The New York Knicks (11-12) vs The Phoenix Suns (14-10)
Monday, December 15 2008
@ US Airways Center in PHX, Arizona home of the 2009 Allstar Game
The Knicks are traveling to Arizona as they take on the Suns. Heres the JPZ17 Road Trip Report:
The Knicks went to Sacramento first then they will stop in Phoenix to take on the Suns, then later they will travel to LA to face Kobe and the Lakers. Then finally they go back to New York.
Welcome to the JPZ17 Pre-Game Show
I would just like to say Happy Holidays!! This IS the season for Knick basketball!!!!!!
If you didn't catch the last game here's your highlights!
I'll be your host today as the Knicks take on Steve Nash and the Suns!!! This is the first time Mike D'Antoni will go up against the Suns since his bad break-up with the Suns.
It will be a very very emotional return for D'Antoni.. Speaking of D'Antoni let's check out Jpz17's Game Polls:
Todays question was what will the reaction of the Suns fans be of D'Antoni.. so far people are voting for they will cheer him. On nyknicks.com there is a poll related to D'Antoni..
Which game during the five game
road trip has the best subplot?
D'Antoni returns to Phoenix
54%
Kobe vs. the Knicks
23%
Knicks vs Nets Hudson River Rivalry
17%
Duhon returns to Chicago
6%
Quote:
Although the Phoenix Suns didn't reach the NBA finals in five seasons under Mike D'Antoni, they averaged 58 wins in the last four with the coach's up-tempo philosophy.
Despite sporting a depleted roster in the midst of a major rebuilding project, the New York Knicks are starting to see why.D'Antoni makes his first return to Phoenix since his summer split with the Suns on Monday night, with his Knicks looking for a third straight win on their five-game road trip.The Suns hired D'Antoni during the 2003-04 season, and after a difficult first season, they went 62-20 in 2004-05 and reached the Western Conference finals.D'Antoni's high-scoring, "seven seconds or less" offense brought Phoenix similar results each of the past three seasons, but the Suns' playoff results never improved, as they lost in the first round to San Antonio last spring.D'Antoni was given permission to pursue other openings and eventually released from the final two years of his contract, with second-year general manager Steve Kerr admitting a difference in philosophy.The Knicks hired D'Antoni in May to pick up the pieces after Isiah Thomas' failed stint as coach and general manager, but the new coach said at the time that he wasn't planning on waiting to start winning."I look at the roster and that's the roster I'm going to win with," D'Antoni said in May. "My focus is to win this coming year."Even though guard Stephon Marbury remains estranged from the team and top scorers Zach Randolph and Jamal Crawford have been traded, the Knicks (11-12) appear to have improved. D'Antoni's style has quickly taken hold, as the team ranks third in the NBA with 105.0 points per game and second-worst with 106.8 points allowed.New York has looked good in its last four games, winning three while scoring at least 100 points each time. After a 121-109 victory at New Jersey on Wednesday, they led 43-21 after one quarter and cruised to a 114-90 road win over Sacramento on Saturday."Our team is on a mission, we're trying to win as many games as possible," guard Nate Robinson said. "This system is the best, we're having a lot of fun right now."Al Harrington in certainly having a good time in it, averaging 25.5 points in 10 games since coming over in the trade that sent Crawford to Golden State. He's averaged 36 points in the last two contests and was 5-of-9 from 3-point range against the Kings."This is a dream come true," Harrington said. "I've been waiting for this my whole career."Under new coach Terry Porter, meanwhile, the Suns (14-10) are off to their worst start since they were 8-13 when D'Antoni was hired in December 2003. Point guard Steve Nash, who averaged 17.5 points and 11.2 assists in the last four seasons under his former coach, is averaging 15.2 points and 8.4 assists this season.Defense was one of the team's weak spots under D'Antoni, but the Suns haven't been much different under Porter, allowing more than 100 points in each of the last nine games.Phoenix's roster has undergone changes, as the team traded forward Boris Diaw and guard Raja Bell as part of a five-player deal with Charlotte to acquire swingman Jason Richardson last week. Richardson scored 21 points in his debut Friday, helping his new team to a 113-112 home win over Orlando."I'm just proud to be a part of this (team)," Richardson said. "When it all comes down to it, you just play basketball."Grant Hill's reverse layup with 2.7 seconds left gave Phoenix the victory as the Suns won for the third time in four games. They also figure to get Shaquille O'Neal back Monday after the center missed the last two games following the death of his great-grandmother.The Suns have won four straight against the Knicks, and Monday's game should again feature plenty of scoring. Both clubs have topped 100 points in their last three meetings.-ESPN
Official JPZ17 Game Prediction:
Knicks 128
Suns 125
I know guys, you are thinking its the Suns.. Are you crazy??? Well, the fact is during this game all of the Suns will remember D'Antoni.. They will want to play for his system again.. Because the Knicks will be playing it.. They will have forgetten the system and not be adjusted to it. D'Antoni will try so so hard to win this. I'm sure these guys will want to win it for him.. Nate Robinson will remember, hey, these guys drafted me, and then then he will try to play extra hard to prove he is good. Q Rich will also want to prove he is good.. I'm sure Q will have a decent game.
