Knicks Loss Reminiscent To Early Season Blues

The Knicks could not capitalize on any momentum they took with them into Atlanta as head coach Mike Woodson returned to his old stomping grounds last night, suffering a 100-90 loss to the Hawks.

Woodson spent six seasons as head coach of the Hawks, leading them to the playoffs in the three latter seasons. Not able to help push the Hawks past the Conference Semi-finals, Woodson was fired in 2010 but is now getting a small chance at redemption with a team that expects success in the New York Knicks. The team has blossomed thus far with Woodson at the helm, taking an 8-1 record until last night's contest.

The Knicks have played with a higher defensive intensity as of late, while still maintaining a fluent rhythm on offense. Plain and simple, the team hasn't missed a beat and is playing their best basketball of the season.

Perhaps more impressive than their efforts on the court has been the Knicks' ability to cope with various injuries down the stretch. Woodson has been able to motivate his team enough to win, despite stars like Amar'e Stoudemire and Jeremy Lin sidelined. What's more, Carmelo Anthony and Baron Davis have also been playing through the pain of their own respective injuries.

Unfortunately for Woodson and the Knicks, the team looked out of sorts last night as their flaws began to burst through.

Though the Hawks did in fact become only the second team to score 100 points against the Knicks in the Woodson era, the team's defensive effort wasn't overly concerning. Joe Johnson went to work, pouring in 28 points as he shot 50% from the field and journeyman Willie Green exploded off the bench for an efficient 20 points of his own to lead five different Hawks in double-figures. The Hawks had a nice flow to their offense with young stud Jeff Teague running the show, but even all this offensive firepower did not entirely sink the Knicks.

Instead, it was the Knicks' own exhaustion and stagnant offense that kept them from winning this game. No Lin resulted in Davis once again starting at point guard, but he struggled mightily, which may have set the tone for the rest of the team. Davis committed careless turnovers and shot poorly as he encountered difficulties helping his team keep the pace.

Steve Novak was covered well by the Hawks and clearly wasn't able to get things going on offense in order to give the Knicks a boost. What's more, J.R. Smith continued his less than stellar Knicks tenure, only converting on two of his ten attempted shots.

With no fluidity to their offense, this Knicks' loss appeared reminiscent to their early season blues in which Carmelo Anthony attempted to carry the team on his back with little to no other help at obtaining a victory. The good news is that Anthony did relish in such a role last night, displaying leadership and exploding for 36 points. Iman Shumpert also recorded his second straight 25-point performance.

The only positive caveat to last night's defeat for the Knicks is that this was only one game. There's a lot of time to bounce back and not make such a mundane effort a common occurrence. This may prove difficult, however, if the team does not get healthy or see someone else step up to the plate. Tyson Chandler joined the group of his teammates coping with pain, and Coach Woodson appears uncertain about the returns of Stoudemire and Lin.

Despite all this, the Knicks will once again look to display some resiliency as they take on the Cavaliers later tonight.

Knicks Without Amar'e Stoudemire & Jeremy Lin. What's Next?

The Knicks announced this morning that not only will Jeremy Lin miss tonight's game at home vs. the Magic, but Amar'e Stoudemire will also be sidelined for the next two to four weeks while undergoing non-surgical treatment for a bulging disk in his back.

Stoudemire received confirmation from a Miami doctor that such type of treatment, which will include an epidural steroid shot, is necessary as the Knicks star looks to recover in time to help the Knicks' playoff run.

Stoudemire hasn't been the dominating M.V.P like figure he emerged as last season, and that in turn has hurt the Knicks as they've struggled to play consistent basketball. Though he's lacked much of the explosiveness that has helped him succeed in the past, Stoudemire had begun to find some rhythm (along with the rest of his teammates) under new coach Mike Woodson.

While many had originally thought Woodson's offense would feature Carmelo Anthony in isolation, the Knicks have instead spread the scoring around. As a result, Stoudemire hasn't had the immense pressure of having to be a go to scorer. He still only averaged a lower than expected 18 points per game in March, but looked much more relaxed, letting the offense come to him. Not forcing much, STAT excelled, shooting an impressive 56% from the field this month.

His absence will not only damper the Knicks' moral, but also take away from what they do on the court. Because his points have come conveniently in the flow and ease of the team's offense as of late, they will now aim to make a seamless adjustment in hopes of not missing a beat during this crucial time.

That may be more difficult to do considering Lin will be out for the short-term as well. In addition to being the team's third leading-scorer, Lin assembles the offense quite nicely. His own absence will be felt, perhaps even heavier than Stoudemire's, because the Knicks lack someone who can truly hold down the fort.

Lin proved during initial LINsanity that he could emerge as a dependable scorer in wake of Stoudemire and Anthony's joint absence last month. Furthermore, the Knicks also have reliable bench scorers such as J.R. Smith and Steve Novak who can increase their offensive production, should they be looked to. Finding efficient scorers during Stoudemire's forthcoming absence should not prove to be too tough.

Filling Lin's void, however, will prove to be more difficult should he out longer than this weekend. Lin's emergence came because the Knicks did not have any other options at point guard. With him sidelined, the alternatives still remain quite slim. Baron Davis now stands as the starting point guard, but he himself is limited in what he can do. Coach Woodson still insists there is a (30) minutes cap on his time on the court, though Davis did in fact play 33 in the team's win against the Bucks on Monday.

His nine turnovers certainly represented a frustrating statistic, but the Knicks have proven with Lin running the point that they can overcome such constant possession changes. That said, Davis needs to make intelligent decisions on the court as he gets more fatigued. He has to find his teammates in the open floor, rather than forcing up arrant shots of his own. His poor shot selection results in more missed opportunities than his turnovers. Perhaps it would be better for him to attempt to make a pass more often (even if he should not convert on it), rather than hoisting up extra shots.

