Nowhere to Hide. The Mike Hobbs Story

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Game 51: Knicks @ Cavs

Game 51: New York Knicks 94 - 74 Cleveland Cavaliers.

February 3rd, 2001 | by ESPN.COM

Knicks Starters
C. Ward
A. Houston
L. Sprewell
G. Rice
P. Ewing

Cavs Starters
A. Miller
J. Jackson
M. Harpring
C. Weatherspoon
Z. Ilgauskas


Game Leaders
Pts - 28 - L. Sprewell (Knicks)
Rebs - 16 - Z. Ilgauskas (Cavs)
Asts - 8 - A. Houston (Knicks)
Stls - 4 - B. Reeves (Knicks)
Blks - 3 - B. Reeves (Knicks)

Player of the Game
L. Sprewell (Knicks)
28 pts, 7 rebs, 4 asts, 1 stl, 1 blk.

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Game 52: Magic @ Knicks.

Game 52: Orlando Magic 94 - 101 New York Knicks.

February 6th, 2001 | by ESPN.COM

Magic Starters
D. Armstrong
T. McGrady
G. Hill
B. Outlaw
J. Amaechi

Knicks Starters
C. Ward
A. Houston
L. Sprewell
G. Rice
B. Reeves


Game Leaders
Pts - 27 - A. Houston (Knicks)
Rebs - 9 - B. Reeves (Knicks)
Asts - 8 - B. Reeves (Knicks)
Stls - 4 - G. Hill (Magic)
Blks - 3 - B. Outlaw (Magic)

Player of the Game
B. Reeves (Knicks)
12 pts, 7 rebs, 8 asts, 1 stl, 2 blks.

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Games 53 - 55. Knicks improve to 37 - 18

Knicks on 5 game win streak after big trades.



Sprewell and Grant Hill going to war this week.

February 12th, 2001 | by ESPN.COM

The Knicks really kicked it up a gear or two the last 10 days after making major changes to their rosters. Starting with a win over the lowly Cavs, the Knicks followed that win up with an outstanding win over the Magic. Grant Hill and the Magic are fighting right at the top of the East with the Knicks and this game meant a lot to both teams. A playoff matchup with these two could be dynamite. If you watched Latrell Sprewell and Grant Hill go at it, you could sense that the regular season is turning the corner pretty soon towards playoffs.

The addition of Bryant Reeves has been rewarding so far, as Van Gundy was so impressed with the big man he started him in the game against the Magic. Reeves wasn't far off a triple double and really showed some extra dimensions to his game different to what we have seen in Vancouver. The play of Glen Rice so far has been solid too. Rice has started at Power Forward as the Knicks have gone with a smaller faster lineup. His 19 points vs the Magic was only a small sample of what he can provide.

A nail-biting game against the Pistons followed, with Allan Houston putting the final nail in the coffin against his old club. Sprewell and Houston as usual brought the fight, and you can see why they have both been named as All Stars this week. Othella Harrington showed up tonight, with 11 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks, he stole some of the spotlight back from Rice and Reeves.

Onto face the Hawks, another poor team, and the Knicks were firing on all cylinders. Reserve guard Chauncey Billups hit 22 points. You can see now why GM Mike Hobbs traded Chris Childs to free up playing time for Billups. In the 105 - 74 drubbing the Knicks gave to the Hawks several players played well. Sprewell had 22, Houston 18, Redd had 12, Reeves had 10 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists, Harrington had a 10 point - 10 rebound game and lastly Glen Rice had 13 points.

In the last game before All Star weekend the schedule got even easier for the Knicks when the bottom dwelling Wizards came to town. The 129 - 73 margin of victory wasn't even flattering for the Knicks. Allan Houston led the way with 41 points, followed by Sprewell with 24, Michael Redd next with 14. Bryant Reeves was again outstanding with a double-double statline of 13 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and a block. Reeves has so many shooters around him that he can kick the ball out to the perimeter and find a threat. If they miss, he is often the only big man underneath the rim, so he wins the rebound. A change in style for the Knicks, which will have to be tested against some of the better teams in the league, not the worst like this week. On to All Star Weekend next.

