Blazers Spoil Amar'e's Return

So my dad and I went to see the Knicks play the Blazers on new years night. They came out flat for what seems like the 10th game in a row. It appears that their old and depleted roster is finally starting to catch up with them. Concerns among the fans and coaches have multiplied, and rightfully so. Here are the highlights as shown on NBA.com.




The bockers have now lost 3 of their last 5 games at home after starting the season 10-0. As the season progresses from the opening sprint into a grueling marathon-like jog, it becomes harder for players--particularly veterans--to maintain the level of energy and effort required to churn out victories on the professional level. The two areas where the Knicks have been consistently exposed during their current funk, is defense and rebounding.

Both of those crucial facets of the game are most closely associated with effort. Unlike offense, where skill and precision determine your ability almost entirely, being a good defensive team is about commitment, communication, and effort. While the small line-up the Knicks have employed has worked wonders offensively, it has created a huge problem on the glass. Through 31 games, the Knicks have the second worst rebounding differential of any team in the eastern conference at -3.58 (the Celtics have the worst). This weakness came to the forefront against the young athletic bigs from Portland. LeMarcus Aldridge and J.J. Hickson consistently outworked and outmuscled whatever 4 and 5 were out there for the Knicks. LeMarcus finished the game with 19 points and 14 rebounds (7 offensive), while his front court partner Hickson compiled a very respectable 18 points and 9 boards. With all due respect to those guys (particularly LeMarcus who has a very refined and polished offensive game), there is no excuse for getting outworked for 40 minutes. And there's really no excuse for making J.J. Hickson look like the god-damn reincarnation of Karl Malone for the whole first half (he scored all his points in the first half on 9-10 shooting)! Bottom line, if you want to be an elite team, you have to win a home.

Tyson Chandler, who recently had to sit out practice because of a sprained ankle, looked worn out frankly and "got taken to school all night" according to my Father (have to say I agree with him). But it is not all his fault. The man can only do so much and he does get asked to do pretty much all of the interior defending on this team. Where is his help (literally and figuratively)? Despite starting the game Kurt Thomas proved entirely worthless, committing 3 fouls in the first 4 minutes of the first quarter and not playing for the rest of the game. Marcus Camby looked competent in just over 9 minutes, hopefully the start of something good if he can stay healthy.

But the real question is Amar'e. The crowd's reaction to his debut proves the fans still have love for him, but how much can he really help this team in limbo? Well the obvious is points in the paint, where the Knicks were outscored by a 48-36 margin on Tuesday. His offensive repertoire will undoubtedly help with getting some easy baskets in the half court. But he remains a defensive liability, as he claims himself, he never properly learned to play defense. If he continues to be exposed the way he was against the Blazers, all the scoring in the world won't help the Knicks where they really need it: defense.

Knicks have a game tonight against the San Antonio Spurs, should be a doozy, but between you me and the 4 walls, I'm guessing it'll be a blowout.

stay fly fanatics!