And if you're a real Knicks fan.. you don't need a source for this.. It burns in your heart!
(Not a shot at you JesseDark, just stating how difficult it was watching that game)

That being said, Ewing was the number 1 reason we lost the finals. One of the worst series by a an all time great player. 18 pts a game and under 40% from the field is downright criminal.

MS wrote:That team was tremendous defensively at every position. This team has much more talent bit half the desire. If Melo and Stat play with half as much as those.guys we can be the best team in the east.

That being said, Ewing was the number 1 reason we lost the finals. One of the worst series by a an all time great player. 18 pts a game and under 40% from the field is downright criminal.

Wasn't he being gaurded by one of the better defensive centers in the league at that time?

knicks1248 wrote:It was one of the worst coaching jobs pat Riley's has ever done, zero adjustments through out the series..And sam cassel had his way. I don't blame riley for leaving a streaky ass shooter like starks in the game..but he made no adjustments on how to guard hakeem..

Hakeem was a rare combination of length, agility, footwork, coordination, good athleticism, and speed to go with his many different arsenal of moves. He was simply superior to Ewing, our big fella needed help. However, he couldn't get help from any of the shooters, which you have to give credit to making many great shots. Hakeem moves like a guard, has the size of center, and athleticism of PF. When he was younger, he made Shaq look like a fool with that sweep of Orlando. A young and healthy Shaq was comparable to Dwight Howard of that generation with his size and frame.

I think its hard to compare the 2 teams from different generation, the NBA game has changed in so many ways. Physically, the players are now blessed with their size, athleticism, and body builds of these new players. Mentally the game has changed without the team work and a lot more 1v1 dominance. No blood, no foul, is no longer in effect, as the $ these all stars generates, needs protection. Hand checking and rough play are no longer tolerated. A hard foul, is easily a technical, as some players used the grey area to their advantage. So I think its just very hard to compare, with the changes of the league, players, rules, and the game itself.

JesseDark wrote:I had that same thought about Blackmon. Riley f'd by not playing him.
Bizzy, no offense taken, but Houston's backcourt did play there best game in that game 7.

CashMoney wrote:

Bizzy211 wrote:The only reason we didn't win was because of John Starks horrible game 7 "2-18".

And if you're a real Knicks fan.. you don't need a source for this.. It burns in your heart!
(Not a shot at you JesseDark, just stating how difficult it was watching that game)

Me to the TV "DAMN IT RILEY PUT IN ROLANDO!!!!"

No offense taken, to each their own.... The blocked 3 by Hakeem in game 6 sucked as well cuz Starks was hot that game!!

RonRon wrote:

knicks1248 wrote:It was one of the worst coaching jobs pat Riley's has ever done, zero adjustments through out the series..And sam cassel had his way. I don't blame riley for leaving a streaky ass shooter like starks in the game..but he made no adjustments on how to guard hakeem..

Hakeem was a rare combination of length, agility, footwork, coordination, good athleticism, and speed to go with his many different arsenal of moves. He was simply superior to Ewing, our big fella needed help. However, he couldn't get help from any of the shooters, which you have to give credit to making many great shots. Hakeem moves like a guard, has the size of center, and athleticism of PF. When he was younger, he made Shaq look like a fool with that sweep of Orlando. A young and healthy Shaq was comparable to Dwight Howard of that generation with his size and frame.

I think its hard to compare the 2 teams from different generation, the NBA game has changed in so many ways. Physically, the players are now blessed with their size, athleticism, and body builds of these new players. Mentally the game has changed without the team work and a lot more 1v1 dominance. No blood, no foul, is no longer in effect, as the $ these all stars generates, needs protection. Hand checking and rough play are no longer tolerated. A hard foul, is easily a technical, as some players used the grey area to their advantage. So I think its just very hard to compare, with the changes of the league, players, rules, and the game itself.

I disagree with the Howard comparison, unless your just talking about physically similar. The year the Magic went to the Finals Shaq put up a stat line of: 29ppg, 11rpg, 3apg, 2.5bpg, 1spg, and 58%fg. Shaq and Howard were similar defensively but Howard has never come close to being the dominant offensive force Shaq was.

JesseDark wrote:
Ageed... he should have passed to Ewing

Bizzy211 wrote:

JesseDark wrote:I had that same thought about Blackmon. Riley f'd by not playing him.
Bizzy, no offense taken, but Houston's backcourt did play there best game in that game 7.

CashMoney wrote:

Bizzy211 wrote:The only reason we didn't win was because of John Starks horrible game 7 "2-18".

And if you're a real Knicks fan.. you don't need a source for this.. It burns in your heart!
(Not a shot at you JesseDark, just stating how difficult it was watching that game)

Me to the TV "DAMN IT RILEY PUT IN ROLANDO!!!!"

No offense taken, to each their own.... The blocked 3 by Hakeem in game 6 sucked as well cuz Starks was hot that game!!

Agreed, I thought he was going to. When Starks drove towards the lane Ewing rolled to the basket. I was expecting a bounce pass for an easy 2 but Starks pulls up and we know the rest.