nychoya3
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 2,674
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Post by nychoya3 on Dec 2, 2004 21:59:29 GMT -5
Any new york area folks see the Knicks version of "The Life" with JYD? Jerome comes across as just about the nicest, most genuine guy on the planet. He knows everyone's name. He goes and makes a fool of himself to get some kids to laugh - just clowning around. They show him at the autograph table on some fan-day kind of thing and he's just hamming it up like no tommorow. He even explores the development of his nickname. Catch it if you can.
Free Michael Sweetney!
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Post by ColumbiaHeightsHoya on Dec 10, 2004 10:01:52 GMT -5
The knicks are doo-doo. They need to trade sweetney as that team is a bottomless pit for the next five years. Big contracts, players that aren't team oriented (marbury, crawford, etc.), too many power forwards and shooters and not enough guys doing the little things.
I used to love the Pacers/Knicks rivalry but now it is just a joke and its not because we only have a quarter or our team. We will still smoke the knicks once JO & Jackson are back.
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MEGAFAN
Silver Hoya (over 500 posts)
Posts: 649
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Post by MEGAFAN on Dec 10, 2004 16:04:23 GMT -5
The knicks are doo-doo. They need to trade sweetney as that team is a bottomless pit for the next five years. Big contracts, players that aren't team oriented (marbury, crawford, etc.), too many power forwards and shooters and not enough guys doing the little things. I used to love the Pacers/Knicks rivalry but now it is just a joke and its not because we only have a quarter or our team. We will still smoke the knicks once JO & Jackson are back. First of all, why would the Knicks trade Sweetney when he is young, talented and has a great work ethic - plus they need bulk up front and down low? I guess I just realized that you want them to trade him for his sake, not for the Knicks' sake, right? Well, I could understand if your assessment of this team came before the season started, as Marbury is often considered to be selfish and not a winner, and Crawford comes from a losing Chicago team where his points didn't mean much. However, you obviously have no understanding of the the 2004-5 Knicks. First of all, we do not have too many power forwards. We have Kurt Thomas, Mike Sweetney and Jerome Williams (who can often play small forward as well, despite his lack of shooting.) Up front we have an improving Nazr Mohammed, and Vin Baker (who despite being a power forward, is only seeing time at center, and barely leaves the bench anyways). Of course, we could benefit from a true center, but most of the NBA teams could say the same. Next, too many shooters? Perhaps you mean too many guys who want to shoot the ball - that may be true. But shooters, I would say that Houston is the only pure shooter, and Crawford, while liking the jump shot, is actually most effective when driving and slashing. Marbury has matured tremendously, and has not only improved both his FG %'s, while still averaging a league near-best 9 assists, but has really come on as a mature leader, and doesn't look to score unless the offense is really stagnating. Besides that, Sweetney does do the little things, so do Thomas and Nazr. And guys like Jerome Wiliams, Trevor Ariza, Penny Hardaway, Moochie Norris, and co. are definitely team players that bring several dimensions to the table. As far as Tim Thomas goes, he is a player that I wouldn't mind seeing moved (especially given the promise of Ariza and the likes of Jerome or a three guard lineup), and he has a rep of never developing, and often doesn't seem to contribute enough, given that at 6'10" he should average at least 7 rpg if he's playing real minutes. But, he has versatility and is not needed to do too much anyways. Besides, Wilkens has often benched him when he forgets to rebound or play defense. Otherwise, I do hate Dolan, the Knicks' owner, and understand that the Knicks are stuck with huge contracts, some overpaid (such as Houston's), but Thomas has turned this team around from failing to sell-out and/or make the playoffs, to a team that is leading the Atlantic Division (of course, this division sucks, but still...) He is willing to trade almost anyone (except the untouchables: Marbury, Crawford and Sweetney, Ariza ), and while the Knicks may not be great (their defense sucks at the moment), they at least are fun to watch and give us hope for the future. And for you to say that the Pacers will still smoke the Knick's once your players return is no news to anyone. The Pacers were the best team on the East, alongside Detroit, and among the top teams in the league. But the Knicks are making progress and seem to be an ideal team for Sweetney to develop on. A team that is good enough to make the playoffs, but still has room to give Sweets 20/+ minutes a night. Of course, Sweets is only averaging 17 mpg at the moment, but hopefully this will change, and Isiah and the coaches definitely understand that Sweetney needs to get more time to develop. But I would argue he's better off here than he is on a terrible Chicago team where you learn bad habits and score useless points at ease. That's my two cents. Peace. GO HOYAS!!! |
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GUHoya07
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
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Post by GUHoya07 on Dec 10, 2004 21:34:43 GMT -5
Just got back from the Wizards-Knicks game at MCI. The Knicks lost 106-104 after leading pretty much all game long. Sweets had a very solid game with 14 pts, dont know how many rebounds off the top of my head. Lenny Wilkens, give him more PT!!!!!
