Carmelo Anthony a Game Time Decision. Does it Matter?

In addition to the news that Baron Davis' Knicks debut will be delayed at least another week, Mike D'Antoni asserted Carmelo Anthony would be a game-time decision for tonight's matchup between the Pistons and Knicks at MSG.

Having lost nine out of their last ten games, the Knicks are reeling right now and there appears to be no concrete end in site. Whether it be due to the lack of a floor general or not, the group being put on the court for the Knicks simply is not meshing. Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire have been constantly criticized for their lack of chemistry, but it is not quite their fault they stand as two completely different talents.

One would think, however, that with Anthony potentially sitting out again tonight, Stoudemire would capitalize as the dominant option on offense. Instead, the Knicks' captain has continued to be flat during Anthony's absence, leaving his team to be in desperate need of some scoring.

Aside from 'Melo, no other Knick has been able to step up offensively on a consistent basis. Because of this, he attempted to play through the pain against weaker opponents, instead leaving the Knicks vulnerable during matchups with the likes of the Heat and Rockets, both of which they lost.

With Stoudemire unable to get into a groove without an efficient pick and roll partner, and the momentum clearly not in their favor, the Knicks appear to have little chance at winning any games at all (seeing as how they have barely done so in the last ten games). With that said, even with Anthony in the lineup, when and will things eventually turn around for the team?

Though Tyson Chandler has assumed the role of quarterback of the defense, quite effectively in fact, the Knicks' inability to score has made it nearly impossible for them to win.

While the Pistons do not have a star on offense to lead them to victory on a normal basis, their depth may be enough to overwhelm the Knicks tonight. Rodney Stuckey, Greg Monroe, and Tayshaun Prince all can prove to be high scoring threats. Stuckey can beat opponents inside and out if they choose to sleep on him, and Prince can stretch the floor with his long range jump shooting ability. Monroe can certainly hurt teams from inside, but perhaps Chandler can prevent that from happening tonight for the Knicks. While none of these players score twenty points on a nightly basis, each one is capable. The trick for the Knicks tonight will be choosing their defensive targets wisely.

New York can't forget Brooklyn native and Pistons guard Ben Gordon, either. Sure to have some family, friends, and fans in the stands tonight, Gordon can fill it up in a hurry if he gets hot. He could pour in thirty points if he gets going, so it is important the Knicks throw him off his game early on. No allowing Gordon to get into a rhythm.

If the Knicks can prevent any one Piston player from getting on fire, they have a chance to win. The key to this game will be which team builds momentum in a quicker fashion.

With the Knicks' spirits so low right now, and the Garden crowd ready to let them hear the boos at any given moment, any small amount of steady momentum for Detroit will likely deflate the Knicks rather quickly.

However, if the Knicks can instead look as though they have something to prove tonight, hopefully they can rally the home crowd around them and find a winning recipe on offense.

Who will be the team's X-Factor though? Still adjusting to the NBA game with early fatigue, Iman Shumpert's offense will be the ultimate key. In addition to being able to shoot from deep and attack the basket at will, Shumpert has shown glimmers of potential when it comes to getting his teammates involved. With ball movement crucial to the Knicks' success, perhaps they will ride and die with the rookie tonight.

Knicks Unable to Ride Momentum Long Enough to Win Against Heat in Miami

Visibly playing through the pain of ankle and wrist injuries, Carmelo Anthony finally relented, accepting that he can longer perform his "superhero" act.

The pain proved to be too much for Anthony, forcing him to sit against the Miami Heat on Friday. Dwyane Wade, though he had missed the last six previous, returned for the Heat.

In fact, Wade returned in a big way for the Heat, who ultimately overpowered the Knicks for a 99-89 victory. Wade poured in 28 points, while LeBron James scored 31 points to lead all scorers in the win.

The Knicks were able to keep the pace, however, by hoisting up as many three point field goals as they possibly could. Truly living on a prayer, New York threw up an astounding 43 shots from long range, sinking 18 to keep them in the game. That charge was led by Bill Walker, who sank 7 threes, two off the team record of nine.

