Bernard
King is one of the purest scorers in NBA history and he finally gets
enshrined in the basketball hall of fame. The 4-time all-star was
recently featured in an NBA TV Documentary titled “Unstoppable”
which premiered tonight on NBA TV. The film featured many NBA greats
such as Magic Johnson and George Gervin speaking about the greatness
of Bernard King.
When
I watch film on Bernard King I see the 1st of his kind
which is a small forward who perfected the use of high post moves and
really made pivot moves and the turnaround jump shot popular. The
guys like Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant that we see use those same
high post moves today to score the basketball followed in the
footsteps of King. “Money Bernard King was Money” said Magic
Johnson. During his time in the league King was one of the most
feared scorers and the legend of so his greatest scoring efforts
still love on today, such as his 60 point game against the Nets on
Christmas day 1984. getting
“I
couldn't play with a smile on my face like Magic, I had to play with
an intensity or I wouldn't win” stated King. The Knicks legend
carried himself a certain way and always played with a high level of
confidence. Nobody could stop him from scoring “if you play off me
I have the jump shot, force me left I have moves going left, force me
right I have moves going right, If you overplay me I know how to get
open”. He commands respect and displays unshakable confidence which
is why he can go out and have back to back 50 point nights as George
Gervin stated in the video.
King
in many ways embodies the culture of New York basketball, that “
you can't stop me even if you tried mentality” if you will. Magic
said it best “ We knew where he was going to that spot, the 18,000
fans in the arena knew he was going to that spot but you just
couldn't do anything with this man”. It way to long but
congratulations to Bernard King on his 2013 hall of fame induction!
Patrick
Ewing throughout the course of last year made an impact on the
sneaker game by re launching his old self titled shoe brand. The
Ewing Athletics brand had a nice run back in his playing days and is
looking to build off the success they created last year. Tomorrow
they are releasing the Ewing “Focus” sneaker in 2 colorways
“Bulls” and “Knicks”.
The
sneakers is a mid top and features a strap that goes across
it that says “Focus”. Its a really cool shoe very retro flavor
which is exactly what te brand is always going for when it comes to
their sneakers. These 2 colorways will be released to retailers
tomorrow but if you want to get them earlier visit livestock’s
website.
There
has been a lot made of what will happen next off season in the NBA
when Carmelo Anthony and most notably Lebron James go on the free
agent market. Lebron even coming off of back to back championships
with the Miami Heat can still opt out of his contract and become a
free agent. Destinations like New York and Cleveland are possible but
LA?? It doesn’t make sense for Lebron to go there but if its
possible then it just might happen. We all know Lebron has proven
himself to be diss loyal in the past so anything is possible.
Now
I am no believer of good or bad omens but NBA 2K is known as “The
most realistic basketball simulation on the market” and depending
on your perspective then 2K Sports is the bearer of good news or bad
news as it pertains to Lebron James (See Photo Below)
When you play in New york City for any sports team and you are the star if your team loses and falls short of the ultimate goal you will take the blame whether its fair or not. This is relevant to Knicks Franchise Player Carmelo Anthony who lead the Knicks in scoring averaging 28 points per game with a bad shoulder but ultimately lost the series to the Indiana Pacers in 6 games. Over the last few days since the Loss The New York Media, ESPN and people like Skip Bayless have blamed this loss solely on Melo. This is incredibly unfair to Carmelo when his supporting cast did nothing to help him. Guys like Raymond Felton and J.R Smith deserve most of the blame for the inconsistency of the New York Supporting cast with poor shooting performances like 0-7 and 4-15. Melo's former coach at Syracuse said it best about Smith and Felton by expressing the following “Those Guys weren't great players where they were and now they are asking them to be 2nd and 3rd options”. Great analysis by the Championship college coach. After addressing the supporting cast he then went on to say “he is going to have to get 50 to win this game” when speaking about the series ending game 6 when Melo scored 39. Playing isolation basketball and relying to much on one player isn't a winning formula for winning in the playoffs so besides the Knicks supporting cats I think management and the coaching of Mike Woodson are to blame for the series loss to Indiana. The structure of the roster makes Anthony's life harder and isn't built to beat the likes of Lebron James of the Miami Heat.
I recently Spoke on why The series loss to the Pacers isn't Carmelo Anthony's fault in a recent video, Check it out below.
