I'm not too surprised about this one but I was hoping they could pull it out. I have to admit I'm not watching these games without JLin. However, I'm actually happy that Melo seems to be getting his rhythm back as we'll need his scoring to make this playoff push.
Let's remember, no matter what Melo's or Woodson's feelings are on JLin, if they want to win they need him. If Woodson wants to keep his job, if Melo wants to make the playoffs, they need Jeremy as their starting point guard.
Also, let's all take a deep breath and relax about Jeremy missing a few games. He has a sore knee and is resting it until he feels close to 100%. Do you remember Melo being out for close to 10 games with a groin injury? Jared Jeffries has been out for over a few weeks with a sore knee as well. Derrick Rose has been day to day for a few weeks too. Relax...don't worry...be happy...
This is nothing like what we long time Lin fans had to endure last year when we were just hoping and praying he would even suit up or get in for a few minutes behind A.C. Law. Even earlier this year, watching him on the bench behind Bibby was just excruciating. Guys, just have a little patience and give our boy a little time to heal, this is just a small speed bump.
With all that's happened since Lin-sanity, Jeremy is still in the top 10 of all point guards in PER. With his minutes likely limited for the rest of the season, he may drop a few spots further by the end of the season.
Lastly, Jeremy having lunch with the ESPN editor who was fired over the derogatory headline, shows you that his impact goes far beyond just the basketball court. He is teaching us about things more important than even sports, he is teaching us to be more compassionate and forgiving.
Jeremy was wearing a very big pad over his left knee. Looks like one of those face hugging things from the 'Alien' movies. LOL.
ReplyDeleteI doubt it would have made a difference if he were in the game. The Knicks did not get beat by point guard play. Joe Johnson was having his way in the paint, they had no answer for him, especially against Harrelson and Novak. Amare was not in the game to defend him.
I wish that the Knicks could have picked up J.J. Hickson off waivers to be their backup PF. He's putting up big numbers for the Blazers.
I'm sure Lin would have made a huge difference, because he could score points, get to the line during crunch time, and get Novak involved.
DeleteBaron Davis committed numerous foolish unforced errors right at beginning of game (seems like he is hell bent on trying to create his own wave of Linsanity, for himself, by trying to create highlight reel passes, instead of simple, fundamentally sound ones).
DeleteI think Jeff Teague was beating Davis badly off dribble, so defense was breaking down right there.
Plus, most importantly, at about 4 or 5 minute mark of fourth quarter, right when Knicks had cut lead to 2, that is when they needed Lin's dribble drive penetration, either for clutch shooting or clutch free throws. Melo did do a great workhorse of the offense job to keep them somewhat in game, but they needed Lin to close out game, just like Indiana and Philly games before.
Baron Davis going back to run second unit will probably also really improve their effectiveness, as Bibby seems totally impotent out there (absolutely no attempt at dribble drive penetration and second unit becomes stand around perimeter jump shooting team).
Hahahaha, Thud... Thud... Thud... the sound of humility from the arrogants, who thought they wouldn't need Lin anymore.
ReplyDeleteI've not seen the game. However, looking at the boxscore, the following is my view of the game.
Woodymelo actually performed VERY WELL, with 36 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks - no doubt another *motivated* performance without Lin. But because the Knicks lost, I've synthesized it to mean that woodymelo was an excessive ball-hog and tried to make it a one-man show.
In the Knicks' loss, they have just 2 double-digit scorers: Woodymelo with HUGE 36 points and Shumpert with 25 points (the next highest score is by Fields with 7). The highest assist was only 4 points by BDavis (along with 4 points) in 24 minutes.
Compare that with the Celtics who have now overtaken the Atlantic division. In their win today, they have 4 double-digit scorers (12, 17, 21, 25) and Rondo has 17 assists.
I miss Renaldo Balkman.
ReplyDeleteI know that fans booed Isiah Thomas for drafting him with a #20 pick. Actually it was Larry Brown who noticed Balkman due to his MVP performances en route to the NIT title. I remember Greg Anthony saying that Isiah had wasted the pick on Balkman and Isiah calling Anthony a bad NBA player. I agreed with Isiah about Balkman having real NBA potential.
