Credit: AP Photo/Mary Altaffer

I don’t want to say never, but it is EXTREMELY rare for me to boo my own team, which is far from what I could say about most fans in the Garden this season. I believe fans have the right to if they bought their tickets to attend, but it’s just not me (unless it’s for Tiki Barber returning to Giants Stadium for something). That said, I did not boo the Knicks during the Milwaukee game Friday night, I just left at the end of the third quarter.

The expectations of this team were clearly placed too high for the way it is currently constituted. And I’m not referring to the talent on this team. I believe Melo and STAT can play together, I believe Chandler’s defensive prowess should improve their overall team game, especially now with the passionate defense I didn’t see coming from Shumpert (if he can control his shot selection consistently and keep making steals and diving on the floor). It’s almost impossible for me to even fathom how a team of professional players can look this abysmal. They were dominated by a 4 – 7 Bucks team from MILWAUKEE that hasn’t won a road game all season and was without one of their best players in Stephen Jackson (who shoots up strip clubs as much as three pointers). This is New York City! Recognized around the world as the mecca of basketball! And they let a team from Wisconsin come in and handle them like that? It was embarrassing to sit in the crowd and watch.

A clear sign that D’Antoni needs to go, whether replaced with a premium candidate now or just an interim assistant filling in until the offseason, came in the second half last night. Down ten in the third quarter with 6:41 to go they called a time out. When D’Antoni came out to talk to the team they all walked passed and sat on the bench. Then it happened again at the next time out…and again.

I can’t imagine that if you took any ten nab players, even Division I college players, in the off season for a pick up game, those teams would look more organized than this Knicks team. This team looks uninspired, lazy and unorganized. It doesn’t look like there are any plays being run. The players are either standing still or running around aimlessly like a bunch of 14 year old rec league players with low basketball IQs.

One of the first things you learn about basketball is to not catch the ball where you can’t score. Why does Tyson Chandler end up with the ball a foot behind the three point line on every third possession? He’s not an offensive threat by any means and especially not there. They need to keep him in the low post and let Amare run pick and rolls with Anthony so they’re both involved in the offense and can get into a rhythm together. Anthony has been resorting back to his ball stopper days where on some plays he brings the ball up and no one else even touches it before he jacks up a shot. Stoudemire is getting greedy when he does get the ball and is taking poor shots that he’s trying to add to his arsenal, but aren’t quite ready for game time action.

D’Antoni’s system has proven not to work here for sustained success, post-season success or even beating average teams. Now he’s lost the players and it’s showing on the floor, there is no reason for him to still be standing on the sidelines for the Knicks.

Todd Giannattasio is a guest blogger for New York State Of Sports. Todd also contributes simple recipes for guys at Easy Recipes For Beginners. You can follow him on Twitter@Tresnic.

This will be short but clear.

Forget about adding a new player and needing time for chemistry. Forget about how badly we need a quality guard to quarterback this offense. Forget about everything on the floor. The Knicks CAN NOT trade Amare Stoudemire because it would just be wrong.

STATS was the first one to come to New York without the promise of another star (aside from friends toasting at a wedding, in which case, we should be guaranteed to see Chris Paul rocking the old Starks digits next fall). He started the buzz at the Garden again and single handedly brought the Knicks back to relevancy in the league. He took a leap of faith to be with the Knicks and he’s the reason Melo wanted to come play at the Mecca.

I don’t need or want to remind anyone about the Isiah days and how far a hole he dug the Knicks. With the help of Donnie Walsh clearing the cap space (which took how many years? Thanks again Isiah), Amare climbed us out of that pit.

If the Knicks traded him, it would be horrible karma for the organization. Oh, and he’s an elite player. Last year he finished 6th in scoring, 7th in blocks and 12th in Player Efficiency Rating overall and ranked 1st and 2nd in scoring and assists for all power forwards. I’d say he’s the best option in the league at his position.

