7th or 8th seed? Heats or Bulls?

[nykballa2k4]

Right now our biggest edge is Tyson Chandler. Looking at the Bulls with their front court depth, and our pounding style, we should really struggle getting easy points and opening up our perimeter game.

The Heat are an easier match up for us.

Heat can trap us in the back court, cool, but we can punish them inside. If we limit turnovers, and take close range shots, we hurt the Miami fast break and give ourselves a great shot at winning.

[Scalabrine]

I dont want to face either right off the bat. Thats obvious but I wanted to get it out of the way. They are both easily better teams then us and there seeding reflects that...

The team I think we have a better shot against is definitely Chicago. We match up better against them. Joel Anthony, historically, has defended Amare quite well. The Heats best big man is Chris Bosh, and hes more of a face up, perimeter oriented PF in that system, not the ideal fit for Chandler (our best defender) to be covering. If we are without Amare still, I think Jeffries on Bosh and Chandler protecting the paint isnt too bad but if we have Amare and we face the Heat then a zone is probably our best option when Bosh and Amare are both lined up at PF.

The opposite can be said for the Bulls. With Amare, we would probably see Noah on him to start the game, and we could maybe bring him out of the paint a little bit more to open up slashing lanes for Fields and Lin and oop opportunities for Chandler. Deng is a top flight perimeter defender, and he matches up well against Melo as far as stature goes... both teams weakest position is SG but I like Shumperts defensive abilities or Baron Davis' size on Derrick Rose, I think you could even see Jeffries get a chance to defend him, which I think could work. Rose isnt the lock down defender Wade or LeBron are either so Lin might be able to make a difference if we get him back in time. The Heat really did a great job of shutting him down. If we dont have Amare, I think starting Novak at PF might be a decent strategy to either make Boozer chase him around, or if they are in zone, make them pay for packing the lane.

Were gonna have to beat both, so it doesnt really matter that much which we play first, but I do like how we matchup against the Bulls better personally.

[Scalabrine]

I dont want to face either right off the bat. Thats obvious but I wanted to get it out of the way. They are both easily better teams then us and there seeding reflects that...

The team I think we have a better shot against is definitely Chicago. We match up better against them. Joel Anthony, historically, has defended Amare quite well. The Heats best big man is Chris Bosh, and hes more of a face up, perimeter oriented PF in that system, not the ideal fit for Chandler (our best defender) to be covering. If we are without Amare still, I think Jeffries on Bosh and Chandler protecting the paint isnt too bad but if we have Amare and we face the Heat then a zone is probably our best option when Bosh and Amare are both lined up at PF.

The opposite can be said for the Bulls. With Amare, we would probably see Noah on him to start the game, and we could maybe bring him out of the paint a little bit more to open up slashing lanes for Fields and Lin and oop opportunities for Chandler. Deng is a top flight perimeter defender, and he matches up well against Melo as far as stature goes... both teams weakest position is SG but I like Shumperts defensive abilities or Baron Davis' size on Derrick Rose, I think you could even see Jeffries get a chance to defend him, which I think could work. Rose isnt the lock down defender Wade or LeBron are either so Lin might be able to make a difference if we get him back in time. The Heat really did a great job of shutting him down. If we dont have Amare, I think starting Novak at PF might be a decent strategy to either make Boozer chase him around, or if they are in zone, make them pay for packing the lane.

Were gonna have to beat both, so it doesnt really matter that much which we play first, but I do like how we matchup against the Bulls better personally.

[Dr. Detfink]

Exactly. Knicks want the 6th seed. Anyone but Chi or Miami. Can't believe number of winnable games Knicks gave away.

[BadMojo]

i like to watch knicks and bulls play defense for the whole game.
I actually enjoy watching defense more so then watching offensive type of game.

I think the Nicks match up better with bulls. I am not sure how deep the bench is for the Bulls.

The Bulls bench has a nickname, they are the "bench mob". That should tell you that they can play. At least two of them have been starting for much of the season due to injuries and the Bulls still have the best record in the NBA. When they can get back to the bench that will be a big plus. Most of them are defensive players that shut teams down but guys like Korver, Watson and Lucas III can put points on the board and hit big shots at times.

Asik and Gibson are very good defensive and rebounding bigs and CJ Watson is a solid defender who tends to look for his shot more than to facilitate but he's ok running the offense. Butler is an unafraid rookie, Brewer is a shaky offensive player who moves well along the baseline, hits passing lanes on defense and is a good all-around defender. Korver is a shooter who is a weak defender that can't create his own shot. Lucas III shoots a lot. Mike James is a solid veteran PG and everyone knows the human victory cigar, Scalabrine.

The Bulls have one of the deepest teams in the league. That's one of our biggest strengths.