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MCIGuy
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
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Post by MCIGuy on Dec 10, 2004 22:52:19 GMT -5
Of course, Sweets is only averaging 17 mpg at the moment, but hopefully this will change, and Isiah and the coaches definitely understand that Sweetney needs to get more time to develop. But I would argue he's better off here than he is on a terrible Chicago team where you learn bad habits and score useless points at ease. That's my two cents. Peace. GO HOYAS!!! Don't agree. You don't get better sitting on the bench. I'll take Chicago for Sweets because they actually need him. Screw the Knicks. |
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MCIGuy
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Post by MCIGuy on Dec 10, 2004 22:56:36 GMT -5
Just got back from the Wizards-Knicks game at MCI. The Knicks lost 106-104 after leading pretty much all game long. Sweets had a very solid game with 14 pts, dont know how many rebounds off the top of my head. Lenny Wilkens, give him more PT!!!!! I'm glad someone from GU took advantage of the GU/Sweets discount. Anyway I watched the game on TV and was disgusted. When Sweets came in the game for the first time there was hardly a peep from the crowd. Juan Dixon is still being showered with cheers and even Alan Houston got a warm welcome. But when Mike came in I heard nada. Do the people realize Sweetney is an area guy. 007, maybe I am wrong. You were there live and in person. What do you think? |
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MEGAFAN
Silver Hoya (over 500 posts)
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Post by MEGAFAN on Dec 11, 2004 0:52:25 GMT -5
Due to my terribly timed injury, I was unable to make it down to D.C. for the Illinois game, the Knicks-Wiz game and won't be here for tomorrow's SJS game. I thought this was going to be one of my finest moments as a Hoya fan (excluding my years on the hilltop and the BET). Alas, it was not meant to be... and so far, the Hoyas lost (despite a valiant effort) and Sweetney was initially overlooked for Vin Baker (who has hardly seen any action this year) in a gut-wrenching Knicks loss.
However, the good news is that the MCI box office let me transfer my two special tickets to my friend, Gigafan, and he was able to witness one of the more exciting games in the NBA this season. So, that's 1-2. Let's hope I can make it to .500 with a dominant win tomorrow!
As far as Sweetney goes, while I don't think he needs more time to learn the ropes, and could be contributing on the level of Brand and/or Randolph soon, I still say that as long as he is in the Knicks rotation, he will benefit. Last year he saw some meaningful playoff action, and this year, he will be a regular on a team that may win a round or two. Now, after having to put up with only one NCAA appearance in 3 years on the hilltop, I think Sweetney deserves to experience winning, and not be doomed to mediocrity in the likes of Chicago. Don't worry, Isiah and Wilkens will soon realize that Sweetney is the MAN. He is alreayd one of their few untouchables - I just wish they gave him like 25-30 minutes a night off the bench, because I believe he could be a legitimate candidate for 6th man of the year, but so far he's just not getting the minutes.
GO HOYAS!!! IMPRESS US WITH A HUGE WIN VS. SJS!
