Exactly one year ago, the New York Knicks acquired Carmelo Anthony in the hopes that he could revive a flagging franchise.
At least for the time being, Jeremy Lin and the phenomenon that is "Linsanity" is having a greater impact.
With the All-Star break looming, Anthony and Lin get another chance to form some chemistry as the Knicks face the sputtering - and potentially short-handed - Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night.
New York (16-17) felt it needed to acquire a bona fide superstar to turn the corner and become a factor in the Eastern Conference. That led the Knicks to land Anthony from Denver in a three-team, 13-player blockbuster trade Feb. 22, 2011.
Anthony helped New York reach the playoffs after a six-year absence, but the resulting good feelings and high hopes were tempered by an 8-15 start to 2011-12.
Lin has almost single-handedly changed that this month.
After he got released twice in December, the point guard has emerged from obscurity to average 24.6 points and 9.2 assists during an 8-2 run that has returned New York to playoff contention.
Anthony, who missed seven games of the current hot streak with a groin injury, is trying to prove he can coexist with Lin and allay growing fears that he may be a disruption.
He returned from the injury Monday but didn't provide a convincing answer to those fears, scoring 11 points as the Knicks fell 100-92 to New Jersey at MSG. Lin finished with 21 points, nine assists and seven rebounds.
"We're not in panic mode, because it doesn't just work where all of sudden people show up and you have great chemistry," Lin said. "So we're going to have to work through some struggles, so as long as we're all committed and buying in, we'll be fine."
Anthony claims he's buying in.
"As far as identity we've had last couple weeks, it was there," Anthony said. "I don't think nothing is going to change. There's going to be an adjustment. New roles. New guys.
"I want Jeremy to have the ball. Hands down. I want him to create for me. I want him to create for Amar'e (Stoudemire). I want him to create for everybody and still be as aggressive as he's been over the past two weeks. I want that."
Anthony and Lin have two more chances to work together before the All-Star break. The Knicks visit Miami on Thursday after hosting Atlanta (19-13).
"We have to get this thing sorted," coach Mike D'Antoni said. "We have to figure out the type of team, the identity we have to have."
Anthony is averaging 24.3 points in 14 career meetings with the Hawks, but had just 14 while dishing out seven assists and grabbing seven rebounds in a 92-79 win at Atlanta on March 6 in his only matchup since joining New York.
The Knicks and Hawks split four meetings last season, with each team winning once on the other's home court.
Atlanta has dropped seven of 10 overall and may be forced to play without Joe Johnson, who is doubtful because of tendinitis in his left knee. The All-Star, who leads the Hawks with 17.6 points per game, had 12 before exiting in the third quarter of Monday's 90-79 defeat at Chicago.
"Nobody is to blame, but everybody is to blame," coach Larry Drew said. "We all have to put ourselves in one foxhole and figure it out together."
Josh Smith, who had 17 points and 12 rebounds Monday, may carry a heavier load if Johnson can't go. Smith is averaging 20.0 points and 7.6 boards in his last seven visits to MSG.
I feel my stress melting away with every wiggle!!!
Nothing like a nice pooper on a dime piece. Woo!!!
ALSO, nice thread bro. :thumbsup:
Feb 22, 2012, 13:38
NYk_Reloaded718
No Joe johnson tonight, but this is not a game we can relax on. Teague been ballin lately.
Keep Pachulia off the glass
Stat please dont let josh Smith make you look like a fool he's capable of doing just that, cant leave him open either he's capable of knocking down the mid range shot.
i think if we can control teague & control the boards we will win this.
& nice game thread & chill machine #repped =p
Feb 22, 2012, 13:51
NYallDay
Thats funny.....yet sadly true!:teeth:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Almost_famous718
No Joe johnson tonight, but this is not a game we can relax on. Teague been ballin lately.
Keep Pachulia off the glass
Stat please dont let josh Smith make you look like a fool he's capable of doing just that, cant leave him open either he's capable of knocking down the mid range shot.
i think if we can control teague & control the boards we will win this.
& nice game thread & chill machine #repped =p
Feb 22, 2012, 14:23
LeFlume
I hope coach can give Baron Davis a real workout today. Lin's minutes gotta come down.
Feb 22, 2012, 14:27
smokes
Nice game thread man have some green! :smokin:
Well this game is pretty big after the loss I don't think we're gonna play weak ***** ass ball like that night.
Lin - Penetrate
Melo - score the easy buckets
STAT - play better
Baron - stop the fancy ****
JR Smith - as above
I'm pretty excited for this game!
Feb 22, 2012, 14:48
tiger0330
Clearly the Knicks are the better team on paper but that was the case with the Nets. Another loss tonight with both Melo and Stat in the starting lineup and I would be thinking of bringing one or both of them off the bench and start the guys we have been winning with.
Feb 22, 2012, 14:54
p0nder
I don't know why people over look this game for the Heat game. This one is huge and just as important to our playoff standing, maybe more so. Knicks need a win here. I'm confident in a Knicks win. STAT usually has huge games against them and he likes to bring the pain against Al and Josh Smith. I think we'll see him with a big one and Melo should get his 20 points. Lin needs to distribute the ball well and we need to hit our 3's. I'm hoping that JR stays hot.
Feb 22, 2012, 15:21
BachaCho
The team has to play like there opponents are scared to play them because of the talent and roster and the big men, basically like how the Heat are
Feb 22, 2012, 15:25
NYk_Reloaded718
Quote:
Originally Posted by BachaCho
The team has to play like there opponents are scared to play them because of the talent and roster and the big men, basically like how the Heat are
only thing opponents fear on the knicks is tyson chandler, funny thing is he's probably the most humble guy on the knicks until he gets on the court.
Teams are going to be more eager than scared to play us
EVERYONE wants a piece of linsanity
it's like with the heat everyone was more eager than scared to beat the big 3, but it'll all simmer down eventually
Feb 22, 2012, 15:27
fakeknicksfan
If melo does not perform tonight can we just break his leg and kick him to the curb? We don't need him to mess up the good chemistry.
Feb 22, 2012, 15:30
NYk_Reloaded718
Quote:
Originally Posted by fakeknicksfan
If melo does not perform tonight can we just break his leg and kick him to the curb? We don't need him to mess up the good chemistry.
If you dont change that user name can we just ban you, can we just break your leg and kick you over to realGM =p
Feb 22, 2012, 15:31
metrocard
Atlanta has no center...we have to utilize Chandler in this game...total mismatch for ZaZa. Need to play an inside - out game.
Feb 22, 2012, 15:40
iSaYughh
Quote:
Originally Posted by metrocard
Atlanta has no center...we have to utilize Chandler in this game...total mismatch for ZaZa. Need to play an inside - out game.
With the damage Tyson should do this game, there is no excuse for STAT to shoot less than .600 for the game, IMO. No more of this *****ass 8/18 type ****, with a few boards.
I expect a high 3pt % for us, a meaty game by Tyson, and a very efficient game by STAT.
Wouldn't call it make or break game for Melo, but for his sake I hope he produces nice and efficiently.
Feb 22, 2012, 15:45
CA7
1 thing we need to improve on is we need to stop trying to turn our stars into role players and role players into stars, we need to run things through STAT and Melo like I said before the 1st play of the game should be a back pick by Melo for STAT with STAT going to the basket for a lob or if the defense bites, Melo pops out for an easy jumper