I'm a Bulls fan and I'm fine with the Bulls playing whoever. Knicks, Bucks or Philly, it doesn't matter. A team has to go through whoever they face if they want a chance to win a ring. If they're worthy, they will beat all comers. If not then they still have work to do.

I hope we have good games coming up Knicks fans.

[Thugger HBC]

i like to watch knicks and bulls play defense for the whole game.
I actually enjoy watching defense more so then watching offensive type of game.

I think the Nicks match up better with bulls. I am not sure how deep the bench is for the Bulls.

The Bulls bench has a nickname, they are the "bench mob". That should tell you that they can play. At least two of them have been starting for much of the season due to injuries and the Bulls still have the best record in the NBA. When they can get back to the bench that will be a big plus. Most of them are defensive players that shut teams down but guys like Korver, Watson and Lucas III can put points on the board and hit big shots at times.

Asik and Gibson are very good defensive and rebounding bigs and CJ Watson is a solid defender who tends to look for his shot more than to facilitate but he's ok running the offense. Butler is an unafraid rookie, Brewer is a shaky offensive player who moves well along the baseline, hits passing lanes on defense and is a good all-around defender. Korver is a shooter who is a weak defender that can't create his own shot. Lucas III shoots a lot. Mike James is a solid veteran PG and everyone knows the human victory cigar, Scalabrine.

The Bulls have one of the deepest teams in the league. That's one of our biggest strengths.

I'm a Bulls fan and I'm fine with the Bulls playing whoever. Knicks, Bucks or Philly, it doesn't matter. A team has to go through whoever they face if they want a chance to win a ring. If they're worthy, they will beat all comers. If not then they still have work to do.

I hope we have good games coming up Knicks fans.

Good post man.

I can definitely say you guys do have a solid bench full of quality depth.

Having the best record in the conference without your best player id a clear testament to that.

As a Knicks fan I fully agree with you on the opponent.

I don't care who we play, but whomever it is I fully expect the series to be a competitive one.

Of course, I'd love to have an upset.

[Lehman]

The Bulls bench has a nickname, they are the "bench mob". That should tell you that they can play. At least two of them have been starting for much of the season due to injuries and the Bulls still have the best record in the NBA. When they can get back to the bench that will be a big plus. Most of them are defensive players that shut teams down but guys like Korver, Watson and Lucas III can put points on the board and hit big shots at times.

The Bulls have one of the most expensive benches in the league, with Brewer/Korver at $5M each and Watson at $3.5M. they were able to do that since Rose was on a rookie deal. That will all change next season and most of these guys will be gone.

Korver is the most dangerous IMO. He's the guy keeping them in games when Rose is out.

[biggestbullsfan]

The Bulls bench has a nickname, they are the "bench mob". That should tell you that they can play. At least two of them have been starting for much of the season due to injuries and the Bulls still have the best record in the NBA. When they can get back to the bench that will be a big plus. Most of them are defensive players that shut teams down but guys like Korver, Watson and Lucas III can put points on the board and hit big shots at times.

The Bulls have one of the most expensive benches in the league, with Brewer/Korver at $5M each and Watson at $3.5M. they were able to do that since Rose was on a rookie deal. That will all change next season and most of these guys will be gone.

Korver is the most dangerous IMO. He's the guy keeping them in games when Rose is out.

Korver is so ice and cold it makes no sense. Right now, its been mostly Noah playing his brains out and then Deng/Boozer picking up on Offense. Also, Lucas has been playing decent for us and amazing at times we needed it from somewhere. I dont expect that to continue.

Our team will look alot different next year. Watson/gibson/Asik will be back from the bench. Korver/Brewer will either be traded or cut. Expect Jimmy Butler to play SF back up and us to draft a Sg backup. Hopefully John Jenkins.

[ag3]

Philly is playing the Magic tonight and the Celtics tomorrow.
The Celtics are playing the Pacers tonight and Philly tomorrow.

If the Knicks win tomorrow, we will be very close to 7th place or 1st in the division.
There is a scenario we can be in 7th tomorrow night or 1 game behind Boston for 1st place.

[Thugger HBC]

The Bulls bench has a nickname, they are the "bench mob". That should tell you that they can play. At least two of them have been starting for much of the season due to injuries and the Bulls still have the best record in the NBA. When they can get back to the bench that will be a big plus. Most of them are defensive players that shut teams down but guys like Korver, Watson and Lucas III can put points on the board and hit big shots at times.

The Bulls have one of the most expensive benches in the league, with Brewer/Korver at $5M each and Watson at $3.5M. they were able to do that since Rose was on a rookie deal. That will all change next season and most of these guys will be gone.

Korver is the most dangerous IMO. He's the guy keeping them in games when Rose is out.

Korver is so ice and cold it makes no sense. Right now, its been mostly Noah playing his brains out and then Deng/Boozer picking up on Offense. Also, Lucas has been playing decent for us and amazing at times we needed it from somewhere. I dont expect that to continue.

