May 3, 2012
The Knicks coming into the season with high hopes, new talent and a revamped lineup have not failed their intentions... make the playoffs! However with two games into their first round, the Knicks already find themselves down two games to the second seed Miami Heat. This is due in part to the injuries of Iman Shumpert who is done for the season after tearing his left ACL in game one and Amar'e Stoudemire foolishly cutting his left hand while taking out frustration on a glass fire extinguisher box after game two's loss.
So with both Amar'e and Iman out of the lineup and Jeremy Lin still indecisive of his return, the Knicks return to Madison Square Garden to face the Heat in Game three. Hopefully the Knicks will finally have some fire and energy on their home court and the Garden crowd. Carmelo and the Knicks have not done well in the first two games losing game one by thirty-seven points and dropping game two by ten. It had not been what the Knicks were envisioning with their stagnant offense and only shooting 43 percent from the field in those two games. They have also not been able to stop the duo of Wade and Lebron allowing them to score too frequently in the paint.
With no Shumpert in the guard position, it will stretch minutes for the Knicks guards including JR Smith leaving them with only Mike Bibby and a not very pleasing Toney Douglas off the bench. Amar'e Stoudemire's injury would force Carmelo Anthony back in the 4 position making the lineup even smaller. However Melo has flourished and thrived in that forward position during the late winning stretch in the season. With Stoudemire out of the way and Melo now able to run the open floor, this move might allow more points and attempts from Carmelo and allow the Knicks offense to open up. Injuries are expected to be part of what the playoffs are all about. Perhaps it gives the Knicks incentive to fight and try to win for their home crowd. The Knicks are going to have to tighten their defense and continue to play with the intensity under Mike Woodson. It will be something they are going to have to buy into and gather each other up. Expect the Knicks to possibly win two games in the next three. The Knicks need to stop worrying about being all too perfect and shooting 82 percent from the field. They are going to have to trust each other out there and play basketball!
Game 3 coming up!!!
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