Category: New York Knicks Blog

The New York Knicks need all the help they can get. They’re off to a disappointing start, and what’s worse is that the strength of schedule they’ve faced so far is on the very weak side of things. In other words, they’ve played lots of unimpressive teams, and still done quite badly. Now, the team is adjusting to a new system, and several key new players, one of which has yet to suit up this regular season. That man, point guard Jose Calderon, is now reportedly ready to dive into action. Here’s the New York Post reporting:

The Knicks need their European invasion to exceed expectations.

The 3-10 Knicks are expected to welcome Jose Calderon and Andrea Bargnani onto the floor for the first time this season on Saturday when the Sixers, winless going into Friday’s matchup with the Suns, limp into the Garden.

Calderon was the key piece in the six-player trade that sent Tyson Chandler to Dallas, while Bargnani will be trying to prove he can be more than a bust in two countries.

When Phil Jackson then Derek Fisher were brought in, the hope was Bargnani, the former Raptors’ No. 1 pick, could thrive in the triangle offense. That was put on hold with the 7-foot Italian sidelined by a strained hamstring suffered in the preseason opener.

Iman Shumpert aims to cut down on fouls

The New York Knicks are off to a 3-8 start this season. It’s disappointing, but with radical changes in their approach (especially on offense) it was presumed that the team would struggle early on. While the team is limited roster-wise, they still should get better as time goes on. As for key guard Iman Shumpert, his offense is improved this season. Now he just has to avoid fouls. Here’s the New York Post reporting:

Knicks combo guard Iman Shumpert is targeting to return from a sore hip Tuesday night against the Bucks after missing Sunday’s game and has one mission – cut down on fouls.

Ironically, Shumpert has been better on offense than on defense – his usual staple – partly due to excessive fouling.

Shumpert has excelled in the triangle offense: He is averaging 12.4 points and leads the team in shooting percentage at 50.5 percent. He’s also averaging 3.2 assists. Those are nice numbers for a guy looking for a new contract in July when he becomes a free agent for the first time.

But the defensive guard out of Georgia Tech has not been as demonic on the other side of the ball.

The New York Knicks are adjusting to some offseason roster changes, a new coach, a new system (especially on offense), and then there’s the issue of simply needing better players — something that will be seriously addressed in free agency in the summer of 2015. So, they’re off to a rough start to the 2014-15 season, which began a little over two weeks ago. It’s not a surprise. They’ll probably get better in the coming weeks. As for now, here’s the latest, from New York Newsday:

Carmelo Anthony was on the right wing, asking for the ball with the final seconds winding down. But J.R. Smith didn’t want to force the ball to him and instead hoisted a long three-pointer.

Smith’s shot was long and wide left, hitting the other side of the backboard, and the Knicks’ losing streak continued. It’s up to six after a 97-95 loss to the Magic Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.

“I thought this was a game we could have went out there and got, kind of get that monkey off our back,” Anthony said. “So this is a tough one to swallow. We have to bounce back from this.”

Anthony shot 10-for-17 and led the Knicks (2-7) with 27 points after spending nearly 10 minutes on the bench in the second half in foul trouble. But he was on the floor at closing time, which is when he wants the ball and tries to earn his $124-million contract.

Here’s the New York Post reporting on Knicks forward Andrea Bargnani, who continues to be unable to help the team as he slowly — very slowly — recovers from his latest injury:

Andrea Bargnani said he’s not sure when he will return from a right hamstring strain and admitted he’s frustrated by the injury.

When two reporters from Italy interviewed him after he spoke to the New York media for the first time since being shut down Oct. 9, he said in Italian he underwent an MRI exam on Tuesday, but didn’t say what it revealed.

That Bargnani had an MRI exam reveals the Knicks are surprised his injury hasn’t healed yet. When he missed the Oct. 11 game at the Mohegan Sun, Knicks coach Derek Fisher indicated he could’ve played if it were the regular season.