KISS. Keep it Simple Stupid. That is probably the most important lesson I learned when I played ball way back in the day and it is a lesson that our current Knicks team should pay attention to. I have nothing against the three point shot but to take over thirty of them in a game. That is too much. And it is not as if they have great shooters. The Knicks have several decent shooters but seem to play with an air of expectantcy of having a hot shooting night all the time.
In my opinion basketball is a simple game. Defense, rebounding, ball control, and high percentage shots. The Knicks did not do much of any of those last night. To be fair, there were some spurts throughout the course of the game in which they played well and were able to dictate the action on the court, however it never lasted for more then two or three minutes at a time. I have never been a fan of Stephan Marbury but at least he knows how to take the ball to the basket. Again the amount of three's that were taken tonight were far too many yet some were actually good shots. It is a basic principle in the game that the inside out game tends to create good shots. At some points in the game there was penetration into the defense and a kick out for the jump shot. I have no problem with that shot, however the one pass and three point shot makes me want to pull the little bit of hair that I have out of my head. I can only imagine what it does to the coaching staff.
On the defensive end of the ball I understand that the New York Knicks were outmatched in terms of size on the court and for a significant amount of time were playing with four guards, however against an opponent like Bogut you have to be able to get defensive position before he gets the ball. Just as the Knicks settled for low percentage shots all night you have to be able to force your opponent to do the same. In the low post the way you can do that is to force the offensive player to start his move further away from the basket. Few centers in the league know how to play with their back to the basket and most are not good jump shooters so any shot over five feet has a good chance of missing. Of course you still have to be able to get the rebound, another weak point in this team.
Now I know I quick to point out the negative but to be perfectly honest I think this team is good enough to make a run at a playoff spot, however that is only going to happen if they learn to play within themselves. They have good players and athletes and are able to compete with most teams. Granted they need more of a presence in the low post and on the boards but if they focus on taking high percentage shots and can increase the intensity on defense for the full 48 minutes contention for the 7th or 8th spot in the East is not out of the realm of possibility.
