At least according to this guy... http://www.sportingnews.com/voices/fans_view/20010731.html NBA fan Mustafa Abdul-Baatin analyzes the Knicks' roster and explains why this team is a legitimate title contender. Don't underestimate the Knicks' title chances July 31, 2001 Here is my positional analysis of the Knicks: Point guard: Mark Jackson is "the master", continuing only in the shadow of a John Stockton aura and his well deserved hype. He is teaching Charlie Ward (former starting football quarterback) the final lessons he needs to reach his full potential at this position. They are a one-two punch that will not be stopped, and they will pass in, over and around this new NBA zone defense rule. Combined, they can run full speed for 48 minutes over the next three years, even as Charlie gets more minutes in the future. And don't forget that Muggsy Bougues (the little master) also is assisting in the training of Ward. Then, there is Latrell Sprewell at point guard when the Knicks go with a big lineup. Shooting guard: Allan Houston is the best shooting guard in basketball and will prove it with the new rules that turn the NBA into a shooters' league. The $100 million salary puts him under a national leadership spotlight, and I believe he has the character to produce big time. His character, faith, attitude, public demeanor, style, family-man example, class and humility are the qualities needed to be broadcasted and rewarded before NBA fans, players and the public. I predict Houston will average 23 to 28 points a season for the next five years and project the winning attitude, leadership, class and style the Knicks represent to the world. Multi-position: Glen Rice is the next-best shooter in the NBA after Houston. Now that he knows the Knicks' system and style of play, look out. I put him in this category because I hope Jeff Van Gundy moves him around. As a backup in the two, three and four positions, the Knicks can take advantage of his shooting, ability in the paint and yet to be appreciated defensive skills. This will help keep all Knicks legs fresh and confuse defenses that won't know who to double-team. Small forward: Sprewell represents the heart and soul of the Knicks and has the speed, total skills package and determination to back it up. Basketball fans everywhere now respect and love "Spree." He is one of the modern-day sports heroes from this new generation. He came back from a power establishment-inspired, media lynching to win the admiration and respect of fans and public everywhere. For the next several years, Sprewell will be the team leader because he wants the rings and satisfaction of a complete comeback. Clearing and establishing his name in basketball history will drive him to be one of the greatest players this game has ever seen. Larry Johnson and Clarence Weatherspoon are backups. Johnson has evolved from "Grand Mama" to "Grand Papa" of this team. He needs to move to small forward and back up Sprewell by using his outstanding offensive skills and power. Weatherspoon should be the defensive, rebounding specialist when it's time to pound a team that's behind. If Larry can stay healthy, he is a bona fide force in the paint, and slipping underneath the new "zone" defense should be his forte. Double teams on Houston and Rice will leave Johnson open with fast rotation. And the 3-pointers and jump shots from 10-15 feet are still dangerous to the opposition. As Van Gundy said in a press conference, "I'd rather have too much than not enough." Power forward: Kurt Thomas and Othella Harrington (and some Larry Johnson) are a one-two punch that will rise to the top this year. Kurt's toughness and defensive skills are now fine-tuned and controlled. The shocking part, which the opposing teams will not be able to handle, is his shooting ability as a former national collegiate scoring leader. The entire Knick team now has confidence in Thomas from anywhere within 15 feet. Harrington, a four-year starting Georgetown center, was nicknamed the "Black Hole" in Vancouver because he went to the hoop when in the paint and shot very well. Now that he knows the system, look for him to share time at this position and as a backup center. Othella, Kurt and Larry will have 18 fouls to give if anybody comes into the paint. The new rule of a reduction in touch fouls helps their defensive dominance. Utilizing the strength that all three men possess will allow them to muscle through the hacks. Little will be lost from foul trouble as they keep each other's legs fresh and exploit the double teams on Houston, Rice and Sprewell. Center: Marcus Camby, Travis Knight, Luc Longley, Harrington and Thomas. If Camby stays healthy and focused, get the championship rings ready now, before preseason. Nobody at this position is faster, quicker or able to turn the emotional tide and momentum of a game like Marcus. He is a defensive master, and his jump-shooting and dribbling skills are constantly improving. I pray for Longley's good health because he, Knight, Harrington and Thomas need to wear some of the big opposing centers