Balkman was called a "poor man's Shawn Marion" by observers. I called him "The Matrix Reloaded" in honor of Marion's "Matrix" nickname. I felt that Balkman would be a good starting role player on a team that doesn't play much defense but has ballhog scorers (sort of like Lin's old GS team with Curry and Ellis).
I hope Renaldo Balkman gets another NBA chance. He'll never be even an average offensive player, but he could become a solid swing defender and offensive lane filler on a team like Phoenix that has Steve Nash to throw perfect passes to him.
Yeah, I have no idea why the Knicks waived Balkman and kept Tony Douglas, who is a small guard with outside shooting (barely). At least Reynaldo was a shooter at 6'-7" who can also rebound, block shots, and get to the rim.
DeleteBesides Melo, the Knicks have no real small forward.
Jeremy Lin the TRUTH!
ReplyDeletehttp://nbabigblogger.blogspot.com.au/
I hope they can win vs Cavs otherwise it will be tough to get into playoffs.
ReplyDeleteI'm 99% certain the Knicks will win vs Cavaliers; it's at home; it's an easy team at the moment.... Still, I don't think they can make the playoffs now - don't deservce to.
DeleteA report said that Jeremy suffered the current Knee injury on March 16th vs the Pacers during the second half. The "overuse" & "soreness" descriptions could be referring to the fact that the Knicks forced Lin to play subsequent four(4) more games! !!($&@#!?! No wonder Lin's injury got far worse; one report said he needs a surgery. And they mentioned doing the MRI just yesterday!? And they are delaying the result!
Anyway, in the 2 home games without Lin (March 24th vs Bucks & 26th vs Orlando), the Knicks were on fire to "prove" (but for how long ?) to the world that they don't really need Lin on the team, that he is just a nice luxury to have (not an exaggeration... motive is potent, and look at the stats from their averages acc to news). In so doing (the overkill effort), right after those two games, Chandler now added a groin injury (while his wrist is better) and woodymelo aggravated his groin injury. Geez, maybe W should have pushed his players to give 150% and not 200%.
NOW.... as speculated by many of us here, now that the Knicks have lost one game without Lin (2-1), they are already *planning to* force Lin to play 2 ROAD games against TOUGHER teams (after they play one more game without Lin against the EASY team, Cavaliers, in front of home crowd).... I hope Lin doesn't play until at least 95%, which may mean next year for the Lakers or the Heat
1. WHY are the Knicks reportedly denying/banning Jeremy Lin from speaking with the media? His knee injury sounds vague and they won't let him talk. Either Woodson wants to keep Lin on the bench to play Baron Davis more, or Lin is actually hurt more than thought and the Knicks don't want their ratings and attendance to nose dive, since most fans are NOT interested in watching selfish, no movement, no passing old Knicks basketball.
ReplyDelete2. Lin is a class act for sure, but he has to be aware of the hostile environment around this country. There are a LOT of people who thought the ESPN firing was ridiculous, that saying "c---k" was no big deal, and they will use Lin's lunch as evidence that it really wasn't offensive or a big deal, and just more unfair politically correct firings that had no basis.
3. Lin's class act on the court has hurt him too. A month ago Lin was hit on the court and a flagrant foul was called on a player. Lin said post-game it wasn't a flagrant, basically making the refs look bad. Lin was talking with good intentions, but it clearly pissed the refs off and ever since then Lin has taken viscious head and body hits every game oftentimes with NO fouls called for him.
Jeremy Lin is a nice guy but he goes out of his way to do things that end up hurting him and being used/twisted by others in a non-friendly manner.
Legitimate questions these are. Here are my speculations:
Delete1. Jeremy Lin is probably the one who doesn't want to talk to the media. My guess is that he wants the focus to be on the players that are actually playing in the game. Plus, Lin's knee is probably good enough to play on but bad enough to risk a season ending injury for.
