Knicks have a must win coming up! Beat Atlanta and the brackets will play out just how we want. It would also be alright if both Chicago and Atlanta won or if they both lost, but beating the Hawks guarantees we avoid Nets Bulls Heat until conf finals. This means there's a chance the Heat could get upset, but even better we don't have to face the bulls, who we match up terribly with, plus there's the possibility that Derick Rose comes back during the playoffs. I think he's a wuss, though and will sit.
Neither team cares about the game though. Carmelo out, Kidd out, JR doubtful, Chandler doubtful. Josh Smith and Al Horford both listed as doubtful. Bunch of bench guys playing.
Earl Barron just signed with the Knicks. ^ The Hawks probably want to lose to avoid the 5 seed. I don't see a Tom T coached team in the Bulls tanking though, so hopefully they dispatch the Wizards and grab the 5
Yeah his foot is toast, can't play, so he's not going to delude himself. Hope they keep him around the locker room and practices
I think Woody is of the thinking, "we can beat anyone" so he's not going to send out Tyson/Melo for this game. I also think the Hawks are tanking to avoid the 5 seed. I also think a Thibs team doesn't tank and will try to win against the Wizards. I feel good about Chi getting the 5 seed
Both teams going without a center. Scrubs vs. scrubs Never heard of Earl Barron, turns out he was just signed to replace 'sheed. http://www.postingandtoasting.com/2013/4/17/4235116/the-knicks-are-actually-signing-earl-barron 04/17/13 04:20:53pm Pacific NBA: Game 511-512 (ORN# 2415-2416) Revised Atlanta Hawks * New York Knicks Pos Player Pos Player F Anthony Tolliver F Chris Copeland F DeShawn Stevenson F Iman Shumpert C Ivan Johnson C Earl Barron G Shelvin Mack G James White G John Jenkins G Pablo Prigioni ========= Bulls blowing out Wizards
Prigioni injured an ankle. Knicks now without a point guard, because Felton and Kidd are sitting out. Bulls continuing to blow out the Wizards. The Bulls aren't tanking either, unlike many teams. Deng, Boozer, Butler, Mohammad, and Hinrich starting. Same lineup as usual.
the Hawks announcers don't seem to notice, but it looks like the Knicks are only using six players. Barron, Novak, Shumpert, Copeland, White, and Richardson brutal Two guys who were just signed, a novelty act, no point guard, and no real big men.
This is definitely not an NBA game. Copeland hurt himself but stayed on the court anyway. One of the officials just injured his leg and left. Down to two guys officiating.
Knicks win, the Bulls are officially out of the near playoff picture. It's either the Bulls OR the Heat in the Eastern finals now, can't play both
WAsn't able to watch the game: But heard Prig hurt his ankle, was out most of the game. Xray negative. Cope hurt his arm/shoulder but returned to the game Shump got a cramp which limited him at the end of the game The Knicks are cursed with injuries
Copeland didn't leave the game. Prigioni got injured early and missed the rest of the game. Knicks were using a six man rotation for 3+ quarters. For the record, I think a couple of Calipari's Kentucky teams (the Wall/Cousins team, the Anthony Davis team...) could've beaten either of the teams on the court tonight. Barron had a double double. Copeland scored 33. Minutes breakdown: White 44 Copeland 40 Shumpert 38 Barron 37 Novak 41 Richardson 29 Prigioni 10 and change (only played in the first quarter, got injured with 1:39 left) White, Richardson, and Barron aren't even NBA-quality at this point. Bunch of stiffs out there, but the Hawks were tanking also and gave heavy minutes to scrubs.
Have to say..this was stupid tonite...dumb. If you were going to play guys rarely used in the playoffs crazy minutes I get it..but to still play Copeland, Novack and Pablo and Shump was stupid. Guys playing close to 40 minutes who average less than 20 in the last 2 games of the season? Play only 6 guys? I see no reason why you couldnt play felton and smith 10 minutes each. This resting guys is fine..but playing only 6 guys and 4 of them are important guys and 2 even start? This resting guys has hit an all time new low. If you were going to do that than play a 2-3 zone defense...no pressing...use the clock and not run up and down the court. I really do not understand when the game is over you have Shumpert suffering with cramps in his calfs...Pablo taken to the locker room with a sprained ankle..and Cope suffering a shoulder injury. Just so you can rest your stars and not play them 10 minutes?
Rangers play in MSG Sunday afternoon, makes sense. I'm afraid they're going to go NBA silly with the schedule though. Next game on Tuesday and next one on Friday or something ridiculous. They like having ridiculous breaks for some reason. Every other night works in this day and age with traveling.