When playing the game of basketball some people got
to work to become great and for some it’s just genetics, for Stephen Curry
shooting seems to be genetic. As we know he is the son of Charlotte Hornets
All-Time leading Scorer Dell Curry. He comes from a family of shooters and isn't afraid of the big lights he grew up shooting in NBA Arenas in Charlotte, Toronto
and everywhere else between. He showed the NBA world on National television
that he is big time when he dropped 54 points in Madison Square Garden in a game
against the Knicks earlier this season. Steph showed us what he is capable of
this season when fully healthy.
This season was a great one for the Warriors Steph
Curry stayed Healthy, Harrison Barnes Developed and the team won 47 games and
became one of the more exciting teams to watch. A big part of that was the
health of the kid from Davidson. Many people forgot how talented he was and
began to question his toughness after all the struggles to stay on the court.
For the first time in his career Curry enters the
playoffs-where careers are made. The Warriors are a young and exciting team but
how far can he take them and can he elevate his game to become elite. Stephen
Curry showed everybody that he is a cerebral player in the regular season and
that he isn’t afraid of big shots, this is going to be a big test of Steph’s intensity
as we all know the playoffs are a whole different animal from the regular
season.
The Warriors enter the Playoffs as the #6 seed in
the Western Conference and face a Denver Nuggets team similar in playing style
to them. Pace control will be a big thing in this series and Steph will have to
outplay his opponent on the other end being Ty Lawson. If the Warriors can get
out in transition and let Curry play off the ball and get some good looks coming
off of screens then he is in a good position to do some damage this series.
When the Golden State Warriors got new owners they
promised that this franchise would return to championship form. Legends like Chris
Mullen, Nate Thurmond, Rick Barry and Wilt Chamberlain all made they’re mark in
warrior uniforms, Will Stephen Curry be able to leave one even greater and lead
the Warriors to become NBA Champions? It’s
all on him when the games on the line.
The NBA Playoffs begin April 20th as
Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors take on Ty Lawson and the #3 seed
Denver Nuggets.
The term “Celtic Pride” is something that is
abstract but pulsates throughout the entire Boston Celtic Locker room. I don’t
think there are very many players who are “True Celtics” and exemplify what it
means to be one more then Kevin Garnett. He has been loyal, played the right
way and endeared himself to the garden faithful. When asked earlier in the
season around the trade deadline about a possible trade to the LA Clippers
Garnett responded by emphatically saying “If it's up to me, Garnett said,
"I will live and die green all day”. Garnett refused to waive his no-trade
clause and decided to give an NBA Title run one last shot in Green on the Parquet
floor.
At this point in his career Garnett is all about
preservation and understands that he needs to have energy left in the tank when
the games really count in the playoffs. He isn’t the young man we saw in
Minnesota lead the Timberwolves to the Conference finals, He isn’t putting up
gaudy numbers, He isn’t even a power forward anymore as the NBA has evolved
more into a run and gun fast paced league he has became a center. KG is a
grizzled vet that understands his role on this Celtic team.
People often ask if “The Big Ticket” has anything
left in the tank. Well he is 36 and Is still averaging 14 points per game with
8 Rebounds a game. It’s not Garnett like but that is more then serviceable for
a guy playing on a team that’s fairly deep. If you ask him that question
yourself he would probably tell you to just watch and then go out and have a
big time playoff performance.
As the Celtics enter the playoffs they will take on
Carmelo Anthony and a New York Knicks teams as underdogs. It is no secret that
these two teams have a history of playing physical basketball. This is the kind
of series Kevin Garnett was built for, the kind of series where he can reannounce to the
basketball world that he is still capable of being a dominant playoff
performer. Will Kevin Garnett make a big time impact en route to a Boston first
round upset of the Knicks? I guess that’s why they play the game
The NBA Playoffs begin April 20th as the Kevin
Garnett and the Boston Celtics take on Carmelo Anthony the New York Knicks
The purest Scorer in the league since George
"The Iceman" Gervin, High School All-American and now 2013 NBA
Scoring Champion are now some of the many Credentials Carmelo Anthony has
earned in his career. The Question though is will he add an NBA ring to those
credentials? Since his trade from Denver to the Knicks Melo has been
scrutinized and then uplifted by the New
York Media and fans, he has been labeled one of the most overpaid players in
the NBA by Forbes magazine. For all the scrutiny he has been through the past
few years Melo has began peaking at just the right time and has been playing on
an unreal level heading into the playoffs.
