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********************************************knicks at Bullets***************************************************

3 Straight Home Games Against Running Teams In A Shortened Season Could Be Flip's Last











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KEY MATCHUP



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When I hyped Dray all offseason this is the matchup I talked about the most. I would always say that I think if Dray is right then I think he owns Amare and Id rather have him than Amare. I love hearing about the players only meeting that the James Thrash of the NBA in Mo Evans called but I love hearing this even more: Andray Blatche said he was one of the players who was called out. He said his teammates got on him for wanting the ball in the post and then taking "lazy jump shots" instead.

I think if he doesnt learn now then he never will. I see the Syracuse NY kid having a good aggressive game and I dont mean Carmelo. If he does that then I dont think he looks back this year






PREVIEW

Knicks-Wizards Preview

By SANTOSH VENKATARAMAN
Posted Jan 05 2012 7:00PM

The problems for the New York Knicks at this time are not as bad as those for the Washington Wizards.

These struggling teams meet Friday night at the Verizon Center, with the Knicks seeking to defeat the winless Wizards for the seventh straight meeting.

New York (2-4) turned in its worst defensive effort of the season in Wednesday's 118-110 home loss to Charlotte. The Bobcats' point total, 55.3 shooting percentage and 47 baskets were season highs for a Knicks' opponent.

"I think we just gotta get on the same page, defensively and offensively right now," center Tyson Chandler said. "We're out of sync, we're just having way too many breakdowns."

Washington (0-6) and its struggling offense may provide the perfect opponent for New York to get back on track. The Wizards are off to their worst start in franchise history and averaging 85.2 points for the NBA's second-worst mark.

The club's 34.5 percent shooting in the first quarter is also better than only New Jersey. The Wizards fell behind 31-14 after one quarter as they missed their first 12 shots in Wednesday's 103-85 loss at Orlando.

"We're gonna have to do something with our start," coach Flip Saunders said. "Whether its personnel wise or whatever. But somehow we've got to have some juice to start games."

The Knicks swept three meetings with the Wizards last season, with Amare Stoudemire averaging 28.0 points on 55.2 percent shooting and 7.7 rebounds.

Stoudemire returned Wednesday after missing two games with a sprained left ankle and had season highs of 25 points and 12 boards.

"(The) ankle feels great so it's good that I'm back 100 percent," Stoudemire said.

The Knicks trailed by 17 points at halftime of Monday's 90-85 loss to Toronto and were behind by double digits through most of the fourth quarter Wednesday. Carmelo Anthony had 32 points against the Raptors.

"It's a long process," said Anthony, who is among the league leaders with his 27.8 scoring average. "In the meantime, we've gotta stay positive, stick together and get ready for the Wizards."

Washington, meanwhile, barely has a scorer in the top 50, with Nick Young averaging a team-high 14.2 points. No Wizards starter besides center JaVale McGee is shooting better than 37.5 percent.

The Wizards average 14.8 assists for the Eastern Conference's worst mark.

"It's everything," point guard John Wall said. "We go over everything on defense in the shootaround, but we didn't do it out there. You see what happened to us. Once everybody started being selfish on offense, (and) then on the defensive end we're not trusting each other."

Andray Blatche has been among numerous Wizards enduring disappointing starts, and said he was one of the players who was called out in a players-only meeting called Thursday by veteran Maurice Evans. Blatche said his teammates got on him for wanting the ball in the post and then taking "lazy jump shots" instead.

"They can't have that. I took that as: `You're right,'" Blatche said. "If my teammates are saying that, then I have no reason but to agree with them and work to get better."

This contest pits teams that are among the NBA's worst at defending on 3-pointers, with Washington allowing opponents to shoot 38.3 percent and New York 42.5.

That was a factor in the 2010-11 season series in favor of the Knicks, who shot 38.2 percent on 3s - making 29 of them - and limited the Wizards, who made 14 of theirs, to 29.8.





Predection

Very important game for both teams. NY has struggled and hasnt lived up to expectations. Losing to the only winless and worst looking team in the league could cause the coach to lose his job immediatly. Speaking of coaches losing there job. Ernie Grunfield is desperate because he knows Leonsis is over his shoulder. This season is starting off the same way the season started when Eddie Jordan was fired early. Worst of all, our Franchise pick looks mighty average.

Dray & McGee have been super soft at times while NY has his blinders back on and cant do anything until the 2nd half when the game is already out of reach. NY is looking at us like the homecoming team to get the back on track while were looking at them as the no defense team who we can finally get our O back on track against and can start a win streak with the home stand.

This game is made for both teams. Up & down. Wall should dominate, NY should go off, McGee always goes off against them but NY feels the exact same way about all there guys against us. Something has to give and I like everyone to play well and we win 114-107

dlts20 wrote:if not then I want it because this is when I predicted the winning would start. 3 straight home games against running teams and we are due, as are alot of players on our team

do it! I smell luck. I'll be there and wouldn't mind finally seeing a win, or at least a stronger showing.

montestewart wrote:

dlts20 wrote:if not then I want it because this is when I predicted the winning would start. 3 straight home games against running teams and we are due, as are alot of players on our team

do it! I smell luck. I'll be there and wouldn't mind finally seeing a win, or at least a stronger showing.

