KnicksJournal.com Podcast #7: Knicks / Celtics Postgame Reaction & More

Setting quite the commanding tone, the Knicks overpowered the Celtics for the secibs time this season in Boston, coming out victorious by a score of 100-85 on Tuesday night.

With so many things going their way at TD Garden, it was difficult to be disappointed with the way the Knicks (short-handed without Tyson Chandler, among others) kept up their level of intensity and gritty effort throughout the contest.

There were plenty of positives to take away from the win, and with that in mind, myself and co-host Phife Dawg of "A Tribe Called Quest" teamed up yet again for the latest edition of the KnicksJournal.com Podcast to break things down.

The two of us hit the ground running with some post-game reaction, but the fun doesn't just stop there. In addition to examining the team's latest victory, we discuss who and what types of things will be key to the Knicks' continuing their winning ways as they propel themselves into the postseason. Ironically enough, with a win against the Celtics on Tuesday, New York climbed back into second place in the Eastern Conference. If the postseason began right now, the Knicks' reward for achieving such a high seed, would coincidentally, be playing Boston in the first round of the playoffs.

Though New York has been able to put up two W's in the victory column as visitor, the Celtics are certainly in no way the type of opponent you sneeze at. No matter who the Knicks play, they'll have their work cut out for them.



From there, Phife and I also discuss the Miami Heat's remarkable winning streak, and ponder when it may eventually come to an end. Where does this team rank amongst the all-time greatest teams the NBA has ever seen grace its big league hardwood? A true basketball historian, the rapper weighs in to share his thoughts on the matter.

As Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James continue to lead their respective teams to great things, can Kobe Bryant hope to do the same for the Lakers? Before returning to some Knickerbocker chat to close things out, we address the possibility of Kobe and company stepping up to deliver a massive first-round playoff series upset as an eighth seed.

To hear all these burning questions and issues addressed by myself and Phife, make sure you listen in for some great discussion!

Enjoy! As always, you can follow me on Twitter @KnicksJournal and hit up Phife Dawg as well @IamThePHIFER.

Will Kenyon Martin Be Able to Keep Up Intensity for Knicks?

At the beginning of the season, the Knicks reeled a bevy of well known and proven veterans in to fill out their squad.

Though New York currently stands as the league's oldest team, the thought-process behind this was that if most of the seasoned vetereans were able to conservatively share minutes with one another, they'd each be able to thrive while not being asked or expected to do too much.

But a handful of injuries to plenty of key Knicks contributors has undoubtedly thrown a wrench into that line of thinking. Iman Shumpert's knee injury from last season gave way to Jason Kidd (for better or for worse) earning himself a starting job, and from there, a domino effect began with regard to the Knicks needing to rely on these veterans for a lot more than anyone (including themselves) ever imagined.

Potentially playing too much has resulted in Kidd experiencing his own respective cold streaks, but he's not the only one. The likes of Rasheed Wallace and Marcus Camby (and not to mention, Amar'e Stoudemire) have all encountered various injuries and setbacks, forcing the Knicks to look elsewhere for help.

Similar circumstances is exactly what led to New York bringing in Kenyon Martin. After playing out two ten-day contracts, not only do the Knicks simply need Martin by default, but he's also done enough over the last few weeks to prove he deserves to stay in town.

Filling in for the injured Tyson Chandler, Martin started in the Knicks' front-court over the last handful of games, and looked almost as steady a running mate as the All-Star Chandler does next to Carmelo Anthony. In six games as a starter, Martin has averaged 12.2 points (on 67% from the field) and 7.2 boards.

That's not bad for a guy who up until until late February, hadn't participated in professional competition since last Spring.

Martin has served as a key factor in the Knicks resuming their winning ways and bouncing back from an otherwise recent frustrating road trip, but the question remains, how long can he keep it up?

It's been well noted that when Chandler eventually returns to the lineup (that very well could be Tuesday against the Celtics), Martin will go on to resume taking a seat on the bench to begin contests.

This is undeniably the right move, as overplaying the new Knickerbocker and burning him out this early with so much to gain the weeks ahead would be quite the let down.

With the rest of their options having dwindled down to not very many over the last two months or so, the Knicks need to recognize the life-presever of sorts they've been tossed in the form of Martin. It's tough not to sound overly dramatic when it comes to the Knicks' keeping their head afloat the rest of the way with regard to coping with so many injuries, but the fact remains that Martin is one of the team's last hopes in the front court.

As Anthony and the rest of his teammates begin to peak at exactly the right time with their eyes narrowed in on the ultimate time, it's important Coach Mike Woodson and his staff stick to the original plan when it comes to Martin.

Martin's proven that not only can he still play at this level, but also that he can be a key contributor in a contending team's success. If the Knicks want to keep reaping the benefits of having him aboard, they must monitor his minutes accordingly.

With Chandler out, New York has been given a unique window into the world of Martin and what he can still do, but now it's time to reel him back in and ultimately, better prepare themselves to unleash him and his freakish athleticism and explosiveness once again when it matters most: the postseason.

