Spurs vs. Knicks Previews

[duncan228]

New York (4-2) at San Antonio (1-4)Preview (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview?gid=2008111124&prov=ap)
Game info: 8:30 pm EST Tue Nov 11, 2008 TV: MSG
By Dan Pieringer

Already without one of their top players, the San Antonio Spurs opened the season with their worst start in 35 years. Snapping out of their early funk could be a challenge with another one of their All-Stars sidelined.

After learning point guard Tony Parker would miss about four weeks with a sprained ankle, the short-handed Spurs hope to find some answers on Tuesday night when they host the surprising New York Knicks.

San Antonio entered the season knowing Manu Ginobili would miss the first several weeks following offseason ankle surgery. The Spurs didn’t know, however, that the absence of the NBA’s reigning Sixth Man of the Year would have such a significant impact.

They lost their first three games for the first time since their 1973-74 season in the ABA before barely squeaking out a 129-125 double-overtime victory over Minnesota on Wednesday. Parker scored a career-high 55 points in that game to help get San Antonio back on track.

On Friday night, though, the Spurs suffered another blow when Parker sprained his ankle early in a 99-83 loss to Miami. An MRI taken Saturday confirmed the injury, and Parker was using crutches and wearing a protective boot while watching Sunday’s practice. He’s expected to miss about a month.

Tim Duncan, the only healthy member of the trio that has led the Spurs to three championships in the last six seasons, isn’t sure what to make of San Antonio’s alarming start. The Spurs are 1-4 for the first time since 1996-97 - the season before Duncan entered the league - and the injuries don’t bode well for a quick turnaround.

“I don’t know what it is,” said Duncan, who had 22 points and 11 rebounds in Friday’s defeat before sitting out most of the fourth quarter. “I don’t know what to say.”

Without Parker, the Spurs will rely more heavily on veteran backup Jacque Vaughn and rookie George Hill, the 26th overall pick from June’s draft. Spurs president R.C. Buford has also said the team could seek help via free agency or a trade.

“You’ll probably get to see George play a lot,” Buford said. “We’ll continue to evaluate not only our team, but the NBA market as we go along. Our guys have been encouraged with what George has done to date.”

Buford declined to comment on Ginobili’s condition, other than to say he’s progressing as prescribed. He isn’t expected to return before December.

San Antonio could have its hands full with a New York team that’s impressed in its first six games under new coach Mike D’Antoni. The Knicks (4-2) notched their first convincing win of D’Antoni’s tenure on Sunday, beating previously undefeated Utah 107-99 behind a season-high 32 points from Jamal Crawford.

“We play with energy, we can compete with a lot of teams. That’s what we’ve been working on and every game continue to build on that,” point guard Chris Duhon said. “It’s early, but it’s good to feel good about yourself and now we continue to build onto that.”

D’Antoni, known for building an offensive powerhouse in Phoenix over the previous five seasons, was perhaps most impressed with his team’s defense Friday. The Knicks held the Jazz to 15 points in the third quarter and outscored them 58-45 in the second half.

“Defense is a lot of heart,” D’Antoni said. “We can put quickness on the floor, it’s just a matter of just pushing through certain things and I thought we did a good job defensively.”

D’Antoni hopes his club can carry some of that success into the AT&T Center as the Knicks try to snap a six-game losing streak against the Spurs, during which New York has scored between 92 and 96 points in each game.

New York is 1-9 overall against San Antonio since its last road win in the series, a 105-97 victory on March 18, 2003.

Notes:

Knicks:

Before Sunday, the Knicks had not been two games over .500 since January 1, 2005 when they were 16-14. Since that point, the franchise's overall record is 100-194. The only active player from Sunday that was on the team back then was G Jamal Crawford, but he was on the injured list at the time. Crawford also connected on the 30th four-point play in team history and his ninth with Knicks. ... New York is one of six teams to have at least a .500 record (25-25) or better against Utah coach Jerry Sloan.

