The Pacers and Knicks are set to tip-off in less than two hours. Here are three keys to the series and my prediction..

Carmelo Anthony’s Decision Making: Anthony has all of the physical tools required to be a superstar. However, his decision making let him down in Round 1. Mike Woodson’s offensive system is predicated on ball movement, finding open shooters, and drives into the paint. Anthony settled for way too many contested, long two-point shots against the Celtics, which kept Boston in the series. Anthony must use his low post game to find easy buckets and dish to open shooters when double teams collapse. The Pacers are a young, impressive defensive team that will bait Anthony into contested two points. Anthony must demonstrate patience and the willingness to give up the ball for the Knicks to advance.

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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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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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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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