NBA LOCK OF THE NIGHT!!

NBA LOCK OF THE NIGHT! (4-3, $1000)

Bulls +2 over the Pacers

Write it down and take it to the bank people!

The Great Carmelo Caper of 2011!

If Carmelo Anthony actually wanted to go to the New Jersey Nets, don't you think he would already be there? I sure do.  He has already come out and stated that he notices there are significantly less cheers during introductions at Home, and there are significantly more boo's.  The situation as a whole, has start to wear down not only everyone directly involved, but everyone who covers the NBA at all! The situation is not good for either side, or for the NBA for that matter.  We are continuously inundated with reports that he is going to New Jersey and yet, he still remains in Denver.  He was so quick to publicize that he wanted to be traded, but yet he refuses to publicly endorse being traded to the Nets. The man wants to be a Knick.  Bottom line.  You do not grow up in New York dreaming of one day playing for the New Jersey Nets.  You do not grow up in New York and dream of playing in Newark.  You do not grow up in New York and dream of playing in Brooklyn.  You grow up in New York, dreaming of one day dominating the biggest stage in pro basketball, MADISON SQUARE GARDEN! You dream of walking the streets of New York and seeing billboards larger than life with your picture on it, hoisting a championship trophy.  Maybe the money will eventually sway Carmelo, but the possibility of playing in Brooklyn will not.  For now we will have to wait and see...

Knicks Bounce Back After Debacle in LA

The Knicks (22-15) bounced back after the debacle in LA, with a convincing triumph over the Portland (20-19) Trailblazers in Portland last night.  The Trailblazers came into the night 8-4 in there last twelve games, with two victories each over the Rockets and Jazz.  The Knicks won convincingly (100-86), leading for the majority of the game except for a furious comeback from the Blazers in the third quarter.  The Knicks summoned their new found defensive focus and got the timely stops that seemed to evade them early in the year.  Amare Stoudemire (23 points, 8 rebounds, 1 block) led the charge with a plus minus of +15, only eclipsed by the +17 of Ronnie Turiaf (19 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks).  A great Knicks defensive effort held the Blazers to 86 points, 9 points less than their season average.  This was achieved by a offensive aggressiveness that got LaMarcus Aldridge into early foul trouble and forced him to sit for the majority of the first half.
Soon after the triumph in Portland, the Knicks boarded the plane and headed to Utah (25-13).  This will be the first match up of the two teams during the Stoudemire era, and would be another great win as long as they continue their defensive focus.  A win will also allow for the Knicks to complete their 4 game Western Road Trip with a .500 record. 

Knicks Ride the Wave to LA!

The Knicks have been on a high as of late.  Taking all crushing waves that have been been put before them, and crushing them as others watch on in awe.  Starting with the surprising take down of the league best San Antonio Spurs, and rolling into Phoenix and absolutely obliterating the Suns, the Knicks have proven that all those "are they for real?" questions following their big win streak have been laid to rest.  The Knicks now boast victories over the Spurs, Suns, Bulls (2), Thunder, Hornets, and Nuggets.  These victories, combined with close loses to the Celtics (2 points) and Heat (8 points), have started to make the NBA Universe believe that the Knicks are no longer the doormat that they have been for the better part of the 2000's.  With a camaraderie that rivals that of Ewing, Oakley and Starks, the Knicks players are showing the grit and determination that is necessary to slow down even the most potent offenses (limiting Phoenix the number 2 scoring team in the NBA to 96 points).  This newfound focus on defense has helped the Knicks transform from a maybe, to a most definitely.  With Amare setting the tone, and the unheralded Raymond Felton and Wilson Chandler continuing their consisten play, the Knicks are going to be a handful for any of the elite NBA teams.  One of the most overlooked players that has helped bring about the Knicks renaissance is Ronny Turiaf.  Not afraid to deliver the hard foul, Turiaf along with Amare, have brought back some of that toughness that made the Knicks of the 1990's so successful. 
It could not be a better time for the Knicks to roll into LA.  With the Lakers recent struggles, and the Knicks recent surge, this should be an entertaining game that will be a battle till the very end.  The Knicks need to ensure they are not overconfident as they view the recent struggles of the Lakers, and take the court with energy from the tip.  Kobe is going to get his and it will be a tall order for Turiaf and Amare to contain Gasol and Bynum, but it can be done.  As long as the Knicks focus on help defense, bring the right amount of energy and push the ball, they can continue their resurgence and perhaps defeat the Lakers for the first time in years!