Spurs:

F-C Tim Duncan and G Roger Mason combined for 40 of the Spurs' 83 points on Friday. The other three starters combined for just 10. ... The Spurs' 27-point fourth quarter was the only period in which they outscored Miami and marked the most points in a quarter by either team. ... San Antonio scored four points off Miami's eight turnovers, while Miami scored 19 off San Antonio's 14. ... San Antonio hoisted 35 3-pointers, hitting 11. ... G-F Michael Finley was 0-for-8 from the floor, including three attempts from the arc. ... F Ime Udoka contributed 14 points off the bench on 5-of-10 shooting.

Team Stat Leaders

Points
Zach Randolph NY 19.8 Tony Parker SA 27.4

Rebounds
Zach Randolph NY 11.5 Tim Duncan SA 11.6

Assists
Chris Duhon NY 6.7 Tony Parker SA 5.8

[duncan228]

Knicks Blog (http://blogs.nypost.com/sports/knicks/archives/2008/11/spurs_vulnerabl.html)
Spurs vulnerable
By Marc Berman

The Knicks, looking for their fourth straight win, have a shot tomorrow night in San Antonio. With Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili out, the Knicks will be more able to double-team Tim Duncan in the post. The 1-4 Spurs are the exact kind of team with major size up front that could really hurt the Knicks.

Neither David Lee, Zach Randolph or Wilson Chandler are good matchups vs. Duncan. But Lee pointed out that the Knicks held their own against a similar low-post beast in Carlos Boozer. I wouldn't be shocked if Jerome James is trotted out there if Duncan is punishing them inside.

"He's going to be a challenge,'' Lee said of Duncan at today's short practice. "A good warmup was dealing with Boozer. We did a decent job of not letting him kill us. Like Utah, San Antonio has a great system around Duncan that makes it tough to double him.''

The 4-2 Knicks, who play in Memphis Wednesday, should look at this pair of road games as winnable and not be intimidated by name on the white jerseys tomorrow. D'Antoni, beaten in the playoffs by the Spurs two straight years, cracked, "I hope I don't get the cold sweats when I go out and see San Antonio.''

The Knicks were 8-33 on the road last season - a sign of an undisciplined, uncaring team. They are feeling their oats a bit, though D'Antoni continues to try to calm expectations. He's very well aware that 4-2 here means a whole different than 4-2 in Phoenix.

"It's not the true San Antonio team but we have to take care of our business,'' Chris Duhon said.

[Spurs Brazil]

Knicks are starting Chandler at PF.

I want to see if Pop will go small and start Ime at 4 or if D'Antoni will go big and start Lee

[Obstructed_View]

Just when the Spurs are down, seem to be nearing bottom, and need a big emotional win, who shows up on the schedule?

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/images/photos/2007/06/13/f762fppa.jpg

[Allanon]

I'm telling you guys, the Knicks won't be pushovers.

For the first time in years, the guys who are playing for the Knicks are showing some pride. They've always had talent.

Should be a good game, I look forward to seeing how the Spurs have adjusted with a couple of days practice with their new lineup.

[DPG21920]

The Spurs are in trouble, but that is to be expected given the circumstances. Lets just see if the guys can re-focus their effort on the defensive end and up their intensity. We need guys to step up, there is really not much else you can do. Pull out all the stops.

[Obstructed_View]

I'm telling you guys, the Knicks won't be pushovers.

For the first time in years, the guys who are playing for the Knicks are showing some pride. They've always had talent.

Should be a good game, I look forward to seeing how the Spurs have adjusted with a couple of days practice with their new lineup.

I don't expect them to be pushovers, but the Spurs have gotten it together to beat D'antoni's teams enough times that I wouldn't be surprised if they did it again. I bet Mike wouldn't be, either.

[Bender]

The other three starters combined for just 10. ...
jesus, no wonder we suck

[Allanon]

I don't expect them to be pushovers, but the Spurs have gotten it together to beat D'antoni's teams enough times that I wouldn't be surprised if they did it again. I bet Mike wouldn't be, either.

It's always fun to see Pop and Antoni together. Good luck in the game, I'll join you guys in the game thread tomorrow.

[Texas_Ranger]

Duncan needs to score 80-90 point if we'll win..

[1Parker1]

Since when is defending Boozer a warm up to defending the likes of a Tim Duncan? How the mighty have fallen....:depressed


:lol

[Manufan909]

How much did the 3 main bench players score? I bet is was twice as much.