Our team will look alot different next year. Watson/gibson/Asik will be back from the bench. Korver/Brewer will either be traded or cut. Expect Jimmy Butler to play SF back up and us to draft a Sg backup. Hopefully John Jenkins.

I can see you guys cutting both of them as their salaries would put you in the tax team status, where no one wants to be.

I'd gladly take Korver off your hands, but we can't afford him either.

[nykballa2k4]

The Bulls bench has a nickname, they are the "bench mob". That should tell you that they can play. At least two of them have been starting for much of the season due to injuries and the Bulls still have the best record in the NBA. When they can get back to the bench that will be a big plus. Most of them are defensive players that shut teams down but guys like Korver, Watson and Lucas III can put points on the board and hit big shots at times.

Asik and Gibson are very good defensive and rebounding bigs and CJ Watson is a solid defender who tends to look for his shot more than to facilitate but he's ok running the offense. Butler is an unafraid rookie, Brewer is a shaky offensive player who moves well along the baseline, hits passing lanes on defense and is a good all-around defender. Korver is a shooter who is a weak defender that can't create his own shot. Lucas III shoots a lot. Mike James is a solid veteran PG and everyone knows the human victory cigar, Scalabrine.

The Bulls have one of the deepest teams in the league. That's one of our biggest strengths.

I'm a Bulls fan and I'm fine with the Bulls playing whoever. Knicks, Bucks or Philly, it doesn't matter. A team has to go through whoever they face if they want a chance to win a ring. If they're worthy, they will beat all comers. If not then they still have work to do.

I hope we have good games coming up Knicks fans.

Good post man.

I can definitely say you guys do have a solid bench full of quality depth.

Having the best record in the conference without your best player id a clear testament to that.

As a Knicks fan I fully agree with you on the opponent.

I don't care who we play, but whomever it is I fully expect the series to be a competitive one.

Of course, I'd love to have an upset.

Pretty much agree with everything.
Regardless of the Bulls/Heat they will be a heavy favorite. I do, however, maintain, that we are going to be a "tough out"

[Lehman]

Korver is so ice and cold it makes no sense. Right now, its been mostly Noah playing his brains out and then Deng/Boozer picking up on Offense. Also, Lucas has been playing decent for us and amazing at times we needed it from somewhere. I dont expect that to continue.

Our team will look alot different next year. Watson/gibson/Asik will be back from the bench. Korver/Brewer will either be traded or cut. Expect Jimmy Butler to play SF back up and us to draft a Sg backup. Hopefully John Jenkins.

Makes no sense to trade Korver/Brewer since the teams that need them are all over the cap (that means the Bulls will have to take salary back, which moots the entire point). Teams under the cap would only trade for them if they get back some asset, which makes no sense for the Bulls. The bottom line is that both will probably be waived.

I sincerely doubt Asik will be back. Morey is probably dumb enough to give him a backloaded contract that the Bulls wouldn't be able to match.

[Lehman]

Philly is playing the Magic tonight and the Celtics tomorrow.
The Celtics are playing the Pacers tonight and Philly tomorrow.

If the Knicks win tomorrow, we will be very close to 7th place or 1st in the division.
There is a scenario we can be in 7th tomorrow night or 1 game behind Boston for 1st place.

I fthe Knicks still have any dreams of winning the division, we're going to have to win the next 3. That will not be easy to put it mildly.

[ag3]

Philly is playing the Magic tonight and the Celtics tomorrow.
The Celtics are playing the Pacers tonight and Philly tomorrow.

If the Knicks win tomorrow, we will be very close to 7th place or 1st in the division.
There is a scenario we can be in 7th tomorrow night or 1 game behind Boston for 1st place.

I fthe Knicks still have any dreams of winning the division, we're going to have to win the next 3. That will not be easy to put it mildly.

Just have to be within 1 game when we play the Celtics. Which does not require us to win the next 3. We just need Boston to lose tonight and tomorrow and for us to win 2 out of 3.

[Woodsanity]

Philly is playing the Magic tonight and the Celtics tomorrow.
The Celtics are playing the Pacers tonight and Philly tomorrow.

If the Knicks win tomorrow, we will be very close to 7th place or 1st in the division.
There is a scenario we can be in 7th tomorrow night or 1 game behind Boston for 1st place.

I fthe Knicks still have any dreams of winning the division, we're going to have to win the next 3. That will not be easy to put it mildly.

Just have to be within 1 game when we play the Celtics. Which does not require us to win the next 3. We just need Boston to lose tonight and tomorrow and for us to win 2 out of 3.

I don't see the Celtics going 0-2. At best I see them going 1-1. Sixers have almost no chance against the Celtics at home. Its a shame that the Heat have been so inconsistent as of late and got blown out by the Celtics.
Also even what you said would be very hard to accomplish.