How to Support Two Charitable Causes By Being a Knicks Fan

There are just a couple of weeks left in the NBA's regular season. As Knicks fans know, there's nothing like taking in a game and rooting for the Big Apple's home team. Speaking from experience, it's also a lot of fun to hit the road and support the Knicks away from home as well, as the passion of their fans can be heavily felt in just about any arena nationwide.

If you haven't been to a game yet this season, now is the time to make your move and get out there. Luckily, two charitable causes have come out with opportunities for you to support the Knicks, all the while also throwing your support behind worthy enough causes to benefit those in need. Take a look below for more information.


Opportunity #1:

The New York Knicks have donated tickets in the West Balcony and provided VIP on-court access during a pre-game warm up and shoot-around to support a charity that helps kids in Haiti. This is a unique opportunity to see your favorite NBA stars up close and personal during the pre-game, which is usually closed to the public.

Want the details? On April 9th at the Knicks vs. Washington Wizards game at Madison Square Garden, you too can watch the warm-up right on the court, then watch the game from seats in the Upper West Balcony. Information about how to buy tickets are only available at http://goalshaiti.org/knicks

As if that wasn’t charitable enough, Melo, Shumpert and Chandler also donated some autographed shwag that the charity has been auctioning off on Ebay. Still up for grabs are a signed Shumpert jersey and a ball autographed by Tyson Chandler. Each item comes with a certificate of authenticity signed by a representative of the Knicks themselves.

Cool Knicks shwag, tickets and a tax-deduction for helping kids in Haiti go to school and play sports? Sounds good to us.

Hope to see you at the game!

Opportunity #2

The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte and the Charlotte Bobcats have joined forces to create the ultimate sports and travel experience for basketball enthusiasts, with all proceeds from this incomparable VIP offering set to go to charity.

The new “Basketball Bucket List Experience” at The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte includes exclusive and unprecedented NBA basketball access never before offered in the region, and only one package will be made available for sale. Priced at $10,000, the two-night basketball dream experience for four will include:

From The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte

• Two nights in the luxurious, 2,900-square-foot Ritz-Carlton Suite and an adjoining second bedroom
• Two signature treatments at The Spa & Wellness Center
• Dinner for four at BLT Steak, located at The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte. Includes a special autographed cookbook from renowned BLT Steak chef and owner Laurent Tourondel
• Breakfast for four each morning at Bar Cocoa at The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte
• Private tour with curator of Charlotte’s renowned Mint Museum
• Two personalized Ritz-Carlton bathrobes and special in-room guest amenities for each evening
• Round-trip private transportation from Charlotte Douglas International Airport

From the Charlotte Bobcats

• Four floor seats on April 15, when the Bobcats host the New York Knicks at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, including in-seat concession service, BackCourt Club access, dinner buffet and complimentary beverages
• Pre-game Meet and Greet with package holder’s favorite Bobcats player
• Autographed jersey from package holder’s favorite Bobcats player
• Admittance to behind-the-scenes Bobcats post-game press conference

To reserve the Basketball Bucket List Experience at The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte, contact Whitney Howell at The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte at 704-549-4735.

Knicks Clinch Playoff Birth By Taking Down Necessary Team

The Knicks have struggled to achieve consistent winning ways over the years. This season's barrage of ongoing injuries have certainly not made it any easier to do so.

But regardless of the circumstances, Mike Woodson and his squad have kept a number of different things in mind as they look to secure their place at the top of the Atlantic Division. Emerging as a division leader becomes much easier if a squad a) protects home court and/or b) continues to defeat the weaker teams in the league they're expected to take down.

Though the Knicks had already fallen to the Raptors twice earlier this season, they made sure they wouldn't quite strike out on a called third strike. Still without Tyson Chandler for the few days, New York all the while managed to defeat the Raps in Toronto by a score of 99-94 on Friday evening.

The Knicks didn't exactly play their best brand of basketball. The Raptors even went on to outscore the visiting team considerably in the second half. That said, it just simply wasn't enough to overcome a key second quarter by New York. There were a couple of solid contributors that also seemed to pace the Knicks down the stretch as well.

In just his second game back after returning from an injury, Carmelo Anthony showed some rust despite scoring 15 first-half points. Even so, he settled down and turned up the intensity to score over 20 points in the second half alone, finishing with a tally of 37.

But Knickerbocker killer Alan Anderson was right behind him, helping Toronto stay alive by pouring in a season-high 35 points of his own. New York simply couldn't stop him. The Raptors shot 46% from the field, but the Knicks seemed to play somewhat decent zone and man-to-man defense. Thus, they were able to limit Toronto's spacing, cutting off the passing lanes and playing them rather tightly. The Knicks may not have been able to necessarily slow the Raptors down, but Toronto nevertheless never seemed to develop a flow to their offense from start to finish.