[Darthkiller]

spurs defense is ranked no.30 in the league, i expect a high scoring game.

[timvp]

I like the idea of starting the following players:

PG Hill
SG Mason
SF Bowen
PF Tolliver
C Duncan

Hill on Duhon, Bowen on Crawford, Mason on QRich, Tolliver on Chandler and Duncan on Randolph. Starting Tolliver may be a stretch but he showed more life in the last game than we've seen out of any of the other complementary bigs. Plus he looks agile enough to do a better job of staying with Chandler than Oberto, Thomas or Bonner.

Anyone else want Pop to start Tolliver or is timvp crazy?

[DPG21920]

It is worth a shot, especially if he is going to bring that energy. But that reminds me of a Heat lineup last year, yikes!!!!

[tomtom]

Yeah Tolliver's looking pretty nice. Damn where's our offense gonna come from. I can expect 30+ for Duncan and hopefully 20 for RMJ but wheres the rest gonna come from?

[Obstructed_View]

I like the idea of starting the following players:

PG Hill
SG Mason
SF Bowen
PF Tolliver
C Duncan

Hill on Duhon, Bowen on Crawford, Mason on QRich, Tolliver on Chandler and Duncan on Randolph. Starting Tolliver may be a stretch but he showed more life in the last game than we've seen out of any of the other complementary bigs. Plus he looks agile enough to do a better job of staying with Chandler than Oberto, Thomas or Bonner.

Anyone else want Pop to start Tolliver or is timvp crazy?

I don't think my agreeing with you makes you sane, but I agree. There's been almost nobody tougher on Tolliver than I've been, but he earned a spot in the starting lineup simply with his effort and in-game IQ as far as I'm concerned. The Spurs need someone to dive on the floor. I thought that person was going to be Bonner, but he's as useless as everyone else. I'll take the occasional Tolliver brick if the rest of his play wakes up the other guys.

BTW, I'd rather see Udoka in the starting lineup. Bowen needs a wake up call.

[Ice009]

I like the idea of starting the following players:

PG Hill
SG Mason
SF Bowen
PF Tolliver
C Duncan

Hill on Duhon, Bowen on Crawford, Mason on QRich, Tolliver on Chandler and Duncan on Randolph. Starting Tolliver may be a stretch but he showed more life in the last game than we've seen out of any of the other complementary bigs. Plus he looks agile enough to do a better job of staying with Chandler than Oberto, Thomas or Bonner.

Anyone else want Pop to start Tolliver or is timvp crazy?

I didn't like Tolliver until I saw him play his ass off Friday's game and hit some shots. Yes I wouldn't mind seeing Tolliver start based on that game.

[Ice009]

I don't think my agreeing with you makes you sane, but I agree. There's been almost nobody tougher on Tolliver than I've been, but he earned a spot in the starting lineup simply with his effort and in-game IQ as far as I'm concerned. The Spurs need someone to dive on the floor. I thought that person was going to be Bonner, but he's as useless as everyone else. I'll take the occasional Tolliver brick if the rest of his play wakes up the other guys.

BTW, I'd rather see Udoka in the starting lineup. Bowen needs a wake up call.

Ime is used to starting for a team fighting for every win. He's been in this situation in Portland before where every game they had to scrap to get a win. Ime knows what to do so yes I would love to start him too.

If not for Bruce I'd like him in at SF to move Bruce to SG then you can bring Roger in off of the bench.

[Manufan909]

I like the idea of starting the following players:

PG Hill
SG Mason
SF Bowen
PF Tolliver
C Duncan

Hill on Duhon, Bowen on Crawford, Mason on QRich, Tolliver on Chandler and Duncan on Randolph. Starting Tolliver may be a stretch but he showed more life in the last game than we've seen out of any of the other complementary bigs. Plus he looks agile enough to do a better job of staying with Chandler than Oberto, Thomas or Bonner.

Anyone else want Pop to start Tolliver or is timvp crazy?

As long as Tim, Hill, and Mason make it, I'm good. But who is the second unit's source of offense? Fin, JV, and Farmer?

EDIT: Forgot Ime, he'll probably be the Spurs 3rd best scorer.

