Want to Be Part of It: NY Knicks 12-13 Preview (Pt. 1)

Here’s something I never thought I’d write: I completely agree with Stephon Marbury.

In an interview with ESPN New York, the starting point guard for the Chinese Basketball Association’s reigning champion Beijing Ducks simply said, “Nope,” when asked if he thought Knicks stars Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire could play together.

Include Tyson Chandler and that pretty much sums up my feelings towards the Knicks' Big Three. In fact, I’d argue that the majority of the Knicks roster is ill-suited to play together—no matter how stacked New Yorkers believe their team to be or how many Knicks players think they can win it all.

Cruisin' in the ATL: ATL Hawks 12-13 Preview

Gone is Joe Johnson. With him, the painful-to-watch and increasingly less effective “Iso-Joe” offense—not to mention the nearly $90 million and four seasons still owed him.

Gone is Marvin Williams. With him, the stubborn notion to continue his employment solely because he was drafted over Chris Paul and Deron Williams all those summers ago.

Deconstructing Andrew Bynum (pt. 3)

Data from last season shows the opposite of the eye test regarding whether Bynum can carry a team or not. According to John Hollinger at ESPN.com, Bynum spent 20 percent of his time playing without Kobe Bryant or Pau Gasol last season (384 minutes). Hollinger’s advanced stat PER indicates that Bynum put up identical numbers and efficiency with a 23.2 PER without Bryant and Gasol, and a 23.1 PER with them.

Of course, Bynum was usually the first starter to sit, and he’d usually come in with the bench squad in the second quarter—meaning, a good many of his 384 minutes without Bryant and Gasol came against other teams’ bench units.

Deconstructing Andrew Bynum (pt. 2)

In the 2011-12 season, the Philadelphia 76ers had an up-and-down campaign because they were an elite defensive team (for half the season) that relied on transition offense triggered by quick, active, pressure defense. Pace-wise, they were one of the slower squads, which was unfortunate because when things slowed down, they didn’t have the types of players who could dominate multiple possessions and make things happen in the half court.

Enter Bynum, who is a traditional, back-to-the-basket, power center who excels in the halfcourt. At first glance, eHarmony couldn’t have found a more ideal partner.

But by both widening the scope as well as focusing in on the details, this marriage could end up closer to Kardashian/Humphries than Grant and Tamia Hill.

Deconstructing Andrew Bynum (pt. 1)

There is plenty of excitement in Philadelphia this year regarding the 76ers, and with good reason too. Trading away Andre Igoudala, amnestying Elton Brand, and bringing in Andrew Bynum, the team got rid of its two highest paid players and began in earnest its youth movement on the broad shoulders of one of the NBA’s best centers.

Having watched about 70 to 80 percent of Lakers games over the course of Bynum’s career, I feel it is important to give a realistic look at how he will fare as the main option/best player for Philly this season.

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