With New York facing a variety of injuries, Kenyon Martin emerged as Anthony's running mate for the evening. The newest Knick tallied season-highs of 18 points and 11 boards, playing solid defense and leaping high to convert on a couple of flashy dunks.

Coach Woodson played four of his key players (three starters) 36 minutes or more. With the squad already short-handed, it'll be interesting to see how the coach opts to go about things on Saturday evening, when both the Knicks and Raptors meet in the Big Apple for the latter game of their home & home mini-series.

Needless to say, a handful of different contributors may need to step up to give some of Friday night's top performers a rest. With Raymond Felton (42) and Jason Kidd (30) both taking on the burden of the minutes at floor general Friday, expect Woodson to instill some more trust in Pablo Prigioni on Saturday. The Argentine started against Toronto and played quite well during his time on the court, but only hit the hardwood for nine and a half minutes.

KnicksJournal.com Podcast #6 With Phife Dawg: How Will Knicks Survive Without Longterm Plan?

The injury bug continues to bite the Knicks hard. With so many players having to take a step back due to various knee injuries, it's almost as though there's an evil Heat fan just poking a few Knickerbocker voodoo dolls in his basement.

Nevertheless, though Carmelo Anthony may hope to be in uniform against Orlando on Wednesday, New York still announced that they'll be without Tyson Chandler and Kurt Thomas for a prolonged period of time.

How can the team cope with such losses, given that the injuries just keep on occurring? Phife Dawg and I discuss the team's latest ups and downs on the new edition of the KnicksJournal.com Podcast.

Fresh off staging a mini "A Tribe Called Quest" reunion at SXSW, the rapper not only shares what it was like to perform again, but also what it was like to take in such a devastating Knickerbocker loss live last week in Golden State during the team's just finished road trip.



At the beginning of the season, the Knicks appeared to be going forth with a "win now" or "all or nothing" mentality. Mike Woodson's done a terrific job of putting this team in a great position, but with so many injuries, will they be able to maintain any still existing momentum?



With many of their eggs all in one basket, where will the Knicks go from here, should they fall terribly short of legitimately contending this postseason? Will not winning a championship signal a total bust for New York this season? If they do come up short, who will stay and who will go? What moves can they make? How much longer will Amar'e Stoudemire's stay in the Big Apple be?

Phife and I discuss ponder all these very questions and more. We address not only the latest happenings, but what may lie ahead for the Knicks if they don't have a longer term plan in place.

Make sure you give us a listen for some great Knickerbocker debate, a little SXSW talk, and Phife Dawg's Final Four predictions.

Enjoy! As always, you can follow me on Twitter @KnicksJournal and hit up Phife Dawg as well @IamThePHIFER.

Why Kenyon Martin Has Been So Much Better Than Expected

So far, the Knicks' Western Conference road trip has consisted of three separate stops in three different cities.

With each visit has come an all the more frustrating losing effort for New York. Unfortunately, a sure end to the team's misery does not appear to be in immediate sight.

Only time will tell whether or not Carmelo Anthony and/or Tyson Chandler will take the court on Sunday afternoon against the Clippers. Nevertheless, it's safe to say their teammates will continue to have difficulty competing without them.

The Knicks, as an overall team, have experienced set-back after set-back as of late. But as poorly as players on the squad from top to bottom have played, there have been a few rare bright spots to speak of.

Over the course of two ten-day contracts, Kenyon Martin has without a doubt continued to make a positive impact for his new team, despite their recent ups and downs. In such a short amount of time, he's shown to be able to provide the Knicks with quite a few things they've been known to lack, such as toughness, an elevated rebounding presence, and/or a defensive stopper.

Needless to say, Martin's steady play made it an easy decision for the Knicks to keep him in the fold for the rest of the season.

Whether it's planting himself to make sure an opposing player doesn't drive through the lane, or staying on his toes in an attempt to keep the pace with a star like Kevin Durant, Martin has proven he's still a defensive force to be reckoned with. He's provided New York with an intimidating presence inside and down low against offensive talents who aim to take advantage of the Knicks' defense.

The veteran forward is clearly not afraid to get down and dirty, as his gritty physical outings thus far have noted. He fights for rebounds, and doesn't seem to mind having to endure some bangs and bumps along the way.

When Martin first donned his orange and blue jersey, he did so having already played with a number of current Knicks on different teams in different cities throughout his career. Certainly team chemistry is important, but who knew such camaraderie was going to result in the forward being quite superb offensively as well?

After taking time to practice with the team and appearing in first two games rather gingerly, Martin has now seemed to have shaken any past rust off already. As much of a fighter as he is defensively, the veteran is that explosive on the offensive end. He communicates with his teammates quite well and has been able to cash in on a bevy of buckets inside, and was seen already electrifying the Garden crowd with his slams prior to the Knicks' road trip.

During a West Coast slide that has so far been as disastrous as can be, Martin seems to represent what little good is currently left in Knickerbocker-land. Hopefully the team will eventually snap out of their funk, and Martin's hunger, grit, and intensity will prove to be infectious.

