Herb Williams doesn’t think Friday’s blowout loss in Orlando exposed anything new.
The Magic broke down the Knicks’ guards and, with no shot-blocking presence in their way, had a clear path to the hoop.
A lot has been make about the Knicks being smaller since the trade of starting center Nazr Mohammed, but Williams knows they had no intimidating presence in the middle even with Mohammed.
“Anytime you have a lot of success, you have to have someone along the backline that can change shots or block shots,” Williams said before the Knicks began a four-game homestand last night against the Warriors. “We really don’t have a shot-blocker. We have to have guys stepping up, putting bodies on bodies. We need guys taking guys off the glass. If you don’t have shot-blockers, we have to defend people one-on-one and get guys stepping up to take away penetration.”
Asked if the Knicks had a shot-blocker before the Feb. 24 trades in which Mohammed and Vin Baker were shipped, Williams said, “Not really. Before the trades, we were 27th in the league in shot-blocking.”
Indeed, the last shot-blocker they had was Dikembe Mutombo, who was part of the trade that brought in Jamal Crawford. Isiah Thomas hopes to get a intimidating center in the draft or during free agency. He thought he had Golden State’s Erick Dampier last summer, but a sign-and-trade deal for Mohammed fell through when Warriors GM Chris Mullen backed out.
The most disappointing part of Friday’s blowout loss to Orlando is the Knicks’ team defense and ability to contain the perimeter fell apart. Stephon Marbury, who had been sick much of the week, looked sluggish as rookie Jameer Nelson had his way. Stevie Francis also penetrated with ease. It’s been a theme all year. The Knicks’ backcourt has not defended the perimeter.
Williams said Saturday the backcourt guys have to “move their feet” more. However, Williams was reluctant to criticize his backcourt’s defense again yesterday.
“I don’t think it’s been that suspect in the backcourt,” Williams said. “Look at our team as a whole. You can get beat off the dribble. It’s all the perimeter players, not just the backcourt. We as a team have to concentrate on always being ready to give that help. We have to always be rotating and never stop until the shot is taken or the 24 seconds clock is up.”
Thomas has scolded Marbury on his defensive play this season, but Williams would not knock him. Clearly, Marbury spends so much effort on offense that he doesn’t have the same fire left on defense.
“If you’re going to be out there, you have to play both ends,” Williams said. “I think he does a pretty good job at both ends. It starts with him on the offensive end and it starts with him on the defensive end containing the basketball. He’s done a pretty good job.”
Not Friday, when the Knicks allowed 38 points in the first quarter as the Magic shot 58 percent. “When we came out against Orlando and gave up 38 points, I knew we weren’t ready to play,” Williams said. “Any time you give up 30 points in this league, you’re not mentally focused.”
Crawford was not concerned about Friday’s defense and noted how the Magic guards slaughtered the Nets the next night in Jersey.
“There are good players out there,” Crawford said. “That was that one particular game. We had won four of five. It was one game. The way we’ve been playing, we did a good job on [Allen] Iverson, we’ve been doing a good job. We can’t make a big deal on one game. Hopefully we’re not going to back to having guys do whatever they want.”
Marbury claimed his reticence after Friday’s game was not planned. Usually the last one to leave the locker room, he exited early and was not available to speak to reporters. However, the Knicks’ captain said reporters were talking to another player and he didn’t want to wait.
