Tonight's Knick game: at MSG vs Pacers. (Preview)

Well, now that the afterglow has faded from the Knicks beating up on a team more dysfunctional than they are, the Trailblazers, it's back to reality. Tonight the Knicks face the Indiana Pacers who are on a two game winning streak, including a blow out win over the same hapless Blazers, at MSG and will be a tough match up for the Knicks.

The Pacers (25-16) have had a nice season with impressive wins that have fallen under the radar. They have been a good road team beating the Lakers, Mavericks, Bulls and Timberwolves (with Rubio) without much fanfare around the league. Such is the life for a small-market team.

The Pacers have a diverse set of players that can hurt the Knicks in different ways. From David West & Roy Hibbert and their inside game to outside shooters including three players shooting at least 40% from the three point line (Jones, Collison, George). While Danny Granger has never become the franchise player many thought he would be after back to back seasons with a 25 ppg avg ('09, 10), he's still the Pacers leading scorer at 18 ppg. However, Granger is shooting a career low 40% from the field. To be fair, Granger has played a lot better since the all-star break.

Overall, this looks to be a tough game for the Knicks , who must face them again tomorrow at Indiana, and will be a true test for Woodson's new system especially on defense. If the Knicks, especially the "stars" Stat/Melo, don't put pressure on their shooters, this could get ugly.

Follow me on Twiter : @NycNbaBlog

Check Out These Sneakers Coming Soon To A Store Near You

Well , first let me apologize on my lack of updates regarding kicks on this blog. My aggravation towards the Knicks got the better of me, but then I remembered "I HAVE A BLOG, VENT THAT ISH!!"

Let's get back to kicks for a minute! The next few weeks will have a couple of interesting releases coming up. Some I like and some I would like better if they send me a free pair. (Just saying)

Nike Kobe VII (7) System Supreme ‘Year Of The Dragon

Release date: March 17th (tomorrow) 

Price: $180

Interesting colors, I like the design on the back of the kicks. Interesting that you can take out the lining to use as slipper (?). I wouldn't use them as basketball sneakers (I don't like "lows"), but they are unique.

Photo Credit:Sneakerfiles.com

NIKE AIR FOAMPOSITE ONE ELECTROLIME/ELECTROLIME-BLACK 

Release Date: March 17th (tomorrow)

Price: $220

Ah, the Foamposites! How the kiddies love them. Ok , grown men love them too. Me, personally, I like some of their colors, but I like the OG, original versions. Anyway, here we have them in "Electrolime-black". Who comes up with these names? Anyway, it has the funky ridges you always get from a pair of 'Foams in a bright yellow topped off with black topping and a nice clear outsole on the bottom. I like these a lot!

AIR JORDAN 10 “STEALTH”

Release Date: March 24th

Price: $160

How could I post about kicks without a mention of some J's or (for the non-sneakerheads) Air Jordans.

The Jordan Brand has come out with a few different retros of this style including the Chicago 10's. Overall, not bad. All black is always a good thing and the white bottoms add a nice touch. Overall, I think it's a pass. I'm more a fan of the 1's, 5's , 6's and 8's. 

Let me know which pair of kicks you see yourself in or that you are looking forward to.

Follow me on Twiter : @NycNbaBlog

Goodbye (No D) Antoni

Thanks coach Mike for the great mustache, the cow-lick hairstyle and being a nice enough brother to give your brother a job on the bench.  For those who didn't know, Mike D'Antoni is out of a job. The reports vary from (no D) Antoni quitting to a "mutual parting". The lazy media in New York typically just take the line that the MSG suits throw them as they did here. The NYDN pandering to the Knick's owner's line of  a "honest discussion" where Antoni agreed with Dolan that it was  "best for the organization if he were to not continue as the coach of the team".

However, upon further review one of the best sites for news that actually does some research, deadspin.com , located this interesting tidbit from David Aldrige where the "honest discussion" was more about (No D) Antoni telling the MSG suits to trade Carmelo Anthony for Deron Williams straight up. Even a coach that's only about offense realized that Carmelo is not about ball movement or a "team-first" mentality. 

In the end everyone can believe what they like, coach (No D) Antoni is gone and the Knicks are better for it.However, the times of "Lin-sanity" and ball movement will be sorely missed. For now, get ready for a ton of  iso plays for the stars and Fields/Lin/Novak blinking and yawning outside the three-point line.

At least till Phil Jackson arrives.

Follow me on Twiter : @NycNbaBlog