That same type of packed fiery effort is what will be needed by the entire squad from top to bottom if Martin and the Knicks want to make any noise come playoff time.

Seeking A Friend For the End of the (Knicks') World?

Iman Shumpert and the Knicks may prefer fans hold the phone and not panic just yet. 

After their second straight frustrating loss on the recently embarked upon Western Conference road trip, it's clear the Knicks of March aren't in any way similar to the Knicks of November.

Without the likes of Amar'e Stoudemire and Rasheed Wallace, the Knicks' depth has become quite depleted as of late. A player like James White simply cannot be trusted to hold his own in the starting five of a top three team in the Eastern Conference. The fact that a player like White has been thrust into a starting role at all shows how very few other options New York seems to have, and how many players may be out of their groove a bit at this moment and time.

There's no doubt that White struggles on a nightly basis. Knowing this, it's even all the more disappointing to know that after scoring 10 points, White owned his team's second-highest plus/minus in Wednesday night's game with a +2. Just as the swingman shouldn't be starting, he shouldn't rank amongst the team's leaders in many categories, either. The fact that he did just proves how poorly the rest of his teammates played through the team's blowout loss to the Nuggets.

Knicks fans all over the web (Twitter, most specifically) are becoming understandably frustrated, and are beginning to panic because of it. As if the losses of STAT and Wallace for the season weren't enough, Carmelo Anthony has ventured back to the Big Apple to get his knee drained.

The Brooklyn native hasn't been 100% for quite a while after missing three games (then returning, only to probably worsen his nagging injury even more) earlier last week. The way he's been able to contribute (or not contribute, depending on your outlook) just proves that he shouldn't have hit the hardwood without further rest. The knee was bothering him because of recent overuse and exhaustion, so allowing him to hit the hardwood so soon wasn't very smart.

Getting his knee drained surely won't keep Anthony out as long as Stoudemire or Sheed, but he can still expect to be sidelined another week. Even then, it's up for suggestion when he'll truly be 100% again.

While all of this can be depressing enough for fans, it was even more worrisome to watch Tyson Chandler go down in Denver on Wednesday. He looked to be in agony at the time of contact, but is listed as probable against the Blazers later Thursday night.

The Knicks are free-falling, and there's no immediate end in sight. The rest of the road trip, along with the team's first few games back in the Big Apple, won't be very easy ones to endure. Without the likes of STAT, Melo, and whoever else may sit out, New York may find it difficult to compete the rest of the month.

But it's still no time to panic just yet. This isn't the time to question the team's playoff hopes, nor to question how they'll compete come late April, May, or even June.

Why? Because it's March.

There's certainly something to be said about having momentum on your side, and given all these injuries and shortcomings, the Knicks look less and less likely to have it in their favor anytime soon.

That said, all season long, it's been preached that looking at the big picture is not about how the Knicks are playing now, but how they'll play when it really counts.

Frankly, no matter who New York plays in the first round of the playoffs--be it Brooklyn, Boston, Chicago, or Indiana-- they're likely to have difficulties anyway. Securing a high-seed or aiming for "good placement" in the standings may not necessarily make things any easier.

That's why fans should reserve judgement just a little while longer. It's not easy to say that they will, but if the Knicks are somehow able to regain composure and regroup come playoff time, all will be forgiven.

No Eastern Conference team as an opponent guarantees a Knickerbocker first round victory. In essence, it may be irrelevant how they finish the regular season as long as they secure a playoff birth and avoid Miami. It's rather about how they propel themselves towards the postseason, so it'll be interesting to see if they can right the ship by then.

Knicks Sleepwalk Through Loss To Warriors in Disappointing Fashion

Without Carmelo Anthony nor Amar'e Stoudemire healthy enough to hit the hardwood for them, the Knicks still managed to win their fair share of ball games last week, despite not exactly having sufficient go-to options on offense.

J.R. Smith may represent a dominant scorer or sorts, but the fact remained that the Knicks would have to rely upon a more balanced effort if they truly wanted to pour in the points.

Unfortunately for New York, the offense didn't look any less stagnant with Anthony taking the court for the first time in three games.

The star forward failed to find his rhythm on offense. Not only did he finish with a frustrating 4 for 15 shooting performance, but the shots he did take appeared to be far from the team's offensive flow. To be fair, the same could've been said for just about any of his teammates, because frankly, there was no offensive flow present to begin with.

But even so, it can't be said that Anthony looked anywhere close to his normal self at all. In addition to being a few (hundred) steps behind offensively, he proceeded to hobble and jog gingerly around the court throughout the contest. Playing 34 minutes, the star looked pushed to his utmost limits, even wincing in frustration, pain, and strain often after he was forced to endure some type of substantial contact.