[xellos88330]

I like the idea of starting the following players:

PG Hill
SG Mason
SF Bowen
PF Tolliver
C Duncan

Hill on Duhon, Bowen on Crawford, Mason on QRich, Tolliver on Chandler and Duncan on Randolph. Starting Tolliver may be a stretch but he showed more life in the last game than we've seen out of any of the other complementary bigs. Plus he looks agile enough to do a better job of staying with Chandler than Oberto, Thomas or Bonner.

Anyone else want Pop to start Tolliver or is timvp crazy?

I like the idea of Tolliver starting, however, who would bring the energy off of the bench? JV???

[Ice009]

I like the idea of Tolliver starting, however, who would bring the energy off of the bench? JV???

ahh super sub Matt Bonner. Red Rocket ready for blast off.

[Spurs Brazil]

I like the idea of starting the following players:

PG Hill
SG Mason
SF Bowen
PF Tolliver
C Duncan

Hill on Duhon, Bowen on Crawford, Mason on QRich, Tolliver on Chandler and Duncan on Randolph. Starting Tolliver may be a stretch but he showed more life in the last game than we've seen out of any of the other complementary bigs. Plus he looks agile enough to do a better job of staying with Chandler than Oberto, Thomas or Bonner.

Anyone else want Pop to start Tolliver or is timvp crazy?

I agree. I think it'll be Tolliver or Ime

[Obstructed_View]

ahh super sub Matt Bonner. Red Rocket ready for blast off.

It's about time somebody reminded him that providing energy is his role. It's also his ticket to more minutes.

[Mr. Body]

I like the idea of starting the following players:

PG Hill
SG Mason
SF Bowen
PF Tolliver
C Duncan

Hill on Duhon, Bowen on Crawford, Mason on QRich, Tolliver on Chandler and Duncan on Randolph. Starting Tolliver may be a stretch but he showed more life in the last game than we've seen out of any of the other complementary bigs. Plus he looks agile enough to do a better job of staying with Chandler than Oberto, Thomas or Bonner.

Anyone else want Pop to start Tolliver or is timvp crazy?


Christ, that team is going to get destroyed. Not just the Knicks; everyone will be feasting on us.

[Dex]

I like the idea of starting the following players:

PG Hill
SG Mason
SF Bowen
PF Tolliver
C Duncan

Hill on Duhon, Bowen on Crawford, Mason on QRich, Tolliver on Chandler and Duncan on Randolph. Starting Tolliver may be a stretch but he showed more life in the last game than we've seen out of any of the other complementary bigs. Plus he looks agile enough to do a better job of staying with Chandler than Oberto, Thomas or Bonner.

Anyone else want Pop to start Tolliver or is timvp crazy?

That's crazy, timvp.

Crazy enough to work. :downspin:

[wildchild]

I like the idea of starting the following players:

PG Hill
SG Mason
SF Bowen
PF Tolliver
C Duncan

Hill on Duhon, Bowen on Crawford, Mason on QRich, Tolliver on Chandler and Duncan on Randolph. Starting Tolliver may be a stretch but he showed more life in the last game than we've seen out of any of the other complementary bigs. Plus he looks agile enough to do a better job of staying with Chandler than Oberto, Thomas or Bonner.

Anyone else want Pop to start Tolliver or is timvp crazy?

I don't know anything about the timvp madness but I agree with this starting lineup more than Thomas as PF/C against teams like Knicks or Heat. However Pop'll start with Hill Mason Bowen Duncan and Thomas. Like last game (now without Tony) and I guess he doesn't change it maybe for a long time.

[The Franchise]

Just when the Spurs are down, seem to be nearing bottom, and need a big emotional win, who shows up on the schedule?

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/images/photos/2007/06/13/f762fppa.jpg

Don't sleep on the Knicks this year. League pass allows you to be a pretty good scout and the Knicks have been playing good ball. They are still learning but they have bought into what D'Antoni has been preaching. They actually look like a team this year. Suprisingly they actually play pretty good defense as well. You may think it was a fluke that they beat the Jazz, but they just flat out beat them from start to finish. The kids are drinking the koolaid and it's been good so far. This is not the every man for himself Knicks anymore. It's going to be hard for us to get a victory tomorrow.

