W2W4: New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers; March 21st, 2014

Written By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Friday, March 21^st, 2014

New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers

Pre-Game News and Notes

The New York Knicks are in the midst of playing their best basketball of the season, reeling off seven straight wins. They will look to continue the good play and winning streak tonight against the Philadelphia 76ers, owners of their own lengthy streak. The 76ers are currently riding a franchise long 22-game losing streak and do not look like they will be ending it any time soon. The Knicks have to come in and handle business against a team that is more concerned with getting a top draft pick than winning games at the end of the season. Here are some news and notes to help get the Knicks the victory tonight.

Match-Up of the Game: Carmelo Anthony vs. Thaddeus Young

 

http://www.morningpickup.com/76ers-drop-pair-games-weekend/

When the 76ers started moving players at the trade deadline, Thaddeus Young was one expected to go. The versatile forward would have fit nicely in almost any front court in the NBA, but he was the one player the 76ers decided to keep. Even though the expectations for the team were rock bottom right from the start of the season, Young has played well, averaging career-highs in points, rebounds, assists and steals. He will be matched up throughout the night with Anthony, being tasked with slowing down the Knicks best player.

Carmelo Anthony has played well all season and has continued it throughout the winning streak. He will give Young everything he can handle tonight. Look for Anthony to come out aggressive early and often as the Knicks will try and put the 76ers away early and cruise to a victory.

Pre-Game News and Notes:

Nets Snap Losing Streak Against the 76ers

nydailynews.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

February 3rd, 2014

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Brooklyn Nets Post Game Recap

Final Score: 76ers 102 Nets 108

The Brooklyn Nets were able to end their three-game losing streak on Monday night with a victory over the Philadelphia 76ers at home without Joe Johnson. The win was a good one for the Nets, as they needed to beat a bad 76ers team, and the win moves them to (21-25) on the season, which is four games behind the Toronto Raptors in the Atlantic Division.

Player of the Game: Paul Pierce

Nets Forward Paul Pierce was the go to guy for the Nets on Monday night in the win, as he was the games leading scorer. Pierce scored 25 points on just five for nine shooting, as he did a great job getting to the foul line. When Pierce got to the foul line he made the most of it too, as he went a perfect 14 for 14 from the charity stripe. In the last four games Pierce has been getting to the line a lot, as in the three previous losses he was at the line seven times in each game. Without Johnson’s scoring in the starting lineup, Pierce did a great job helping out in the scoring department for Brooklyn

Tim Hardaway Jr. Named to 2014 BBVA Compass Rising Stars Pool

arizonasports.com

NBA All-Star weekend brings out stars and celebrities from all different genres. From the 3-point contest to Slam Dunk competition, there are names to be made on numerous different platforms for NBA players. One aspect of All-Star weekend that is overlooked is the BBVA Compass Rising Star Challenge.

The Rising Star Challenge pits NBA rookies and second year players in a game to showcase the best youngsters in the NBA. The game used to pit the Rookies and Sophomores against each other, but the newest format places players from both years in a pool as TNT personalities will instead draft teams to play against each other. It is a glorified pick-up game but one that up-and-coming NBA players could make a name for themselves in as it is the only time younger players get a chance to show off their talents.

NBA Midseason Award Winners and Losers

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

The NBA season has officially hit the midway point as multiple teams have started their second half of 41 games. This season has been one of the craziest so far as some teams have risen to the top quicker than expected, others have bottomed out and some are riding roller coasters that would make the people of Six Flags blush. There have been almost as many individual surprises throughout the NBA as some youngsters have burst onto the scene and fans around the world are beginning to take notice. Check out the midseason award winners, losers and biggest surprises, both positive and negative, of an exciting first half of the NBA season.

http://video.news.com.au/v/158111/Is-LeBron-James-Sold-on-His-New-Nike-Sneaker

MVP – LeBron James, SF, Miami Heat

Knicks Lose to Lowly 76ers As Skid Hits 5 Games

Wednesday, January 22^nd, 2014

Philadelphia 76ers vs. New York Knicks

Post Game Recap

Jim O'Connor/USA TODAY Sports

The Knicks have hit an all-time low for the second time this season, this time because of a home loss to the 76ers, losing 110-106. The Knicks are full of turmoil and the problems they are having behind the scenes off the court are beginning to rear their ugly head on the court. Mike Woodson cannot find workable combinations as the five players he employs on the court look like they all speak different languages and are not on the same page; they look constantly lost and play scared because of the tension surrounding the team currently. With how things are looking it seems that there is no turn around on the horizon. With the loss tonight the losing streak is ran up to five games and 0-3 thus far on the home stand. The Knicks will get back at it Friday night against the Charlotte Bobcats.

Player of the Game: Andrea Bargnani

Bargnani played only 28 minutes on the night but he played a solid game, finishing as the only Knick with a positive +/- in the starting lineup. Bargnani was aggressive throughout the game, scoring 20 points as he did not settle for as many deep jump shots tonight as normal; he attacked the paint and was able to get to the foul line for six free throw attempts, making five of them. He also added four rebounds and some good one-on-one defense again. He got switched onto smaller player on a very occasions but he was able to hold his own, getting four blocks on the night. The thing Bargnani has to do is get more consistent; if the Knicks knew what they were going to get from him game in and game out things would be much better.

W2W4: Philadelphia 76ers vs. New York Knicks; January 22nd, 2014

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Wednesday, January 22^nd, 2014

Pre-Game News and Notes

Philadelphia 76ers vs. New York Knicks

The Knicks will look to get the second half of the season off to a better start than the first half went against the 76ers at Madison Square Garden Wednesday night. This game will be the third on the Knicks eight game home stand, which has been a disaster thus far. The Knicks have suffered blowout losses to the Los Angeles Clippers and Brooklyn Nets at home, in addition to rough losses in Charlotte and Indiana previously.  The 76ers are in almost as bad of shape as the Knicks this season, making for what could be an ugly contest between the two Atlantic Division rivals. Here are some things to look for in the game tonight.

-Player News and Notes

Potential NBA Draft Busts

Dennis Nett/The Post-Standard

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

With the NBA Draft just days away the speculation is flying as to where players are going to land. This draft is void of any superstars or cornerstone franchise players but there is plenty of depth here as the player that is projected to get drafted 35^th is rated as high as someone projected to go 15^th. With that, there are still some risky players in the draft. Here are some players to keep an eye on as being potential busts.