This may not have been the most opportune time for Anthony to return, but with his highly anticipated return to Denver (the first appearance he'll make in nearly two years) just days away, perhaps a tune-up was necessary for a game he just can't afford to miss. That said, it may be worth re-evaluating his progress in the next few days following the game against the Nuggets. If need be, resting him further may not be the worst of ideas when reconsidering the Knicks' postseason aspirations.

Of course, despite Anthony's struggles in Golden State, it's not as though he received any support and/or pick-me-up from his teammates. The Knicks struggled all night long to score the basketball, only shooting 27% from the field. Often two of the more common barometers for the team's success, Tyson Chandler only managed to take two shots all game long, and Steve Novak missed all six of his attempts from the field.

Aside from Anthony and Novak, Smith also shot a rather disappointing 3 of 11 from the field. Though his performance may not have been much help, the Knicks have been known to overcome a poor performance or two from him in the past. There was no one player to blame for this loss. The squad's overall ball movement fell stagnant. Thus, there was very little spacing to be had, making it extremely difficult for anyone to find a bit of offensive success to be easy to come by.

And then there was Stephen Curry. After nearly carrying his team single-handedly to victory at The Garden just a couple weeks ago, the Warriors guard followed up his 54 point performance with another scorching 26 points. Scoring 17 points in the first half alone, Curry went on to sink six bombs from long range in the contest.

Certainly the Knicks dug enough of a hole for themselves offensively, but Curry, and former Knick David Lee (who had a neat triple-double with 21 points, 10 boards, and 8 assists) didn't make things much easier for their opponent. The visiting team lost by a dismal score of 92-63.

New York will head to Denver next where they will take on a couple of former Knickerbockers, while the likes of Anthony, Smith, Raymond Felton, Marcus Camby, and Kenyon Martin all make a return to one of their former stomping grounds. Hopefully they'll put up more valiant of an effort than the feeble one put forth in Golden State.

How the Knicks Explored With Feeding Iman Shumpert the Ball Against Jazz

With key offensive contributors from the likes of J.R. Smith, Steve Novak, Kenyon Martin, and Chris Copeland in Saturday night's win over the Jazz, it was difficult to shed light on any of the outings the Knicks' starters had.

That said, Iman Shumpert's efforts throughout the contest should boldly stand out most. The versatile sophomore has seemingly struggled since returning from an ACL tear. Since making his comeback in mid-January, Shumpert has undoubtedly paled in comparison to the player most remember him as from his rookie campaign.

His offensive movements have been ever so tentative, to say the least. He sometimes gingerly makes his way to the basket, and when he doesn't, Shumpert settles for long-range jumpers. Those clearly aren't his forte.

While coming off the bench in Mike D'Antoni's rotation last year, Shumpert could be seen as an explosive guard who enjoyed running the ball up a bit. Such a style of play, and such a role, seems to suit him much more fittingly.

The time he's taken to carefully make his way back from his injury (even his time actually on the hardwood) has prevented Shumpert from being as explosive and as speedy as many (including himself) would like on both ends of the floor. His timetable to get back to being 100% is completely understandable, but there's no doubt that with the likes of both Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony currently sidelined, the Knicks would enjoy a big boost from no matter where it comes from, Shumpert included.

Whether it be because New York will now have to search for other sources of offensive output, or because the team built up such a lead on Saturday, Mike Woodson's squad experimented with feeding Shumpert the ball a bit more.

Even approximately two months since he return, Shumpert didn't display that explosiveness with the ball, but he proved that he's getting there. Playing a bit more aggressively and assertively, the Georgia Tech product attempted to make his way to the basket again and again in the matchup against Utah.

His finishing power, aka the ability to absorb an opponent's contact and still make the shot, isn't really there just yet. But Shumpert nevertheless still attacked the basket, and to his team's pleasure, managed to get to the charity stripe almost at will.

It's not simply about getting to the line, but making your shots once you get there. The second year player connected on eight of ten free-throws. Both his number of shots made and attempted at the spot represented team-highs. Though he only shot 1 for 3 from the field, Shumpert still managed to finish with 10 points.

Perhaps the fact that his assertiveness paid off on offense helped give Shumpert a boost of confidence on defense too. Shumpert isn't anything close to sneeze at defensively, but it's undeniable that good play on one side of the floor often happens to be infectious on the other. He also grabbed 4 steals, and had a plus/minus of +18 for the game.

As Woodson is quickly learning, helping his players succeed is often about putting them in the right spots and right situations. With STAT and Melo both sitting out, adjustments will have to be made continuously as the team finds the right new formula for success.

Letting the offense run through Shumpert with the ball in his hands a bit more could prove to be a big piece of that puzzle, especially given his success embracing that type of role last season.

Knicks Learn to Cope Without Stars in Victory Over Jazz

The Knicks have won during stretches without Amar'e Stoudemire before over the last two seasons, and now, they'll just be forced to do it yet again.

The news that Amar'e Stoudemire will have surgery on his right knee (forcing him to sit out at least six weeks) is a big blow for a Knicks team that was just starting to find a rhythm with its team more or less at full strength.