down first for Camby to be dominant. Camby should not play more than 30 minutes and should be fresh to receive bullet passes from Jackson and Ward. Knight is the X-factor. He practiced every day against Shaq when in LA, got a ring and has to come into his own -- right now. Constant rotation at this position, with an emphasis on Marcus being at full speed and strength in the clutch, should be the focus. Conclusion A major key to the Knicks' success will be substitutions galore, which will equal 48 minutes of fresh legs. There is more talent on this team than the Portland Trailblazers had last year before they self-destructed. The difference is the Knicks are a class team with level-headed veterans at all positions. They are on a mission. However, Van Gundy has to get everybody in the game to avert the "not enough minutes personality disaster syndrome." If he does this, the Knicks will run and pound the opposition into the floor. Van Gundy cannot do a Pat Riley with these Knicks; a seven- to eight-man rotation is unacceptable. It must be a 10- or even a 12-man rotation because there is more than enough talent at every position. The Knicks need to run and use fast breaks to keep the opposition from trying gang up in the paint and post. Even if the fast break is not for the quick score -- but to set up a play -- it will make the defense hustle back and think twice about crashing the boards. The Knicks' speed and passing ability can accomplish this easily. Then comes the liberal second-team substitutions of first-team-qualified backups. Most games should be over at halftime. These Knicks will be denied no longer. I know we're homers, but this cracked me up . ------------------ Raef Raef, he's our man... [This message has been edited by haven (edited August 01, 2001).]
Yup. Better than this guy in LA who can fricken dominate games... please. don't make me laugh oooouuut looooouuuud. ------------------ Long Live The Catomic Bomb. DON'T TRADE DOTEL!
Yeah...and Kelvin Cato will be the most dominating center next year. ------------------ Baseball is wrong, a man with four balls can't walk.
Harrington, a four-year starting Georgetown center, was nicknamed the "Black Hole" in Vancouver because he went to the hoop when in the paint and shot very well. Oh yeah. That's why he was called the black hole alright. Nothing to do with his Yinka Dare-like passing ability. ------------------ I'm so amazingly cool you could keep a side of meat in me for a month. I am so hip that I have difficulty seeing over my pelvis.
I predict Houston will average 23 to 28 points a season for the next five years $100 million for 23-28 points a SEASON?!?!? WTF? Dayam. Think what Sean Colson should be making..... ------------------ "I have no regrets except that I wasn't up to keep Randy from getting on that plane." --Ozzy Osbourne on guitarist Randy Rhodes
Don't ever listen with a straight face to a guy named Mustafa Abdul-Baatin talk about basketball. ------------------
This is so funny to read - Mark Jackson and Charlie Ward = a 1-2 punch that can't be stopped? Bwahahahahahaaaahaaaa It's a shame we can't get this into the rockets forum where more people would read it. ------------------ Looks like the Sniper's aim was off....
How does he seriously expect Houston to score 23-28ppg next season? Just because the defense is changing doesn't mean that players won't guard players anymore - if Houston averaged 21ppg last season then there is every reason to expect that he could score that again, but up to 28??? Where does he get that? Just because a zone is legal doesn't make the 'old' defense illegal - if Houston is torching teams for 28/ night then I'd recommend teams play straight up man on the Knicks - that obviously works to stop him.
What a moron!! The term "black hole" has been used in basketball often, and it's only had ONE connotation -- when you pass it in, it's not coming back out (see Kevin Willis). Sports Illustrated called Kevin Willis "The Black Hole of the NBA" in an issue a few years ago, and it was so true -- he had like 1 assist per season.
He is right about one thing: The Knicks need to run more. A LOT more. They could be a much better team if they got away from that slow, boring, halfcourt pace that is forced on them. Contenders? No, but they would be better, and maybe even *gasp* fun to watch!
The Knicks will be lucky if they are able to get out of the first round next year. They are in trouble because they have too many 2/3's and not many good 4/5's.
It's just too bad how much time and effort this guy wasted on one of the dumbest things I've ever read.
....huh?? If the Knicks win and no one is watching because they have fallen asleep, is it still a win??
I find it sad that the Sporting News had nothing better to put up on their site than that article. Truly jaded, he is.
HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHHEHEHEHEEE HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA HOHOHHOOHHOOOHOHOHOHOOHOHOHHOHOOO "The Knicks will be denied no longer." That was so profound. Have you seen the movie Highlander?