Coach Woodson has asserted that in an effort to make things easier for Davis, Toney Douglas will in fact be getting minutes on the court to spell him in Lin's absence. Though Douglas has been shunned to the bench since failing to be an efficient floor general earlier in the season, perhaps he is poised to succeed with the Knicks in need of some extra offense. If he is looked upon to hit a few open shots, rather than distribute the ball, he could stand to give the Knicks that old familiar boost.

The team will look to overcome obstacles tonight as they take on the Magic with the Garden crowd on their side.

Can Knicks Continue to Roll Without Amar'e Stoudemire?

As Knicks Journal took in the Aruba sun last week, the Knicks made things look easy as they continued to roll under new coach Mike Woodson, improving to 6-1 since the team implemented the coaching change.

Woodson has certainly made it known he will hold players accountable for their actions on the court, and already has been seen laying down the law playing the disciplinary role. There's a new mentality in New York, and despite the players' initial disappointment over the switch, it seems as though they are all buying into what Woodson is selling. Winning solves all, and a little bit of motivation could have been all the Knicks needed to steamroll some momentum in their favor.

But even with a new positive attitude, the hard part isn't over. Currently holding onto the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference, the 24-25 Knicks still have a bit of climbing to do to further meet expectations. They are only two and a half games behind the Celtics for the seventh seed, and are subsequently three games in back of the 76ers for the Atlantic Division lead, which would land them fourth seed as well as home court advantage in the playoffs.

With momentum in their favor on the court, things would appear to be going up for the Knicks, Instead, injuries seem to be getting in the way, potentially making the rest of the way a bumpy ride. Jeremy Lin is questionable for tonight's game against the Bucks (who the Knicks will look to hold off from taking over their eighth seed) with a knee injury he suffered in Saturday's game vs. the Pistons.

That said, the injury does not appear overly serious, as the cause is likely from overuse. The Knicks have been riding the point guard since the beginning of February, but the Harvard graduate is still coming off a rookie season in which he played limited minutes in only 29 contests. Should the team continue to pace Lin's minutes (as Coach Woodson has since he's taken over), he should be in good standing moving forward.

More concerning, however, is the back injury currently hampering star forward Amar'e Stoudemire. It's been clear to Knicks fans that STAT has not been the same M.V.P. candidate he was last season, and the worries over the back injury that sidelined him during last season's first round playoff series have lingered all along. Stoudemire did not participate in practice today, and is receiving an M.R.I. to grant more information on the nagging injury. He too, is questionable for tonight.

Such a devastating injury could prove to be blowing to the Knicks' playoff hopes. That said, if the team can stay in good enough spirits, tonight's game against the Bucks can still be easily won. Though Stoudemire had begun to find a decent rhythm under Coach Woodson, his offense has not been terribly crucial to the team's recent surge. Instead, Woodson's Knicks have hit opposing teams hard with balanced attacks, with multiple players often scoring in double-figures. The team certainly has depth featuring players who can pick up the slack.

What's more, Woodson's offensive coaching strategy is normally well-based off isolation situations. He pounded the ball to Joe Johnson in Atlanta for years, making JJ a consistent twenty plus point scorer as the swingman led the Hawks during playoff runs. His style should furthermore cater well to Carmelo Anthony, who could carry the Knicks strongly in Stoudemire's absence.

Aside from Lin and Stoudemire potentially not taking the court, the knee injury that is currently sidelining Jared Jeffries may reportedly keep him out longer than expected. For more on the type of impact Jeffries has on the Knicks (especially when Stoudemire sits), make sure you check out my friends Tommy Dee and Jared Zwerling's take on last week's TKB.tv.

NBA Rookie Iman Shumpert Senses Good Things Ahead For New York Knicks

The New York Knicks saw a bizarre couple weeks come to a halt Wednesday, as they pounced on the Blazers for a 121-79 victory at the Garden following Coach Mike D’Antoni’s resignation.

The dominating win began the Mike Woodson era in the Big Apple. Before loudly putting an end to their six game losing streak, it was clear the Knicks were reeling and no one appeared able to stop the bleeding. A change was needed, and whether or not that change ultimately should have come from the coaching staff, Woodson is now in charge ready to a new culture in New York.

Coach D’Antoni certainly elevated the talents of many of his players, helping the likes of Jeremy Lin, Jared Jeffries, Steve Novak, and of course, Amar’e Stoudemire, shine on the court. Though D’Antoni’s system and philosophy certainly had its positives during his tenure’s ups and downs, who’s to say Woodson will not have a similar effect on his own set group of players?

While the media and fans alike are focusing on Carmelo Anthony’s offense coming easier as an isolation player in Woodson’s system, some of the Knicks’ better defenders are primed to see upgraded roles as well.

Among those players set to potentially succeed under Woodson is Iman Shumpert, who is one of the more versatile players currently donning orange and blue. In addition to being a solid man-to-man defender, Shumpert’s athleticism and ability to finish at the basket makes him a potent option on offense.

As his team continues to embark on a new era, Shumpert senses a positive vibe.

“Things went well,” the rookie said at an appearance at the Steiner Sports store on Long Island, New York following his first practice on Thursday. He noted, “We ran some new plays on offense, but hopefully things will go smoothly. I’m the kind of player that just kind of goes with the flow. As long as I don’t force anything, I’ll be fine. There’s no need to really, because we as a team have so many different players that can get hot at any given time.”

The Knicks are very deep indeed. The real trick for Coach Woodson will be figuring out the groups of players whom play best with one another. Coming off the bench as of late, Shumpert has capitalized on offense by playing with backup point guard Baron Davis. B-Diddy is one to look for his teammates in the open floor on a consistent basis, and as a result, Shumpert is often there to slam home some sweet alley-oop passes. He certainly seems to have good chemistry running the floor with the second unit.