Todd Giannattasio is a guest blogger for New York State Of Sports. Todd also contributes simple recipes for guys at Easy Recipes For Beginners. You can follow him on Twitter@Tresnic.

Let me make this very clear from the start: I am not saying he should be fired right now. I’m posing the question, does Mike D’Antoni deserve a full season to show he is still the right coach for the New York Knicks?

He’s on his fourth year (103 – 143; 42 – 40 last year) and everyone knows the first two were throw away seasons because of the big free agency summer of 2011/Isiah Thomas, The Grave Digger. But now we have the pieces in place to at least be in the top half of playoff teams in the conference and so far this season, they’re not playing as if they should even be a playoff team.

Bad losses to horrible teams (Warriors: 2-6, Raptors: 4-6, Bobcats: 2-8) are not good signs early on for what this team is capable of doing. Yes, there was no off-season together, but the other teams didn’t have that either. Yes, we don’t have a legitimate point guard right now (I love Shumpert as much as the next guy, but is he really a starting point guard for a playoff team in the NBA?) and we have Baron Davis to try and come to the rescue if he can get in shape, keep his back healthy and play motivated, but those are all big ifs. Even then, how much can we expect an aging star (years, injury misses) to pick up the slack? I do guarantee some more alley-oops and fast paced ballin’ though (link to half court alley-oop pass). The problem is, as exciting a player as BD is when he wants to be, he’s a bit too reminiscent of Stevie Francis than I’d like to see in someone we’ll be looking to for leadership.

So with a team with the talent and star power that comes with high expectations, should D’Antoni get the full season to earn a spot on the sideline for next year? Phil Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy and Jerry Sloan are the top free agent coaches that are going to be tossed around the rumor mill as soon as D’Antoni’s seat gets hot. When watching this team, I want to say he’s had his time and shouldn’t last the season, but it’s hard when looking at who would be a better replacement immediately.  It’ll be interesting to see if they let him play out the year, fill in with an interim coach to take a stab at the playoffs, or just hold off and look for a big name, proven coach in the offseason.

Todd Giannattasio is a guest blogger for New York State Of Sports. Todd also contributes simple recipes for guys at Easy Recipes For Beginners. You can follow him on Twitter @Tresnic.

In a league filled with skilled point guards, ultra athletic dunkers, and sharp shooting small forwards, certain aspects of basketball are forgotten. Sure, the SportsCenter Top 10 will be filled with Chris Paul-to-Blake Griffin alley-oops, LeBron James windmill dunks, and Kevin Durant buzzer beaters, but solid defensive play and bench scoring will never show up on the highlight reel. Sure, the occasional blocked shot will make it in, but these two boring aspects of the game are virtually forgotten. No team has been more forgetful than the 5-4 New York Knicks. The Knicks, led by their superstar small forward and power forward, are giving up 95.3 points per game, ranking in the bottom half of the league. In addition, the Knicks are really lacking production from their bench. In Monday’s home win against the Bobcats, the Knicks got three (3) points from their bench, their worst output in 41 years. This type of play will not bring a championship to Madison Square Garden.  With the season only nine games old, can fans expect the Knicks to turn it around on the defensive end and off the bench?

Is Melo Playing Hurt? The Bench Needs To Pick It Up!

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The Knicks finalized a three-team, sign-and-trade, trade to land center, Tyson Chandler. The 7’1″ center joins the Knicks after helping lead the Dallas Mavericks to an NBA Championship. Chandler is an extremely athletic, above average defender inside the paint. To get Chandler, the Knicks will shell out $58 million over the next four seasons. The Knicks sent Ronny Turiaf to the Wizards and Andy Rautins to make the deal work. Dallas received a large trade exemption, but that’s really relevant.

To fit Chandler within the salary cap, the Knicks ‘amnestied’ Chauncey Billups and his $14.2 million 2011-12 salary, meaning that salary will not count against their cap this season. Chauncey isn’t too happy about this, either. 

