Brewer is playing the defense of Iman Shumpert, slashing like Landry Fields and – at least for now – shooting like Novak. A lot of what he does on the floor doesn’t show up in box scores, but without Brewer, the Knicks are certainly not 6-0.
Rasheed Wallace, at 38 years old, is lighter and healthier than we last remember him as a member of the Boston Celtics. While he hasn’t played anywhere near his best basketball, he has made a difference. Sometimes, reputation is just as valuable as production.
With the Celtics, Wallace shot just 28.3 percent from 3-point range; this season, he is shooting just 26.3 percent. Those are horrible percentages, but the rub is that opposing defenses are reluctant to leave Wallace alone on the perimeter because his reputation is that of a good shooter.
Defensively, ‘Sheed is long and still agile and mobile enough to play opposing centers. The net effect with him on the floor on the offensive end is great spacing, but more importantly, he is not handicapping the team on defense.
Although he is over the hill, Wallace is exactly what the Knicks need out of a reserve combo big. For a player who has been out of action for more than two years, he has looked pretty good and has made very meaningful contributions.
Of course, it would be impossible to discuss the Knicks’ success without giving credit to Anthony. Before the season began, I wrote that Anthony was out of excuses and needed to produce for the fans of New York. He absolutely has.
On the season, Anthony is shooting just 43.2 percent from the field and 31 percent from 3-point range. His nine points Thursday night dropped his scoring average to 23.8 point per game. But although Anthony’s offensive game has somewhat floundered, his effort is at an all-time high. And the Knicks need that from him more than his offensive eruptions.
Anthony has been active and engaged on the defensive end; his effort has been consistent. He is using his speed and agility against bigger power forwards and has yet to be outscored by any of the bigs he has been asked to defend. On Thursday night, it was DeJuan Blair. Before him, it was Glen Davis. Even still, Anthony has managed to grab 8.2 rebounds per game, including 12 on Thursday.
But most impressive has been Anthony’s patience on the offensive end. He has been receiving a lot of catches in the pinch-post area and on the low box. Instead of forcing bad shots, Anthony is surveying defenses, passing out of double-teams and effectively moving the basketball.
Great read Moke. The Knicks seem focused and ready. It’s a good mix of veteran leadership and youthful hunger. Looking forward to a great season.
Excellent, razor sharp on point article. My first read of Moke.