I was thinking of going also. Ive been out of town since the 12th of December so I havent seen a full game on TV yet, let alone live. Should be fun. Both teams are desperate

This should just be the game thread.

It looks to me like you just started it.

Is Stoudemire back yet?

Is Vesely playing?

Looks like Ves is gonna get some playing time. Via mike lee

"Jan Vesely said he feels good enough to play vs NYK. Asked if he can help #wizards, "I'm not sure I am the guy that can make some miracles."



Also from mike lee

"#Wizards held player only meeting organized by Mo Evans, said sense of entitlement is worse than with any other team he's been on"

I'm a bit upset that Vesely may finally get some burn against the Knicks. I was hoping to see Blatche totally dominate Stoudemire over 48 minutes of play.

Date fail....game is on 1/6.

The Janchise shouldn't sell himself short.

Janchise calls 'em how he sees 'em.

I'm not going to make any predictions, but this is a winnable game for sure. I think the biggest factor will be rebounding. If Wall plays like he has the last couple of games, McGee crashes the boards and is somewhat efficient on O and plays good D against the NY bigs, NY hits his shots, Crawford only gets like 10 minutes of action, I think we can pull it off.

And if we don't win, that SHOULD be the signature at the bottom of Flip & EGs death warrant.

zaRdsAndZeRos wrote:
"Jan Vesely said he feels good enough to play vs NYK. Asked if he can help #wizards, "I'm not sure I am the guy that can make some miracles."

lmfaooooooooooooooo

ves don't give a f****

zaRdsAndZeRos wrote:"#Wizards held player only meeting organized by Mo Evans, said sense of entitlement is worse than with any other team he's been on"

wonder who came in second?

montestewart wrote:

zaRdsAndZeRos wrote:"#Wizards held player only meeting organized by Mo Evans, said sense of entitlement is worse than with any other team he's been on"

wonder who came in second?

Gotta be the Hawks. When it comes to selfish 1 on 1 play few teams can match up with the Hawks.

I hope Mo Evan's talk worked. I'm cautiously optimistic.

I dont see how there ever going to win a game with NY being the only guy who can make a 15' jump shot.. Half of em' struggle with layups.. I've been away from the "Bullets" since the early 90's, moved to FL. and just starting watching their games again on the NBA LeaguePass freeview..

As an oldtime uninformed fan, how can they stink for so many years and still only have 1 shooter/scorer?? Did they do a Danny/Vinnie and hand off all their (good) picks for a couple washed up stars that didnt pan out, or do they just draft that poorly??

I hate for my first post to be so negative but wow, they are really bad.. still!! Mick

Mickstix wrote:I dont see how there ever going to win a game with NY being the only guy who can make a 15' jump shot.. Half of em' struggle with layups.. I've been away from the "Bullets" since the early 90's, moved to FL. and just starting watching their games again on the NBA LeaguePass freeview..

As an oldtime uninformed fan, how can they stink for so many years and still only have 1 shooter/scorer?? Did they do a Danny/Vinnie and hand off all their (good) picks for a couple washed up stars that didnt pan out, or do they just draft that poorly??

I hate for my first post to be so negative but wow, they are really bad.. still!! Mick

They used to have better scorers/shooters, not much D, and many big contracts. New ownership triggered a breakdown of the old team (Arenas, Jamison, etc.) supposedly with the goal of a total rebuild, bottoming out, etc. There's plenty of scorers, just beyond the horizon. You're getting back in at the ground floor. Welcome. You have a bright future. I hope.

Thanks for the 411 Monte! From lookin through the roster they are certainly young.. See five 1st rounders on the team though.. Hope they can get a little something goin here soon..

Just a battle of wills. No reason the Wizards can't take this game. And if not this one, the next one.

Can't wait to start the Vesely era.

Personally, I am tired of listening to the radio and all the sheep who don't understand the process.

I don't even care if they lose this game. I would love a win, but that is not the most important thing right now or do it acknowledge where this team is.

They are rebuilding. Ves hasn't even played yet. Nor has Mo. Some players of playing unusually cold. Some are showing progress. Cold won't last forever and young will get experience and get better. They are doing the right thing. They are playing everyone.

This is what they should be doing and I am not surprised in the lest that they have not won a game yet. I know the first ten game would be the hardest.

I hope they win. But it is more about watching players get experience and learn at this stage. That and evaluating player that need moved. Six down. Four to go before I even start to make a judgement. All except Dray who I clearly judge as not coming into camp in as good a shape as he should have. And even knowing that, now is not the time to trade him.

They may get it together this year. They may not. If they don't, that is ok. One more draft, trade, FA is likely needed.

We have waited this long. Now is not the time to get upset or make a knee jerk reaction. This is year two of a rebuild and they went young.

Steady as she goes for now.

Go Ted. Go Wiz.

Going with the title of the thread, I'll go with never for Flip

Fire Flip, Fire Ernie

Mickstix wrote:Thanks for the 411 Monte! From lookin through the roster they are certainly young.. See five 1st rounders on the team though.. Hope they can get a little something goin here soon..

We have someone who does not know how to build a team and the organization itself is stale and dysfunctional.....it shows on the floor.