So It Begins . . .

With opening week now just a memory (along with our NBA league pass free preview) I'd thought I'd take a shot at doing something us Knicks fans are almost anatomically incapable of doing--not reading too much into it. We're Knicks fans and thus inherently impetuous, whimsical and, of course, depraved. Very, very, very depraved. But in the wake of the inaugural Knicks weekend, I find myself being able to throw these attributes to the wayside (at least for the moment). Its probably being .500 after beating a team we were supposed to and losing one that was up for grabs, but I feel I can look at these two games with at least a hint of objectivity. Let me start, however, with reverting to my old self and offering what I think we can take from these two games that might apply to the rest of the season.
First, Zach Randolph is the best player on the Knicks. Hands down, far and away, no comparison, a cut above the rest. He's a workhorse. He cares. He takes it personally. He's a unique breed of brawn and finesse. He's DAMN GOOD. And he fell into our laps, gift wrapped. Things like this don't really happen to us, but this did, and its tremendously exciting. And what's better (don't get ahead of yourself, don't get ahead of yourself) is that it doesn't look like he and Eddy Curry will have trouble co-existing. They are different players and have different games. And it looks like they both genuinely want to make it work, which is integral to their success. Z-Bo has had a bunch of nice high post entry passes to Eddy, and looks as receptive to the idea of feeding Eddy as Eddy does to receiving the ball (I think the biggest challenge to them will staying away from the force pass and recognizing when its there, and when its not there). And what is more imporant is that even if it turns out not to work with the two of them on the court together, being able to have one of them on the court at all times is invaluable.
Second, Steph looking for his shot, more specifically taking it to the hoop, will be integral to the Knicks winning games. He looks a step quicker than he has during his Knicks tenure and is still stronger than most of the guards he goes up against. Oddly, he's been missing his layups, but I'd like to think we can chalk that up to early season/opening night jitters. When Steph establishes himself, it opens everything up the entire court. It forces interior defenders to drop of off Eddy and Z-Bo and perimeter defenders cheat towards the lane, creating open looks for our shooters. The media chastized Steph last week when he said that he needs to look for his shot more this season than last, but he's right. In moderation, of course.
Third, to be successful, a small rotation needs to be implemented. Last night, only 8 players saw minutes. The Knicks have been graced with a deep bench, but it doesn't mean everyone needs to see light. Last year, the Knicks were rotating almost 12 players on a regular basis. This just isn't a win-producing formula. What Isiah would do if he were smart (or if someone smart could explain it to him), is use the deep bench as a weapon with which to combat foul trouble, and as a constant reminder that if the first 8 aren't playing hard/smart enough, it is no problem replacing them. Use the bench as a threat against laziness. If these last two games are any indication, Isiah is at least privy to this concept (benching Steph against the Cavs and the truncated rotation last night).
Fourth, and I'm sure I'm going to catch a lot of backlash for this one, but for the Knicks to be successful this season, Jared Jeffries needs to be a big part of it. Our defense is horrendous. 3 perimeter ball swings, 1 penetrate and dish, or a designed playcall and it an open 3 or an uncontested layup. And if Quentin Richardson gets into foul trouble, we don't really have anyone who can guard a scoring 2 or 3, even a 4. Tell me we couldn't have used him Friday night when Lebron was going off for 45. Tell me we aren't going to miss him tomorrow night against Melo. Who else is going to guard these players? The Melos, the Lebrons, the Dirks, the Rashard Lewis'. Right now its Q or bust, and he's looked old, slow and inept. Again, it's early and I don't want to get ahead of myself. I'm sure Q will turn it around, but its clear we need another defender who can guard scoring 3s and 4s, even 5s if he needs to. David Lee is a miserable defend and I'm not drinking the Balkman Kool-Aid until he proves he can guard without fouling. Rather, I'm throwing up the Balkman Kool-Aid and not taking another sip until this happens.
As always, I have many more thoughts on my mind than my fingers have energy to type and I don't think I can keep from overhyping us any longer. So with that, Fuck the Hate, Knicks in Ohhhhhh-8