Like I alluded to earlier Carmelo is the scoring
champ for the first time in his career but that's small stuff If Anthony wants
to get the respect he deserves he is going to have to go through Lebron James
and win a NBA Title. The Knicks did a great job developing chemistry early in
the season which led them to the #2 seed in the East and a 3-1 record vs the defending
Champion Miami Heat. There were a lot of moving parts this season in NY and
Melo did a good job of leading his teammates and the Knicks on and off the
court.
People make a big deal of how of how great a scorer
Carmelo is and neglect the fact that he has committed himself to the other side
of the ball on defense this season. We see Melo these days get after it and at 6'8
with a big body the former Syracuse star can be an asset on defense when his
head is in the right place. A lot of credit has to go to Mike Woodson and the
defensive philosophy he has established in NY, because of that the Knicks are
getting more timely stops.
The Knicks enter the playoffs in what looks to be a
playoff series that has an old-time basketball feel to it against the arch
rival Boston Celtics. It's no secret that these teams have a history of
physical play which extends beyond physicality and into verbal warfare. What I
am speaking about is Kevin Garnett's "Honey Nut Cheerio" Comments in regards to Anthony's wife. This
will be a great 1st round test for the Knicks vs. the Underdog Celtics, expect
things to be physical.
These Playoffs will play huge role in shaping the
legacy of Carmelo Anthony as a Knick. He can either be known as a great player
who never won a championship like Patrick Ewing or Become Legendary and put his
name With the Likes of Walt Frazier and Willis Reed and become the driving
force toward the 1st Championship Banner in Madison Square Garden in 40 years.
Will Melo deliver NYC a Championship? we will see but the Ultimate road to a
ring goes through Lebron James and the Miami Heat.
The NBA Playoffs begin April 20th as Carmelo Anthony
and the New York Knicks take on Paul Pierce and the #7 seeded Boston Celtics.
Last
Month I started the “Tru School of Kicks” where I bring what I
think are hot shoes to your attention. Last article I told you about
the A.I Georgetown Reebok Questions which are due to release on
March 8th, so stay tuned for those. This month I have 2
segments of Tru School of kicks, the 1st of which features
so shoes that Caught my attention when watching the Heat game Sunday
afternoon against the Knicks.
Sunday
afternoon I was sitting cozy in my seat at a local sports bar with my
dad and best friend Isaiah when my dad mentioned that Lebron James
was rocking some great looking shoes. After about a 5 second
observation I quickly agreed and fell in Love with what are known as
the “Nike Lebron 10 Carmex”. My Friend Isaiah who plays
basketball for my high school was already conjuring up ideas to get
the coach to make those the teams official sneaker for next season.
They feature a color way that is the exact same as the High school I
attend (South Broward High School) and after seeing them on TV I
Quickly began thinking ahead to my graduation day with those on my
feet to match my Red and Gold cap and gown. The only problem is that
those bad boys don't have an official release date and that is a
problem for sneakerheads like me who are anxious to purchase And
proudly sport those on our feet. So who ever makes the decisions in
the LBJ Nike marketing camp needs to announce a release date hope
fully that’s before my May 31st graduation date.
By
the way HUGE Shoutout to the South Broward High School Class of
2013!!!
The upcoming NBA Season is around the corner and lately Ive been seeing a plethora of teams making alterations to there uniforms. Some Great and not so great either way the new uniforms look to add some more flares to what I and many others anticipate as a great basketball season.
Brooklyn Nets
Since the day they stepped
foot in The league New Jersey the Nets have always played second fiddle to the Knicks. They were like that awkward stepchild few people liked. Owner Mikhail Prokorov and Rapper Jay-z are doing there very best to take over NYC and culturally build an untouchable brand of basketball. Brooklyn has completely rebranded from last year from the Jerseys,City,Arena and roster. Signing the likes Of Joe Johnson, Deron Williams and Gerald Wallace The Nets are trying to make the word “Brooklyn” on the front of those jersey’s mean something when they take the floor at the Barclay center. These Jerseys are a huge upgrade over the dull Red, white and Navy jerseys they sported in Newark last year. Black and White are colors that represent toughness and in all honesty they make what was once an uncool team cool again.
Charlotte Bobcats
Last season my hometown team came off the worst season in NBA History at 7-59. They made some alterations to the threads this year. On the home Jersey they took the “Bob” out of Bobcats and now it just reads “Cats” in a baby blue font paying homage to UNC. The road uniforms are my favorite’s on it has a navy base minus the battleship gray pinstripes in a smaller font it reads “Charlotte” it has a much cleaner feel to it. The jersey’s are part of a new identity that the team is trying to forge with new head coach Mike Dunlap. The team improved it’s roster adding Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Jeffery Taylor through the draft along with veterans like Ben Gordon, Ramon Sessions and Brendan Haywood. The team looks to be tougher, faster and stronger then last year and as they continue to improve they will look good in the new uni’s those get a thumbs up.