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All Star Weekend Review.

All Star Game: Western Conference 116 - 115 Eastern Conference.

2001 NBA All-Star Game Rosters
Eastern Conference		Western Conference
Head Coach: George Karl - Bucks		Head Coach: Mike Dunleavy - Trailblazers
Pos	Starters	Pos	Starters
PG	Allen Iverson - 76ers	PG	Jason Kidd - Suns
SG	Vince Carter - Raptors	SG	Kobe Bryant - Lakers
SF	Grant Hill - Magic	SF	Shareef Abdur- Rahim - Grizzlies
PF	Antonio Davis - Raptors	PF	Tim Duncan - Spurs
C	Jermaine O 'Neal - Pacers	C	Shaquille O' Neal - Lakers
Pos	Reserves	Pos	Reserves
SG	Tracy McGrady - Magic	PF	Chris Webber - Kings
SG	Allan Houston - Knicks	PG	Gary Payton - Sonics
SF	Latrell Sprewell - Knicks	PF	Kevin Garnett - Timberwolves
PG	Stephon Marbury - Nets	PF	Rasheed Wallace - Trailblazers
C	PJ Brown - Hornets	PF	Dirk Nowitzki - Mavericks
PF	Antoine Walker - Celtics	SG	Penny Hardaway - Suns
SG	Ray Allen - Bucks	SF	Scottie Pippen - Trailblazers

In one of the greatest comebacks in All-Star Game history, the Eastern Conference stormed back from a 21-point deficit to the Western Conference in the game's final nine minutes to claim a 116 -115 victory. The game marked the first All-Star Game decided by a single point since 1977, when the West beat the East 125-124.

Sixers guard Allen Iverson took home MVP honors by scoring 15 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter as he weaved through the West's much larger lineup. Nets guard Stephon Marbury played a crucial role in the rally, nailing two key 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to help seal the win.

Tracy McGrady made his first All-Star appearance as a reserve for the East. He finished with 12 points. Scottie Pippen may have wrapped up his All-Star career in this game, finishing with eight points and four rebounds off the West bench in 10 minutes.

Ricky Davis of the Heat took home the Slam Dunk Contest crown with a left-handed power jam. Peja Stojakovic of the Kings became the first Sacramento player to win an event at All-Star Weekend when he claimed the 3-Point Shootout title. Finally, Knicks sharpshooter Michael Redd had 18 points off the bench to power the Rookies to surprising to a 109-108 win over the Sophomores at the Rookie Challenge.

All-Star Weekend wrap-up.

NBA Slam Dunk Contest winner: Ricky Davis, Miami Heat
NBA 3-Point Shootout winner: Peja Stojakovic, Sacramento Kings
Rookie Challenge result: Sophomores 108, Rookies 109
Rookie Challenge MVP: Michael Redd, New York Knicks (18 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists.)

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Game 56: Pacers @ Knicks.

Game 56: Indiana Pacers 111 - 116 New York Knicks.

February 21st, 2001 | by ESPN.COM

Pacers Starters
T. Best
R. Miller
J. Rose
A. Croshere
J. O' Neal

Knicks Starters
C. Ward
A. Houston
L. Sprewell
G. Rice
B. Reeves


Game Leaders
Pts - 29 - A. Houston (Knicks)
Rebs - 10 - J. O' Neal (Pacers)
Asts - 12 - J. Rose (Pacers)
Stls - 3 - C. Ward (Knicks)
Blks - 3 - B. Reeves (Knicks)

Player of the Game
L. Sprwell (Knicks)
22 pts, 7 rebs, 6 asts, 2 stls, 2 blks.

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Camby returns as Knicks continue surge, tied 42-18 with Bucks.

Camby returns as Knicks continue surge, tied 42-18 with Bucks.



Sprewell and Marcus Camby embrace after win over Rockets. Camby had 16 points and 17 rebounds.

