I mind losing. That's what heightened expectations will do.

Thursday and Friday's game will be a great barometer of who and where we are...I would love to win those games but this early in the season losing could be a blessing as well...I know we are far from complete team...We need to find out what we need to do, to take the next step...Losing to good teams will do that for u...Conversely, winning could also cover up or give us a false sense of where we are...So I look forward to these games with the view of how we play is more important than winning or losing...

6-0

Everything is under control.

Two consecutive wins from matching our 1993-1994 start of 7-0. If we're to accomplish a 7-0 record, it'll be well deserved after beating teams such as the Heat, Spurs and Grizzlies. One game at a time, te Spurs are on deck tonight. This Spurs team dominated the Pacers. Have had close games, and wins against the likes of the Hornets (4 points), Thunder (2 points), Blazers (3 points) and Lakers (2 points). Have ran through the Jazz and Kings. Only loss came against the Clippers on the road by 22. Undefeated in San Antonio (3-0). Returning home after a 4 game road trip; this Texas croud will be wild come gametime, especially against our Knicks who are now considered true Eastern Conference contenders. We must calm the storm early on, keep the game close during the first half, figure this veteran Spurs team out, followed by running away with the game during the 3rd and 4th quarters ala the championship rounds.

Bring our tool box on the road (our defense), play with ball movement as in our first four games, hit clutch shots and find the open man. Rebounding is a must against these guys. Really expecting/looking for Melo to have a very strong performance. The sleeper of the game is Novak. We need Novak come into this game, off the bench, on the road, and do what he did in N.Y against the Heat (which is go off) during a big time regular season game.

I like the Knicks by double digits once again. Not by 17-22, but more like 11-13. I believe we can pull that off with tough defense for 4 quarters strong.

The Super Bowl

OasisBU wrote:Tough game, a real test for this team. We will learn a lot about this team tonight.

In terms of their record, legendary head coach and recent franchise history, San Antonio is a more important game than Orlando. It's relative. However, grinding out a win against Orlando was just as much a barometer of how far this squad has come since Mike Woodson (25-6) took over.

Tonight, we will learn something about the Knicks for one game. Just one game. The problem is that Memphis has a deeper, younger team and a set of matchups that will present more problems than the Spurs. Rudy Gay, Zach Randolph and company just made OKC look feeble in their own gym.

The Philly back to back was a first step in the right direction. It is a short turnaround for another exam on Friday.

Split the next two and it is a step forward.

Lose both and it is not the end of the world.

Win the next two and we have a locker room celebration in November, complete with champagne.

The Spurs have the talent and depth to match the Knicks. They play like a team (more so than the Knicks). The Knicks can win, but I'll sign for one out of the next two games right now.

MSG3 wrote:They key to this game and every game the Spurs play is Parker. Spurs go as he goes. It'll be interesting to see who Woody puts on him.

I'd like to see Brewer on him, as long as he's healthy. Felton will probably help out. Kidd can't hang with him.

I think Brewer will be limited with his Knee. I wil be worried about Pablo if he keeps over defending especially if he is playing against Parker. This will be a nice game for Melo to bring out his play making ability with Leonard/Jackson defending him. I would like to see more PnRs instead of isos included with his post ups. Also, hopefully Flu Tyson does not show up.

Tony Parker is probably going to kill us but that's ok because he does that against most of the league.

If we move the ball like we did the first 4 games and play inspired defense I think we have a shot at this game and I'll be happy.

If we spend 16-18 seconds of the shot clock standing around forcing the ball into Melo, get beat backdoor repeatedly, complain about calls and then jog up court we will get crushed.