[m33p0]

D'Antoni talking about defense is a little disorienting. Start Tolliver.

[milkyway21]

it was a sight to see Mason/Tolliver/Hill(Duncan in the bench), in the 4Q of the Spurs vs Heat game when they managed to bring down the lead from 24 to just 9. Quite a scare for the heat, huh!


if we will lose again and 0-5 @ AT &T I will put the blame on the Coyote. :lol :lol

Why he isn't wearing that white with 2! number on it ecently?

[duncan228]

Knicks’ Randolph Is Not Jumping Well, but Rising Quickly (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/11/sports/basketball/11knicks.html?_r=1&oref=slogin)
By Jonathan Abrams

GREENBURGH, N.Y. — Slide a piece of paper in front of Zach Randolph, and he would be hard pressed to jump over it. It is not a knock, but a credit to Randolph’s knack. He gobbles rebounds with an ungainly efficiency, a vertically challenged forward who defies the basic law of the game that those who jump the highest succeed the most.

After the Knicks’ victory over the Utah Jazz on Sunday, their third straight win, Coach Mike D’Antoni joked that Randolph “can’t jump at all.”

“He is different,” D’Antoni said at Monday’s practice before the Knicks departed for games on consecutive nights against the San Antonio Spurs and the Memphis Grizzlies.

“He throws his body in there and he’s going after every rebound and he’s not afraid to take big shots, so you’ve got to like a guy like that. He’s not a racehorse or a thoroughbred. Sometimes, I think he’s misunderstood because he plays so low to the ground in that he doesn’t have the big dunks or the “SportsCenter” moments. But over all, he’s effective as heck.”

Against Utah, Randolph had 25 points and 14 rebounds. He created his own do-overs on several of his shot attempts, keeping his position while following his misses.

“Zach is a guy you look up and you don’t know how he got 14, 15 rebounds,” Randolph’s teammate Jamal Crawford said. “He barely jumps. But he has a knack for it and he gets it done.”

When D’Antoni signed with the Knicks, it was unclear how Randolph would fit into his uptempo offense. The inside pairing of Randolph with Eddy Curry struggled mightily under the former coach Isiah Thomas, and the Knicks explored trading both players in the off-season.

An injured Curry still appears to be on the outside looking in, but Randolph has found a niche in helping nudge the Knicks to a 4-2 start.

“It’s just playing with heart,” Randolph said. “Getting easy put-backs, grind here, shot in, shot there.”

There remain rough spots. Once the ball goes inside to Randolph, it rarely comes out. When it does, his passes are often deflected or stolen. He had five turnovers against the Jazz, and D’Antoni said he had to remind him which team he ought to pass to during the game.

The Knicks still won. That is something D’Antoni would have hardly taken notice of when he coached Phoenix, nothing more than a win over a quality team. On Sunday, however, victory meant congratulations from James L. Dolan, the Madison Square Garden chairman.

D’Antoni continued to issue a plea for caution. The franchise’s image was not soiled within a couple of weeks, but neither will it be resurrected in such a short time.

“We’re only talking three games, so I don’t want to get too excited,” D’Antoni said. “It’s a long way, but I’m happy with our progress and I’m happy with how they’re treating each other.”

The Knicks have been the benefactors of playing ailing teams. They beat the Washington Wizards, who did not have Gilbert Arenas, and the Jazz, who lacked Deron Williams. On Tuesday night, they play the 1-4 Spurs without the injured Manu Ginóbili and Tony Parker.

“They’re struggling,” point guard Chris Duhon said. “Obviously, they don’t have Manu Ginóbili, and that takes away from them. And Tony Parker’s going to be out for a while, so we’re not going to get the true San Antonio team.”

D’Antoni will stick with the same starters, meaning Wilson Chandler, who struggled against Utah, will start a third straight game in front of David Lee.

“I have confidence in certain guys that just won’t be shaken,” D’Antoni said.

REBOUNDS

Danilo Gallinari, the first-round draft pick whom Mike D’Antoni chose not to play in the last four games, is doubtful against San Antonio with a sore lower back. It is the same injury that caused Gallinari to miss the preseason. “His back is hurting a little bit again,” D’Antoni said Monday. “He was trying to push himself and get ready, but he had a little bit of a setback.”... Mardy Collins (upper respiratory infection) and David Lee (sore left ankle) were probable.