All this allowed the Knicks to do was stay in the game until the very end. While doing this is no easy feat against the Heat, the team simply did not have enough momentum to carry them all the way through the fourth quarter in order to get a win. All things considered, it was an all-around decent effort, but Anthony was sorely needed to ultimately power through this one.

Of course, the Knicks had some struggles that led to the loss itself. Toney Douglas continued to prove he's not fit to start, shooting a difficult to watch 6 for 18 from the field. Though he did sink four shots from long range as the Knicks fought to stay in the game, his let down late in the fourth quickly killed any momentum the team had.

An inconsistent shooter to say the least, Douglas is not (and should not be expected to be) a fourth quarter player. Without Anthony, a proven star in the clutch, things fell apart late in the game for the Knicks.

Landry Fields and Amar'e Stoudemire both had less than impressive offensive outings, but the three ball allowed the Knicks to stay in it until the likes of James and Wade took over.

Though this game was won for the Heat by its stars, it was lost by the Knicks largely in part due to their less than balanced attack. Though Walker finished with 21 points, without Anthony, the Knicks' rotation was unable to maintain what was needed for a victory. No one stepped up to help Walker as he cooled off and ultimately fouled out in the fourth.

The Knicks' bench, aside from Walker, finished the game having shot 4 for 19 from the field. When their star is down, the team can only hope they have enough depth to provide a boost, but the Knicks simply do not, with the likes of Bibby shooting 2 for 8 from downtown, and the little-used Steve Novak only sinking 2 of 6 from deep.

If they want to rise up as a contender, the Knicks need to take note of the depth the Heat has built around their stars. In my latest piece for the "Off the Dribble" NBA blog at The New York Times', I suggest a plan of action:

After assembling their own core of stars, the Knicks should take note of what the Heat has done. New York needs role players who have experience and are not afraid to take the big shot if needed. This squad needs specialty players: 3-point shooters, defenders and ball-handlers.

Right now, relying on younger talent will not make the Knicks a championship contender. Perhaps the team should focus its attention on convincing available veterans that the opportunity to play for a title is worth a discounted salary.

The Heat may have a lot of star power, but it was strong contributions from their bench, including two crucial three-pointers drained by sharpshooting veteran Shane Battier that helped sink the Knicks.

If the now 7-12 Knicks ever want to reach the status the Heat will continue to reach, they need to focus on surrounding their stars with the right players, because it is obvious the likes of Stoudemire and Anthony cannot do it all. With Anthony out, the Knicks certainly needed a thorough pick-me-up, and they did not receive that for 48 full minutes last night.

The team will aim to avenge their loss in Miami by beating the Rockets in Houston tonight, where Anthony is expected to sit out once again.

And as always, you can ready my latest piece at "Off the Dribble" by clicking here.

Recapping Yesterday's Deadline Decisions in the NBA

The Knicks made headlines for all the wrong reasons last night, dropping their seventh of eight games with a 91-81 loss to the Cavs. This type of let down is clearly an unacceptable one, but things will not get any easier as the team takes on the star-studded Miami Heat tomorrow night.

While the Knicks ponder what they can do to ultimately turn their so far frustrating season around, let's take a look at some of the many moves other teams made (or didn't make) by yesterday's extension/option deadline, in attempts to fortify their rosters.

As previously noted, the Knicks did in fact exercise Toney Douglas' team option for next season, hoping he can bounce back from his slow start and find a productive rhythm once again. Though this may seem to have been a small fish to fry, many NBA teams had more pressing matters.

The Nuggets and former Knick Danilo Gallinari agreed upon a contract extension through four years worth $42 million, earning him approximately $10.5 million per season. The decision appeared to be an easy one for Denver, whose coaching staff has praised the Italian Stallion for his elevated defense early on this season. Of course, he has always been known for his sweet shooting stroke, and this season has been no different. Gallinari has shot over 47% from the field on his way to averaging a team (and career) high of 17.4 points per game.

