Knicks in over their heads vs. best in East
GREENBURGH, N.Y. - Before heading to Florida last week, the Knicks considered their games against the Heat and Magic as a "where we're at" gauge, a way to measure themselves against the Eastern Conference's elite.
Mike D'Antoni said Saturday that his team has exceeded the expectations he had in October. But despite demonstrating plenty of spunk, what the Knicks showed on the road trip is that they aren't at the level of the cream of the East, that they don't quite measure up. Literally, too.
The 112-103 loss to the Magic on Thursday, in particular, exposed the Knicks' most glaring weakness. Dwight Howard personally took care of that. The lack of a starting-caliber center was vividly demonstrated by Howard's 24 points and 18 rebounds and Amar'e Stoudemire's foul trouble.
"How many teams does Dwight Howard give trouble?" D'Antoni said. "That's why he's Dwight Howard . . . Where we got beat is our defense wasn't real solid, we turned the ball over and had a bad second quarter."
Valid points, certainly. But it hasn't just been Howard. The Knicks are giving up 47.6 points per game in the paint (29th in the NBA), about 13 points more than the Magic gives up. That's partially a result of Stoudemire and Wilson Chandler being undersized and out of position at center and power forward.
The Knicks began the season with 7-1 Timofey Mozgov at center, but he's been hampered by his lack of experience. Despite injuries, the 6-10 Ronny Turiaf has played well, but he logged only six minutes against the Magic.
All this hasn't been lost on team president Donnie Walsh. He said the Knicks' outside shooting from the power forwards is somewhat of a counter to their lack of size, but he acknowledged that size is almost a prerequisite for advancement in the postseason.
"I'm conscious of it," he said. "I'm watching to see if there's something we can do personnel-wise. For the center position, I'd prefer shot-blocking and rebounding. That's what you'll have to have in the playoffs . . . If there's a guy out there we can get that can man that position, we're looking for it."
The Knicks have another tall order Sunday: dealing with the Pacers' Roy Hibbert. The 7-2 center is having a breakout season, averaging 13.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.9 blocks.
"You do the best you can on him," said D'Antoni, adding that the top priority is limiting Danny Granger. "[Hibbert] will score some points and get some offensive rebounds, but by playing the way we want to play, if we do that well, we'll beat them."
Notes & quotes: Raymond Felton had his left hand taped after yesterday's practice and described it as "a little sore" but said it shouldn't affect him Sunday . . . Mozgov was kicked in the leg during practice and left early with a bruised right shin . . . Walsh, who had hip surgery in November, said his health is improving. "Pretty soon I won't be using the walker; I'll be using a cane and walking," he said. "There's no exact timetable, but I know from my body that I'm very close."