[duncan228]

Tuesday: Spurs (1-4) vs. Knicks (4-2) (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Tuesday_Spurs_1-4_vs_Knicks_4-2.html)
Express-News
Time: 7:30 p.m.
TV: FSNSW
Radio: WOAI-AM 1200, KCOR-AM 1350

STARTING LINEUPS
POS - SPURS - KNICKS

PG - 3 George Hill (6-1, 1st yr) - 1 Chris Duhon (6-1, 5th yr)
If Hill earns nod, he would be first Spurs rookie to start since 2004-05.

SG - 8 Roger Mason Jr. (6-5, 5th yr) - 11 Jamal Crawford (6-5, 9th yr)
Mason earned first start vs. Miami, finished with 18 points.

SF - 12 Bruce Bowen (6-7, 13th yr) - 23 Quentin Richardson (6-6, 9th yr)
In Mike D’Antoni’s offense, Richardson always has green light.

PF - 21 Tim Duncan (6-11, 12th yr) - 21 Wilson Chandler (6-8, 2nd yr)
Scoring load falls to Duncan with Parker and Ginobili sidelined.

C - 40 Kurt Thomas (6-9, 14th yr) - 50 Zach Randolph (6-9, 8th yr)
Randolph has logged four consecutive double-doubles.

SPURS RESERVES

15 Matt Bonner, F, 6-10, 5th yr
33 Desmon Farmer, G, 6-5, 2nd yr
4 Michael Finley, G, 6-7, 14th yr
7 Fabricio Oberto, C, 6-10, 4th yr
35 Anthony Tolliver, C, 6-8, 1st yr
5 Ime Udoka, G/F, 6-5, 5th yr
11 Jacque Vaughn, G, 6-1, 12th yr

KNICKS RESERVES

4 Nate Robinson, C, 5-9, 4th yr
5 Anthony Roberson, G, 6-2, 3rd yr
8 Danilo Gallinari, F, 6-10, 1st yr
13 Jerome James, C, 7-1, 9th yr
25 Mardy Collins, G, 6-6, 3rd yr
31 Malik Rose, F, 6-7, 13th yr
42 David Lee, F, 6-9, 4th yr

COACHES

Spurs: Gregg Popovich
Knicks: Mike D’Antoni

INJURIES

Spurs: Tony Parker (left ankle sprain), Manu Ginobili (left ankle surgery) and Ian Mahinmi (sprained right ankle) are out.

Knicks: Jared Jeffries (fractured left fibula) is out.

PROJECTED INACTIVE PLAYERS

Spurs: Parker, Ginobili, Mahinmi.

Knicks: Stephon Marbury, Eddy Curry, Jeffries.

NOTABLE

New York has lost five straight in San Antonio, dating to March of 2003. ... Knicks are 4-0 this season when scoring 100 points or more, 0-2 when they don’t. ... Spurs have been out-rebounded in all four of their losses.

- Jeff McDonald

[duncan228]

Cold sweat for a hot coach: Mike D'Antoni (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Cold_sweat_for_a_hot_coach_Mike_DAntoni.html)
Mike Monroe

When Mike D'Antoni walks into the AT&T Center for this morning's pregame shootaround with his New York Knickerbockers, he knows his nervous system will immediately lock on autopilot.

“There's no doubt,” said the NBA's leading proponent of speed basketball, “I will break out in a cold sweat.”

In four full seasons, D'Antoni led the Phoenix Suns to 232 victories while averaging 109.7 points and bringing the fun back to a pro game that badly needed a jolt of excitement.

What he couldn't do was lead them past the Spurs. It didn't matter if it was in the first round (2008), second round (2007) or Western Conference finals (2005), D'Antoni's teams couldn't run fast enough to eliminate a team built not for speed, but defense.

The AT&T Center is where D'Antoni's NBA title quest ended the past two seasons. No wonder walking through the door makes his skin crawl. Now, though, facing one of the league's biggest turnaround efforts, he can be philosophical about the heartache he found there.