2. The writer of the "chink in the armor' headline DID publicly apologize and show remorse. Lin rewarded that by accepting the apology. A lot of other people like Jason Whitlock haven't apologized, and Lin isn't taking them out to lunch.
3. I don't think that the refs have it out for Lin. Rather he is a new player who is so quick and athletic that he often moves too quickly for unfamiliar refs to blow the whistle for. There is an entire art practiced in the NBA of grandstanding on offense to draw fouls, and Lin shall learn it eventually. Given the amount of complaining that people do about refs, I seriously doubt Jeremy Lin's "flagrant" comment even registered. Also, Lin is starting to work the refs while also bouncing up to challenge guys that come after him.
People are going to twist Jeremy Lin's actions for racial reasons. However, that shouldn't and won't stop Lin from continuing to do the right thing. So far, Lin is winning the PR and on court battles because of his quality actions.
These are legitimate questions. Here are my speculations:
Delete1. Lin and the Knicks want the focus to be on the guys actually playing the game.
2. Anthony Federico actually publicly apologized, and so Lin rewarded that. Racists like Jason Whitlock or Floyd Mayweather haven't apologized, and so Lin hasn't taken them out to lunch.
3. I don't feel that the refs necessarily have it out for Lin. He's just an unfamiliar guy who's so quick and athletic that the refs miss calls on. Over time, the calls will come Lin's way.as he learns how to work the refs and they learn how to work him. Maybe Lin might even get the "superstar" calls that allow Kobe Bryant to elbow guys in the head off the triple threat or send Derrick Rose to the line whether he gets fouled or not. The refs know that everybody hates them and probably didn't even notice Lin's comment on the flagrant foul.
The racists are going to hate on Lin regardless of what he does. That shouldn't and won't prevent Lin from doing what's right. Lin is winning the battles in PR and on the basketball court.
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2107952_2107953_2109622,00.html
ReplyDeletePlease vote
Never followed the Knicks ever. Thought they were just a boring team that got alot of tv coverage the past years. Without Lin, i'm back to the same mindset. Funny how that is. Havent checked out any of the games, and probably wont for awhile. Maybe Dolan is sharing the same feelings with fans thats why he's being so sneaky handling the pr on lin's injury. I do question their delay on the mri. If I was the doc I would take immediately esp. When the player had a previous injury and operation. Scratching my head over that one. I would mri lin's head too for any blood clots since he suffered some near concussions and contussions feom the blows. I also worry aboit his frequent nosebleeds. A total physical is needed e esp. With the down time.
ReplyDeleteAnd I am not a doctor by the way, just a lot of common sense stuff. You want a healthy player as your investment right?
DeleteKnicks weren't the only ones who suffered from JLin's absence yesterday. The rotating advertising background signs were all in Chinese. I doubt it was for the local market.
ReplyDeleteBrowsing this morning through any reports on JLin's injury. Intresting everyone is saying the same thing about the mystery of his injury and that it may be more than the Knicks are saying. I can't see Jeremy dodging sports writers not wanting to talk about it unless something more is going on. Call me paranoid but the story about soreness isnt flying anymore. Here's an intresting article.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/lin_hoping_to_return_next_week_from_YplbDCuF8F95Evex1fOnxO
Anyway I hope its really just sorness and not what the article above mentions (loose cartlidge in the knee). The Knicks need him badly.
JLin is god son, will refuse to lie to public, I think it might be some hiding fact under Knicks management, maybe it is not cause by Lin injury(hopefully not)! Maybe it is simple truth - Melo & Woodson want to bench JLin.
DeleteThe actual simplest truth is that a knee injury is difficult to diagnose until it gets so bad that surgery is needed.
DeleteLin is walking around with that huge cast. In pro sports, athletes who are known workaholics like Lin are often fitted with oversized casts to prevent them from working out. Golden State did this with Chris Mullin to force him to rest and.recover instead of working out.
Lin is in the medical grey zone where he's healthy enough to play but not healthy enough to play without serious risk of injuring himself. I commend the Knicks for shutting him down and hopig that the knee can fix itself without treatment.