March 1st, 2001 | by ESPN.COM

The Knicks were on a 5 game win streak heading into All Star Weekend, and the break did not stop the momentum. On the first of March the Knicks streak now stands at 10. That streak has led the Knicks to 1st place in the Atlantic Divison and tied 1st place in the Eastern Conference with the Milwaukee Bucks. Both teams stand at 42 -18.

Probably even better news for the Knicks is the return of Forward Marcus Camby. Camby took charge of the game with a commanding 16 point and 17 rebound double double. Alongside his new frontcourt partner Bryant Reeves who had 14 points and 7 rebounds, they held Hakeem to 14 points and 7 rebounds. Steve Francis went off for 42 points, but the Knicks were far better than their 99-96 win suggested.

The road trip continued to Charlotte where the Knicks picked off another playoff chasing team. Spree had 18 points, Camby 18 and Houston 22. Not many teams can match the Knicks when their big 3 score close to 20 points each. Baron Davis did try however, with his 29 points the Hornets stayed in it longer than they should have. Coach Van Gundy put Chauncey Billups on Davis in the 4th quarter to slow him effectively.

The most impressive victory was yet to come though for the Knicks. A trip to Philly to face the surging 76ers with new centerpiece Dikembe Mutombo. In the months previous the Knicks have been battered by centers like Mt Mutombo, but not tonight. Ewing had 14 points and 8 rebounds, Reeves had 12 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists and Marcus Camby has 11 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks. Incase that wasn't enough, Othella Harington had 6 points and 7 rebounds. What a frontcourt GM Mike Hobbs has now assembled.

Iverson again had to shoulder the load offensively, hitting 41 points, but the Knicks kept every other player under 20 for the 76ers. Enough to earn a convincing 10 point margin of victory. Finally the Knicks came back home to face the lowly Chicago Bulls. Elton Brand was the lone shining light for Chicago, putting up a strong stat-line of 16 points and 17 rebounds. But as usual the Knicks defense suffocated every other Bulls player. The only other Bull to emerge with some semblence of a good game was Ron Artest, who scored 13 points.

No other bull scored in double digits. With this run the Knicks have wrestled back the #1 defensive ranking from the San Antonio Spurs in the West. With about 5 weeks of the regular season left, the Knicks are in the top 4 teams in the league with the Bucks, Spurs and Blazers record wise. On the outside looking in, Philadelphia and the reigning Champions the Lakers.

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Around the NBA - March 1st 2001.

Around the NBA - March 1st 2001.

Eastern Conference Standings.





Western Conference Standings.





Award Races.

[RolePlayer]

Re: Nowhere to Hide. The Mike Hobbs Story

Seaboh continues to be one of the best

[RMJH4]

Re: Nowhere to Hide. The Mike Hobbs Story

Seaboh continues to be one of the best

Thanks man! Glad to see you're tuning in!

[RMJH4]

Knicks keep rolling into April, still tied first with Milwaukee.

Knicks keep rolling into April, still tied first with Milwaukee.



Houston's hot shooting from three continued vs the Jazz.

April 1st, 2001 | by ESPN.COM

The New York Knicks had their best run of the season as they went 13-2 through the 1st of April. They remain in 1st place in the Atlantic Division and they now have a 3 game lead over the Philadelphia 76ers. The 76ers are 3rd in the Eastern Conference. The Bucks and Knicks are still fighting tooth and nail for 1st place in the East, both now have an excellent 55-20 record.

The Knicks had some excellent performances this month. With Marcus Camby back to full health, they are a superb team. The Eastern Conference looks extremley strong at the top this year, with Milwaukee, New York and Philadelphia already over 50 wins. Orlando in 4th are within touching distance on 48 wins. The Knicks had some very convincing wins over the bottom feeders this month like Houston, Chicago, Washington, LA Clippers and Atlanta.