The high-flying guard has been back to his old tricks again, and said the knee that held him out of the Sprite Slam Dunk contest is all healed. Shumpert asserted, “I feel good. It’s been great to be able to run and jump again. No more pain. I think I should be in the Dunk Contest next year.”

Though Shumpert said he didn’t believe his role on offense would change much, it’s evident that now he, along with certain other teammates, are put on the court to balance the Knicks defensively. The rookie does not appear to have the green light he previously had to shoot under D’Antoni.

In fact, in Saturday night’s impressive 102-88 victory over the Pacers, Shumpert actually assumed floor general duties off the bench, filling in for the injured Davis. By doing so, Shumpert was forced to adjust his game, if only a little bit. The point guard’s main duties in Coach Woodson’s offense: get the ball to the big dogs and let the offense run through them.

While Knicks fans may not being seeing too much of a jump shoot from Shumpert moving forward, he will surely continue to make solid contributions by cutting to the basket effectively and playing smart defense.

Shumpert was all smiles as he and Knicks teammates Steve Novak and Tyson Chandler greeted fans and signed autographs. Thursday. They laughed and joked around, fully engaging with their loyal followers. Appearing as personal as ever, Shumpert recognized many of the fans that interact with him on Twitter. Clearly enjoying himself, Shumpert playfully serenaded fans with his own rendition of “Dirty Diana,” as the Michael Jackson classic blasted through the speakers.

Fielding a few questions from excited fans about what has been an eventful rookie season, filled with injuries, the NBA lockout, and a coaching change, Shumpert optimistically insisted, “As long as we’re winning, I’ll be happy. That’s all I really care about right now.”

**As the Knicks look to continue their three-game winning streak, the team behind Knicks Journal will be heading to Aruba. Check back for updates throughout the week.**

Camaraderie On Display as Knicks Win One in New Era

Unable to find any other way to stop all the bleeding, Coach Mike D'Antoni resigned from his post with the New York Knicks, ending a three and a half year tenure that has certainly featured its ups and downs.

Much more to come on Knicks Journal's reaction to the move in tomorrow's posts, but for now, let's focus in on how the Mike Woodson era began.

Woodson, the Knicks' new interim head coach, is the man that the team hopes can effectively reel in the cattle in time to make a playoff run. Of course, the former 1980 Knicks draft pick was highly coveted in the beginning of the season to transform the team's defense. Whether or not he can truly solely take credit for the improvements to date, the time is now for him to show if he can lead this talented bunch back into the playoffs.

In Woodson's first game at the helm in the Big Apple, the Knicks let loose and exploded onto the court. With many players taking the hardwood with a chip on their shoulder Wednesday, the team certainly felt they had something to prove.

Because D'Antoni's resignation came only hours before game time, much of what the Knicks did on offense against the Blazers was reminiscent to that of the offense carried out by the former coach. The Knicks shot 50% from down town, connecting on 19 three point field goals. J.R. Smith led the way with 25 points, sinking seven long balls, and Steve Novak added 20 points, connecting on six bombs of his own.

The Knicks took command of the game early, taking advantage of the Blazers' woes. The bench stampeded for a total of 72 points, playing that high-octane, run and gun offense Knicks fans have come to know over much of the last four seasons. That said, the reason the bench was ultimately able to come into the game for so long and capitalize is due to the starting lineup securing a lead.

The first unit's success was propelled by the Knicks' two resident stars, and this is where things only begin to differ between D'Antoni and Woodson. A few isolation plays were indeed run for Carmelo Anthony, as he shot well, on his way to 16 points in just 24 minutes. What's more, along with getting his necessary touches, Anthony helped distribute the ball, dishing out 7 assists. Such fluidity and ball distribution led to Amar'e Stoudemire efficiently pouring in 17 points in limited time as well. As evidenced in tonight's matchup, perhaps allowing Anthony to (even if selfishly) get his touches early will motivate him to spread the floor and move the ball around too.

The Knicks played together Wednesday night, and that's the most important thing. There needs to chemistry and camaraderie amongst the players. Those levels will rise through the roof with a coach who motivates them enough to win. Fluidity on offense, ball distribution, spacing, etc. will all follow and come easy, at that, if the Knicks are in the right state of mind. That said, maybe it took removing a coach the players really liked but ultimately couldn't perform for, to make them realize that.

Whether or not Woodson is the right man to do this in the long run remains to be proven. One thing is for certain, however. Things will be changing with a new voice preaching loudest in the locker room. As evidenced tonight, offensive schemes have the potential to differ as well, with more isolation plays to elevate the likes of Anthony and Smith probable in the future. Having both performed well Tuesday, the former Nuggets teammates put on display a bit of what made them so successful together in Denver.

Baron Davis dished out 10 assists, and Iman Shumpert also added 16 points in the 121-79 victory. The Knicks will look to explore the Woodson era even further Friday as they open up back to back games against the Pacers.

Win Your Opportunity to Meet the Knicks At Steiner Sports

Though the Knicks are struggling, there is no denying how high the level of excitement can be when the going gets good.

Even with the team's ups and downs, there have been a few bright spots along the way as players fans love to root for have stepped up in big ways throughout the season.

As Knicks fans know much too well, the team's defensive intensity over the last few years has been lacking. Coming from an era in which the likes of Patrick Ewing, Charles Oakley, John Starks (and many others) intimidated their opponents on the defensive end, it's obvious many fans appreciate having a fearsome presence anchoring the defense.

This season, All-NBA Second Defensive Team member Tyson Chandler has become the answer to many fans' prayers, helping the Knicks solve some defensive woes. The big man has quickly emerged as a leader on and off the court. What's more, his presence has been felt so much so that the Knicks have won more games propelled by their defense than offense. As the team looks to steady the ship in hopes of securing a playoff spot, the NBA champion's experience and intimidation down low will be crucial to any sort of run.