Denver Nuggets
Of all the teams New Jersey’s this season this one is by far my favorite. It features a yellow base which is weird for the Nuggets because that color has always been an outline and never the base of a jersey. Then it Pays homage to the 80’s Alex English era of basketball with the Denver skyline along the rocky mountains. These Jersey’s although they are alternate’s and will only be worn 17 times this year get a 10 out of 10 thumbs up. It looks to be an exciting year of basketball in the city of Denver this year. Ty Lawson during the unveiling of the new jersey boldy proclaimed his team as “The team to beat” in the western conference. I’m definetly rooting for Ty and the Nuggets and look forward to watching them play in the new swagged out jersey’s
New York Knicks
Of all the jersey’s that made changes this offseason the Knicks made the least amount any changes to the jersey’s. They Basically took out any black outlines they once had in the jersey’s. it looks more like the team’s jerseys from the Walter Frazier days I guess that’s what they were going for. In my humble opinion though I feel like they just wanted a revenue stream to combat what the nets did.
San Antonio Spurs
I really don’t like these because when you have won multiple championships and are known as a dynasty in basketball why mess with something great seriously. I’m so happy these are alternates.
Since 1946 the Knicks have always been New York's team but with playoff struggles the last decade plus and no championship since 1973 the New York Knickerbockers have competition with their new crosstown rival the Brooklyn Nets. The franchise formely located in New Jersey was always viewd as the #2 in the NY area basketball team despite more recent success then the Knicks Manhattans squad always hogged the spotlight. Then the Nets relocated to the borrough known as Brooklyn and have already made some noise staking they’re claim as NY’s basketball team and the heart of the city. With the free agent signings of All-Stars Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Gerald Wallace and big men Kris Humpries and Brook Lopez the Nets will have a starting 5 capable of beating anybody in the league let alone the Knicks. The Nets seem to have resembled they’re owner Jay-z in the way they talk and convey themselves. For example newly aquired shooting guard Joe Johnson said when asked about who he thinks the best team in the big apple is “the Nets definetly the Nets” strong words for a player who on a team who hasn’t played a single game yet. Knicks superstar Carmelo Anthony responded b saying “I hear they’re trash talking but we will be ready for the challenge. The trash talking Dosen’t just stop at the players Brooklyn borrugh president Marty Markowitz said “ For nearly 40 years the Manhattan Knicks have shown the can’t bring a championship to NYC, so it’s up to the Brooklyn Nets to get it done”. He would later continue expressing himself by saying “ Move over Manhattan, you have had your chance”. The strong words should stir up feelings and city pride between players and fans alike lets compare different aspects of city’s, teams and player match ups.
The Citys
Manhattan: Home to central park, Times square and the empire state building. Manhattan is home to just under 1.7 million people and a tourist destination for millions of other people around the world. When New York is talked about as a big city with bright lights Manhattan is the center of it all. From Wall street to Madison Square Garden Manhattan is a place of attraction and endless fun for everybody. Manhattan is home to our countrys largest library and home to the ever popular Grand Central Train station which has appeared in countless movies and television shows. Manhattan is also the birthplace to my mom and is the definition of what a “glits and glamour” city looks like. Manhattan has also shot several TV shows like "Seinfeld" and "Friends" just too name a few. Whether you are a tourist,actor or even a pro Basketball player this is where you want to be.
Brooklyn: A much different city BK is New Yorks most populated borrough at about 2.5 million people. Brooklyn is home too Coney island, the 4th of july hot dog eating contest, botanical gardens and an incredible influence on Hip-hop music and culture. This borrugh dose not have the “big city ,bright lights” that Manhattan has but it is a place where many immigrants come to live and make home in. The city has churned out many hip-hop artists like Jay-Z, Biggie Smalls, Talib kweli and Busta Rhymes. BK is also home to one of the nations biggest art collections located in the Brooklyn library. It also is home too the world famous Brooklyn academy of music which has hosted musical acts like Paul Simon, Robert Redford and the Jimmy Kimmel show just too name a few famous people who have stepped foot into the bk landmark. Spike Lee (who ironically roots for the knicks) is a Brooklyn native and film director who shot the classic film “Do the right thing” in the Bedford-Stuyvesant housing projects located in Brooklyn.
