What If...? | NYK 1999-2000: We Still Believe

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kibaxx7
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What If...? | NYK 1999-2000: We Still Believe

Post by kibaxx7 » 15 Jul 2019, 23:18

Captain Canada wrote:
11 Jul 2019, 22:10
Ewing vs Mutombo brings such a sense of nostalgia. Appreciate the change, brother
Oh, such a great era for the league.
The JZA wrote:
12 Jul 2019, 06:46
Houston & Sprewell :melo2:
God, please, God, no injuries for them or I'm done.
× The Life and Times of Tanjiro Sakai ×
× Watching: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Echo ×
× Watched:
Romeo + Juliet (1996), Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - To the Hashira Training (2024), Paper Moon (1973) ×
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kibaxx7
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What If...? | NYK 1999-2000: We Still Believe

Post by kibaxx7 » 18 Jul 2019, 07:31

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  • Posting up against Hawks forward Alan Henderson, veteran Larry Johnson initiated his shot with Atlanta leading 34-28 in the second quarter. The Hawks had started the period with a 12-2 run, and Henderson already had his season averages, six and six, on his pocket (the veteran from Indiana would finish the night with season-highs 18 and 10). On the other hand, Johnson missed the shot, en route for a season-low four points, as the Knicks were butchered on the glass, 50-34; their bench was outscored, 30-23; and lost on second chance points, 13-4. With those numbers, you would be surprised to see a team hanging on for a 17-point victory and lead by as much as 24 -- well, that's exactly what occurred at MSG on Sunday. Outrebounded by double digits in four of five games so far, you would be surprised to see a team winning three of those -- well, that's the New York Knicks' record today.

    That's when you have to go back to the drawing board. Looking at the negatives, well, first and foremost, it's the team rebounding. New York is dead last in rebounds per game in the NBA at 38.2 -- for the sake of comparison, the Houston Rockets top the list at 55.6. Patrick Ewing leads the team at 7.4, with Latrell Sprewell grabbing 5.4 a game... Johnson is posting a career-low 3.8. 15 of Atlanta's 50 boards came on offense, resulting in them attempting ten more shots than the Knicks... in a loss. Two days later, the team's three-game road trip got off to a tough start when Orlando outrebounded them 56-46; 15 of them were offensive... in a defeat. "We have talked about that a lot. We are winning, but we are giving up a lot of rebounds and second-chance points. It obviously hurts," said Ewing. "Everyone has to be involved. We are last on that column, so we have nowhere to go but up."

    Looking at the positives -- well, let's be gentle: as aforementioned, even when outrebounded, the unit is finding a way to get the W's. That starts with firepower: one thing that's carrying them forward is Sprewell's play, who, aside from his conduct issues in the past, is a player that can show you the way in the last two minutes of a contest, and is leading the squad with 23.4 points per night. Allan Houston has also demonstrated offensive prowess capable of leading a team. Then, ball movement: the Knicks are 4th in field goal percentage and 10th in assists per game in the league. They are also making their free throws: 7th in charity stripe accuracy. And last but not least, it's luck. Plain and simple. The opponents are getting more rebounds, but they aren't making those extra opportunities. Aside from Ewing's explosiveness every now and then (primarily against the Warriors and Magic), there's not much more to underline. Fans and front office alike must be putting together shrines and candles for Sprewell and Houston's health right now -- you don't want Charlie Ward having to come in and rescue you.

    With Ewing at 37 years old and Johnson not playing at a high level, New York will have its work cut out against a Miami Heat team that features one of the NBA’s most powerful front lines. Alonzo Mourning ranks fourth in the league at 10.8 boards a game, while P.J. Brown (7.4) and backup Clarence Weatherspoon (4.8) are also solid glass eaters. At the same time, the entire Heat starting five is averaging double figures in scoring, with Mourning (22.0) and Tim Hardaway (16.2) leading the pack. "Even will all those issues, we have a winning record. I think that puzzles a lot of people," head coach Jeff Van Gundy said, "but we're just not competing as hard as we need to, specially on the glass. They have great rebounding bigs so we’ve got to tackle that area better. Much better."
Last edited by kibaxx7 on 29 Jul 2019, 22:16, edited 1 time in total.
× The Life and Times of Tanjiro Sakai ×
× Watching: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Echo ×
× Watched:
Romeo + Juliet (1996), Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - To the Hashira Training (2024), Paper Moon (1973) ×
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djp73
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What If...? | NYK 1999-2000: We Still Believe