Chandler isn’t a good offensive player (10.1 PPG), but his defensive prowess provides an immediate, desperate upgrade that the Knicks needed. If you watched the NBA Finals last year, you know Chandler was in LeBron’s head. 

Overall, Chandler is a great addition to a Knick team that desperately needed some sort of defensive presence. The move allows Amare to stay in his natural, power forward position.

Chandler is a rugged, intense winner. Welcome to NY, Tyson. 

This year’s draft didn’t have the same feel that past drafts have had. For starters, the draft was held in Newark at the Prudential Center, not at Madison Square Garden (renovations). The Knicks surprisingly had a first-round pick, but it wasn’t in the lottery. The last time the Knicks had a non-lottery, first round pick?

Try 2007. The pick? Wilson Chandler.

The Knicks selected Georgia Tech point guard, Iman Shumpert with the 17th selection and purchased the 45th pick to draft jort-wearing Kentucky center, Josh Harrellson. One thing that didn’t change? Knick fan reaction to the 17th pick.

With Florida State forward, Chris Singleton still on the board, the Knicks opted for the 6’5″ defensive-minded guard. Knick fans wanted Singleton. Knick management wanted Shumpert. Overall, the Knicks should come away from the draft feeling good for three reasons.

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The New York Knicks selected Georgia Tech guard Iman Shumpert with the 17th pick in the NBA draft tonight. The 6′ 5” combo guard was a Yellow Jacket for three seasons before entering the draft. Let’s hope this Georgia Tech guard works out better than the last Yellow Jacket to grace us with his presence (and head tattoo) at Madison Square Garden (Stephon Marbury for those who weren’t sure).

Iman Shumpert, newest New York Knickerbocker

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Starting at 8PM tonight, the 2011 NBA Draft will kick off. For the last week, the Knicks have been one of the more active teams in the trade market. As of Thursday morning, the Knicks hold the 17th pick in the draft, but are active in trade talks. I’ve read countless mock drafts that have the Knicks selecting Kansas point guard, Josh Selby or Georgia Tech point guard, Iman Shumpert. Other publications have the Knicks trading up to select sharp shooting guard, Jimmer Fredette of BYU. Despite reports that the Suns do not want to move Steve Nash, the Knicks have been linked to a three-team trade with the Suns and Timberwolves. The Knicks and Bulls are also discussing a trade that would give the Knicks the 30th pick. With some many variables in play, what will the Knicks do tonight?

Will Josh Selby Call MSG Home?

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One word: Wow.

I don’t think anyone envisioned the Lakers getting beat by the Mavericks, let alone getting the broom-job. The Lakers played some of the worst basketball I’ve ever seen them play in the last few years. They looked completely uninterested during the game, similar to the effort they put during the 2008 Finals against Boston.  Kobe wasn’t Kobe. The team didn’t play with confidence or grit. The Lakers played one of the classless fourth quarters of basketball that I’ve ever seen. There’s no excuse for actions by Andrew Bynum or Lamar Odom and both players may be dealt this off-season. It’s clear that the Lakers will make some changes and one big center in Orlando will likely be atop their wish list. The Knicks have some vested interest in Mr. Howard, but ultimately how does this Laker season affect the Knicks chances?

It's Been Real, Mark.

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He’s back. The Knicks announced today that they will pick up point guard, Chauncey Billups‘ 2012 option. The 34-year-old Billups will make $14 million and hopefully give the Knicks a better effort next season. Billups only played in Game 1 against the Celtics, scoring ten points on 3 of 11 shooting. The Knicks had an obvious gap at the point guard in Billups’ absence.

Reaction: The 2012 off-season will be interesting with both Chris Paul and Dwight Howard hitting free agency. Billups will be a nice one-year stop gap as the Knicks will once again be a playoff team in the East. I don’t think Billups can hang with the East’s top point guards(Rose, Rondo, Williams) defensively, but Mr. Big Shot needs to spread the floor more and give Amar’e and Carmelo more open looks.

Knick Fans: Are you happy with Billups coming back for another season?