Knicks finish the weekend strong even without a win

Last nights NBA All-Star game in Houston, was definitely a high scoring affair to say the least. Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler represented the Knicks well, proving why they are All-Stars.

Carmelo Anthony

Although the East couldn’t defeat the West, Anthony led the team in scoring finishing with 26 points. He also had 12 rebounds and 3 assists to go with his scoring explosion. If the East had won the game, Anthony definitely would’ve been talked about as the MVP.

Anthony showed no lingering effects from the ‘dead’ arm that he received against the Raptors on Wednesday. Knicks fans have to be ecstatic that Anthony continued his hot shooting through the All-Star game. This will hopefully allow him to continue his pursuit of the MVP award and an NBA championship.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yS7_h5lmVm4

Chandler had a game similar to what he has during the regular season. He posted a 7 point and 8 rebound effort in his limited role off the bench. His highlight of the night was an alley-oop thrown to him in transition by Dwayne Wade.

Both Knicks played strong in the game and put up a better showing then James White and Steve Novak did the previous day. The Knicks enter the second half of the season ranked second in the East behind the Heat.

Look for the Knicks to continue their strong first half play and solidify themselves in the East. The road to the championship is just beginning.

 

Weekend is still young for the Knicks

In the second night of All-Star weekend, the Knicks but up what fans would call a disappointing performance. Steve Novak, participating in the 3-point shootout, and James White, in the slam dunk, both fell short of moving out of the first round of their contests.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NduJb9jN1JY

Steve Novak posted a score of 17 falling just short of East teammate Kyrie Irving, who went on to beat Matt Bonner in the championship round. Since Novak failed to score the most points out the Eastern selections, Novak was done shooting for the night.

However he had the support of current teammate, Carmelo Anthony, and former teammate, Dwayne Wade, who were both sitting court side. The two stars were there to congratulate on Novak on the solid performance even though he didn’t advance.

James White put it in a solid first dunk but couldn’t complete his second round attempt. His first dunk he slammed home jumping from just inside the free-throw line. However he didn’t have the same luck during the second round. He failed to connect on any of his attempts to do a windmill from the free-throw line.

A disappointing night for White, who many had thought was the favorite to win the whole thing. Although he had nerves running through him like crazy and couldn’t finish his second round dunk, White still gained the respect of fellow NBA players.

Melo and Tyson

Although Novak and White didn’t finish their All-Star weekend experience with a trophy in their hand, teammates Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler still do. Anthony was named a starter for the East, while Chandler is a reserve. Tune in and watch what should be an offensive explosion.

Carmelo Anthony unsure about the All-Star game

In last nights loss to the Toronto Raptors, Knicks All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony injured his right arm. He collided with Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan in the first quarter and apparently felt discomfort throughout the game.

Caremlo Anthony vs Toronto Raptors

After sustaining a ‘deep’ right arm contusion Anthonys shot was clearly effected. He shot 5 of 24 from the field and just couldn’t seem to get in a groove. Anthony stated that it felt like he had a dead arm. Every time he took a shot he was trying to get the feeling back in his arm. But it never came and neither did the Knicks.

Anthony is scheduled to play in the All-Star game in 3 days. If his arm isn’t feeling better by that time then he won’t play in the game. He is a 6 time All-Star with more to surely follow after this year. While it would suck not to be able to see one of the best players in the league playing every one understands his reasoning.

The Knicks are in the middle of one of their better seasons as of late and he doesn’t want to put that at risk. Winning a championship is more important to Anthony then any All-Star game.

Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler

Even if Anthony decides to sit out the game the Knicks will still be well represented in Houston, by Tyson Chandler, James White, and Steve Novak. With players in 3 different contests the Knicks are in pretty good shape to come back home with at least one victory.

Novak and White hope to join All-Star weekend

Knicks Forward, Steve Novak, and Guard, James White, could join teammates Carmelo Anothony and Tyson Chandler in Houston, TX for All-Star weekend. Novak who is known as a 3-point specialist hopes to be picked to compete in the shootout. White hopes to participate in the Dunk contest claiming that he has big things planned.

Steve Novak is having another great season from behind the arc, shooting 45%. This is just about his career average with just over half the season left to play. Novak thinks he has a good chance of competing in the shootout because former Marquette teammate Dwyane Wade is the captain for the East. Wade has already recommended Novak as a participant for the shootout.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kngr0C2ZZGU

James White, who is in his first year with Knicks, and is known for explosive dunking ability, thinks that he can win the dunk contest. His teammates believe that he is one of the best dunkers that people don’t know about. This wouldn’t be White’s first appearance in a dunk contest, in 2009 he participated in the D-League dunk contest and won it on the following dunks.

Hard to deny that both Novak and White have the skills to win their respective competitions if chosen. The Knicks could potentially end All-Star weekend with a roster that includes the 3-point shootout, and dunk contest champions. Along with All-Stars Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler. That is quite a roster to head into the second half of the season with.