What many of us fail to realize about tonight..

[eviL]

We were solid in the first half. Offense and team defense looked pretty sharp. In the 2nd half we stumbled a bit and then started playing behind. At least the one thing we can take from tonight's game was that we played team ball, as evident by our 29 assists.

Now I'm not trying to make excuses for this team, we are still very VERY flawed (just look at our shooting from behind the arc) but my point is that by the 2nd half the team was tired, and that's the main reason why the wheels fell off. We can't wear out our opponents legs until we're used to the system and have our own legs under us. It's the first preseason game going at full speed, with our rotation players logging heavy minutes. Of course they're going to look bad halfway through the game because they haven't become accustomed to doing it for 48 minutes in real situations. You can say that's what training in the off season is for, but the fact is putting that work to use in a real game is a completely different story. You're not only expending yourself by running (which is where stamina training helps) but now you're jumping, playing defense, shooting, trying to alter shots, get steals etc.

I'm not too worried. Are we gonna lose a sh*tload of games and give up a ton of points? Yes. But 'toni already said you can't expect a day/night turn around in the first season. We're the same squad as we were last year more or less, change doesn't happen overnight. The positive about losing a lot of games this season is that our draft pick stays here, and we get a shot at A REAL PG OF THE FUTURE. So who cares if we're not playoff contenders yet? This season has 3 main purposes: 1) introduce 7SOL culture into the organization, 2) raise trade values of some assets, and watch the youth we keep continue to blossom, 3) obtain another piece via the draft. The bottom line is this team will be pretty fun to watch, and once they get used to the rigors of the 7SOL system, they will look better than they did tonight.

Of course there is no sense in trying to reason with most Knick fans because some of you (and I won't name names tonight) are just going to bitch and moan no matter what we do. Overall I think tonight was a nice foundation to build from though. That is all.

LET'S GO KNICKS

[TKF]

good point evil, and I saw you make that point in the game thread. We looked tired, that is true, and it is also true that we got 29 assists, I mean how many times did we do that last year? I am not saying there were not any positives, there were some of course. I do think it is going to take some time and tweaking to get this system down. we do need some consistent shooting from beyond the arc. we were wide open at times... our shooting from three was horrible tonight..

[Pedro Pistolas]

I think the positives outweigh the negatives just by smidge

[TdoubleE]

I'm actually surprised they played as well as they did in the first half. Even the defense was impressive at times, although they slipped in the 4th quarter. This team is on glide slope so far, they just need better conditioning... and better 3pt shooters.

[I_Love_NYK]

There is no way that a Nate Robinson Chris Duhon backcourt is gonna work down the stretch in close games. Anthony Parker did not even play, imagine going up against Kobe Bryant, Gilbert Arenas, Joe Johnson teams etc any teams with good big scoring guards. They will get killed.

[cgf]

BUT I WANT TO OVER-REACT and force our GM into making a dumb trade that'll bring in another loveable worthless player. Tinsley = PG OTF!!!!!!1!!!1!!!!111

[chitownsports4ever]

The knicks only got 29 assists one time last season and it was against the Bucks in March .

Lets not forget this was a road game as well. I said it when D'antoni first took over and all say it again . Beginning fast break teams are usually much stronger at home at first than on the road .The knicks will be world beaters at home and erratic on the road because at home some of those shots that didnt fall tonight most certainly will. they will probably win 30 games at the garden and the playoffs will be dependent upon how many road games they can still along the way.

Also an important piece that being overlooked here will be Curry.Those offense sets leave the paint wideopen and there is no one that stop Curry if he catches the ball over the top on a lob. I think he changes things entirely even coming off the bench.

[TKF]

There is no way that a Nate Robinson Chris Duhon backcourt is gonna work down the stretch in close games. Anthony Parker did not even play, imagine going up against Kobe Bryant, Gilbert Arenas, Joe Johnson teams etc any teams with good big scoring guards. They will get killed.

parker did play..

[TKF]

The knicks only got 29 assists one time last season and it was against the Bucks in March .

Lets not forget this was a road game as well. I said it when D'antoni first took over and all say it again . Beginning fast break teams are usually much stronger at home at first than on the road .The knicks will be world beaters at home and erratic on the road because at home some of those shots that didnt fall tonight most certainly will. they will probably win 30 games at the garden and the playoffs will be dependent upon how many road games they can still along the way.

Also an important piece that being overlooked here will be Curry.Those offense sets leave the paint wideopen and there is no one that stop Curry if he catches the ball over the top on a lob. I think he changes things entirely even coming off the bench.

good points chitown, plus we just have to get better shooting the ball, beyond the arc..

[DesignStudio]

The knicks only got 29 assists one time last season and it was against the Bucks in March .

Lets not forget this was a road game as well. I said it when D'antoni first took over and all say it again . Beginning fast break teams are usually much stronger at home at first than on the road .The knicks will be world beaters at home and erratic on the road because at home some of those shots that didnt fall tonight most certainly will. they will probably win 30 games at the garden and the playoffs will be dependent upon how many road games they can still along the way.

Also an important piece that being overlooked here will be Curry.Those offense sets leave the paint wideopen and there is no one that stop Curry if he catches the ball over the top on a lob. I think he changes things entirely even coming off the bench.

Good point...

2 Bad the board has a lot of people that want the knicks to be bad.

[chitownsports4ever]

good points chitown, plus we just have to get better shooting the ball, beyond the arc..