Of course, the disappointment from fans over the news should outweigh the sudden outbreak of panic they also may have.

While Stoudemire had begun to provide his team with a real nice consistent boost off the bench, the fact remains that the team also proved earlier this season that they could cope without him as well.

Nevertheless, New York hit the hardwood at the Garden on Saturday night for a matchup with the Jazz. There would be no Stoudemire, but also no Carmelo Anthony, who is reportedly still "day to day" with a knee injury of his own.

As fate would have it, however, the Knicks are quickly garnering a reputation as a team that steps up to the plate and finds a way to win amongst the most dire of circumstances. Saturday evening was no different.

After three games where they pushed their opponent to the limit, losing by 3 or less point in each contest, the Jazz just couldn't keep the pace with the Knicks. Though Utah jumped out to a lead early, New York still managed to take command of the game later in the first quarter, and never looked back.

Mike Woodson's been notorious for his farfetched rotations, opting to bring Stoudemire and J.R. Smith off the bench just a few minutes into contests. With no STAT, Kenyon Martin got the call instead, and gave his team a boost by connecting on a couple of electrifying dunks late in the initial quarter. He would go on to finish with 10 points and 6 rebounds.

But the real offensive hero in Saturday night's game was Steve Novak. The forward has been largely criticized all season long, not just for his inability to defend very well, but also his inability to cash in offensively when his team needs it most. Without STAT and Melo, however, this was the Marquette alum's opportune time to step up, and that he did.

Novak connected on five long balls and finished with 20 points, but it's the way that he did it that was most refreshing. He happened to beat the Jazz defeat by doing different things. Whether it was hoisting the shots up with hands in his face, putting the ball down for a dribble or two, or even driving to the basket, Novak found ways to pour in the points.

J.R. Smith also joined in on the fun too. Without the team's stars, Smith will be looked upon to carry much more of the scoring load. While he can, without a doubt, handle that type of burden, opponents will come prepared to cover him. The Jazz certainly did, throwing a few double-teams at the swingman throughout the game. The reason why Saturday's night contest may have been one of the better outings of Smith's season was because of the way he looked to play off the ball.

He didn't look to drive to the basket or dominate the ball until later on. Instead, he dished it out, finding his teammates ala a nice assist, or even just a hockey assist. He, nevertheless, did go on to lead the team with 24 points by looking for his shot a bit more later on.

Everything seemed to go right for the Knicks on Saturday, and rightfully so. The offense was flowing and there was steady rhythm on both ends of the floor. While the team's offense was solid, the defense was phenomenal was well. A key factor in the victory was furthermore, not only the team's ability to get to the line, but to actually make the free-throws too. The team shot 80% from the charity stripe.

Hopefully the Knicks' 113-84 victory will help set the tone for the squad's forthcoming West Coast trip.

KnicksJournal.com Podcast #5 With Phife Dawg: Reacting to the Knicks' Loss to the Thunder

So close, yet so far.

The Knicks can often leave their fans ever so frustrated when letting wins over some of the league's best teams slip right from under them. A very example of them doing so occurred just this past Sunday afternoon, after the Knicks lost a lead to the NBA champion defending Heat and faltered late in the game.

Such a loss can leave fans livid for more, but that wasn't exactly the sentiment following the Knicks' loss to the Thunder at home on Thursday night. With Carmelo Anthony, New York still managed to put forth a valiant effort against one of the NBA's powerhouses, going toe to toe with them until the very end, losing 95-94.

Still, with any loss, there are plenty of positive and negative factors. It's all about taking the good with the bad, but sometimes, the latter outweighs the former.

With our very first immediate post-game reaction edition, Phife Dawg of A Tribe Called Quest and myself hit the ground running following the Knicks' loss to Oklahoma City to break things down in the latest KnicksJournal.com Podcast.

What went wrong, and what went right? The rapper and I address those very questions, examining things like Kenyon Martin's demonstrated defensive prowess, the recent emergence of Amar'e Stoudemire, and how the Knicks are forced to ride and die with the enigma that is J.R. Smith, with Carmelo Anthony still hampered by injury on the sideline.




Take a listen as we discuss all that and more, while we also can be heard looking ahead to what could be a difficult week to come for the Knickerbockers. Things don't get much easier, as the team will begin a West Coast road trip with matchups against teams like the Warriors and Blazers next week.


Enjoy! As always, you can follow me on Twitter @KnicksJournal and hit up Phife Dawg as well @IamThePHIFER.

Rapper Joe Budden Still Has Confidence the Knicks Can Overtake Heat

Currently jockeying with the Pacers for second place overall in the Eastern Conference, the Knicks have continued to surprise NBA fans across the globe with their success this season.

Though some people have come out of the woodwork to support New York as of late, there's no denying the masses of passionate fans that have stuck by the team since day one are being rewarded while enjoying the team's exciting play.