Gameday Matchup
W-L
PF
PA
HOME
ROAD
STK
L10
NY
11-12
105.0
106.8
7-4
4-8
W2
4-6
PHO
14-10
102.2
102.1
7-5
7-5
W1
5-5
and now.... for a SPECIAL LIMITED EDITION!!!
I introduce......
NYKNICKS126!!!!! nyKnicks126
Go 1990s New York Knicks!
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,842
Rep Power: 3
Quote:
in my opinion its going to be a good game obviously there game doesn't differ all that much, Terry Porter is kinda a offense defense type of coach, so it's going to be a high scoring affair without question. The key to the game the Knicks have to be in the flow of their offense, hit the threes like they have been doing the whole season so far, and they got to be on the boards like they did in the Sacramento game, they got to contain Amare, that guy will be the biggest factor. The key, and exciting matchup to watch for the game will be Nash vs. Duhon both tied in 5th place for assists per game this season at 8.4 apg. I think the newly acquired J. Richardson will be playing, I really think they got the upper hand in that trade. Hard to see who is going to win that game, its a toss up really. D'Antoni will be happy to see a win in Phoenix for sure. It's going to be tough though. (Man NBA TV really is givin the Knicks love).
Thanks nyknicks126!
Wow, nyknicks126, amazing.. This is great..
presents
JPZ17's
FAVE 5 KEYS TO WINNING
Get Al on fire
Stop Amare
Run the FB
Let Duhon lead
Get the PHX to root for D'Antoni
JPZ17's FIVE THINGS TO
LOOK OUT FOR
A HUGE ovation for D'Antoni
Nash crying
All the Suns greeting him
QRich finally shows
Jerome James LMAO
Opponents Last Game
PHO 113, ORL 112
IN THE PRESS:
Nate is back
Steve Nash a knick??
Ewing Jr. goes to D-Leauge
and now it's time for JPZ's starting lineup
New York Knicks Position PHX Suns
David Lee C Shaq O'Neal
Wow, big size difference.. I have to say Shaq>>>>Lee easy, sorry JPZ17'sKey matchup
*Al Harrington PF Amare Stoudimire*
Great match-up.. Amare>>Harrington
Wilson Chandler SF Grant Hill
Interesting... Chandler could win this.. Nate Robinson SG Jason Richardson
wow Jason Richardson a sun!!! big big big..
a scrub could do that)
Chris Duhon PG Steve Nash
Yeah.. I don't know.. Nash>>>Duhon, and I'm being generous..
JPZ17's Player Pressure Which Knicks is under the most pressure to succeed????
The answer: Mike D'Antoni
Career Record
YEAR
TEAM
G
W
L
PCT
POSTW
POSTL
1999
Denver Nuggets
50
14
36
.280
--
--
2004
Phoenix Suns
61
21
40
.344
--
--
2005
Phoenix Suns
82
62
20
.756
9
6
2006
Phoenix Suns
82
54
28
.659
10
10
2007
Phoenix Suns
82
61
21
.744
6
5
2008
Phoenix Suns
82
55
27
.671
1
4
2009
New York Knicks
23
11
12
.478
--
--
CAREER
7 years
462
278
184
.602
26
25
LEADERSHIP WORKING
TOGETHER
NYK
JPZ's Inspiring Knicks Quote
"I believe we can be a world champion in a few years"-Isiah Thomas
"If you think D'Antoni is an idiot, you're the idiot"-Donnie Walsh
Knicks @ Suns 12/14 9:00 PM
David Lee C Shaq O'Neal
Al Harrington PF Amare Stoudimire
*
Wilson Chandler SF Grant Hill
Nate Robinson SG Jason Richardson
Chris Duhon PG Steve Nash
Threaded Mode