Having a defensive force is comforting, but what's more exciting in Coach D'Antoni's system than a player who can make it rain from long range? NBA journeyman Steve Novak has finally seemed to hit his stride with the Knicks, capitalizing on his niche of draining shots from deep. With an emergence from obscurity similiar to that of Jeremy Lin's, Novak has ignited the Garden crowd again and again this season. His ability to fill it up on offense in quite a hurry gives him the ability to not only turn games around, but also provide that crucial spark off the bench on a consistent basis.

And who doesn't enjoy watching a rookie's rise as he makes a quick transition to the pros in order to help his team? The high-flying Iman Shumpert has not only excited fans by converting on a number of alley-oop passes, but has also helped pace his team defensively. Looking to change their defensive culture this season, the Knicks drafted the versatile Shumpert to help clamp down on an array of different offensive talents. The rookie has already guarded some of the league's better players, often handling the pressure like a veteran.

Chandler, Novak, and Shumpert have all had positive contributions to date, quickly making them fan-favorites in what has been an eventful season. Now, through a fun promotion between us at Knicks Journal and our friends at Steiner Sports, fans will have the opportunity to meet one of their favorite Knicks.

All three players will be appearing at the Steiner Sports location at the Roosevelt Field Mall in Long Island tomorrow, Thursday March 15th, from 6:30p-8p. The contest is simple. For your chance to meet Chandler, Novak, or Shumpert, simply tweet @KnicksJournal with your favorite Chandler/Novak/Shumpert moment of the season and a reason why you'd like to meet one of the players. Three winners will be selected in total (each to meet and receive an autograph from their desired Knicks player). Winners will be chosen based on the best combination of both answers (favorite moment and reason why you should attend).

As always, make sure you're following both @KnicksJournal and @SteinerSports on Twitter to be eligible to win. The contest ends tomorrow at 12PM EST. Good luck!

Can Amar’e Stoudemire Play Savior and Resurrect the Knicks Once Again?

Currently reeling with no obvious end to their disastrous six game losing streak in sight, the Knicks are in trouble.

But it’s not simply the tallies in the loss column that are proving to be a cause for concern. Teams often go through slumps, and that is entirely acceptable. The difference in New York is that the Knicks do not appear to be experiencing just a slump. What this team is going through, rather, seems to represent a frustrating downward spiral.

Following Jeremy Lin’s ascension to fame and stardom, Carmelo Anthony has been given the opportunity to gel with his new point guard. The two players may respect one another on the court, but the fact of the matter is if the offense does not run through Anthony, he not only struggles individually, but also brings the team down with him.

The Brooklyn native is clearly an isolation player, thriving on offense if and only if he is given the green light to create his own opportunities. Though such a style of play worked for the Knicks earlier in the season as Anthony carried the team on his back, team play has not come easy as of late.

The Knicks’ struggles have stemmed from Anthony’s inability to roll with the punches. Circumstances have clearly changed from the beginning of the season, as the team has added an immense amount of depth to the roster. With players like Lin and Steve Novak emerging and the likes of Baron Davis and J.R. Smith making their Knicks debuts, the team has been able to present a much more talented group on the floor.

Even with the different array of talent all now donning orange and blue, somebody needs to step to command stronger play from the team. Since Anthony’s return, there has been little chemistry or camaraderie visible on the court. The Knicks need to be able to play together, but so far, they’ve had difficulty doing so.

It has been Anthony’s on court frustrations and lack of optimism that has deterred his team from ultimately finding success again. With Anthony not able to emerge as leader, the Knicks should look to a familiar face to save their season.

Though Amar’e Stoudemire has struggled mightily with on and off the court issues this season, he has the ability to take command of this team. He’s done it before, and still has the potential to do it again if looked upon with that role.

It’s clear that Stoudemire is lacking some of the explosiveness that made him an M.V.P. candidate last season, but perhaps that is because he’s no longer the center of attention on offense. Whereas Anthony’s isolation style causes the offense to bunch up and appear stagnant, Stoudemire’s jump shot and execution in the pick and roll could very well give the Knicks’ that injection of life needed to find an efficient flow once again. Stoudemire excels when he serves as his team’s go-to-guy, so why not play to his strengths and take advantage of his pent up aggression?

Aside from his contributions on the court, STAT is most definitely the right guy to get into his teammates’ ears in the locker room. He represents a positive and motivating presence, but even more importantly, preaches Coach Mike D’Antoni’s philosophy and vision. The entire team needs to have faith in the coaching staff’s ability to achieve success. There’s no better player than Stoudemire, a leader who has found success in D’Antoni’s system over the years, to make everyone else believe.

The trick to featuring Stoudemire on offense more heavily moving forward would be not allowing Anthony’s smaller role be too much of a story. With media and fans alike ready to pounce on Anthony for any negativity, it’ll be crucial for him to cope quietly with a lesser role on offense.

Given the team’s past success, inserting Stoudemire as the go-to-guy seems to be a potentially strong move. After all, the Knicks have tried a number of different schemes on offense, only to be unsuccessful thus far. Though the pressures of being a savior can often be too much to handle, Stoudemire indulged in every bit of attention he received last summer as the pioneer coming to the Big Apple to deliver success.

The fact is, the Knicks need a definitive leader on and off the court, and because the big man feeds off of the type of energy, they should look to him once again to embrace that role.

To overcome Anthony’s struggles and negative impact on the team as of late, Coach D’Antoni now needs to do everything in his power to salvage what’s left of the season. If the Knicks still want an opportunity at securing a playoff spot, the team needs to stop the bleeding and instead go back to something familiar that has delivered success in the past: an up-tempo offense that features none other than STAT. Should D’Antoni be able to do accomplish this, he may just regain respect all around.

Knicks Let Another One Slip Away in Loss To Bucks

Taking on the Bucks in Milwaukee on Friday night, the Knicks' simply couldn't end Steve Novak's homecoming on a high note.

In Novak's first game back in his hometown since becoming a bit of a household name, the Knicks let the Bucks' offense torch them, falling by a final score of 119-114.

