Interesting stats posted by "Owen" on Knickerblogger today:
http://www.knickerblogger.net/index.php/2008/01/25/our-new-york-knickerbobblers/

Checkout the Knicks +/- by quarter this year:

1st Quarter: -155
2nd Quarter: -28
3rd Quarter: -70
4th Quarter: -2
In Overtime : -5
Total Pt. Differential -260

May I ask where are those people out there who think we need energy off the bench? Looks like we need energy in the starting lineup.

Allow me to bounce off a commenter on the blog named Brendan's idea and bring in the numbers. Let's go to 82games and take a look at the Roland Ratings (net on court/off court +/- ratings adjusted for 48 mins) of our starting lineup:

Marbury: -5.3
Crawford: +2.7
Curry: -5.9
Richardson: -9.5
Randolph: +0.8

And now our primary bench players:

Robinson: +4.7
Lee: +3.8
Balkman: -0.9
Jeffries: -3.4
Jones: -4.4

So would it help if we went out there with a SL of Nate, Craw, Balk, Lee and Randolph? I think so.

Damn... with my two eyes i've been saying all along we need to shift from Marbury/Curry to Crawford/Randolph. Nate, Craw, Balk, Lee, Randolph is a crew that will win games.

Posted by nyk4ever:

Is it at all possible that the only reason the Knicks get stronger is because they are losing by so much after the 1st quarter that teams take their foot off the gas?

I would say part of the 4th quarter's positive numbers are because the Knicks are often involved in blowouts and "garbage" time.

However, the improvement to the 2nd quarter suggests better play from the bench IMO. And the horrible starts suggest a lack of energy/effort/focus from the starting unit.

Those are very interesting numbers. They back up what we all see, but that counts for something.

I think it also definitely shows that our two weakest positions are SF and C, because none of the guys off the bench can really fill those spots.

We need to replace Q and get a shotblocking defensive center.

Posted by iyamwutiam:

Won't happen - Q is like a Bobby Simmons except he has sucked for the last 3 years. I don't know if its injuries (back) or whatever- but he has never been the same since the early Clipper/Phoenix days. The only prayer is he regains his health (? if thats the issue) but no one will take a 9M/year SF who can't shoot.

This is always the case when GM takes on uninsured contract.
Gambling is only good thing in Los Vegas and AT.
And if you have gambling problem please call Mr. Dolan. He will give you 6-mil contract for 4 years.