Breaking News: The Knicks Are Not the Spurs

by Steve Weinman on Jan 4, 2008 11:17 PM EST in NBA Articles

Our quote of the day is brought to us by New York correspondent Malik Rose.

Says Marc Berman's piece in Friday's New York Post:

Contrary to Isiah Thomas' proclamation, Rose said the Knicks don't have what it takes inside the locker room to be a winner.
Rose said the Knicks are not like the Spurs...
"There are things that are different (in San Antonio) than here," said Rose, in his fourth season with the Knicks. "There are a few small things . . . that are the difference between winning and losing. In some instances you have to be born with them. In some instances you can work to get them. We need more of those things."

Of course, the affable Rose's commentary is correct on both the fronts that there are often minute differences between winning and losing, and, yes, the Knicks are not the Spurs. Earth-shattering, I know.

Granted, some might hasten to argue that the differences between the two franchises in question aren't that small. The issues of having great coaching, great management, Tim Duncan, a stud point guard, Manu Ginobili and a bench of role players who know their jobs and do them well might be worth somewhat more than moderate value here. The 'little stuff' comes after that.

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Comments

Knicks did well against San Antontio.

Curry showed off that serious potential by keeping Duncan on his back and off the glass. Curry picked up a dozen boards himself. His defense on Duncan was also noteworthy were he put in a very impressive banging and shoving Tim in the post and repeatedly got him off balance. He struggled a bit when TD went out for that bank shot and faced up …. although that had a lot to do with the fact his teammates didn’t help him once on that play. Curry also popped up with 25 but it felt a quiet 25, he only took 12 shots and the Knicks guards where the main options most of the night.

Obviously no Zach Randolph last night and that seemed to free up the whole Knick team …. not a good sign, or is it?

Knicks played much better team defense tonight. Especially David Lee who did a great job standing tall and wide coming over to double or trap San Antonio’s players. Good effort too, Knicks kept scrapping all night.

Eddy wasn’t the only one who put up a great performance, so too did Jamal Crawford although an uneven one. Jamal became very passive in the fourth and wasn’t even looking for his shot, it had a disasterous effect on the Knick offense …. but let’s stick to what he did well. Bruce Bowen drew the assignment, and Jamal took Bowen wherever he wanted to go all night long. Crawford got into the lane at will with relative easy against one of the games premier defenders. Bowen simply couldn’t keep up with Crawford’s handle or quickness. It was the usual head-scratching performance from Crawford where you just wonder why he doesn’t just do that every night? There isn’t a team in this league that can keep him out of the paint.

That said they didn’t have the talent to pull it out and there execution down the stretch was terrible which killed their chances of winning it.

I guess the word to describe the performance is ‘better’.

by Who on Jan 5, 2008 4:03 AM EST reply actions

Oh and the man himself, Malik Rose, started in place of Randolph and gave the Knicks starting unit and put in a solid performance. His rebounding, energy, passing, intelligence and go-go-go attitude spurred the Knicks in a big way.

Isiah has to find a way to get Malik on the court more. Locker room leaders are great and all but if you have no leadership on the court during games they are simply meaningless. Malik helps keep the Knicks on message – doing what they’re meant to be doing and never giving up. Even if he is a bit of a liability skill wise these days, Zeke needs to get him on the court. His influence is worth it.

by Who on Jan 5, 2008 4:08 AM EST reply actions