[quote]therajraj wrote:
James harden early MVP candidate ?[/quote]
Candidate yes, winner no. Not saying Durant will win, but I don’t see how Harden would get it over him. I don’t think he would get it over Carmelo Anthony either especially if the Knicks end up with the best record in the East. Lebron would be ahead of him too. I think this years MVP is going to be way tougher to decide than last year based on what we’ve seen so far.
I just tuned into the Rockets/Lakers game. Looks like this is going to be a close one.[/quote]
Expanding on my last post, i agree that all 3 of those guys you listed should be ahead of Harden for MVP talk, i would throw Kobe in there too right now above Harden.
Realistically if things keep going at the same rate they are now, I dont see it going to anyone other than Lebron or Durant, and itll be close.
[quote]therajraj wrote:
Lebron won’t win due to voter fatigue.
Kobe won’t win unless his team does
Durant could take it for the simple fact he’s improved and had take on more playmaking responsibilities with harden gone and he hasn’t won before[/quote]
I agree on all 3 counts. The Heat are under-performing and the Thunder are kicking ass. Lebron is still having a great season but I’d probably give it to Durant if I had to vote today. I know they’re hurt now, but the Lakers sucking ass with the team they got puts Kobe out of the running IMO. Carmelo’s scoring is awesome but his defense still sucks and his overall stat line isn’t as good as Lebron’s or Durant’s.
Houston’s kinda in the same boat right now as the Knicks, some real talent on those teams but too inconsistent to be a real threat in the post-season IMO. [/quote]
I wouldn’t put them in the same boat at all. The Knicks embarrassed Miami twice this year with 20 point wins. They have to be ranked as the top threat to Miami in the playoffs so far . They’re pretty much tied with Miami for 1st in the conference too. An inconsistent team couldn’t do that. I’ll admit they have their off nights but I think you’re thinking of last years Knicks with that comment lol.
[quote]therajraj wrote:
Lebron won’t win due to voter fatigue.
Kobe won’t win unless his team does
Durant could take it for the simple fact he’s improved and had take on more playmaking responsibilities with harden gone and he hasn’t won before[/quote]
I would largely agree with all this. Throwing Kobe and Lebron’s names out there was just to give examples of people who are likely ahead of harden on most peoples lists.
But yeah, if i was gonna bet on it, it would be Durant. And i hope he does get it.
Houston’s kinda in the same boat right now as the Knicks, some real talent on those teams but too inconsistent to be a real threat in the post-season IMO. [/quote]
I wouldn’t put them in the same boat at all. The Knicks embarrassed Miami twice this year with 20 point wins. They have to be ranked as the top threat to Miami in the playoffs so far . They’re pretty much tied with Miami for 1st in the conference too. An inconsistent team couldn’t do that. I’ll admit they have their off nights but I think you’re thinking of last years Knicks with that comment lol.[/quote]
Are the Knicks better than the Rockets? Yes. But i still say they arent consistent enough this year to really be considered a big threat…its still early so i wont count them out, im just not counting them in yet.
The bulls usually beat miami in the regular season, hell they just did it without rose pretty handily, but weve all seen that that doesnt necessarily hold up in the post-season.
Besides, its not like Miami has been performing on the same level as OKC or the Clippers this season. They lost to the wizards (twice), and they just got more or less dominated by the bulls, AND lost to the pacers tonight by 10…Then theres the earlier losses to Bucks, Pistons, GSW,NOH…all im saying is two regular season wins against miami doesnt mean a team is great or consistent. Just ask the Wizards.
Hopefully the Spurs beat the crap out of the Lakers tomorrow. I think Tim “I Still Got It/Old But Still Better Than You/Best PF in NBA History” Duncan is set for a big game.
