The New York Knicks have been battling for the eighth seed for a while now and after about a month of hard-fought games, they stand 1 game behind the Atlanta Hawks for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Tonight, the Knicks play the Jazz and the Hawks play the 76ers. I feel like the Knicks are certainly capable of defeating the Jazz like they did last year on Utah’s home floor, however I feel like the 76ers may lose to the Hawks. Hopefully, after losing 26 of their last 27 games the 76ers can pull out their second victory in the last 28 games. Michael Carter-Williams might go off or something like that, you never know! Most importantly for the Knicks, they need to defeat Utah tonight after defeating a tough Golden State squad by 5 points. Anyway, let’s get into some key matchups that I am looking at seeing in both games. The point guards for the Hawks and Sixers will be a matchup I am looking forward to. Jeff Teague and Michael Carter-Williams are good young talent for both of these teams. In the long run, I feel that Carter-Williams will be a better player and I feel that he has the advantage over Teague because of his height and quickness. The point guards for the Knicks and Jazz game will certainly be cool to watch as well. I would like to see if Raymond Felton can keep up with the fast Michigan point guard Trey Burke. The key to this game will be if it comes down to the wire because Burke has hit big time shots in crunch time situations. Another key matchup will be the small forwards for the Knicks and Jazz game. Carmelo Anthony and Gordon Hayward are matched up in this category and they are both phenomenal players. Carmelo is Carmelo but Hayward is more of a diamond in the rough type of guy. He was picked up from Butler in the NBA draft and he has been a great pickup by the Jazz. Carmelo easily wins this matchup because he is way too skilled for Hayward. My final key matchup is the power forwards for the Hawks-Sixers game in Paul Millsap and Thaddeus Young. I feel that Millsap is bigger and stronger than Young but Thaddeus has speed and quickness on his side against Millsap. I can’t wait to see this matchup. I also can’t wait to see both of the games. What do you think? Do you think that there is a matchup that is worth mentioning that I forgot about? Tell me, what are your thoughts? Anyway, thanks for reading and please comment!
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Last night, the Knicks 8- game winning streak ended in a disappointing loss to the Cavaliers. Running up leads as much as 17 points in the first half, all things pointed to a Knick win early on. But in the second half, they just couldn’t deliver on the floor and the Cavaliers dominated 106-100. Once again, the Knicks pulled at fans heart strings. The winning streak had seemed too good to be true but we got our hopes up as they kept on winning. We started to believe again. Facing a team like the Cavs who were minus Kyrie Irving, they should’ve jumped on this opportunity and kept the streak alive. They just didn’t bring it on the court in the second half. With the playoffs around the corner, they Knicks can’t afford to throw away games. There’s only 12 games left until the playoffs and this includes match up against the Heat, Warriors, Nets and Bulls. Die hard Knick fans won’t give up easy and will be walking a tight rope for the next few weeks. We’ll root against the Hawks and keep the dream alive for as long as possible. There is still hope. I still believe the Knicks can pull it off but not if they have a repeat performance of last night’s game. What do you think? Do you think the Knicks can begin a new winning streak or are you done with this season? Can they make the playoffs? Let me know what you think. Don’t be surprised if you hear basketball fans in New York humming Pharrell Williams. After all, there are three great reasons for them to be very happy right now. First off, the Knicks are on a winning streak and every single win has been by 10 or more points. Secondly, Phil Jackson has become the President of Basketball Operations for the Knicks. Lastly, Selection Sunday is today, which means March Madness is right around the corner. Let’s begin with the Knicks and their continuous winning streak to push for the playoffs. They finally started winning! We have a chance to make the playoffs now as long as the Hawks lose some games. At this point in the season, it was do or die. At least they are making a good run for it and there is still hope for the playoffs. They are moving the ball, Hardaway Jr. is playing great, Melo is being Melo, and everything has clicked for them. They beat Minnesota 118-106, Utah 108-81, Cleveland 107-97, Philly 123-110, Boston 116-92, and Milwaukee 115-94. Fortunately, this streak seems to be gaining momentum, and if we become extremely consistent, we can hopefully win most of our last 15 games. Let’s go New York Knicks! Phil Jackson is coming home. It’s about time they did something like this!!! Phil Jackson is with the Knicks once again. OMG! Let’s talk some history with him. He was a member of the champion 1969-70 and 1972-73 New York Knicks squads. Crazily enough, those were the only two championships the New York Knicks had ever won. He coached the Bulls from 1989-1998 and in 1991, ’92, ’93, ’96, ’97, and ’98 the Bulls were champions (thank you Michael Jordan). He then went to the Los Angeles Lakers as coach from 1999-2011. In these years, his team would be victorious in 2000, ’01, ’02, ’09, and ’10. Off of these teams he has had 11 championships as a coach and 2 championships as a player. Because of the great history of Phil Jackson, I am excited for the future with him as the President of Basketball Operations for the Knicks. Happy reason #3. Onto the thing that all NCAA basketball fans have been waiting for, Selection Sunday is today. I am curious to see where all of the teams turn out and I hope to see a lot of energy and excitement from these young players. I’m mostly a NBA fan but I know of many names in the college game such as Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker, Marcus Smart, and Doug McDermott. I think that Witchita State can do pretty good in the tournament, possibly get to the Final Four. I hope that every game is down to the wire and that my bracket is right. Even if I don’t get a perfect bracket, I can hope right? How about you? Are you as happy as I am to be a Knick fan right now? It’s been a long, hard season so it’s nice to be able to smile again. Please comment and thanks for reading! |
Mike V.
My name is Mike V. I am an enormous basketball fan. I also am a die-hard Knicks fan. After graduating 5th grade, I started writing this blog at the age of 10 in the summer of 2012. Archives
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