I even am glad that Lin is sitting on the bench and hanging with the team. That way the Knicks medical staff can monitor him and make sure he doesn't injure himself with "secret" workouts when the team is playing and practicing.
Darn. Lin is done.
DeleteSo much for the speculation.
Well at least they couldn't blame last night's loss on Lin. I think anytime a player misses 4 games in a row(including tonight)it is a cause for concern but the article did say he should be back NO later than next Thursday in Orlando. Hopefully he will look injury free when he comes back. Also, anyone who was proclaiming Baron as the starting pg should be in hiding now since it is obvious the guy is on the downside of his career and is nowhere near how he was in GS. He can still be a great backup for Lin though.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. The 2 biggest conclusions that you can draw from this 4 game stretch is 1- Baron Davis physically cannot handle the big minutes as a starting PG, and 2- the Melo Show is not going to get the Knicks very far.
Delete....and to add to that. It is kind of funny because this seemingly is what Woodson wanted when he took over as head coach. Well he got his wish and now he can plainly see what the results are...and it doesn't look good.
DeleteMaybe it is just Knicks trying to challenge our patience to looking forward JLin games! LOL
ReplyDeleteI will never watch any Knicks games without JLin, I know I am not the only one- Lin has huge fans! Wake up! Woodson
Lets hope Lin won't be out of commission for the entire season! That would be a real bummer. However, I am sure he will take care not to play unless knee is 100% because he wants to have a long NBA career.
ReplyDeleteI am thinking Knicks management isn't saying anything for sure because they don't want to jeopardize ticket sales or folks who might otherwise tune in to watch on TV, plus impact on fans in Taiwan and China would be huge.
It was unfair of a writer to say that Lin was being prima donna to be mum about his injury. I am sure that he is under orders not to speak about it publicly.
#Knicks Injury Update: Jeremy Lin will be out approx 6 weeks after an MRI revealed small chronic meniscus tear. Lin will speak w media soon
ReplyDeleteLin is out six weeks with a meniscus tear in his knee. Thank you NBA lockout and Knicks not having a backup PG.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.dopewar.com
NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! This is just horrible!! From being ok to go on Monday to out for the season??? Bunch of liars keeping us all in the dark just praying for him to come back. Guess they couldn't keep it a secret any longer. This is really depressing news to say the least. I have no need to watch the rest of this Knick season now. :(
DeleteNoooooo!!! was my immediate reaction as well. Agreed, no need to watch the Knicks now. Any ideas on how to deal with Lin withdrawal?
Deletenot sure how I'm gonna deal with the withdrawal but i'm starting to get the shakes already lol. Maybe I'll watch a few Lin highlights every other day to get me through this season into next season. There are 2 positive things I look at regarding this injury.
Delete1. The Knicks will realize how much they need Lin with him gone if they didn't already. Everyone wants to see Lin play even the haters.
2. This is not a career threatening injury and many athletes have recovered fine and relatively quickly after this procedure.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...
ReplyDeleteThey probably gave him a week to rest and see if the tear would heal enough on its own to last the season. But I guess it didn't.
Luckily, it is just a small tear and I think it would be arthroscopic surgery, which is minimally invasive and quicker to heal.
But even if the Knicks make the playoffs, he might not be 100% until the 2nd round. And they're not gonna get there without a healthy J-Lin. Ugh.
Bad news, for the team and the fans. The Knicks without JLin aren't going very far this year. Praying for a total (and quicker than 6 weeks!) recovery.
ReplyDeleteOuch. See http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22130472
ReplyDeleteInteresting that, yesterday, the Suns gave an optimistic spin on Grant Hill's meniscus surgery by saying he might return by the end of the regular season. However, 6 weeks is a typical timeline for recovering from a meniscus surgery.
From Jeremy Lin press conference:
ReplyDeleteMRI performed on Lin after Pistons game on Sat 3/24. Lin knew surgery was inevitable, but didn't know whether surgery was immediately necessary or could be postponed until after the season. Knicks and Lin gave the knee a week of treatment to see how he would respond. He couldn't run and jump so the decision was made to perform surgery now and hope he's recovered by the play-offs.