After struggling earlier in the week, losing to contending teams, the contest against the Bucks appeared to represent what could have been a pick-me-up game for the Knicks. Milwaukee clearly had other plans.

Ersan Ilyasova, who has stepped up for the Bucks during the absence of Andrew Bogut, led his team with 26 points. Sharp-shooting Mike Dunleavy came off the bench to explode for 25 points, and young stud Brandon Jennings also added 25 points of his own. All three had stellar offensive outings as they exploited the Knicks' defensive woes all game long.

After having seen their defense elevated by the arrival of Tyson Chandler this season, the Knicks looked utterly helpless without him, as both he and Jared Jeffries sat out with injuries for the second straight game.

With the squad still struggling to find their rhythm on offense with all the new dynamics in place, the Knicks' defense has been what's surprisingly anchored them to many victories this season. Without their two sturdy defensive forces, the Knicks quickly fell behind and couldn't maintain enough of an attack throughout the game to sustain a comeback. Playing "catch up" is a tough thing to do.

With Chandler and Jeffries both out, the Knicks opted to go with a small lineup in an attempt to outrun the Bucks. Jeremy Lin, Landry Fields, J.R. Smith, Carmelo Anthony, and Amar'e Stoudemire all started the contest, hoping to overwhelm the Bucks with offensive firepower.

And in a refreshing development, the offense did in fact look better than it has in previous weeks. There was solid effort, a nice flow, and players looked aggressive. Lin and Baron Davis even combined for a total of 22 assists as each looked to get their teammates involved. Lin finished with 20 points and 13 assists, and Davis played his best game as a Knick, logging 9 points and 9 assists.

What's more, Anthony and Stoudemire got things going on the offensive end as well. STAT recorded yet another double-double with 27 points and 11 rebounds, and Anthony added 22 points. Many things just happened to go right for the Knicks on that side of the ball last night, as even Fields broke out of his slump with 18 points, and Novak added 11 points in his homecoming. Shooting the ball well, the team wasted a 55% night from the field.

It's great that the offense is coming together, but as the Knicks have realized in years past, there is no way they can win without a sound defensive effort. When both begin to click, the team will be on their way, but such an effort needs to happen quickly. The team is quickly reeling after its fourth straight loss, and if they want any chance at stopping the bleeding, Chandler and Jeffries need to return ASAP.

The Knicks will take on the division-leading 76ers Sunday afternoon at the Garden.

Tyson Chandler's Absence Signals Knicks' Loss

All season long, the Knicks have surprised NBA fans for different reasons. A big shocker has not only been how elevated the team's defense has been since the arrival of Tyson Chandler, but also how stagnant the offense has appeared at times.

Such a reversal has been quite strange considering the offensive smarts of Coach Mike D'Antoni. The good thing, however, is that because sound defensive play has been so difficult to come by in the past, one would have to think (now that the defense is present), both sides of the ball will click at some point for the Knicks considering their offensive prowess.

Last night was simply not the night for it all to happen. Though the Knicks' offensive game displayed more fluidity than in has in recent weeks, their poor defensive effort was reminiscent of years past.

Without Tyson Chandler and Jared Jeffries, the Knicks were unable to stop the Spurs from scoring on all cylinders. As mentioned in our pre-game post, the Spurs thrive on the offensive end by attacking to the basket and penetrating the defense. Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili are two of the best in the league at doing so, and without a defensive presence inside for the Knicks, San Antonio's backcourt could not be stopped. Parker led his team with 32 points, and Ginobili added 17. Also pouring in 17 points of his own was Tim Duncan, who took advantage of the lack of intimidation down low from the Knicks.

The Spurs are by no means a run and gun team, but their points total certainly suggested such. They exploited the Knicks' weaknesses on defense and moved the ball quite well, pouring in a total of 118 points in the victory. Everyone was on the same page, finding each other in the right spots and executing efficiently on the offensive end.

The type of chemistry the Spurs play with night in and night out (as demonstrated last night) is the same kind the Knicks can only pray they eventually find. It's the type of chemistry and camaraderie champions are made of.

Though the Knicks' defensive effort was nearly non-existent, as mentioned, their offensive play showed promise. Carmelo Anthony found a bit of rhythm, shooting well and leading his team with 27 points. Getting Anthony involved in the offense is obviously crucial, but the Knicks (especially Jeremy Lin) more importantly need to get him the ball in the right places for him to succeed. Make things easier for him, rather than harder. There's no need for him to force up shots. Last night, the Knicks did a decent job of finding him. Lin scored 20 points of his own, but was completely overshadowed (and exploited) by Parker's strong play.

The Knicks were also paced offensively by Amar'e Stoudemire's 18 points and 11 boards. As the team looks for things to go their way, Stoudemire's physicality will be of the utmost importance. Getting to the basket effectively and rebounding well, some of STAT's prowess from last season has been on display as of late. J.R. Smith broke out of a mini slump for the Knicks as well, scoring 18 points off the bench.

Josh Harrellson, who got the start in place of Chandler, was one of two Knicks, was one of only two Knicks to a have a positive plus/minus on the night, leading his team with plus 8.

Losing by a final score of 118-105, the Knicks fell to 18-21 on the season. They will look to bounce back on Friday vs. the Bucks.

Knicks Look to Overcome Adversity as They Take On Spurs

Knicks fans have been hopeful that good things are on the horizon for the team with the squad appearing at full strength. With Baron Davis and J.R. Smith recently making their debuts, and the likes of Carmelo Anthony and Josh Harrellson returning from their respective injuries, the squad looked poised to make some noise.

Tough losses to the Celtics and the Mavericks this week have suggested otherwise, leaving many to question and/or ponder what may be the underlining problems. What, exactly, is standing in the way of the team's success?

