nixluva wrote: Some may not want to believe it but as this team plays more and gets healthier it's the kind of team that should be able to get to the ECF's and have a legit shot to win.

Critics/doubters don't have to believe it, but we're only the 3rd team in NBA history to star off 5-0 (with all 5 W's being of double digit points). It's been a long time coming, but I believe we're true Eastern Conference contenders. It's a good feeling because as a fan, I truthfully felt hopeless after watching Miami have their way with us, while eliminating our Knicks from postseason contension (on their way to an NBA championship).

Then the offseason happened. I then became a full-blown believer (moving forward) after the additions of Raymond Felton, Jason Kidd and Pablo Prigioni in replace of Jeremy Lin, Mike Bibby and Toney Douglas. Seen a very strong upgrade in regards to Ronnie Brewer replacing Landry Fields. Landed a great perimeter defender in Brewer. Also loved our improvements down low with actual veterans (NBA warriors) in Marcus Camby, Kurt Thomas and Rasheed Wallace over the likes of Josh Harrellson, Jared Jeffires and Jerome Jordan/Dan Gadzuric. My two favorite offseason moves were 1.) Extending J.R Smith and 2.) Signing Steve Novak long term.

But yet critics of the Knicks front office and/or future of this franchise shoved the loss of Jeremy Lin down our throats during the entire offseason while completely ignoring the extensions of both J.R and Novak. Ignoring the trades for Felton, Kurt Thomas and Camby while also sleeping on free agent signings such as Kidd, Brewer, Prigioni and Rasheed Wallace; all because of "Jeremy Lin".

With all that said, since we're 5-0 for the first time since 1993-1994, I thought it'll be interesting to compare both teams statistics (throughout their first 5 games).

[ Scoring Offense: ]:
1993-1994 averaged 103.2 points throughout it's first five games. Games of 115, 111, 103, 95 and 92 points scored.

2012-2013 averaged 103.4 points throughout our first five games. Games of 110, 104, 104, 100 and 99 points scored.

[ Scoring Defense ]:
1993-1994 allowed an average of 93.8 points throughout it's first five games. Allowed games of 108, 107, 86, 84 and 84 points.

2012-2013 allowed an aveerage of 87.8 points throughout our first five games. Allowed games of 94, 89, 88, 84 and 84 points.

{ Offensive turnovers committed, defensive turnovers forced and turnover differential. }
1993-1994 turned the ball over 16.8 times per game while averaging 17.7 takeaways per game. A differential of +0.9 per game.

2012-2013 turned the ball over 10.5 times per game while averaging 18.4 takeaways per game. A differential of +7.9 per game.

[ Rebounds and Rebound differential] :
1993-1994 averaged 41.0 boards per game. Allowed an average of 37.0 boards per game. A differential of +4.0

2012-2013 averaged 39.6 boards per game. Allowed an average of 45.6 boards per game. A differential of -6.0

Points scored per game: Advantage 12-13 Knicks.
Points allowed per game: Advantage 12-13 Knicks.
Turnover differential: Advantage 2012-2013 Knicks.
Rebounding differential: Advantage of 1993-1993 Knicks.

Credit where credit is due, because that 93 Knicks team started off 7-0. We still need another two consectuve W's in order to match that. Just a good feeling being able to compare these two teams (stat wise).

GodNa7ion wrote:Only thing I'm bothered by is rebounding

Rebounding is a concern but we can improve. I a bit more concerened with all the backdoor plays the Magic were killing us with last night.

They are good ones.

Im looking at the NBA post "CBA" and I see more parity. Last nite we saw saw JR Smith was the difference and that a guy like this can't score a contract where Crawford a player similar, historically usually found a good deal.

Because of the CBA OKC traded Harden because of the constraints of the CBA. Lucky for Houstan who had a package that accelerated its rebuild. Same for they way they could get Lin on the books vs. Knicks. Same for getting Asik. Not saying the Rockets are world beaters but they potentially looked like awful. What took a few years was able to happen seemingly overnite. They got good young talent instead of discarded salary dumps or build via draft.

The NBA is going to look more like the NFL where teams can go from worst to first in faster times then before. It will prevent dynasties but raise more interest over time.

Im not discounting the Knicks play. It speaks for itself. League is changed.

Thoughts? Good ones.

Outlook? Cautious of course but they will face tests and their play will tell the story, not internet chat speculation. Lets see how they get more road games with better teams and a larger sample.

Makes for a good season so far!

Two young rooks on Ohlandoh playing out their minds against us, Knicks look (well actually sound, thank you, 98.7 FM!) disinterested on the defensive end, as said rooks were able to out-athleticize (?) us to easy put backs and follows.

Yet we pull this game out. This was not happening in the recent past errors.

Are we actually approaching........ KNICKSANITY?!????

5 - 0 to start a season, as a fan, you can't ask for more. All the offseason moves, early training camp, work put in by our vets, are paying off so far. Early yes, but in the books, it's 5 up and 5 teams down.

Is it a perfect 5 - 0? No. Is there still work to be done? Yes. Is there questions about incorporating Amare and Shumpert? Yes. Are the Knicks looking ahead or schedule hawking? Hells no, too many veterans and a coach that will reel them in and keep them focused.

One game at a time...so far so good!

misterearl wrote:Just Think How the Players Feel

IrishKnickFan wrote:Look I know its early but this is probably as confident as i've been in a Knicks team since 2000

Beat San Antonio and the message is received loud and clear.

I agree winning in San Antonio and Memphis would send a huge message