March 1, 2013
New York Knicks hang on and payback the Washington Wizards, by winning 96-88.
Toward he end of the fourth quarter I thought the Knicks were going to lose the lead and the game. Because they get into these little stupid things where they get technical fouls and these sloppy turnovers, which shouldn't be happening. Knicks tend to get immature and let the game get away.
Raymond Felton: The difference in this game. I felt like Felton got more into tonight's game than the previous past games. Made a ton of big shots, and most importantly to scoring in the penetration.
Knicks need that from Felton. Yes, he can shoot the three -- which is a bonus -- but they need a player like Felton to score the easy two and not to rely always on the three.
It's been a while, it feels, since Felton has played this well. That's a huge plus for the Knicks. Part of this team's decline after the all-star was Felton's struggle to stay healthy. He's our only true point-guard.
Jason Kidd: Only scored 4-points; may look horrible, but you know what, he made big defensive spots in the fourth quarter that may have won the game for the Knicks.
If Kidd is going to play defense like that, you can live with the shooting slump. Also, he's gonna come out of it. You can't worry about a slump from a veteran and great player like Kidd. I'm only worried his health -- or his back. But if he's healthy and just not shooting the ball right now, you don't have to worry.
Amare Stoudemire: Much, much, much better. Stoudemire really impressed me today. Not only he played defense, but his head was in the game. Previous games he looked like half of his brain was taken out. But not tonight. Stoudemire seemed to be a real presence on the floor.
He's seems to be accepting his role. And if he does what's asked, the Knicks are going to get better.
I said this in my last Knicks Fallout about Stoudemire maybe playing with some fire after the Knicks sign Kenyon Martin. If so, that's good.