Teams
New York Knicks
Walt Frazier, Bernard King, Allan Houston, Patrick Ewing those are some of the many names that hold a special place in the MSG rafters and Knick fans hearts. The franchise won world championships in 1970 and 1973 but has failed too do so since. In 1999 the Knicks fell short of becoming the first 8th seeded team in NBA history to win a championship when they lost to David Robinson, Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs in 5 games in the 1999 NBA finals. The Knicks began play in 1946. Madison Square Garden has been the Knicks home since 1968 and is the second oldest arena in the NBA behind the Golden State Warriors venue- Oracle arena. It is often reffered too as “the mecca of basketball” due to its high amount of unforgettable NBA and College basketball moments. Manhattaners have always supported this team regardless of how good or bad the record was. The Knicks last season were a straight soap opera with injuries too Carmelo,Amare stoudimeire and the firing of coach Mike D’antoni the knicks looked like they weren’t going to even qualify for the playoffs, then “Linsanity” happened. With the Knicks not even in the 8th seed the MSG faithful let the boo’s rain down on a nightly basis with the inconsistent play. When Jeremy Lin took the floor he would take NYC by storm and lead the Knicks to an 18-6 record down the stretch to secure the 8th seed in the playoffs. He gave NYC many memorable moments with 38 points and 7 assists in a win vs. Kobe Bryant and the L.A Lakers at MSG and 27 points and 11 assists vs. Toronto which he hit a buzzer beater 3 pointer in which sent the predominantly asian Raptor crowd into a frenzy. The Knicks had a great run but with Lin, Baron Davis and Rookie Iman Shmpert all sidelined with injuries the Knicks would lose in 5 games to the eventual world champs the Miami Heat.
Brooklyn Nets
Often viewed as the awkward step cousin of NYC hoops in New Jersey the Nets have a new look, arena, energy surrounding the team like they have never experienced . With the sparkling new Barclay's Center in the heart of BK the Nets are looking to create a buzz and stake they’re claim as New Yorks team. With the signings of Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Gerald Wallace, Kris Humpries, and Brook Lopez the Nets will posses a starting 5 more then capable of matching up with the Knicks. The Nets are trying to do more then win the battle of NY but win the battle vs. the whole league and become champions someday. Trash talking and a cocky attitude really has showcased and embodied what Brooklyn streetball is and by possessing a certain type of swagger the nets will rep BK very well. Joe Johnson recently came out and said “Brooklyn Nets have to have swag and it starts with confidence”. Make what you want of that statement but he is trying to forge an identity between the city of Brooklyn and the players on the Nets roster. The nets have raised the flag and made Brooklyn their territory, when its time to lace up the shoes they have to play with confidence and heart. I like the black and white color scheme of the Nets jersey because that’s how I believe a lot of people from Brooklyn are black and white from the way they view things so if this team plays well then recognition will come but if they struggle im sure Brooklynites will be sure to let em know. So its time too say HELLO BROOKLYN!!! But how many times will we say HELLO VICTORY?!
The Fans
This the most intresting aspect of this newly developing rivalry. Im sure many Knicks fans used to reside in BK but many have converted into Nets fans. However im also sure that regardless of location that many Knicks fans will hold true to their alliance to the Knicks. One person who’s a Brooklyn native is a actor/director/Knicks diehard fan Spike Lee who has stated many times that even though he is a native of Brooklyn he will remain a Knicks fan which too many people isn’t a surprise at all. Spike Lee has been with the Knicks win or lose and his love for the team is so deeply rooted that he could be the mascot for the Knicks (just ask Reggie Miller). Im sure that with the Nets in Brooklyn that many people will have debates too who should root for what team and I believe that it will cause a lot of civic pride in the fans and the borroughs in which they live. You may have a family who has 3 generations of Knicks fans and all of the sudden the younger generation breaks that cycle and becomes a Brooklyn Nets fan. Its stuff like that that I believe will make this rivalry exciting the fact that you may have rivalrys between fans within family’s. One person who has become a BK nets fan already is multi-platinum artist Busta Rhymes who was spotted at the Brooklyn hip hop festival wearing the ever popular black t-shirt with the Brooklyn Nets logo that reads in white letters “Hello Brooklyn”. Im sure with NY being a hoops crazy city this rivalry certainly wont lack passion or enthusiasim. Another thing I have thought about how many Brooklyn fans will go to Manhattan and how many Manhattan fans will go to Brooklyn? Although MSG and Barclays center will be 2 very enticing arenas to catch some basketball which fan base will make a bigger impact in the other teams opposing arena? Brooklynites have used strong words Marty Markowitz Brooklyn borrough president called it “treason” for any Brooklyn nites to be rooting for the Knicks come November. He also makes a comparison to citizens of Brooklyn to Manhattan he says Manhattan residents are “primp, promper, classy and impeccably dressed” when talking about Bkers he say “we are scrappy, unfraid to speak our minds and we wear our hearts on our sleeves”. He also said “MSG dosent have the same sparkle now that Barclays Center is in town”. Strong words from the Bk president hopefully his team plays up too his words.