The number six overall pick in the 2008 NBA draft poured in the points as he reminded the Knicks what they lost, scoring a career high 37 points late last week. During his return to MSG, Gallo also sank a career-high 18 free throws and grabbed a season-high 11 rebounds in Denver's 119-114 win Saturday over his former team.

The deal is more than a fair one for Gallinari, who the Nuggets hope will perhaps continue to blossom into more of a star.

Also cashing in on a big pay day was Timberwolves' All-Star Kevin Love, signing a four year contract extension worth an estimated $62 million. Last season's league-leading rebounder, Love was expected by many to have been offered a full five year contract extension. However, the Timberwolves could very well be holding out that right for rookie phenomenon Ricky Rubio.

Perhaps the Timberwolves did so in an effort to keep their core together, but Love has more than proven himself to be a worthy franchise player. If a player of that magnitude is willing to stay long-term, a small market team should look to lock him up as long as possible, regardless of what hurdles may lie ahead.

What's strange is that Love's contract also includes an opt-out clause following the third season of the deal. This means he can either opt-out, simply to seek out more money from the Timberwolves, or leave the team completely in favor of a lucrative contract in a bigger market.

After hesitating to lock him up, then furthermore gaffing with the opt-out clause, the Timberwolves can only hope the team makes enough progress towards inching their way into the playoffs under Coach Rick Adelman. The more noise the team makes, the more likely Love will be inclined to stay in the fold after experiencing success. However, it's important Love's team make a stronger and much firmer commitment to him in 2015 than they just did. Needless to say, they've taken a gamble on one of the best players in the league.

Among those who held off on their big paydays were Magic forward Ryan Anderson and Suns center Robin Lopez. Anderson, who is averaging a career-high 16.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, and is shooting an even more impressive 42% from beyond the arc. That being said, much of Anderson's success has stemmed from his placement as an outside shooter next to Dwight Howard in the front court. Should Howard depart Orlando, Anderson may not find as much success. Both he and his team decided to wait things out, making him a restricted free agent this summer.

Also playing the waiting game is Lopez, who after showing potential as a spot-starter over the last two seasons, has found himself backing up new Suns starting center Marcin Gortat. As we've seen many times in the NBA, a great deal of potential is often enough to help a young player cash in on a lucrative contract, so perhaps Lopez is doing the right thing, taking into consideration Gortat's emergence and the Suns' ongoing struggles.

Players who had their team options declined for next season included the likes of Magic backup big man Daniel Orton and former Knicks' first round draft selection Jordan Hill of the Rockets. Both will hit the open market as unrestricted free agents this summer.

Toney Douglas Remains With Knicks As NBA Teams Make Key Decisions

By the end of Wednesday, NBA teams will have had to make decisions on both any 2008 and 2010 draftees currently on their squads. Will they go or will they stay?

Wednesday's deadline forces teams to:

A) Agree upon contract extensions with any 2008 first round draftees eligible to become Restricted Free Agents this upcoming summer.

B) Exercise or decline team options for next season on 2010 first round draftees.

Many teams made headlines with some controversial decisions regarding talented and/or popular players, but as far as the Knicks were concerned, they made the seemingly obvious decision to exercise Toney Douglas' team option for next season, putting him on the books with a salary slightly over $2 million.

What might have been a no-brainer for the front office is quickly proving to be a frowned upon move by Knicks fans all over the internet. Fans have taken to Twitter to express their displeasure with the move, many citing Douglas' inconsistencies and disappointment this season as the reason.

There's no denying Douglas struggled mightily as a starter to begin the season. But who's to say he really belonged there? Frankly, the Knicks did not have a choice but to start him with Baron Davis injured, Iman Shumpert (at that time) unproven, and Chauncey Billups released. Douglas was thrust into the starting lineup by default. Plain and simple.

During his first two seasons, Douglas served as a key cog in the Knicks rotation, providing an ever so needed boost off the bench, often filling it up with double-digit scoring performances.