Loyal fans of Joe Budden and his music can certainly relate. After years of pumping out good music and staying on the grind, the rapper is now reaping the benefits of all his hard work. All the right things seem to be happening at the right time for Budden. 

After watching his hip/hop super group Slaughterhouse's latest album come out last summer, Budden is now celebrating the release of his newest solo effort, No Love Lost. The album comes after a number of highly-anticipated years by his die-hard fans, and Budden also said that the more recent connections he's made helped him put together some killer collaborations. 

The rapper appeared at the Apple Store in SoHo earlier this week for an exclusive Q&A session, and performed a short set from his new album afterward. Many of Budden's fans and longtime supporters came out to watch, and much to their enjoyment, they can relish in the fact that the "Love & Hip/Hop" star appreciates having them around for what has been the interesting ride he's called a career over the last decade.

Could that be partially because Budden himself knows what it's like to be a passionate fan of something or someone through both the good times and the bad? The New Jersey native is a Knicks fan, and stopped to chat with KnicksJournal.com for a few minutes about one of his favorite teams. Curious about Budden's thoughts on the team's season or who'd he put on a Knicks anthem collaboration? Continue reading below for our conversation.

Q: You talk about sports every now and then in your music. You're an active tweeter too, and judging by your recent note about a guy like Chris Copeland, I think it's safe to say you're much more than a fair-weathered fan of the Knicks, right?

A: Yeah, I'm a long-time Knicks fan. I go years and years back. Moments like Larry Johnson's four-point play and Allan Houston's game winner in the playoffs against Miami are big ones for me. They've always been contenders. Obviously they haven't won it all in a while, but they contend. If you're rooting for a team, that's all you can ask for.

Q: You seem to know this team pretty well from A to Z, so would you say the Knicks did enough at the trading deadline?

A: I was disappointed to see a guy like Ronnie Brewer go. I felt like he contributed greatly to our early season success. We need guard help, especially with Iman Shumpert not being 100%. With Rasheed Wallace hurt though, I could see where the G.M. was going when he went out for a big. They got a tough big in Kenyon Martin.

I guess I was happy with it. I tweeted that I would've liked to see them go after a Brandon Bass or even like an Al Jefferson kind of player. But to bring someone like that in, they probably would have had to give up some other pieces. Like I said, it was important to go out and get a big man. They did that, so you can't ever not be happy with a big.

Q: Obviously the Knicks are trying to chase Miami and might have to make some noise against them in the playoffs to go far. Taking Sunday's loss into consideration, does New York still have what it takes to get past them?

A: Definitely. I think Sunday's game goes a lot differently if Amar'e Stoudemire doesn't sit out the final 8 minutes of the game. You want to be able to play to your strengths, and obviously one of New York's biggest strengths against Miami is that they have skilled bigs. I couldn't understand sitting Stoudemire when the Heat go small and play Chris Bosh at the five and Shane Battier at the four. I'm not the coach, but they definitely have a shot. I'm anxious to see what happens next time they play.

Q: It's up to Mike Woodson to make adjustments like that based on matchups to put the Knicks in the best position to win, isn't it?

A: Yeah. Well, yesterday that was my thing...I would have played Amar'e more. But I've had Woodson as a potential "Coach of the Year" candidate since day one. He's done a great job with this team, and obviously the way management brought him in signifies that they believe in him and his system.

My thing is simply that I'd ask him why he did what he did in that situation. That's why I'm anxious to see how the next one plays out, but I'd like to see what lineup Woodson rolls out and the way he subs guys in and out. 

Q: Lastly, one more question that's a bit more music related for you. Fellow rapper Knicks fans like Fabolous and Lloyd Banks are on your new album. Your guy Swizz Beatz has produced the Knicks' team anthem the last two seasons, but he's not the most mainstream guy. That tells me there's even more room for New York's finest hip/hop artists to join together and make the next anthem a classic one. If you were in charge, who would you put on such a track besides yourself?

A: Naturally I would've said Jay-Z, but I'd get all the New York guys together. You can get artists like Jadakiss, French Montana, and Maino. There are so many New York MCs that are all pretty much Knicks fans. If we could all get together and do a type of "We Are the World" type anthem, that'd be great. 

Failed Adjustments Give Way to a Loss To Heat For the Knicks

Though the Knicks have defeated the Heat twice already this season in quite dominant fashion, the team New York put on the floor in late 2012 doesn't look like the same one that's been competing in 2013.

From the returns of Amar'e Stoudemire and Iman Shumpert, to injuries to the likes of Raymond Felton and Rasheed Wallace, and most recently, the struggles of Jason Kidd, the Knicks have had to overcome certain obstacles and make adjustments throughout the season.

With that all in mind, New York's Sunday afternoon matinee against Miami could have been considered more of a statement game, and more of a true test, than any single contest they've had so far.  Would Mike Woodson's squad rise up to the challenge?