Tonight the answer to that question is unfortunately easy. Heading into their matchup with the Spurs in San Antonio this evening, the Knicks will be without two of their best defensive players in Tyson Chandler and Jared Jeffries. Chandler will sit out tonight with a strained last hamstring, and Jeffries will reportedly be out through Friday's game while nursing a sore knee.

Such absences will make things difficult for the Knicks, as both members of the Spurs' backcourt, Manu Ginobili and M.V.P. candidate Tony Parker, thrive by attacking the basket. Also not to be forgotten for the Spurs is Tim Duncan, who obviously is most comfortable in the post.

Who will be that defensive force tonight, providing such a presence to throw off the Spurs' offensive strategy? Rookie Josh Harrellson will start in place of Chandler at center, and will likely handle the bulk of minutes in the post with both Chandler and Jeffries out.

Though the team is clearly left to cope with two huge voids, giving Harrellson this opportunity might not be so bad. In his return to the court from a fractured wrist, Harrellson was one of the few players to have made a positive impact during his team's frustrating loss to the Mavs. He led his team in plus/minus with 13 while grabbing 7 rebounds and 2 steals in just 13 minutes.

The Kentucky product threw his body around against the Mavericks, hustling and bustling to throw off Dallas' big men as they attacked the basket. The Knicks are surely to depend on him inside against the Spurs.

Furthermore mixing things up tonight, the Knicks will also start Iman Shumpert at shooting guard, relegating Landry Fields to the bench.

Though Fields (who has started 118 out of his first 120 NBA games) had a slow start to the season, he began to find his groove once again while playing alongside Jeremy Lin. This week however, he's struggled to make his impact felt, appearing out of the game mentally. He did grab 10 rebounds and dish out 4 assists against the Mavericks last night, but looked utterly lost while on the court against the Celtics.

The Knicks have stuck with Fields consistently in the starting lineup largely in part due to his attitude on the court. By showing faith in Fields, the coaching staff has willed him towards making strides to break out of various slumps. The current slump perhaps proves to be too pressing with the overall team struggling and looking for answers as to why.

Shumpert has been a huge spark plug for the Knicks off the bench all season long. He's shown promise, and has good chemistry with his teammates. Being on the same page with many of his teammates has helped the rookie on the offensive end as he attacks the basket. His impact has clearly been evident, and the team is obviously hopeful he will do more of the same as he makes a splash to begin to the game instead.

All this recognized, both players' effectiveness may be due to the units in which they play in. Shumpert's provided boost may come about as he shines with second unit players who aren't as aggressive. At the flip side, Fields grants his team all the various intangibles. He's been able to fit right in with the starters previously because he plays fundamentally well alongside the team's offensive firepower. His off-the-ball type impact may not be as heavily felt coming off the pine.

For more on the Spurs' early success this season, click here. To read on about Long Island native and current Spurs' guard Danny Green's time with Jeremy Lin and Steve Novak in the NBA D-League, click here instead.

Knicks Coach Herb Williams Talks Coaching Strategy, The Return of Josh Harrellson

As the Knicks continue to learn, being able to secure victories against contending teams will come down to how well they matchup to the different arrays of talent.

Being able to exploit the different mismatches in their favor, as well as cope with the ones against them, will only benefit the Knicks as they adjust lineups accordingly.

The Knicks’ coaching staff certainly has the power, and lucky for them, the team appears more versatile than ever. There should no longer be one set group in, and another set group out of the game. With so many different options now a part of the rotation, the staff can mix and match its players to create the utmost balanced and ideal attacks.

Showing his support while appearing at the John Starks Foundation’s annual charity bowling tournament last week, long time Knick and current assistant coach Herb Williams talked about the coaching staff’s strategy going into the second half of the season.

“The time is now for us, because this is when we’re not only jockeying for playoff position, but trying to secure home court advantage,” Williams said. “Everyone needs to be on the same page offensively and defensively, and that’s tough because we don’t have a lot of time to practice. That just means we have to set the expectation that everyone on this team be prepared mentally each and every night.”

With so many games packed into a short amount of time this season due to the lockout, Williams asserted the coaching staff has been doing things a bit differently. He went on to say, “We’ve actually been doing a lot of coaching through film, since we don’t always have the opportunity to go out and run different drills. The staff just wants the players to watch and take note of different situations in order to get an idea of what we want to accomplishment on both ends of the court. It’s our job to help them be ready at all times and keep their spirits up.”

One player who has kept a positive attitude throughout the season has been rookie Josh Harrellson, who was recently cleared to return to play after being sidelined with a fractured wrist. Proving he wasn’t simply an energy guy, Harrellson used his time on the court earlier this season to not only display his defensive prowess, but also show a long-range shooting touch good enough to help the Knicks spread the floor effectively.

Williams said despite all of the newfound depth the Knicks have been granted over the last few weeks, time needs to be found on the court for Harrellson regardless.

“Josh is a very good player,” Williams insisted. “He has great defensive footwork and rebounds the ball real well. He spaces the floor out for us too. He pretty much does everything we like. I think we were extremely lucky to draft him where we did. He played a big role for Kentucky last season and was an even bigger part of why they went as far as they did.”

Though the Knicks originally were attracted to Harrellson largely in part due to his defense, his offense and shooting from deep makes him a versatile option off the bench.

Recognizing Harrellson’s previously uncovered talents, the assistant coach noted, “Well, Josh is a better shooter from far than I was in my career. A team never really knows all the different things a player can do until they put him to the test, though. Big men sometimes unfortunately get pigeonholed in college, and maybe that’s what happened with Josh because he was expected to play a defensive role. We brought him in and found out he shoots the long ball well and can help us in that regard. We’re just fortunate he can play the way we want.”

Though he does work with Harrellson, Williams quickly dismissed the notion he is simply a “big man coach” because of the position he played in his career. “People forget I’ve done the head-coaching thing before. I was head coach of the Knicks. I’m certainly no point guard coach, but I like to do a little of everything. Wherever I can step in and add my knowledge of the game, I’ll do it. I like talking to the guards, our big men—everybody.”