You know the thing about those missed shots is you dont want the players to feel the same way as the fans because those shots came off of great ball movement and unselfish play.You dont want them to not make that pass or lose trust in your teammates after the first preseason game If its the right pass to make they should continue to do so and shoot with confidence. Its nice if they make those shots right now but in reality they need to make those shots next month. The ball movement and effort is the key right now because when the defense tightens up in the reg season it will take more patience and hard work to get those good looks and so you gotta develop that trust early.

[TKF]

good points chitown, plus we just have to get better shooting the ball, beyond the arc..

You know the thing about those missed shots is you dont want the players to feel the same way as the fans because those shots came off of great ball movement and unselfish play.You dont want them to not make that pass or lose trust in your teammates after the first preseason game If its the right pass to make they should continue to do so and shoot with confidence. Its nice if they make those shots right now but in reality they need to make those shots next month. The ball movement and effort is the key right now because when the defense tightens up in the reg season it will take more patience and hard work to get those good looks and so you gotta develop that trust early.

Oh I agree, working on getting those open shots without one on one play is key. using ball movement and player movement to get open looks is what will help us down the road. I agree with you, next month is when those shots will need to fall.

[eviL]

I agree with pretty much all that's being said by you guys. The funny thing is that we acquired Gallo in part for his sharpshooting, kind of ironic that he's sitting on the side in street clothes watching us build a house with 3s. I think even Houston would have made a huge difference, he's a guy you can stick in there when the other guys start to wear down a bit and aren't running at 100mph anymore. The lighter pace will help his knees a bit and I have total faith that he could've nailed at least 4 or 5 3s out there. If he has it in him and he doesn't make the team over Roberson I'll be scratching my head.

[StutterStep]

Good thread idea...

I missed most of the first half and watched the full second. Right now I'm watching Knicks in 60... You guys are making good points, but isn't anyone concerned about our starting backcourt? On the real... you can't pair Duhon with Crawford in this system. Duhon shoots under 40% in his career, and Crawford is much better player when he has the ball in his hands.

[KnicksGadfly]

The knicks only got 29 assists one time last season and it was against the Bucks in March .

Lets not forget this was a road game as well. I said it when D'antoni first took over and all say it again . Beginning fast break teams are usually much stronger at home at first than on the road .The knicks will be world beaters at home and erratic on the road because at home some of those shots that didnt fall tonight most certainly will. they will probably win 30 games at the garden and the playoffs will be dependent upon how many road games they can still along the way.

Also an important piece that being overlooked here will be Curry.Those offense sets leave the paint wideopen and there is no one that stop Curry if he catches the ball over the top on a lob. I think he changes things entirely even coming off the bench.

Good point...

2 Bad the board has a lot of people that want the knicks to be bad.

the problem is...what we want doesn't really affect what we'll get.

[RutgersBJJ]

we need someone who can shoot the 3. Badly. The majority of our open sets lead to Q or Duhon shooting wide open threes. On nights that Crawford is cold, that just isn't going to work. Marbury has never been a good outside shooter, and you can't have Nate being the only 3 point shooter. We need a 3 point specialist. I was hoping Houston got some HGH this off-season to help with his knees, but I don't even think he played tonight (turned it off at the beginning of the 4th). I hope this isn't like last season where Houston got an invite then didn't even get into the game in the preseason. What is the point then?

[mjhp911]

We were solid in the first half.

Abso-freaking-lutely. Really, it was just the first quarter and half of the second. One word: ENERGY. We were so up for the game. Something we hardly ever brought last season. But we ran out of gas. That's conditioning (and please, that fluff piece on Brittenham the other day...). As we improve there, and get used to the system more, we'll be more effective at it. We still won't get very far in the playoffs, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there. In the meantime, we'll look better than we have in the past few years, and we'll bring some of the pride back.

[eviL]

We were solid in the first half.

Abso-freaking-lutely. Really, it was just the first quarter and half of the second. One word: ENERGY. We were so up for the game. Something we hardly ever brought last season. But we ran out of gas. That's conditioning (and please, that fluff piece on Brittenham the other day...). As we improve there, and get used to the system more, we'll be more effective at it. We still won't get very far in the playoffs, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there. In the meantime, we'll look better than we have in the past few years, and we'll bring some of the pride back.

+1

[krustytheclown]

of course people dont see that when all they see is the bad shots and turnovers...i wont name names most of you know who they are alreayd

[swisscheeseD]

just got done watching the game......

i must say, this season is going to be fun to watch!!!

'Antoni is the PERFECT fit for here in NY...its OBVIOUS to see how vastly improved this team is on the offensive end of the basketball. i know, sure they chucked up a # of 3's...but those shots will start to fall. ill-advised shots???...of course. but those "ill-advised" shots will turn into the EXTRA PASS eventually. this is still only the 1st unofficial game under Mike D...give them time

i loved to see everyone getting involved in the offense, the ball movement, and the cutting to the lanes. we've ALWAYS had talent on the offensive end, but ISIAH was a HORRIBLE COACH!!!...i dont remember a single time he actually called a play other than an ISO for jamal

all the teamwork on the offense will translate into the HELP DEFENSE as well...they'll have a better understanding of where to position themselves on defense, as well as trusting their teammates and being able to communicate on switches

sure they dont have the talent on defense, this team obviously lacks a presence on the inside...we need a shot blocker...but its not like Walsh dont know that....these holes will be filled

everything will take TIME....but they are certainly laying the groundwork here...its OBVIOUS

i ONLY CAME AWAY WITH POSITIVES after watching this game, and we all should....theres no reason to focus on the negatives...NO REASON...

we should all focus on what we have going for us for the FUTURE....this is just another stepin the right direction...the future is bright