Houston’s kinda in the same boat right now as the Knicks, some real talent on those teams but too inconsistent to be a real threat in the post-season IMO. [/quote]
I wouldn’t put them in the same boat at all. The Knicks embarrassed Miami twice this year with 20 point wins. They have to be ranked as the top threat to Miami in the playoffs so far . They’re pretty much tied with Miami for 1st in the conference too. An inconsistent team couldn’t do that. I’ll admit they have their off nights but I think you’re thinking of last years Knicks with that comment lol.[/quote]
Are the Knicks better than the Rockets? Yes. But i still say they arent consistent enough this year to really be considered a big threat…its still early so i wont count them out, im just not counting them in yet.
The bulls usually beat miami in the regular season, hell they just did it without rose pretty handily, but weve all seen that that doesnt necessarily hold up in the post-season.
Besides, its not like Miami has been performing on the same level as OKC or the Clippers this season. They lost to the wizards (twice), and they just got more or less dominated by the bulls, AND lost to the pacers tonight by 10…Then theres the earlier losses to Bucks, Pistons, GSW,NOH…all im saying is two regular season wins against miami doesnt mean a team is great or consistent. Just ask the Wizards.
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If you recall both those games saw NYK light it up from deep against MIA. I’m not convinced at all the Heat match up all that well against the Knicks on the perimeter this season. Knicks aren’t shy lobbing up 40 shots from deep on 40-45% shooting. That is killer in a 7 game series.
I wouldn’t call the Knicks Inconsistent at all this year, their main issue has been defending the perimeter, other than a couple of horrible losses to Houston they have been in every game and that’s with having injuries. Knicks are as deep as anyone in the east and can beat anyone in the east.
I was usually against the barrage of threes that the Knicks take but most of them (minus some craziness from JR Smith) are open good shots with great ball movement. The biggest key for their consistent play this year is being the best team as far as turnovers go and everyone knowing their role.
Houston’s kinda in the same boat right now as the Knicks, some real talent on those teams but too inconsistent to be a real threat in the post-season IMO. [/quote]
I wouldn’t put them in the same boat at all. The Knicks embarrassed Miami twice this year with 20 point wins. They have to be ranked as the top threat to Miami in the playoffs so far . They’re pretty much tied with Miami for 1st in the conference too. An inconsistent team couldn’t do that. I’ll admit they have their off nights but I think you’re thinking of last years Knicks with that comment lol.[/quote]
I understand what you guys are saying. The Knicks are definitely one of, if not the deepest team in the east, but even though they hold two regular season victories over miami and SA, they also have 2 losses a piece to teams like boston, brooklyn and the bulls. Not to mention the embarrassing losses to Houston.
I honestly wouldnt be surprised if NY can beat Miami in a 7 game series, but i will be surprised if they can make it to the eastern conference finals at this rate. That is unless they can prove through the rest of the season that they can start to consistently beat these teams.
[quote]audiogarden1 wrote:
I understand what you guys are saying. The Knicks are definitely one of, if not the deepest team in the east, but even though they hold two regular season victories over miami and SA, they also have 2 losses a piece to teams like boston, brooklyn and the bulls. Not to mention the embarrassing losses to Houston.
I honestly wouldnt be surprised if NY can beat Miami in a 7 game series, but i will be surprised if they can make it to the eastern conference finals at this rate. That is unless they can prove through the rest of the season that they can start to consistently beat these teams.
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They whooped the Nets the last time they played them. They can consistently beat them and I’d bet money they handle the Celtics next time they play. Carmelo’s not going 5-25 again.
I think you might feel differently if you watched more of their games. They don’t have Felton or Rasheed Wallace right now. Those two guys were instrumental in the great start they had. They’re getting Schumpert back very soon and Amare is getting better each game. They were kicking ass without them when Wallace and Felton were playing. If they can find a way to work them in they’ll be in the Eastern Finals as the #1 seed.
[quote]audiogarden1 wrote:
I understand what you guys are saying. The Knicks are definitely one of, if not the deepest team in the east, but even though they hold two regular season victories over miami and SA, they also have 2 losses a piece to teams like boston, brooklyn and the bulls. Not to mention the embarrassing losses to Houston.
