Archive for the ‘NU SEF JONES’ Category

Back In A New York Groove

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Posted 12 Jan 2012 — by @knicks247
Category NBA, New York Knicks, NU SEF JONES

(AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

*Sorry my tardiness on this extremely late  post*

Knicks fans have been waiting for this team to get into a groove this season after a tough start. Having won four in row and only one game behind Atlantic Division leading Sixers, the Knicks have discovered that playing good defense pays dividends. Carmelo Anthony continues to be clutch for the Knicks hitting two crucial foul shots to seal the win over the Sixers 85-79.

The Sixers came into Madison Square Garden as the hottest team in the NBA winning six in a row and claiming the top spot in the division. Coach Doug Collins has a young Philadelphia team playing with energy and a deep bench that can score with the best of them. The Sixers came into Wednesday night’s matchup with the Knicks having played back to back games and with the NBA’s third leading offense. The Knicks behind Iman Shumpert attacking defense held the Sixers to 40 percent shooting for the night. Tyson Chandler leadership on the boards and Iman energy on defense has the Knicks beginning to develop team chemistry.

Undoubtedly the Knicks offense goes as Melo’ and Amar’e go, but the lack of bench production has been cause for concern. The Knicks bench could only muster 3 points in the win against the Charlotte Bobcats but Coach Mike D’Antoni post game interview spurred some fire with the beleaguered bench. Led by former Kentucky center Josh Harrellson 13 points, included 3-for-5 behind the arc, the Knicks bench added 21 points to the tally. Carmelo’s 27 points lead the team in scoring and his 3 steals and 9 rebounds were impressive. STAT continued to struggle with his mid-range jumper but finished the game scoring 20 points, shooting 8-for-14, and grabbed 10 rebounds. The Knicks out-rebounded the Sixers 46/37 which continues to be an important factor in the recent win streak. But the Knicks had 20 turnovers that nearly cost them the game in the fourth quarter. In addition, Landry Fields continues to struggle shooting 2-for-4 for four points with three rebounds, three steals, two assists and three turnovers in 35-plus minutes. Coach D’Antoni should consider moving Billy Walker into the starting rotation until Landry gets it together. Next up for the Knicks hit the road to face the Memphis Grizzles on Thursday and Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday, before coming home Monday to play Dwight Howard and the Magic.

Nu Sef Jones

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STILL AIN’T THERE YET

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Posted 05 Jan 2012 — by Phillip Pyle
Category Charlotte Bobcats, NBA, New York Knicks, NU SEF JONES

The (2-3) NY Knicks faced off with the (1-4) Charlotte Bobcats in another home game that saw the Garden crowd disappointed again with the star-studded Knicks losing 118-110. The bright spot for the Knicks was the aggressive effort on the glass and the return of rookie Iman Shumpert, who had the Garden crowd chanting his name after an 18 pt performance. The Knicks defense was nothing to brag about letting the Bobcats shoot 55% from the field. The Knicks allowed an out of shape Boris Diaw shoot 12-for-15 scoring a team high 27. The Bobcats out hustled the Knicks throughout the game maintaining the lead for the exception of a quick 2 minute period in the 1st quarter.

The Knicks began the night aggressive in the paint with Tyson Chandler getting good passes for easy dunks and layups. The rest of the Knicks played well on the offensive side of the ball, but Amar’e continues to struggle with his jumper.

Rookie Iman Shumpert made an immediate impact after missing the last four games with a strained knee, hitting a jumper, grabs 2 boards and providing another point guard option for Coach D’Antoni. Another surprise for the Knicks continues to be the play of Billy Walker off the bench. Walker teamed up with Douglas and Shumpert to provide the Knicks with a good second team but the lack of team chemistry was apparent. Diaw went 7-for7 in the quarter and the Bobcats won the first quarter 30-26.