“I was just one of the 29 coaches who couldn't get his team past San Antonio,” he said before boarding the Knicks' plane for a Monday trip to South Texas.

When winning 71 percent of his regular-season games was deemed a failure by Suns management, there was an unseemly parting of the ways in Phoenix. Technically, D'Antoni wasn't fired by general manager Steve Kerr, but he was given a hard shove towards the door. That Kerr happened to be a former Spur seemed a final San Antonio indignity.

“Regrets?” D'Antoni said. “Oh, yeah. A lot. I hated that it ended the way it ended and that we didn't realize a championship. But, at the same time, there are a lot of great memories. I'm forever indebted for those four years. Up to now, they're the greatest four years I've ever had in basketball.”

Now, D'Antoni has an opportunity to succeed in sports' toughest market, where every fan knows more than any coach, and if you don't think so, just ask.

If he believed he would get a honeymoon period as the Knicks began a turnaround from years of torpor under the Isiah Thomas regime, reality smacked him in the face on opening night. Then, a team that was a Big Apple embarrassment last season raced to a 120-115 victory over the Heat. Instead of roaring approval, much of the Madison Square Garden audience screamed for D'Antoni to play Stephon Marbury, the talented point guard who has wasted singular skill by failing to understand basketball is a plural pursuit.

D'Antoni was caught on tape mouthing a curse at the fickle fans. Quickly, he got his first taste of the Big Apple tabloid treatment. But the league's most media-friendly coach understands that nothing succeeds like success. Win at the Garden, and all those Bronx cheers will be shouts of approval.

“I don't find anything negative in it,” he said. “It keeps you on your toes. I think they're looking to latch on to something, and we're trying to build that and give them that.”

The roster D'Antoni inherited wasn't devoid of talent. Jamal Crawford is one of the Eastern Conference's best shooting guards. When focused, Zach Randolph always has been capable of a nightly double-double. D'Antoni has discovered that Nate Robinson is the sort of point guard he needs to run his score-in-seven-seconds-or-less attack. He loves the undersized guard's competitive fire and team-first approach.

He determined, though, that he had to make a clean break with some of the mistakes of the Thomas past. That included sitting Marbury and an overweight Eddy Curry, who may be able to help if he can stop dunking donuts.

“We charted our course and which way we wanted to go,” D'Antoni said, “and though we knew there would be bumps, we didn't want to deviate. We had to stay true to the long-term course and what our plans are.”

It's not easy sitting two players whose combined salaries exceed $30 million, but it was the previous Knicks regime that made idiotic payroll decisions. New basketball operations chief Donnie Walsh has D'Antoni's back, and their MSG boss, James L. Dolan, wasn't believed to be among those chanting “We Want Steph” on opening night.

D'Antoni believes his team has a legitimate shot at returning to the Eastern Conference playoffs. Its 4-2 start backs such optimism.

“Obviously, with winning three in a row and playing better basketball, things are good,” he said, “but we've got to be realistic. The season is long, and we've got to improve in a lot of areas.

“These guys are such good guys, and have such a good spirit and have come together so unselfishly that it's been great to see. You never know, but they are that.”

That, and about 40 more victories, will make D'Antoni a Big Apple hero.

[benefactor]

The starting lineup looks about like I thought it would be. I figured Hill would start and Tolliver would be a energy bench guy. We will see how long KT can hang in there before Tolliver gets the call. I wouldn't be surprised if it happens fairly quickly and Tolliver winds up playing over 30 minutes.

[angelbelow]

tolliver definitely looked good last game, lets hope he keeps it up!

[milkyway21]

STARTING LINEUPS
POS - SPURS - KNICKS

PG - 3 George Hill (6-1, 1st yr) - 1 Chris Duhon (6-1, 5th yr)
If Hill earns nod, he would be first Spurs rookie to start since 2004-05.

SG - 8 Roger Mason Jr. (6-5, 5th yr) - 11 Jamal Crawford (6-5, 9th yr)
Mason earned first start vs. Miami, finished with 18 points.

SF - 12 Bruce Bowen (6-7, 13th yr) - 23 Quentin Richardson (6-6, 9th yr)
In Mike D’Antoni’s offense, Richardson always has green light.