This is where he thrives. Coming off the bench, Douglas is able to concentrate on scoring as a means of being an offensive spark plug, not forced to do much else. As a starter, Douglas was expected to take on the responsibility of being a facilitator for his teammates, but that is simply not who he is.

If the Knicks can place Douglas in situations where all he needs to worry about is providing points in a pinch, then exercising his option will have been a smart decision. With the Knicks committed to three rather large, long-term contracts (the team's so called "Big Three"), finding productive players at cheaper rates is going to be imperative to maintaing a strong supporting cast around the team's stars.

Can Knicks Build Momentum Following Win Over Bobcats?

After a frustrating six game losing streak, the Knicks put an end to their skid by stomping all over the struggling Bobcats, 111-78.

Many Knicks teammates were dancing and prancing along the bench as the team made its way to victory, outscoring Charlotte 38-21 in the fourth quarter. Though it's clear the Knicks needed an uplifting win to build up their confidence, it's important the team doesn't get too cocky.

After suffering losses to some of the NBA's weaker teams already this season, all the Knicks can hope to do is allow their momentum from the win in Charlotte to propel them to more victories on the road. A win is a win, but the Knicks have to understand beating the Bobcats should be considered an expectation more so than an accomplishment. With the kind of talent currently on the roster, winning needs to be a consistent expectation. The focus needs to be on improving the disappointing 7-10 record. No celebrating just yet.

The Knicks learned that they could very well indeed win without Carmelo Anthony dominating the game. Anthony had a career-low 1 point, shooting 0-7 from the field. That said, Amar'e Stoudemire poured in 18 points and Landry Fields continued his steady play by adding 18 as well.

What was more impressive, however, was the 20 points recored by Tyson Chandler, to go along with a massive 17 rebounds. While Chandler has not been expected to score in bunches, his field goal percentage this season has been phenomenal. Furthermore, his scoring outbursts usually result in a Knicks victory. It's obvious his defensive presence has elevated his team in that regard, but perhaps the Knicks should look to feature their big man on offense more often as well.

The contributions of the likes of Fields and Chandler are key to any future Knicks success. This team clearly needs strong play from its supporting cast. STAT and Melo cannot carry the team on their own, and it's refreshing to see that when they have off-nights, their teammates do have the ability to provide a pick-me-up.

The team was also paced by strong bench play, with a surprising 11 points by Jared Jeffries. Toney Douglas and Steve Novak each had 9 points off the pine as well for the Knicks, who go into Cleveland tonight seeking a second straight win.

Knicks Look To Take Down Bobcats on the Road

**This game preview was written by Knicks Journal contributor Zach Horst. You can follow him on Twitter @zd183.**

The Knicks have a great opportunity to get back on track tonight in their third game against the Charlotte Bobcats. Both teams are riding losing streaks, New York on a 6-game skid, and Charlotte losing the past four.

The Knicks are coming off a heart-breaking double-overtime loss to Denver - Melo's first match against his former team of 7 years. Anthony struggled mightily from the field, scoring 35, but shooting 10-30. To be fair, he is banged up with wrist and ankle injuries. He continues to play through the pain and is expected to do so tonight.

Amar'e Stoudemire hasn't been his normal All-Star self this year. Many are blaming it on the number of touches he's getting, but his aggressiveness and swagger of past years just isn't there yet. STAT did score 25 points in both games against Charlotte this season, though.

The Bobcats have been woeful this season, winning only 3 of seventeen thus far. Corey Maggette and D.J. Augustin, who exited early from his last game with an inflamed big toe, will not play. Boris Diaw remains a threat against the poor defense of Stoudemire. In their first meeting of the season, Diaw scored 27 points.

The Orange and Blue need to focus on their fundamentals for this game. Against an inferior opponent, it is important not to come out cocky and fearless. The team has to insure quick and fluid ball movement, finding the open man and knocking down open jumpers. The Knicks can't get trigger happy from behind the arc. Instead, the big men need to find points in the paint and draw fouls to get to the line.