Post by djp73 » 18 Jul 2019, 10:16

trade for rodman!
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djp73
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What If...? | NYK 1999-2000: We Still Believe

Post by djp73 » 18 Jul 2019, 10:19

where'd you get the roster? are there others?
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What If...? | NYK 1999-2000: We Still Believe

Post by kibaxx7 » 19 Jul 2019, 00:23

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  • In a game that featured a dozen of lead changes, the Miami Heat saved their best for last.

    With a superb final frame performance and a key 3-pointer by Tim Hardaway with just 2.9 seconds remaining, the Miami Heat edged a much more competitive New York Knicks team, 87-84. Dan Majerle scored 17 points to lead six Heat players in double figures as Hardaway chipped in 12 for the hosts, who dominated inside (38-24) en route to their fourth win in six games. "Coach (Pat) Riley told us before the game to disregard their record, they're a tough unit," Majerle said. "He knows them to perfection. Down double digits, we had nothing to lose." The critical 3-pointer by Hardaway came just moments after Jamal Mashburn missed a triple from the same spot. P.J. Brown battled Latrell Sprewell for the rebound and flipped it to Mashburn once again, who switched positions and passed it to Hardaway for a 85-84 lead. Down one, Charlie Ward inbounded the ball and tried to connect with Patrick Ewing, but the pass sailed over his head out of bounds, turning the ball over to Miami and icing the game with two free throws after an intentional foul by Sprewell, who then missed a half-court heave as time expired. "They were more aggressive down the stretch," said Sprewell. "We just ran out of fuel."

    New York led 35-23 with 7:36 left in the second, but Heat stormed back with a 19-3 rally and took a 50-46 lead at halftime. The Knicks then grabbed control of the situation in the third, but looked slow in transition in the fourth and it cost them what would have been a great win, as the team listened to coach Jeff Van Gundy's pre-game statements and for once, won a rebounding battle without question, 43-37. "I really liked the way the guys battled tonight. We need to play like this more often. It came down to a make or miss, that's how close it was," Van Gundy said. "Tim's shot was huge and they got the key stop they needed." The Knicks never strayed from their gameplan on offense, consistently feeding two names: Sprewell, on isolation and driving plays (posting a game-best 28 points and staying perfect from the free throw line) and Ewing on the post -- the 37-year-old couldn't be stopped as he was on sync on both ends of the floor with 22 and nine rebounds, and cleared Alonzo Mourning out of the way. Mourning shot 5-of-14 for a season-low ten points. "We shouldn't have lost this game," said Ewing. "We blew a great opportunity, but the season is still young."

    Allan Houston started the game 5-of-7 from the field, but cooled off considerably as he missed nine of his final 10 attempts. New York's bench was outscored 28-10, with Cliff Robinson and Voshon Lenard leading the reserves with 12 and 10 points for the Heat. "I think we were all a little angry in the first half," said Mashburn, who notched in just nine. "But we came roaring back. We played better defense and I'm proud of my teammates." Ward and Larry Johnson again failed to reach double digits in scoring, with just three and six, respectively, for the visitors. They did share the basketball, though: 24 assists on 32 field goals. "We moved the ball offensively, but some shots didn't fall for us," Johnson said. "We have to work on that because it sucks to lose tonight." The Knicks will complete a back-to-back tomorrow night at Indiana -- their third game in four nights. "We're going to keep fighting," said Houston. "We will try to end the trip on a good note." Forward Mark Strickland missed the game for Miami with a torn ligament in his left hand.
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× The Life and Times of Tanjiro Sakai ×
× Watching: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Echo ×
× Watched:
Romeo + Juliet (1996), Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - To the Hashira Training (2024), Paper Moon (1973) ×
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kibaxx7
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What If...? | NYK 1999-2000: We Still Believe

Post by kibaxx7 » 19 Jul 2019, 00:24

djp73 wrote:
18 Jul 2019, 10:16
trade for rodman!
djp73 wrote:
18 Jul 2019, 10:19
where'd you get the roster? are there others?
Rodman's 38 at this point, it would be just a temporary solution. I'd rather get a long-term for Sprewell and Houston first.