PF - 21 Tim Duncan (6-11, 12th yr) - 21 Wilson Chandler (6-8, 2nd yr)
Scoring load falls to Duncan with Parker and Ginobili sidelined.

C - 40 Kurt Thomas (6-9, 14th yr) - 50 Zach Randolph (6-9, 8th yr)



Tim Duncan has proven many times he can win with new players alongside him almost every yr.
Let's see if he can work this out. It's also up to these new players if they can step it up. It's their chance before Manu and TP return to the line-up. Otherwise, it will be lesser minutes for them the rest of the season after December.

rebound, rebound, rebound....

[DPG21920]

I like the match ups in the starting unit, but the bench is where I am worried. It is going to be a tough match up for our second unit if they do not bring intensity on the defensive end. Lee and Nate can fill it up and they play hard.

[SequSpur]

Knicks by 40. Malik Rose with a tripa dub.

[milkyway21]

limit TD to 35-37 min

[TDMVPDPOY]

expecting a blowout win for the knicks...

i checkd the odds, we are favorite to win hahaha lame...i like the knicks odds of beating us

[Manufan909]

Shit, I want a rotation of Hill, Mason, Farmer, Bowen, Tim, Fab, KT, Tolliver, and Bonner. Everyone should get at least 30 minutes, except for bonner, he should only have 10, unless Fab or KT play even worse than usual.

I know it won't happen, though, cuz Fin and JV will get 15+ minutes, which is ten too much.

[Brazil]

STARTING LINEUPS
POS - SPURS - KNICKS

PG - 3 George Hill (6-1, 1st yr) - 1 Chris Duhon (6-1, 5th yr)
If Hill earns nod, he would be first Spurs rookie to start since 2004-05.

SG - 8 Roger Mason Jr. (6-5, 5th yr) - 11 Jamal Crawford (6-5, 9th yr)
Mason earned first start vs. Miami, finished with 18 points.

SF - 12 Bruce Bowen (6-7, 13th yr) - 23 Quentin Richardson (6-6, 9th yr)
In Mike D’Antoni’s offense, Richardson always has green light.

PF - 21 Tim Duncan (6-11, 12th yr) - 21 Wilson Chandler (6-8, 2nd yr)
Scoring load falls to Duncan with Parker and Ginobili sidelined.

C - 40 Kurt Thomas (6-9, 14th yr) - 50 Zach Randolph (6-9, 8th yr)
Randolph has logged four consecutive double-doubles.



NO Bonner NO JV = good news
To have a chance we need Defense and to have Defense we need a very good Bruce Bowen. If it's the Bowen of the last 5 games, we have 0 chance to win this one.

[milkyway21]

NOTABLE

New York has lost five straight in San Antonio, dating to March of 2003. ... Knicks are 4-0 this season when scoring 100 points or more, 0-2 when they don’t. ... Spurs have been out-rebounded in all four of their losses.

- Jeff McDonald

Pop & the Spurs addressed some of the notables:

-they outrebounded the Knicks( I think they might have)
-limit them below 100 in scoring

result Knicks lost 6 straight in SA since March 2003.

[NewJerSpur]

Damn, D'Antoni just can't win against the Spurs no matter what team he coaches or San Antonio's health status for that matter, LOLOL!!!

[Obstructed_View]

Just when the Spurs are down, seem to be nearing bottom, and need a big emotional win, who shows up on the schedule?

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/images/photos/2007/06/13/f762fppa.jpg



BTW, I'd rather see Udoka in the starting lineup. Bowen needs a wake up call.

Damn, I'm good. :lol

[NewJerSpur]

Nice.

:toast

[milkyway21]

The Knicks have been the benefactors of playing ailing teams. They beat the Washington Wizards, who did not have Gilbert Arenas, and the Jazz, who lacked Deron Williams. On Tuesday night, they play the 1-4 Spurs without the injured Manu Ginóbili and Tony Parker.

“They’re struggling,” point guard Chris Duhon said. “Obviously, they don’t have Manu Ginóbili, and that takes away from them. And Tony Parker’s going to be out for a while, so we’re not going to get the true San Antonio team.”

oh, oh :D

no TP & Manu.
Still, D' Antoni left SA AT&T with a heartache :cry