MSGKnickz33
The Gold Mac
Happy New Years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sacramento Kings(11-18) vs New York Knicks(8-21)
Wednesday, January 2 at 7:30pm ET on MSG
Wednesday, January 2 at 7:30pm ET on MSG
Welcome to the first MSGKnickz33 pregame show of the New Year, Im your host Jazzy Jeff and Im going to break down the first game of 2008. The Knicks need to put the past couple of years behind them and come into this year with a different attitude. Poor game preparation and a lack of effort on defense have both contribute to the 8-21 record that the Knicks currently have. The Sacramento Kings are 3 games ahead of the Knicks in the league standings but they would have a better record if they played in the Eastern Conference. The Knicks have the talent to win this game but as we have all found out since Isiah took over, a group of players with alot of talent are not a team until they play together which has been the case with this Knicks team. This is a winnable game and what better way is there to start the new year then with a win, especially with a game in San Antonio coming up on Friday.
Its time now to take a look at the starting lineups for both teams:
The Sacramento Kings
at point guard, Beno Udrih
at shooting guard, John Salmons
at small forward, Francisco Garcia
at power forward, Mikki Moore
at center, Brad Miller
AND NOW ITS YOUR NEW YORK KNICKS!!!!!
AT POINT GUARD, JAMAL CRAWFORD
AT SHOOTING GUARD, QUENTIN RICHARDSON
AT SMALL FORWARD, JARED JEFFRIES
AT POWER FORWARD, DAVID LEE
AT CENTER, ZACH RANDOLPH
Ron Artest of the Sacramento Kings will miss a couple of weeks after having surgery on his right arm. Jamal Crawford and Stephon Marbury are both listed as day to day. This is the projected Knicks starting lineup but as we all know the starting lineup has become a guessing game. ESPN.com said on Dec. 28, "Martin (groin) will have to earn his starting spot and court time according to Kings coach Reggie Theus, the Sacramento Bee reports." He will not be playing on Wednesday vs the Knicks.
Here are the keys to victory for the Knicks:
- Defend the Perimeter!!!! Sacramento has a couple of players who shoot well from downtown.
- Play as a team!!! Something the Knicks do 1 out of every 5 games
- Rebound!!! Sacramento is the worst rebounding team in the league, if the Knicks get out rebounded then something needs to happen.
- Defend John Salmons!!! I see a big game coming for Salmons. He is a good shooter who somehow managed to block 6 shots the last time the Kings played the Knicks.
There is not one matchup that stands out to me. It will take a team effort by the Knicks to slow down Sacramento's scoring while the Kings need to take advantage of their shooting. The Knicks have been unable to defend good shooters such as Garcia, Salmons, and Udrih who can all shoot well from mid range and the perimeter.
The Question marks of Wednesday nights game:
Will Stephon Marbury Play?
What will Curry do coming off the bench?
How many minutes will Nate Robinson get?
Will Balkman start to get more minutes?
How many turnovers will Zach Randolph get?
If Crawford plays, how badly will he be burned by Salmons?
What will Curry do coming off the bench?
How many minutes will Nate Robinson get?
Will Balkman start to get more minutes?
How many turnovers will Zach Randolph get?
If Crawford plays, how badly will he be burned by Salmons?
NEW YORK KNICKS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
DAVID LEE!!!!!!
David Lee was the best Knick in 2007. Although he is one of the lowest paid players on this team, his work ethic and effort have made him a fan favorite since he arrived in New York. It is dissapointing to see that he has finally been inserted into the starting lineup now. Although Lee's offensive ability is limited to mainly dunks and layups, he is working hard to develop a jumper. His defense is average at best, but still better then the defense seen by Zach Randolph and Eddy Curry. It would be nice to see Renaldo Balkman and Nate Robinson get more minutes on the court with Lee. These 3 players bring a very high level of energy to the team.
Im your host Jazzy Jeff and I thank everyone for joining me for my first pregame show of the New Year. Catch the Kings and the Knicks Wednesday night on MSG.