I honestly wouldnt be surprised if NY can beat Miami in a 7 game series, but i will be surprised if they can make it to the eastern conference finals at this rate. That is unless they can prove through the rest of the season that they can start to consistently beat these teams.
[/quote]
They whooped the Nets the last time they played them. They can consistently beat them and I’d bet money they handle the Celtics next time they play. Carmelo’s not going 5-25 again.
I think you might feel differently if you watched more of their games. They don’t have Felton or Rasheed Wallace right now. Those two guys were instrumental in the great start they had. They’re getting Schumpert back very soon and Amare is getting better each game. They were kicking ass without them when Wallace and Felton were playing. If they can find a way to work them in they’ll be in the Eastern Finals as the #1 seed.
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Yeah cause Felton is the answer…
You’re “betting” that they COULD beat brooklyn and boston again, but the bottom line is until i see them consistently beating these lesser teams, i am unimpressed. And dominating brooklyn is no great feat, they havent done shit this season.
We will have to agree to disagree on this one. Nothing thats been done by the knicks already is going to change my opinion. The only way that happens is based on what they do from here on out.
Felton is the answer for the knicks for 2 reasons…
He runs the pick and roll seamlessly
and
He allows Jason Kidd to freestyle more and not be the main ball handler. Jason Kidd has shown his age over the past few games when being hounded by good on the ball defenders (i.e. Avery Bradley)
Iman Shumpert will also really help the perimeter defense, though it may take a while for him to get in game shape.
All in all your right the Knicks haven’t proved anything other than being a teamed to be reckoned with. You cant expect the Knicks to beat every lesser opponent, shit happens, check the OKC wiz game. The Knicks deserve more credit than your giving them.
The Nets are not a bad team, they are a decent team who puts on their A game when playing their cross town rival knicks, so it is an impressive victory.
Most teams that they were supposed to beat they have. Again only the Houston losses were dreadful
You’re “betting” that they COULD beat brooklyn and boston again, but the bottom line is until i see them consistently beating these lesser teams, i am unimpressed. And dominating brooklyn is no great feat, they havent done shit this season.
We will have to agree to disagree on this one. Nothing thats been done by the knicks already is going to change my opinion. The only way that happens is based on what they do from here on out. [/quote]
If you’re not impressed with them being a half game away from the best record in the Eastern Conference (despite injuries) along with the wins against Miami and the Spurs, I doubt you’ll be impressed with the rest of their season no matter who they beat.
All in all your right the Knicks haven’t proved anything other than being a teamed to be reckoned with. You cant expect the Knicks to beat every lesser opponent, shit happens, check the OKC wiz game. The Knicks deserve more credit than your giving them.
[/quote]
The Wizards also beat the Heat earlier on. Go figure.
[quote]MattyXL wrote:
Felton is the answer for the knicks for 2 reasons…
He runs the pick and roll seamlessly
and
He allows Jason Kidd to freestyle more and not be the main ball handler. Jason Kidd has shown his age over the past few games when being hounded by good on the ball defenders (i.e. Avery Bradley)
Iman Shumpert will also really help the perimeter defense, though it may take a while for him to get in game shape.
All in all your right the Knicks haven’t proved anything other than being a teamed to be reckoned with. You cant expect the Knicks to beat every lesser opponent, shit happens, check the OKC wiz game. The Knicks deserve more credit than your giving them.
The Nets are not a bad team, they are a decent team who puts on their A game when playing their cross town rival knicks, so it is an impressive victory.
Most teams that they were supposed to beat they have. Again only the Houston losses were dreadful[/quote]
What is Jason Kidd going to free style, screens? Hes severely overrated. hes not that great of a shooter, he isnt putting up great points, hes going to have to handle the ball. He’s old. Hes gonna look old. He has been much better in the past, whether Felton’s there or not. And Felton putting up 16 points and 6 assists a game isnt going to be the big difference that makes their franchise come together.
Im not arguing that every time the knicks lose its an embarrassment because its not, but their inability to stop these lower-ranked teams from getting 2 victories against them at this relatively early point in the season makes me believe that they dont make it past the second round, if not the first.