New York is desperate for some confidence - a big win could propel them to an offensive roll. The chemistry and ball movement need to improve, and the defense must continue to play tough. With Baron Davis practicing and looking to make his debut later this week, the Knicks could be moving up in the standings very soon.

Of course, any Knicks fan praying for a victory over the Bobcats tonight can relive the exciting moment in Knicks history below.

Who Would Be Baron Davis’ Starting Backcourt Mate On the New York Knicks?

The dream of Baron Davis hitting the hardwood for the New York Knicks will soon become a reality.

According to many reports, his long-awaited debut could come as early as Friday as the Knicks take on the star-studded Miami Heat.

Though Coach Mike D’Antoni’s plan is to ease Davis into the rotation slowly, monitoring his minutes on the court, there is no denying how badly the Knicks are struggling right now. As it just so happens, Davis has many of the talents his team is currently craving, so in fact, his vital return to play may be needed sooner than later.

It has come as a surprise to many this season, but the Knicks’ offense has been more of a problem than their defense. Though the team is still lacking in the win column, the addition of Tyson Chandler has elevated the defense without question, seemingly beginning to instill a new team culture, resulting in the best defensive roll out New York City has seen in years.

The offense, however, something D’Antoni’s teams have been known to excel at, has appeared more stagnant than ever before. No efficient point guard not only means Amar’e Stoudemire is no longer being set up for opportune shots, but also that Carmelo Anthony dominates the ball that much more often, resulting in forced up shots from him as well.

Aside from STAT and Melo, New York’s dynamic duo, the offense is weak, with no reliable third scorer stepping up thus far. In addition to creating a better offensive flow for the likes of Stoudemire and Anthony, Davis will also be looked upon to score, whether it be as a complementary player, or as a much needed boot off the bench.

Regardless of how things begin in Davis’ Knicks tenure, the conclusion that he will find his way into the starting lineup at some point has to be drawn.

Besides the fact Davis represents the team’s strongest point guard threat on paper, Knicks also need to look at inserting Davis into the starting five as a means of shaking things up. If everything was just fine and dandy, the team could have looked to bring Davis in off the bench, only adding to any success. Instead, the boat needs to be rocked.

The two-time all-star in fact found himself practicing with his new team’s first unit on Monday, alongside Landry Fields in the backcourt.

Though Fields has been the Knicks’ incumbent starting two guard since his rookie year, starting both he and B-Diddy would mean pushing rookie Iman Shumpert to the bench. The Georgia Tech product has excelled since being welcomed into the starting lineup, so far posting up impressive numbers for the season. Not only has he been able to score (with a 12.3 points per game average), but Shumpert is smart on defense (2.6 steals), and has proven he can effectively pass the ball as well (his 3.6 assists per game are second the team behind Anthony).

There’s no denying the rookie loves to shoot, which very well may point out his scoring prowess could be used off the bench. That said, the Knicks are still lacking scoring all around, and his strong play overall makes him a solid candidates to stay in the starting lineup.

Though Fields has put together a string of impressive offensive outings as of late, he has been a liability so far this season, shooting poorly from long range. From day one, Fields was inserted into the starting five because he provided a nice balance and played fundamentally well. The Knicks seem to need more than what he brings to the table right now.

Shumpert does make rookie mistakes here and there, but he appears to be the whole package. Fields is known for his defensive intelligence, but Shumpert has proven to be a strong defender as well. In the interest of rocking the boat, a staring backcourt of Davis and Shumpert may be the shock to the system the Knicks are in dire need of.

Neither are liabilities on defense, and both can effectively find teammates in the open floor. More importantly, the 10-15 points (at the very least) each one is capable of would indeed serve well in lieu of a steady third scorer.

Fields could still serve as a spot starter for various matchups, but the fact is both Davis and Shumpert appear to be better players all around. Fields’ strengths remain the same; he is able to mesh well with big existing talent. All that recognized, the Knicks need to shake things up in an attempt to find a winning recipe. Davis and Shumpert simply represent new ingredients.