The Matchups
The starting 5 between these two teams is gonna have a lot of interesting match ups so lets take a look and break down the match ups.
New York Knicks
PG: Raymond Felton
SG: Iman Shumpert
SF: Carmelo Anthony
PF; Amare Stoudemire
C: Tyson Chandler
Brooklyn Nets
PG: Deron Williams
SG: Joe Johnson
SF: Gerald Wallace
PF: Kris Humpries
C: Brook Lopez
These are 2 pretty good starting fives even though im sure Knicks fans would object to that due to the fact that Jeremy Lin is now a Houston Rocket but I honestly think people forget how good Raymond Felton was for the half a season he played for the knicks he was playing like an All-star point guard before the trade for melo happened. I think that him coming back is the best thing for him its gonna motivate him to come into camp in shape unlike last year because NY is where he truly wanted to be. Raymond isn’t expected to out play a guy like Deron Williams but if he takes care of the basketball and can take care of the basketball and return to form he will give the knicks more then a fighting chance in beating their crosstown rivals.
At the 2 guard postion we have 6 time All-star Joe Johnson vs. Scrappy sophmore guard Iman Shumpert. Now while this match up would look like a definte edge to Joe due to his scoring ability don’t sleep on the young kid outta georiga tech he showed many times last year he can be a difference maker on defense and his toughness and agressiveness could get the better of J.J but because of his scoring ability you got to give the edge to Johnson.
The match up at the small forward position is easily the most interesting on one end you have Carmelo Anthony one of the leagues most purest scorers. On the other end you have Gerald Wallace a tough grity physical speciman who plays his heart out on the defensive end and in my opinion he will become a fan favorite and the embodiment of what Brooklyn Basketball is about. It will be interesting for me as a basketball fan too see how Melo and his jab step work against Wallace and his smothering wing defense four times a year when they play each other. I give the slight edge to Melo for a few reasons one he is a star and may get bailed out a few times and two he is one of the few guys in our game who can truly score at will no matter who the defender is.
The power forward match up is really a toss up between Amare Stoudemeire and Kris Humpries while Amare is a NBA all star Kris Humpries is unknowingly too most one of the best rebounders and double double guys in our game. Amare doesn’t always maintain a high intensity on the defensive end and sometimes checks out of games so depending on which Amare we see ill give the edge because of rebounding ability to Kris Humpries but Amare can always be an impact player as long as he just shuts his mouth and plays the game.
Last but not least our matchup at the 5 position features 2011-2012 defensive player of the year Tyson Chandler and skilled but injury plagued big men Brook Lopez. This is the x-factor match up Chandler is arguably the most dynamic defensive player in the league his intensity can rub off on teamates and help the team win just look at the 2011 playoffs. Lopez when healthy is a top 5 center in the NBA but in order for th nets to go as far as they want he will need to stay healthy and play like he is capable of. Even though Brook can stretch the floor and shoot the ball as well as any big men ill give the edge to Tyson Chandler just because of his intensity and toughness I feel like he would impose his will on the fragile Lopez but if brook develops watch out NYK.
Final thoughts
Overall I will give the Brooklyn Nets the advantage over the Knicks, they have to much star power and presence on the boards. The Knicks would struggle on the glass which would lead to a lot of 2nd chance points for the nets. Also the diversity of the Nets offense would be too much to handle with the playmaking ability of Wiliams, Slashing of Wallace and ability to strecth the floor with guys like Lopez and Johnson the Knicks would have a hard time defending them and that’s hard enough for a team that overall isn’t the strongest defensively. Towards the later stages of the game I feel that Melo will have too much of the burden on his shoulder to put the team on his back and against a team With the nets skill level that will be a tough task in the 4th quarter. All in all I think this rivalry is just what the NBA needs because it lacks true rivalrys today like it had in the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s. What better stage then New York to have 2 teams fight it out for the right to be called the heart of the city?
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