Tall Ball Suits Knicks in Blow Out of Pistons
Playing tall ball might just be the way to go for the remainder of the season.
With a starting lineup featuring five players 6-feet-6 or taller, the Knicks were able to control the paint while still getting up and down the floor against the Detroit Pistons Wednesday at Madison Square Garden. The result was a 128-104 wire-to-wire victory for their second win in four games and confidence moving forward in the final 22 games of the season.
Led by Al Harrington’s game-high 26 points, all five Knicks starters reached double figures in scoring and four reached the 20-point mark as New York shot 55.3 percent from the field. Tracy McGrady had 21 points, eight assists and seven rebounds in his best overall game since joining the Knicks two weeks ago, while David Lee added 21 points, 18 boards and eight dimes.
“We just have to continue to get better as a team and have fun and see how this thing plays out,” McGrady said after earning his second win with the team. “If we can continue to bring this type of energy for the whole season, I mean, that’s all we can really ask for.”
Speaking of energy, the high-flying Bill Walker matched his career high for the second straight game with 22 points on 9-for-13 shooting and dished out three assists in a career-high 36 minutes while starting for the first time in his two-year career. He also had two reverse dunks and several other athletic plays to provide D’Antoni and the Knicks with the spark they were looking for.
Walker, who was brought over from Boston at the trade deadline, is quickly becoming one of the biggest surprises of season for New York. After sitting behind veterans throughout his one and a half seasons with the Celtics, he is showing just about everybody what he can do when given the opportunity.
“When you come into the league and you don’t have the opportunity to play and instead watch the game and not get many minutes, when you get that opportunity you have to take full advantage of it,” McGrady said. “You have to continue to work on your game.”
D’Antoni also likes what he’s seeing in Walker so far.
“Obviously he’s athletic and he knows how to play,” D’Antoni said. “He’s got a nice feel for the game. He’s another that hasn’t played very much. He’s just got to get in shape, stay in shape and keep working on his game. He shoots the ball from threes. He drives the ball well. He’s got a nice feel.”
Pointing out the Knicks’ struggles on the boards and lack of athleticism in recent games, D’Antoni turned to Walker to fill in for Wilson Chandler, who missed his second straight game due to person reasons. He also started McGrady at the point in a successful attempt to get the seven-time All-Star involved early on as he continues his comeback from knee surgery.
McGrady was told that he could see some action at point guard when he first arrived in New York but he didn’t become the main floor general before replacing Sergio Rodriguez on Wednesday.
“I have the skills to play that position,” McGrady said. “Coach put the ball in my hands and I’m able to handle the ball, able to see over my defender, make plays for my teammates and it creates problems for other team.”
The Knicks’ ninth starting lineup of the season just might be a keeper after by as many as 27 points to notch their 21st win of the year. They were one assist shy of their season high with 31 and recorded their third largest point total of the season. They also outrebounded the Pistons 44-41.
Don’t be surprised if D’Antoni sticks with what he has for the time being.