The Knicks are going to have to learn how to play with each other on both sides of the court before things turn around for this team. At times the Knicks look perfectly in sync, but undoubtedly resort to settling for quick outside shots that get them in a hole. Tyson Chandler who is the vocal leader of this defense needs someone to tell him what to do when Melo gets the ball, 99% of the time expect a shot. Chandler finished the game with six rebounds matching Melo’s effort on the glass. The Garden voiced their disapproval of the Knicks defense after the Bobcats went on a 9-0 run and left the Knicks looking weak going into the half. Iman Shumpert led the Knicks in scoring going into the tunnel with 12 at the half.

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BROADWAY 3 NEEDS MORE REHEARSING

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Posted 31 Dec 2011 — by @knicks247
Category NBA, New York Knicks, NU SEF JONES

The (1-1) New York Knicks came into Thursday game against the Los Angeles Lakers looking to rebound from a brutal 4th qt unraveling against the Golden State Warriors. Head coach Mike D’Antoni admitted the Knicks looked “awful” and blamed the entire team for a lack of concentration and energy. Unfortunately for Knicksnation, Thursday’s late night 99-82 loss to the hands of Kobe Bryant left many with questions about the team’s leadership and coaching. Although it is too early to think about hitting the panic button there are several issues that the Knicks have to address.

Coach D’Antoni started his usual lineup of PG Douglas, SG Fields, SF Anthony, PF Stoudemire, C Chandler, while new Lakers coach Mike Brown without center Andrew Bynum went with PG Fisher, SG Bryant, SF Ebanks, PF McRoberts, and at C Gasol. The game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles marked the Knicks first back-to-back game of the new season and the second in a three game West Coast road trip. Pau Gasol got the Lakers off to good start while Knicks superstar Carmelo shook off the rust on his jump-shot early and didn’t look back. Knicks did get to the free-throw line early going 8-for-8 at the charity stripe which gave them a 19-14 lead with 5:52 remaining in the 1st quarter. Melo quick start with 7 points had the offensive clicking early, but dumb fouls continue to plague the Mike Woodson defense. At the end of the 1st quarter, the Lakers led 31-24, with the Knicks going to the charity strip 12 times, connecting on 11. Melo, Chandler and Amar’e Stoudamire combined for 21 points.

One of the most puzzling stories on offense in the young season is the propensity for Amar’e to settle for outside jumpers and lack of back to the rim scoring. So far it seems the twenty pounds of additional muscle put on in the offseason by “STAT” will be used to shoot 18 foot jumpers instead of attacking the rim. On the few occasions that STAT did force the action around the paint he was successful in forcing fouls and getting easy dunks. The return of veteran point guard Baron Davis will hopefully right Amar’e horrible shot selection in which he shot 4-for-17 finishing with 15 points for the night. The 2nd quarter exposed a second team for the Knicks that lacks in the ability to score and defend the paint. Josh Harrelson looks slightly more confident and newly acquired Steve Novak provided some perimeter scoring but Coach D’Antoni will be happy to get Iman Shumpert and Jared Jefferies back into the rotation sooner than later. The Knicks struggled to contain Kobe Bryant and were overpowered by a resurgent Metta World Peace and at the half trailed the Lakers 63-51. The Knicks offense was pure isolation plays and could not get good shots which were reflected in their dismal 33% shooting for the half. The Lakers offense clicked on all cylinders ending the half shooting 72%.

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KNICKS LEAVE ‘O’ IN NYC

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Posted 29 Dec 2011 — by @knicks247
Category Golden St. Warriors, New York Knicks, NU SEF JONES


The Knicks came into Tuesday night game against the Golden State Warriors riding a wave of positive energy, having won their opening game against the division rival Celtics. New York hasn’t won its first two games since opening 3-0 in 1999-2000, also the last season it won a playoff series. This year would be no different as the Warriors without starting PG Stephen Curry and a horrible shooting performance by embattled Monte Ellis blew out the Knicks in the fourth quarter, on their way to their second win under Coach Mark Jackson 92-78.