Williams, who also spoke glowingly about Iman Shumpert’s defensive presence, has sat on the Board of Directors of the JSF for years. Showing up to support former teammate Starks on such a charitable night, the former Knicks big man indulged in some bowling fun throughout the night, celebrating his skills on the lanes by high-fiving friends and fans alike.

The John Starks Foundation, established in 1994, raises money to award deserving teens from the tri-state and Tulsa, Oklahoma areas with scholarships in hopes of elevating their educational, recreational, and career development.

Knicks Bloggers Talk About Team's Loss to Boston Celtics

As much of a nail-biter as yesterday's Knicks loss to the Celtics was, it's clear how many fans were disappointed and/or frustrated with the end result.

There were quite a few things to talk about, and I joined a few of my fellow bloggers (Tommy Dee of "The Knicks Blog,"Dan from "The Knicks Fanblog", and Taylor Armosino of "Meloship of the Ring") on Spreecast to break down the loss, as well as talk about what are sure to be some other pressing matters for the Knicks as the season progresses.

If you didn't catch it live, be sure to watch above, as we touch on an array of interesting topics.

Big shout out to Chris Delgado, our esteemed and well-orchestrating moderator, for arranging this one. Be sure to catch his frequent Spreecasts all about the Knicks throughout the week.

Knicks Fall to Celtics In Historical Game for Rajon Rondo

Coming into today's game, the New York Knicks had not won in Boston vs. the Celtics in over five years. As New York has struggled to find the right formula for success over the years, Boston has risen to the top of contention behind strong efforts from their "Big Three."

However, the Knicks brought some momentum with them into the matinee matchup in Boston, having posted a 10-3 record since LINsanity struck.

Because they've put together quite the recipe for racking up the wins as of late, New York was expected to compete at a high enough level against the proven Celtics.

And that they did. The Knicks not only hung around all game long, but also carried a lead into the second half, as well as the final seconds of the game. As much as the Knicks tried to pull away, however, Boston proved you can never count a past champion down and out for good.

The Celtics clearly had a game plan going into this one, and executed it beautifully. Much of the Knicks' continuing momentum is due to the emergence of Lin, and the Celtics did their part to not only fluster him, but take him out of the game early. They trapped the Harvard graduate on offense, preventing him from driving to the hoop or finding the open man. What's more, Boston players went right at him on the defensive end as well, driving to the hoop to drive fouls. Lin had two fouls early in the first and was forced to sit.

Lin's effectiveness was taken out of the game, if not only by him not being on the floor physically, then instead by Boston's ability to intercept his attempts to get his teammates involved.

The turnovers mounted all game long, with Lin and Baron Davis combining for 12 out of the Knicks' 22 total. At the same time, while Lin's game was thrown off, Davis led his team with 7 assists. Furthermore, he and his fellow mates from the second unit kept the Knicks afloat with the starters struggling.

Iman Shumpert and Steve Novak both added 14 off the bench, but it was ultimately Carmelo Anthony who helped his team command a 103-100 lead in the final seconds. But Anthony's contributions (he finished with 25 points and 7 rebounds) weren't enough to overcome the massive heroics of Paul Pierce.

Pierce, who has tormented the Knicks for years with his solid play, finished with 34 points and hit an off-balance bomb from long range that tied the game at 103 and sent the game into overtime. From there, the wind was quickly ripped away from the Knicks' sails, and the Celtics secured a 115-111 victory.

As heroic as Pierce may have been for the Celtics, nothing and no one could have overshadowed Rajon Rondo, who has been the subject of recent trade rumors. The point guard propelled his team to victory by posting quite the historic performance. The all-star not only scored 18 points, but dished out 20 assists while grabbing 17 rebounds. He became only the third player ever in NBA history (joining Wilt Chamberlain and Oscar Robertson) to record 15-20-15.

The Knicks fell to a veteran squad, but did stay competitive throughout despite not being led by Jeremy Lin. There were positives to this game. Obviously being able to overcome an uneventful game by Lin is one of them, but it's also good the bench keeps producing as it has. Should the Knicks be able to go back to the drawing board in practice and work on limiting the turnovers, a solid road trip against contending teams should be in store this week.

The players can only do so much, because it's up to Coach Mike D'Antoni to figure out the most effective rotation for the full 48 minutes of a ballgame. Switching out the first and second units (rather than mix and match the players to find more balanced lineups) may not ultimately be the best option.

Amar'e Stoudemire also included 16 points and 13 rebounds for the Knicks, who will take on the Mavericks Tuesday in Dallas as they continue their road trip.

Spurs' Danny Green On D-League Experience and Playing With Knicks' Breakout Stars

As they established their roster this season, the Knicks seemingly went with the trend: form your own “Big Three.”

Amar’e Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony, and Tyson Chandler were brought together in New York with the highest hopes of contention. But despite how much star power a team seems to have, sometimes depth triumphs all as role players provide a boost.

No team has learned that better than the Knicks this season, who have seen their two biggest surprises come in the form of Jeremy Lin and Steve Novak.

Lin and Novak were both unknown talents around the NBA until this season. By now, everyone knows the story of LINsanity; Lin has beaten the odds as an undrafted guard out of Harvard. For the 27-year-old Novak, the Knicks are his fifth team in six seasons.

Both players have surely benefited from the bright lights of New York City, shinning on the biggest stage in “The World’s Most Famous Arena.” Furthermore, it’s obvious both Lin and Novak have seen an elevation in their games from playing in Coach Mike D’Antoni’s offense. The Knicks were in desperate need of a playmaking point guard to orchestrate the offense. In came Lin. After putting a bigger focus on defense, the team had also seemed to lack its signature shooting touch from long-range. In came Novak.