Roster is the UBR mod for 2K14, but I downloaded it years ago, there's no mirror for it at the moment.
:(
× The Life and Times of Tanjiro Sakai ×
× Watching: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Echo ×
× Watched:
Romeo + Juliet (1996), Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - To the Hashira Training (2024), Paper Moon (1973) ×
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What If...? | NYK 1999-2000: We Still Believe

Post by kibaxx7 » 21 Jul 2019, 23:04

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  • Bankers Life Fieldhouse, the Indiana Pacers' new arena, opened last week. Its atmosphere tonight made it feel like a playoff game already.

    In a rematch of last season's Eastern Conference Finals series, Indiana overcame being outscored in the paint and used some late head-scratching possessions by the New York Knicks to take the game, 95-92. "We never gave up," said veteran Reggie Miller, who led the hosts with 22 points. "Our playoff series last year against them was pretty tough. I kind of felt it would come down to the last minute." Jalen Rose added 18 and eight rebounds for a resilient Pacers squad, who rallied from 10 points down. A 11-2 run in the fourth quarter, which featured three straight turnovers by New York, was capped by a 3-pointer from the right corner by Rose; it put Indy ahead 89-86 with 2:28 to play -- their first lead since a 3-pointer by Austin Croshere opened the game. The Knicks had one last shot to tie, but a 30-foot prayer by Allan Houston didn't fall. New York won the battle inside, 48-32, including 15 of their first 19, but couldn't capitalize on their opportunities from the free throw line: a season-worst 55 percent, just one night after making 17-of-18 at Miami.

    In the early going, the Knicks threatened to run the Pacers right out of their new stadium, jumping out to a 32-19 lead; but Indiana refused to give up, pulling to within six points at 50-44 at intermission. The visitors led by the minimum, 76-75, after three periods and 84-78 with four minutes left, but Indy showed true grit with a small edge on the glass, 46-44, and a 27-25 advantage in bench scoring. Travis Best and Al Harrington came off as reserves and each posted eight points. Rik Smits, who started in place of injured Jeff Foster (out for two weeks with plantar fasciitis), caught fire after halftime and contributed 11 of his 13 points in the second half. "I was feeling it," said Smits. "My teammates were looking for me, setting some great screens." Mark Jackson scored a season-low six points and Croshere notched in nine for the Pacers, leaders in the East today at 5-1. "Holding the Knicks to only 16 points in the fourth? That was flawless from us," said head coach Larry Bird. "They have heavy artillery on offense. We buckled down late and took advantage of some great looks."

    "We did a great job of playing defense for about 18 minutes," said Latrell Sprewell, who stepped up for the Knicks with a game-high 23 points while shooting 10-of-15 from the field. "But in the second half not so much. It's tough, specially when we had the game early and in the final minutes as well." Patrick Ewing was 4-of-14 for just 11 points -- a career 74-percent foul shooter, he is making a career-low 60-percent this season. "Missing free throws. Can't forgive myself for that," Ewing said. Charlie Ward had, without a doubt, his best game of the season as he flirted with a rare triple-double: eight points, six boards and 11 assists. Houston had 20 points, while Marcus Camby tallied a season-best 16 off the bench. "I don't think we were the main players tonight," said Camby. "The only way you bounce back from this is a win on our next game." The Knicks have lost two straight games by three points while surrendering a double-digit lead. "We just couldn't get over the hump with our turnovers. A lot of their points come off of our free throw misses and us being careless with the ball," said head coach Jeff Van Gundy. "We have a lot of work to do." The Knicks host the Bucks (4-1) on Sunday.
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Last edited by kibaxx7 on 23 Jul 2019, 21:51, edited 1 time in total.
× The Life and Times of Tanjiro Sakai ×
× Watching: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Echo ×
× Watched:
Romeo + Juliet (1996), Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - To the Hashira Training (2024), Paper Moon (1973) ×
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The JZA
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What If...? | NYK 1999-2000: We Still Believe