(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The Knicks began the night as beneficiaries of four early turnovers by the Warriors, which was due to sloppy play more so than great defense. Poor shooting by Amar’e and early foul trouble for co-stars Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler forced Coach D’Antoni to play the bench. The offense never got into a steady rhythm as the PG woes continued for the Knicks. Mike D’Antoni went with a Knicks lineup of Billy Walker, Mike Bibby, Josh Harrelson, Melo, and Landry Fields that seemed inept on both ends of the court.  Harrelson continued his sloppy play and looked overwhelmed in the moment again. Lead by Landry Fields aggressive play the Knicks closed out the quarter up 23-21.

The 2nd quarter showed no improvement by the Knicks as the lack of PG play had them struggling to run a half court offense. Back up point guard Ish Smith for the Warriors did a marvelous job stepping up and providing the team with 6 rebounds and scoring 11 points. Bad passing by the Knicks lead to seven first half turnovers and poor shot selection seemed contagious as the big 3 couldn’t buy a FG.  Landry Fields led the Knicks meager offense with 13 points in the first half, a bad omen for the team. A reoccurring issue for the Knicks was the lack of rebounding as the Warriors won the battle of the boards 23-18 at the half. Due to Monte Ellis poor shooting performance in the first half the Knicks led going into the half 43-37. Continue reading “KNICKS LEAVE ‘O’ IN NYC” »

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WINDS OF CHANGE (via @knicks247)

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Posted 13 Dec 2011 — by @knicks247
Category NBA, New York Knicks, NU SEF JONES

Winds of Change Sweep over Knicksnation

The fear of a lost season is over thanks to a last minute ditch effort to save the 2011-
12 NBA season. Negotiations in mid-town Manhattan resulted in an agreement on
November 9th at 2 am ended the 149 day lockout. Players all expressed their pleasure
to get to training camp and return to the hardwood. The 2011-12 preseason office
maneuvers began early December 9th with the NBA season beginning on Christmas Day
with 8 teams set to tip off. Many questions remain to be answered as teams scramble to
sign free agents and make trades before preseason games beginning next week.

(AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

The New York Knicks ended last season in a 1st round sweep at the hands of the hated Boston Celtics, crushing dreams of a Eastern Conference match up against the Miami Heat. Injuries to Amar’e Stoudamire and Chauncey Billups forced Carmelo Anthony to step up his scoring and shoulder the burden of carrying the team. Ending the season with
a 42-40 records, and finishing second in the league in scoring at 106.5 per gm/ and second to last in defense avg 105.7 per gm. The Knicks made it clear that acquiring a defensive stopper and finding players to compliment the scoring of Melo and STAT to be priority number one. The buzz over Chris Paul engulfed the Big Apple and flooded
twitter trending topics. The New Orleans point guard was seen all over New York during the lockout even attending charity events with Carmelo and Amar’e. It seemed the
Knicks were ready to solidify themselves as a title contender with a CP3 coming to town
to complete the 3 superstar roster. Unbeknownst to league general managers was a
cauldron of league owners resistant to trading to the All-Star point guard. After
information leaked regarding a possible trade scenario involving the LA Lakers and
Houston Rockets that would send Lakers’ Lamar Odom, Rockets Kevin Martin and Luis
Scola to N.O. the Commissioner Stern used executive power to block the move. Knicks
GM Glen Grunwald under pressure from fans and his star players quickly pulled off an
unanticipated move by acquiring free agent Center Tyson Chandler of the World
Champion Dallas Mavericks for 4 years at $56 million. In order to feel up cap room, the
Knicks used the amnesty provision and waived PG Chauncey Billups and moved Center
Ronny Turiaf and cash to the Washington Wizards. Reserve guard Andy Rautins was
traded to the Mavericks for draft picks. The 7-1 Chandler helped anchor the defense for
the Mavericks as they made their improbable run for their 1st franchise championship.
Chandler had 12 double-doubles last season in addition to grabbing 206 offensive
rebounds. Coach Mike D’Antoni heralded Chandler signing as the primary signing of the
offseason elevating the team closer to its championship goal. Chandlers presence allows
Amar’e and Anthony to focus on scoring and gives the Knicks a bonafide rim defender.

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