Boston.  Look at Melo and Pierce, and Garnett versus Amare as a wash.  The next key match-up would be Allen versus....fill in the blank.  Ray Allen was the only Celtic who scored over twenty points.  He scored twenty four killer points against us to be exact.  We need an answer for that.  That's on Coach to figure out.

Secondly, Jermaine O'Neal absolutely killed off the bench going 6-6 and twelve points.  Boston holds the advantage over the Knicks in size and bench depth.  After steady doses of Garnett and small doses Big Cry Baby, O'Neal is tough to handle; lest we speak of the injured Shaq.

Paul Pierce was held to eighteen points on the night.  Carmelo had an equally low night of proficiency scoring only fifteen points for the Knicks; highlighted by his last shot of the game miss.

About that miss....,  I get it.  Carmelo was brought here to take that shot.  But I believe in playing the hot hand.  Boston might have clamped down on Amare in the closing minutes Sunday night, but after scoring twelve points in the quarter, and having a dominant over-all game, I think you can design plays to isolate Amare or set picks for him (like Boston did to shake Allen loose...right?).  That's on Coach.

Why were the Knicks in this game in the first place?  Defense!  Deee-Fense!  The Knicks can make this a very good series and win games if they commit to the same kind of defensive effort they put forth Sunday night.  It really was a superlative effort on their part.  After that kind of defensive performance, I'm always aghast whenever I see anything less.  Defense is all in the mind.  You just have to want to commit to it.

But did that defensive effort come against a Celtics team having an average night?  Or did we defend the Celtics at their best?  That's what I want to know, and what we're going to find out.  Both teams were held to under ninety-points.  And we did almost take them on their floor.  But if the Celtics kick things up a notch, can the Knicks hang?  Think about that Boston fourth quarter comeback, only longer.  Now think about having to move forward without Chauncey Billups.  The Knicks have their work cut out for them.

Melo was down but we should have a realistic expectation he'll score more as the series moves forward.  But what of Ronny Turiaf?  Ronny Turiaf had himself a really good game scoring nine points and blocking five shots.  His defense was highly commendable.  But can we depend on him for a few more games at that level?  We don't have Boston's bench.  The Knicks NEED everything Turiaf can give.  Tony Douglas' defense was also commendable.  The Knicks are in desperate need of these two playing, if only fairly well, but they must play consistently well.

Landry Fields?  He spent a lot of time chasing Ray Allen around Sunday night, but not much else.  I don't know what this series has in store for him.  His problem is, before the Melo trade, he literally found his niche on this team and excelled.  That cast is gone along with the dynamic it presented for Landry.  He now needs to recreate a niche for himself in an offense tailored towards Melo first and Amare second.  Heck!  Coach D is still figuring out how to integrate them.  That's what happens when you go from the Team System, to the Star System in basketball.

Defense is still the key though, to any Knicks' success against the Celtics.

GAME TWO

Tuesday Night

Mike.BTB

NYKnicks ~ "FIELDS" of Orange, and The Blues

How can you not have taken notice of the all-around superlative effort this early afternoon by Knicks' rookie guard LANDRY FIELDS.  Except for one turnover midway through the third quarter in paint traffic, he played a very effective and controlled game in a rare starting role......up until he hit a wall midway through the third quarter.

Credit him with a beautiful pass from the top of the free-throw circle down into a slashing Stoudemire in the paint in the first half; 5 rebounds, 2 assists, a block and a steal; 8 points in 20 minutes.   However, he negated himself with foul trouble as the third quarter closed in typical rookie fashion.  He got baited into every infraction, leaving his hands out for a reach in foul and leaving his feet on a three point attempt.  Till this point there was still a lot about his game to rave about today and the Knicks as a whole.

The Knicks continued their cohesive, team oriented, defensive minded play into the third quarter and appeared as if there were going to win their third consecutive game, this time against the Sixers this afternoon in an MSG matinee.  Wins against Chicago and Washington backing up a victory today would have made the Orlando game a distant memory and would have had the CITY all a-buzz tomorrow.



But the Knicks were not without their problems this game.  The Knicks allowed the Sixers to score 7 straight points to tie and take the lead as the third quarter was about to expire.  Turiaf running the floor after a Knick blocked shot on the defensive end, fought for a lay-up ..and the foul!  He made the free throw and the quarter expired with the Knicks up by one.; 81-80.

Toney Douglas sat with 5 fouls most of this time,  but for the most part the Knicks controlled the affair.  They lost control at other times; hence the one point lead after three quarters. 

Anthony Randolph slammed down the Knicks' first possession of the fourth quarter.  But then the Knicks began to falter even more on defense.

At 9:00 they trailed 87-85.
At 8:00 they trailed 89-85.

The Sixers continued to get to the line by walking and playing into Knicks' miscues (all game long).  The Knicks didn't learn and kept getting induced into the fouls.  But, the Knicks still managed to regain the lead; 91-90 with 5:26 left.

Douglas finally made it back into the game with 5:00 remaining.  But at the 4:00 mark Philly recaptured the lead 95-94.   With 3:28 left Toney Douglas might have wanted to stay on the bench because Coach D was furious with him for lack of hustle and allowing the Sixers to bury a Three-pointer adding to their lead.  It really was a weak effort on his part.  Coach was justified.