Fortunately, for a large audience watching the nationally televised game, the Knicks sure did. With Carmelo Anthony leading the way, his team eventually caught hold of a double-digit lead. But as NBA champions like the Heat truly understand, it's not about how you start a game, but rather how you finish it. With the game on the line, LeBron James took over as he helped Miami come from behind and sink the Knicks' hopes of a victory. As dominant as a player like James is, the Knicks were undoubtedly in this game until the end. If it wasn't King James who caused New York to falter most, then who was it?

Unfortunately, the blame for Sunday's loss should fall heavily on Coach Woodson's shoulders.

To start things off, the James White experiment needs to end. It's understandable that Woodson may want to keep that necessary boost the Knicks receive off the bench present by keeping J.R. Smith on the pine, but the fact is the Knicks need a worthy competitor to begin games too. If New York opted not to play small ball to start games, the likes of Kurt Thomas, Chris Copeland, and now Kenyon Martin and Marcus Camby are all available. Each of them would be a better option that White.

White's struggling efforts set a negative tone for the Knicks early on. His three fouls in the first quarter were certainly a result of him defending James (an early mistake in itself by Woodson). One has to wonder if James is so skilled that just about anyone would have picked up those foul calls, but as White committed them, it didn't look as though James was simply getting the benefit of the doubt. The Knicks swingman's fouls not only put him in a tough predicament, but also propelled his team into the penalty early on, giving way to a bevy of early free-throw attempts by the Heat.

Perhaps White's leash is truly running short with Woodson, though. With Anthony owning two fouls late in the second quarter, his coach took him out to avoid a third before the end of the first half. Ironically enough, Woodson subbed in White instead, who as mentioned, had three of his own. That has to be a slap in the face with regard to valuing the guard's potential contributors (or lack there of) for the rest of the game.

Aside from White, Woodson is still having difficulty finding the right balance to his rotations. Finding the right combinations of players who thrive from playing with one another is key. It's also important to know when to pull the plug (if necessary) on players who are cold and can't seem to hit a stride to save their lives. Sometimes allowing these young guns to play through their struggles isn't the best policy if a key game is on the line.

Woodson is a very solid coach, and has proven to be successful where past coaches like Mike D'Antoni  failed to in the past. Still, D'Antoni seemed to know who clicked with who. A big part of this is understanding which teammates will set each other up effectively, and where each player needs to be on the court in order to cash in on the easiest of opportunities offensively.

Taking that mindset into consideration, it's clear Woodson hasn't cracked the code for getting players like Steve Novak and Iman Shumpert involved in the offense.

Though Novak is clearly a one-dimensional player at this point, he can still be utilized. That said, he's needs to be planted at the corners to be successful. Not only is the corner three the easiest and closest long range shot, but it's one the forward is comfortable knocking down in his sleep. Why make him fight through screens, only to break open for a second for straight away threes in front of the basket...by the time he goes up to shoot, a hand is already in his face. This may mean Novak isn't all that versatile, but he's nevertheless a piece on the team. There are easy ways to find in order to be able to use him.

Furthermore, Woodson may praise and appreciate Shumpert for his defense, but the fact remains he can be an offensive threat as well. Putting him in place to shoot spot-up threes is not one of those ways, though. A confident neophyte, "Rook" is comfortable controlling the ball and the game's tempo. His coach needs to allow him to do that, so that he can pass around the rock or choose to drive to the basket.

Many fans may blame Smith's poor decision making, and a sloppy last second pass to Anthony as the key to the team's loss. That said, the only reason the game was on the line at the point was because of the team's failures and struggles throughout the entire contest. It's up to Woodson to recognize these things as they come, and make the fine adjustments necessary to keep the Knicks afloat instead.

Notes From the Knicks' Victory Over the Wizards

As the Knicks have continued to cool off from what was the team's hottest start in nearly a decade, many have wondered whether they'll be able ignite that same fire again, and furthermore, whether or not they'll be able to hang with the Heat as the elder squad propels to the postseason.

With these questions continuing to swirl, Sunday's matchup at the Garden vs. Miami may prove to be one of the season's most pivotal for the Knicks as they attempt to prove something. Defeating the Heat at this stage in New York's season would prove to be quite the statement game, especially considering the team's recent ups and downs.

But before the weekend officially began, the Knicks sought out some revenge on a Wizards team that pathetically and frustratingly pummeled them while celebrating the recent return of John Wall.

Lucky for New York, they didn't allow such a defeat to occur again. Starting the weekend off on the right note, the Knicks earned a 96-88 victory in Washington. For more on the matchup, let's check out what a few of KnicksJournal.com's pals had to say:



The Knicks Blog: 


http://theknicksblog.com/knicks/post-game-knicks-96-wizards-88/


Posting & Toasting: 


http://www.postingandtoasting.com/2013/3/1/4055072/knicks-96-wizards-88-23-11-in-the-4th-quarter


The New York Times: (here's to celebrating the return of Howard Beck to the Knicks' beat!)


http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/02/sports/basketball/knicks-defeat-wizards-with-help-of-carmelo-anthony.html?_r=0