The two unlikely heroes have come up big for the Knicks, more so than anyone could have imagined. But how and why did it take so long for these uncovered gems to be discovered?

Spurs guard and Long Island native Danny Green, someone experiencing quite the breakout season of his own, played with both Lin and Novak on the same D-League squad last season (the Reno Bighorns). After their stint together, what does Green think of their bursts onto the NBA scene?

“I think it’s all about timing and the right situation for some guys,” Green told Knicks Journal. “Jeremy’s always been what he is, which is pretty good. He was good in the D-League too, so I don’t think his game has changed much. He’s gotten an opportunity in the system that he’s in, and I think it fits him perfectly.

Green continued, “Jeremy and Steve are guys who have gotten to shine offensively. You need to find an offensive system where you fit. Defensively, players can work on their game and improve some, but offensively you need to find the right place for you.

“Steve’s always been a great shooter from deep. Everybody knows that, but he needs guys to get him the ball quickly while he’s open. On the other hand, Jeremy is deceitfully athletic and he’s quicker than most people think. He’s a scoring point guard who can get to the basket, but can also be crafty when he wants to get his teammates the ball too. Coach Mike D’Antoni’s offense obviously has allowed them both to play really well.”

Though Novak’s stint in the D-League was short, his breakout game was a 21 point performance in which Lin scored 17 points and dished out 9 assists. Needless to say, the Bighorns won, and Green added 15 points of his own. It’s clear that then and now, Lin and Novak feed off each other’s energy and talent.

Green praised the D-League for giving him an opportunity to not only play more and hone his skills, but also prepare him for a new role. Being asked to take on a more dominant scoring role made him more capable of taking on a new challenge this season, filling in for the injured Manu Ginobili on the Spurs.

Green, Lin, and Novak obviously all had chances to produce in the D-League, which is something Green is grateful for. At the same time, he feels even more privileged to be having a breakout season, along with his two former teammates.

“It’s all time and opportunity with this league,” he said. “Some guys get it, and some guys don’t. Everything can be taken away from you at any given moment, so you better work at it and appreciate it each and every day. Anything can drastically change in even a matter of 24 hours, as evidenced with Jeremy, Steve, and myself. You have to stay ready.”

With all three players continuing to make crucial impacts on their respective teams, look for their breakout seasons to continue.

Knicks Receive Injection of Life From Second Unit to Beat Cavs

Heading into the second half of the season, the Knicks are surely poised to make some noise in the Eastern Conference.

With a nearly full roster, new additions and rehabbed players included, New York's depth is substantial enough to keep the pace with just about anyone in the league. Truly 1 through 12 deep, the Knicks' roster is now immersed with players who would make an impact in any rotation. With so much talent, the time is now to build the momentum and work towards a solid finish to the season.

Despite resting up during NBA All-Star Weekend, the Knicks came out the gate for their game against the Cavaliers on Wednesday looking exhausted, on tired legs, and exuded little to no effort on defense.

Though the Knicks looked (at the very least) capable on offense in the first half, there was still little flow. The ball was moving, and a few shots fell, but the team lacked the true continuity that has propelled them in victory in the past. Jeremy Lin's aggressiveness was clipped by the Cavs' defensive pressure at the top of the key.

The Knicks let the Cavs run them out of the building in the first half. The opponent shot around 53% from the field in the first half, sinking shots as badly as they were sinking the Knicks.

As noted, the Knicks had a couple of players with 8 points or more heading into the half, but no player was able to execute and take over the game to keep them afloat.

Unacceptable. Such an effort (or lack there of) on both ends of the court by the Knicks is simply unacceptable. And Tyson Chandler, an NBA champion with the Mavs last season, let his team know at halftime.

Chandler's pep talk served as a severe wake up call for the Knickerbockers. Funny thing was, Chandler wasn't exactly on the court as his team rolled out what was potentially their best comeback effort of the season.

Coach Mike D'Antoni, with the new array of depth at his disposal, turned completely to his second unit for a Knicks comeback.

Baron Davis, Iman Shumpert, Steve Novak, J.R. Smith, and Jared Jeffries all took the court for the Knicks towards the end of the third quarter, and continued to spearhead a comeback much throughout the fourth.

Clearly motivated, the team's second unit displayed the type of fluidity on offense the team had been lacking. What's more, the defensive effort was sound as they applied pressure, flustering the Cavaliers enough to take a lead. And then they never looked back.

Davis, the former Cavalier and much-expected Knicks' savior up until LINsanity struck, led the charge. He played intelligently, finding his teammates in effective spots over and over again. He dished out 8 assists while committing no turnovers. What's more, though he only finished with 4 points and has thus far lacked the aggressiveness that made him an all-star, he leaped to the basket, alluding a Cavalier guard to lay in a powerful layup. He displayed an aggressive first step that will potentially give the Knicks a much needed boost on offense, should he be able to capitalize on it further.

Though Davis had a breakout game against his former team, the Knicks' biggest hero of the night was Steve Novak, who knocked five field goals from downtown to help carry his team to a 120-103 win. He finished with 17 points in just 17 minutes.

To help secure the victory, the Knicks' starters stepped back onto the court in order to put a stamp on the win. Carmelo Anthony finished with a team-leading 22 points, and Lin had an even more impressive game, scoring 19 points, dishing out 13 assists, and only committing one turnover. Chandler filled up the stat sheet as well, pouring in 13 points while grabbing 15 boards. He powered through on defense as well, blocking 4 shots and swiping three steals.

The Knicks were also elevated by the play of Iman Shumpert, who connected on alley-oops, slamed home electrifying dunks, and distracted the Cavs on defense. He returned from knee tendonitis by scoring 12 points and grabbing 3 steals. For more on Shumpert's return to play, and his thoughts on the Sprite Slam Dunk contest, check out his interview with Knicks Journal.

The Knicks resume play on Sunday in Boston vs. the Celtics.