Post by The JZA » 22 Jul 2019, 13:01

Man, Reggie out there with that Reggie with them chucks. :obama:

Somehow they managed to escape with the win, tough L here
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Post by kibaxx7 » 23 Jul 2019, 22:27

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  • Jeff Van Gundy came to the realization that it was time to loosen the reins on Latrell Sprewell.

    Sprewell carried New York on his shoulders with a season-best 35 points as the Knicks took advantage of a 14-3 spark in the second quarter to stun the Milwaukee Bucks at Madison Square Garden, 100-92. Sprewell needed 29 attempts to do so, another season-high, but was perfect from the free throw line and also handed four assists. With this victory, the Knicks reached the .500 mark once again. "We've had our differences in the past, but that's water under the bridge now," Van Gundy said. "I've watched his play this season, but I also watched his conduct and I know, and he knows, what he can do for this team." Van Gundy gave Sprewell the green light when he saw Allan Houston and Patrick Ewing struggling from the field; shooting guard and center posted 14 and 12 points, respectively, combining for just 10-of-30 from the floor. "We had some breakdowns here and there," said Houston, "but we went inside and came out on top. We must build on this victory." New York won the battle in the paint, 46-34.

    "We just didn't knock down our long range shots. Their defense was on point tonight," said Sam Cassell, who led Milwaukee with 25 points, five rebounds and seven assists. The visitors were more accurate from the floor (54 percent), but their turnovers (a season-high 19) annihilated any chance of them coming back from a 14-point deficit. Four Bucks scored 16 or more points, including big man Rony Seikaly with 16, who signed with the team last week -- he was a member of last season's New Jersey Nets. "I want to thank coach (George) Karl for the opportunity," Seikaly said. Glenn Robinson added 18, with Ray Allen notching in 17 eight boards and six assists, having trouble to get past Houston's long arms -- 5-of-13 shooting. "It's strange," said Allen. "Our offense was better, we went more to the free throw line. Just a couple more treys and this would have been a different ballgame." Winners of their first four games, the Bucks have now lost two straight, and must play four of their next six away from Bradley Center.

    Just one game after a 8-point, 11-assist game at Indiana, Charlie Ward raised the bar with nine and 15. "Charlie just had a pretty solid game all around,'' Van Gundy added. "We had more aggression in the second period and we were able to maintain our lead throughout the contest." For the fifth time in eight games, Larry Johnson failed to score in double digits -- he had just three field goal attempts tonight. In turn, Marcus Camby did so for the second straight game. "Marcus has been able to give the team a spark as a reserve. I've been off lately, so hopefully he can continue to do that," Johnson said. David Wingate and Kurt Thomas came off the bench to score eight points apiece, shooting a combined 8-of-10 from the floor. "We really needed this one," added Ewing, who grabbed five of his eight rebounds on offense and kept Ervin Johnson scoreless. "They have a pretty good midrange game, but we put some turnovers on them. Then, we just crushed them inside." On Tuesday, the Knicks host the Portland Trail Blazers (2-4), losers of four in a row.
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× The Life and Times of Tanjiro Sakai ×
× Watching: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Echo ×
× Watched:
Romeo + Juliet (1996), Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - To the Hashira Training (2024), Paper Moon (1973) ×
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kibaxx7
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What If...? | NYK 1999-2000: We Still Believe

Post by kibaxx7 » 23 Jul 2019, 22:28

The JZA wrote:
22 Jul 2019, 13:01
Man, Reggie out there with that Reggie with them chucks. :obama:

Somehow they managed to escape with the win, tough L here
Two losses by three points, that was hard but the team was able to regroup.
× The Life and Times of Tanjiro Sakai ×
× Watching: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Echo ×
× Watched:
Romeo + Juliet (1996), Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - To the Hashira Training (2024), Paper Moon (1973) ×
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