Turn-overs, bad passing and a 10-2 run by Philly had the Knicks reeling with 2:30 left.  Their shooting went ice cold and would continue fruitless for another minute till Stoudemire hit one of two free throws at 1:30 left.  Stoudemire would go to the line again at 1:10 and again would shoot 1 for 2.

Philly led 102-96 with 0.40 seconds left. 

To think, the Knicks once led by 9 points in the third quarter before Landry Fields and the Knickerbockers started to unravel with about 6:00 minutes left in that quarter.

Between .40 and .26 the Knicks had about 5 opportunities under the glass to get two points.  Five shots went up; neither found the bottom of the net; incredulous. I had visions of Charles Smith swirl in my head for a moment.

The Sixers would win this game 106-96 on the Knicks' home court sending everyone home with a sour taste in their mouths for the rest of the still young day outside.

Philly clamped down on defense and the Knicks shooting went into hibernation. Philly outscored the Knicks 26-15 in the fourth quarter.  Bad passing and turnovers doomed the Knicks after starting this game very promisingly.  And like I said, Landry Fields was looking real smooth out there until his game curdled along with the rest of the Knicks.

Instead of getting carried away with ourselves tomorrow because the Knicks won three in a row, the talk will be sounding a little skeptical but with a lot of hope sprinkled in.  Coach D'Antoni will get hammered because our defense faltered down the stretch.  Some will feel better because the team, despite today, still notice an appreciable difference in this team than teams of the recent past.

Should we be killing the Knicks after today's game?  Yea sure, for a game and a day.  But let's get over this one quick.  We blew it, OK?  But today and this season is still far more fun to watch than this team was three and two years ago.



Mike.BTB

NYKnicks, Pull-Out Section, Thoughts, Picture of Pre-Game in CHICAGO

New York Post Pull-Out Section, Schedule

November 4, 2010

This is as good a time as ever.  It's time for me to break my silence.  Two years ago Donnie Walsh said he had a plan, and part of which meant getting Salary Cap Flexibility.  To every-one's amazement, he accomplished that with effective haste.  We knew the roster needed to be deconstructed.  And it has been. 

Entering year three under Donnie, we found ourselves in a position to add a player of Amare Stoudemire's caliber.  He will not be enough, but that is a different conversation.  The point is, the Knicks under Coach D'Antoni are back on the clock now.  Donnie asked for two years from me as a fan and I gave them up willingly and happily.  I was grateful change was upon us.  However it's time to start grading report cards again.  Their grace period is over however thankful I am with further separation from the ZEKE Era.

Tonight we are in ChiTown taking on the Bulls.  It's an early season barometer for us.  We played well against the Celtics a short time ago but didn't win.  Tonight, a competitive effort against a team that lapped us once around in rebuilding our teams of the 90's, would go a long way towards gaining my short term attention back.  It's time to admit something I have never dealt with before as a fan of any of my teams.

I am a Knicks fan at a crossroads.  It has everything to do with becoming disconnected in the last years of the Isiah Thomas years and my inability to fully get back into the swing of things.  It had gotten so bad for me personally that I am still in the process of re-learning the League again.  Honest.

The second factor contributing to my Knick disconnect is none other than the New Jersey Nets franchise coming to Brooklyn.  Zeke and the Brooklyn development changed everything for me.

I do not think (I know) I will ever stop being a Knicks fan.  Sooner than later I will be back up to snuff on all things Knicks again.  It's just been slow coming because the Nets have stolen all my attention since their initial announcement they were coming to the Borough of Kings.  I'll start to explain myself now that the season is in swing.

KNICKS vs. BULLS

Live Picture of WARM-UPS from my "source"  in Chicago.

Game shots may follow;  Maybe not.

1st Half:

Gallinari; high scorer ~ 21 points

Stoudemire ~ 12 points

KNICKS  70

Bulls         52

Photo ~ 1st half action.

The New York Knicks have done everything right in the first half putting up 30+ points in each of the first two quarters.  But I expect much better play by the Bulls in the second half. 

Derrick Rose was just chucking up threes for the most part. 

Gallinari had a break-out performance in the first half.  He needs to sustain now.  That's been his knock.  Coach D doesn't think he brings it every game.  He's right.   But tonight this is the Gallo everyone hoped they were getting when we drafted him.

2ND HALF

Gallinari pretty much disappeared.  He scored 3 points in the 2nd half after such a strong start.

Raymond Felton finished with 20 points and 10 assists.  What a great night for him.

Amare Stoudemire increased his points total by 2;  finishing with 14 points tonight.  He hung in and took a charge late in the 4th quarter.  I like to see that.

30 points by Toney Douglas off the bench was the difference tonight by far.  That was his career high.

The Knicks had 6 blocked shots and have doubled their average over last year in that category.

Tonight is what a Mike D'Antoni team is supposed to look like...in theory and in practice.

The Knicks spread the ball around, ran the breaks and shot very very well from the field.  It was especially nice to see us get the win and Stoudemire not being among the leading scorers.

Like I said earlier, playing these guys was a good way to see where we stand so far.  They got out to an early lead tonight, and never really looked back.  They won convincingly and made the defensive stops when they had to.  Defense?  Chicago didn't play much of it tonight.  They had huge lapses in effort tonight.

...Just taking everything in stride.

Final

KNICKS  120

Bulls         112

Mike.BTB