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GUHoya07
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
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Post by GUHoya07 on Dec 11, 2004 21:05:40 GMT -5
I'm glad someone from GU took advantage of the GU/Sweets discount. Anyway I watched the game on TV and was disgusted. When Sweets came in the game for the first time there was hardly a peep from the crowd. Juan Dixon is still being showered with cheers and even Alan Houston got a warm welcome. But when Mike came in I heard nada. Do the people realize Sweetney is an area guy. 007, maybe I am wrong. You were there live and in person. What do you think? You are correct MCI, it was embarrassing how little love Sweets got. In my opinion, the sad truth is just that people don't even know Sweets is an area guy or that he played at GU. They also dont care about Georgetown at all. But as you say, Dixon is still being hyped up and everyone goes crazy cause hes a Twerp. There was a little Juan Dixon cheering section close to me and it was making me sick. Allan Houston also got a large round of applause as you say, I was surprised by that. Sweets just cant get no love. He did get a large cheer at some point later in the game, but for the most part it was a disgrace. *bleep* the DC area fans! YOU SUCK! |
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MCIGuy
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Post by MCIGuy on Dec 11, 2004 23:35:35 GMT -5
You are correct MCI, it was embarrassing how little love Sweets got. In my opinion, the sad truth is just that people don't even know Sweets is an area guy or that he played at GU. They also dont care about Georgetown at all. But as you say, Dixon is still being hyped up and everyone goes crazy cause hes a Twerp. There was a little Juan Dixon cheering section close to me and it was making me sick. Allan Houston also got a large round of applause as you say, I was surprised by that. Sweets just cant get no love. He did get a large cheer at some point later in the game, but for the most part it was a disgrace. *bleep* the DC area fans! YOU SUCK! Yep. I'm happy you were at least there to represent and have Sweetney's back. I know you were cheering for him. I'll take some consolation that Sweets will have a better pro career than Dixon, Steve Blake and Lonnie Baxter combined. Oh, and screw the WPost and WTimes for not doing a writeup on Sweetney. If he had gone to Maryland you know those two rags would have. |
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MCIGuy
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Post by MCIGuy on Dec 17, 2004 0:27:19 GMT -5
Enough is enough.
MEGAFAN, I want Sweets off your team. Yesterday!
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MEGAFAN
Silver Hoya (over 500 posts)
Posts: 649
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Post by MEGAFAN on Jan 4, 2005 23:45:02 GMT -5
First of all, unfortunately, Mike went down with an ankle sprain today after playing only 3 minutes early in the Knicks-Sacramento game. After he left, and with Kurt Thomas in foul trouble, Bruno Sundov was brought in and the Kings subsequently went on a huge run. Luckily, the x-rays are negative, but Sweets is listed at day to day. I doubt he'll play tomorrow against Shaq and the Heat, but probably will suit up for the following game. Too bad, as although Sweets can't bang directly with Shaq, it would have been a nice opportunity to see Shaq defend against his up and under low-post moves, ha!
Otherwise, to those of you out there, especially MCI, I understand your frustration with respect to how the Knicks have brought Sweets along. Under their prior GM, signing a guy like Weatherspoon and Baker seemed ridiculous. However, since Isiah and Wilkens have arrived, Weatherspoon was shipped off and Baker hardly seems any time. Unfortunately for most of the HUGE Sweetney fans, Mohammed has turned out to be a decent Eastern conference center and has improved tremendously. While I am disappointed to see Sweetney coming off the bench (rather than starting alongside Kurt Thomas), I understand that having him as the first forward off the bench (alongside Jerome Williams) makes sense.
While many would rather see Sweetney wallow in mediocrity whilst putting up 20 and 10 every night, I for one, think that Sweetney has found himself a very nice home in NYC. Not only does he have Mark Aguirre, who has taken a real liking and personal interest in him, but he has a head coach and GM who have turned downed several trade requests for him, and never have anything less than stellar reviews about his game. Now, every once in a while, despite my affection for Aguirre and the MSG commentators, it disturbs me when they make references to moves that Sweetney has supposedly developed while a Knick, as I know he was capable of all these things from his days at Georgetown. However, he is clearly improving, and will soon surpass Williamson in terms of his low-post off the bench production, and begin to work his way into a starting, if not All-Star, role soon.
I still don't think that Mike is getting enough minutes, but despite how much everyone likes to bash the Knicks, including Isiah's latest reshaping of them, having watched all their games this season, I for one can say they are remarkably better, more athletic and younger than any time in recent history. Furthermore, they are committed to Sweetney and he will continue to get more PT as the season progresses.
Well, here's to Big Mikes speedy recover, to the Knicks continuing success, and most of all...
LET'S GO HOYAS!!! BEAT PITT!
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