SKY
Posts: 20356
Alba Posts: 0
Joined: 6/30/2004
Member: #687 USA
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Does anyone know if Spree is going to play? Since he played in just one preseason game, I'm assuming that he won't, and that Hassell starts at the SG to contain Crawford.
PG: Marbury vs. Cassell --- Edge: Tie
These guys played against each other only once last season when Marbury was still with the Suns. The stats line on Dec 3, 2003: Marbury - 32pts/6a/4r/2to Cassell - 27pts/8a/6r/2to Since joinging the knicks, Marbury has changed his game to "pass first, shoot second". It's said that his experience in the Olympics playing under Coach Brown also influenced his game. But he's action was limited during the preseason, and frankly he wasn't playing great, especially his shooting. Cassell is turning 35 in 2 weeks, and he's not a great defender. Can he keep up with Marbury? "Marbury, SHOW ME your leadership! It's your team!"
SG: Crawford vs. Hassell --- Edge: NYK
Hassell is a great primeter defender (but limited offensively), and he showcased that during the playoffs last season. Crawford is a lightning quick scorer who is tough to defend. Crawford should have no trouble guarding Hassell, but can he score on Hassell? Will he have hot hands or will the inconsistent ones show up? In a game against Wolves on Dec 30, 2003, Crawford (a Bull at the time) was guarded by Hassell most of the night (as Spree was playing SF). His stat line was : 36min, 13pts (5-18, 1-6 from 3pt), 2-3FT, 4rbs, 8 ast, 4TOs... ouch! He was playing for a crappy team and he was not happy. Let's hope that a happy Crawford plays better in a Knicks uniform.
SF: TT vs. Wally --- Edge: Tie This is hard to predict. With TT, you never know what's gonna happen. If he plays well, he could dominate Wally offensively, but what are the chances of that? 1 in 5? 1 in 3?
PF: KT vs. Garnett --- Edge: Wolves On a good night, KT can score on Garnett. Playing 40 min (as opposed to Garnett's 39min) he scored 16pts (8-15) against Garnett on Dec 23, 2003. But on any night, there is no way KT can stop Garnett. The key here will be early foul trouble. If KT is out early, it's likely that Sweetney who's gonna have to guard Garnett will also be in foul trouble. Then we're screwed. KT needs to play smart and stay on the court.
C: Nazr vs. Kandi --- Edge: Tie Kandiman is hard to evaluate. He was great as a Clipper before the injury, but since then he's been mediocre at best, just like Nazr.
Bench: Moochy/Penny/Ariza/Sweet/Baker/ vs. Hudson/Hoiberg/Griffin/Madsen/E.Johnson --- Edge: Tie Knicks need to contain Hoiberg & Hudson. Sweet has to be aggressive on the offense & with the boards. The X-factor: Griffin & Ariza.
It's going to be exciting to see how the key match ups play out. But the bottomline is we have no answer for Garnett. Lack of inside game and enforcer in the paint hurts.
Minnesota - NYK: 96-85
I hope they prove me wrong! GO KNICKS!
[Edited by - sky on 11/02/2004 02:02:57]
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