Knicks Know When to Jump

Hey y'all! Tonight the New York Knicks square off against the Dallas Mavericks. I will be in attendance at Madison Square Garden to view this battle firsthand. Here's my thoughts on the Knicks season so far, as well as a little preview of the game that features the only undefeated team in the NBA, as well as an offense that averages scoring the second-most points in the league.


Here we stand, only a few games into the young NBA season. The Knicks have a perfect 3-0 record, boast the best defense in the league allowing an average of 85 points per game, and own the third-best total offense putting up an average of 105 points per contest. Does this surprise some people? It's only a couple games into the year, but NBA legend Charles Barkley may be a little surprised at what these old fellas in Knicks uniforms can do on the court.


Right after the Knicks signed Marcus Camby (who is making his season debut tonight against the Mavs) and Jason Kidd, Barkley exclaimed, "What year is this?" And continued with "[The Knicks] went out and got 92-year-old Jason Kidd and 92-year-old Marcus Camby."


The Knicks have run through the reigning champion Miami Heat, and made the Philadelphia 76ers look like a garbage team. Of course, haters out there can claim that the two wins against Philly aren't as good as they appear because Andrew Bynum did not appear in either contest, and Jason Richardson left the first game due to an injury.


However, the Knicks have won the games on their schedule. What more would you like them to do than win each of their first three games by an average margin of 20 points? Everyone understands that the Knicks are old. But with age comes wisdom. They may not jump as high as the other team, but the Knicks know when to jump.

Jason Kidd has provided the Knicks with knowledge at the point guard position unlike any other season in recent memory. Raymond Felton in his second stint with the Knicks looks like the Raymond Felton under Mike D'Antoni's system a couple years ago. Defensive-minded additions in Kurt Thomas and Ronnie Brewer have given the Knicks a mold that is similar to the 1990's Knicks. They're tough. They play defense. They rebound. They share the ball. They grind it out. They'll foul you hard. And they'll win.


Tonight, I expect a hard-fought game between the Knicks and Mavericks. The Mavs are without two of their best players: Dirk Nowitzki and Shawn Marion. Despite the loss of those two vets, the Mavs sport a 4-1 record and have been a cohesive unit thus far to start the year. Knicks' coach Mike Woodson has discussed the possibility of going with a bigger starting lineup tonight as the Mavs have a big front line in Chris Kaman and Elton Brand. To begin the year, Woodson has had Kidd play shooting guard, allowing the Knicks to have two floor generals on the floor at the same time.


Look for a close game tonight. I feel the Knicks continue their hot start to the season with another victory tonight. Kidd and Tyson Chandler face their former team that they won a Championship for back in the 2010-2011 season. Players facing former teams usually get up, elevate their game, and rise up to the occassion.


Prediction: Knicks win 106-98

#Knickstape

-David Otero

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