Knicks drop to 8-15

GAME REVIEW:

After trailing by as much as 30 points, the Knicks almost managed to beat the Celtics late in the game, cutting the lead to as little as 3. However, Paul Pierce and company were too much to handle and the Knicks fell 97-90, despite Eddy Curry's 30 pts and 12 rebs. Paul Pierce dropped 31, and Al Jefferson managed 14/12.

To me, this game was lost early on, obviously. For some reason this team loves going down by 20+ and attempting to come back from the deficit. Curry was weak to start the game, and every possession was going through him. The shooters were cold to start the game, wait, I mean nonexistant to start the game. As the Garden booed, Isiah stared at his players, dumbfounded. Jared Jeffries had 7/5 in his Knicks debut, and looked mostly average to not impressive at all. His defensive presence was felt at some points, but mostly he looked like a big tree out there, not doing much of anything. Who knows, maybe I'm just pissed about the loss, but this guy is overhyped for sure.

Of course, Eddy Curry continued his Shaq-like play. So when are we going to hear the All-Star talk? It's unbelieveable how much progress "Easy Eddy" has made to become a monster down low. Add him to our bright future, he's still only 24. This team should be set in a few years with Frye, Lee, Robinson, Balkman, and Curry. All the team needs is a scoring force to play the two, which is Q-Rich curently playing out of position. Of course there is always the chance one or more of those players gets traded, and I'd say the only ones that are safe are Eddy and Lee. Frye looks like a prime time trading piece, especially with the progress David Lee has made in his absence (14/13 last night by the way).

NEWS AND NOTES:

- Isiah Thomas says the Knicks have "no interest" in Allen Iverson. However, I have heard many rumors regarding a Knicks/Sixers trade including Iverson/Kyle Korver for Steve Francis/Jamal Crawford. Seems unrealistic the sixers would accept, but you never know with Isiah and this team. Maybe he's playing dumb right now, because he must know as well as anyone that AI could be the man to save his job.

- The NBA will abandon the new ball to return to the old leather ball starting January 1st. Players, rejoice.

- The Knicks woes from the foul line continue, going an INEXCUSABLE 17 for 32 last night. Why the hell doesn't a coach have these guys at the line after practice every day? I'm sorry, but I just don't understand how NBA players can do that to their team. F****** pathetic...

- On "Knicks' Game Night," Al Trautwig stated that Channing Frye is close to returning. I'm not sure if this is good or bad, as David Lee may return to the bench. Speaking of the bench, Renaldo Balkman saw ZERO minutes last night thanks to Jared Jefferies coming in to the lineup. With Frye also coming back, don't expect to see much more of the "tasmanian devil" this year. That pisses me off.

Basically, I'm pissed....LET'S START WINNING!

Celtics @ Knicks, 7:30 pm

THE LOWDOWN:

The Knicks (8-14) look to make it two in a row tonight, facing off against the equally terrible Boston Celtics(6-13). Jared Jeffries will make his NY regular season debut tonight after missing the first part of the season being injured. Steve Francis will be out for this game, and his futures status is still unknown. Channing Frye is also on the bench, of course.

The two coaches on possibly the hottest seats in all of the NBA, Doc Rivers of Boston and Isiah Thomas of NY, face off tonight it what could be another chapter in their final stretch as coach. Isiah's job is probably still safe for now, thanks to Eddy Curry (more later). Rivers, however, is hoping that a trade for Allen Iverson goes through to save his job.

The last time the two teams faced off, the Knicks lost 122-118 and Paul Pierce dropped 39 on them. Don't be surprised if this trend continues tonight, as Marbury and Crawford will most likely continue their poor defense against opposing guards. Hopefully Isiah decides to put Q-Rich on Pierce, which would even the score somewhat.

Another intriguing matchup to watch is always the two cousins, the Coney Island boys, facing off in the same arena in which they used to play the city championships in: Stephon Marbury vs. Sebastian Telfair. They haven't been on the best of terms in recent years, which should make for a good confrontation.

THINGS TO WATCH FOR:

- Eddy Curry is coming off a career high 36 points at the hands of the Bucks Saturday night. When the Knicks give him the ball in the low post, he has been unstoppable as of late. In my opinion, he deserves all star consideration.

- How will David Lee handle Al Jefferson on the defensive end? The Knicks didn't get a look at him the last time the two teams met, so it should be interesting this time around.

- It doesn't get any bigger than this. The next two weeks will make or break the Knicks' season. This home stretch has went so-so, but the team could make it 3 of their last 4 tonight with a win. With Atlanta coming up on Wednesday, the Knicks could be 10-14 by Thursday morning, possessing (believe it or not) FIRST PLACE in the Atlantic Division.

KEY MATCHUP:

PG Stephon Marbury vs. PG Sebastian Telfair:

This may not be the matchup that decides the game, but it is the one the Garden fans care the most about. Starbury needs to distribute the ball well tonight to get a win. Lots of feeds to Curry and some alley-oops should do it. Hopefully Crawford can move without the ball and open up some opportunities for Steph to dish it to. Also, Telfair loves coming back to the Garden, so this should be a good one.

PREDICTION:

I truly believe the Knicks will win this one, as long as Curry gets his touches. After the last game though, it should be clear to this team that he is the key to a W in the column.
Knicks 113, Celtics 101

Look for another game with no defense from either team.