In the matchup vs the Rockets, Houston hit 20, Sprewell 18 and Rice 17. Camby had a nice 15 pt, 10 rebound game, along with Othella Harrington who had 13 pts and 8 boards. In the next game against the Jazz, the Knicks showed how far they have come with a dominant display over the aging veterans in Utah. Cambys 18 pt- 18 rebound game was outstanding and showed Karl Malone that Father Time is about to come knocking. Add Allan Houstons 34 points, and that was too much for the Jazz to handle in MSG.

Another veteran team that look like they are reaching the end of the line was next up in the Garden. Seattle and Gary Payton were also easily dispatched by the Knicks as Allan Houstons 49 points showed Knicks brass they need to sort out a contract extension this summer. Backed up by Bryant Reeves 14pts-11rebs- 8 assists, the Knicks showed the difference between a title contender and a lottery team.

Reeves rises up for 2 from mid range again vs the Heat.

But just at the Knicks were feeling invincible, Detroit dragged them into a blood bath and snuck out of the Garden with a totally unexpected win. Jerry Stackhouse was on fire, hitting 47 points and further improving his chances at winning leading scorer. No Knick scored over 14 points, as they had their worst performance of the season.

But with further poor teams to play the Knicks could not slip up like this again, and really did not hold back from that moment on. A 20 point win over Washington, followed by a win over Atlanta set things back in motion for the Knicks after that one game blip. Houston top scored in both with 24 and 27 respectively. Camby was also again dominant grabbing double-doubles in both. The Play of Bryant Reeves alongside Camby has been astonishing. Reeves flirts with a triple-double most nights, and against Atlanta he did it, with 10 pts - 11 rebs and 10 assists.

With two weaker teams out of the way it was a trip to Miami next. The best of enemies battled hard for playoff position but again the Knicks came out on top. Houston couldn't be stopped with 35 points, and equally Reeves destroyed the Heats small frontline with 17pts-16 rebs and 9 asts. Sprewells play has been up and down all month, but he hit 21 points to really put the rubberstamp on the victory in Miami.

Two more solid victories over playoff contenders in Charlotte and Boston showed the top 4 in the East is lightyears ahead of the bottom 4 playoff spots. With Golden State next to visit the Garden, Sprewell was always going to put in a performance. A 29 point outburst was particularly impressive this time around. Not done with thrashing teams this month, the Knicks had their biggest win of the season with a 60 point victory over the Clippers. Reeves had 29 points and 17 rebounds.

A 2 point loss to the Raptors in Toronto would follow however as Vince Carter hit 39 points. The Raptors are in a tight battle to hang on in the playoffs after losing Tracy McGrady to the Magic in the offseason. Houston and Sprewell helped the Knicks bounce back once more with a good win in Chicago, hitting 27 and 22 respectively.

The last game, and first game of April was against their trading partners the Vancouver Grizzlies. In a tight low scoring contest the Knicks managed to pull out the win. Marcus Cambys 21 rebounds was the highlight in a game that matched two playoff teams with some strong knowledge off each other. Not suprisingly the traded players were fired up, Larry Johnson hit 16 for the Grizz, Kurt Thomas grabbed 12 rebounds. Chris Childs started at shooting guard and hit 12 points. But it was Bryant Reeves for the Knicks who had 11 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists that swayed the game in the Knicks direction.

Here are the Knicks results from the last month.

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Around the NBA - April 1st 2001

Around the NBA - April 1st 2001.

Eastern Conference Standings.





Western Conference Standings.

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Knicks hit 60 wins to top Eastern Conference.

Knicks hit 60 wins to top Eastern Conference.



Sprewell throws it down over Grant Hill.

April 15th, 2001 | by ESPN.COM

The New York Knicks hit 60 wins at the death with a terrific win over playoff bound Minnesota. They finish in 1st place in the Atlantic Division and the Eastern Conference. Their Atlantic Divison rivals the 76ers, finish 2nd in the Atlantic and 2nd in the Eastern Conference on 58 wins. The Bucks had a poor run in this month and tied Phlly for 2nd place also on 58 wins. What a tight race it was in the East. Orlando and Toronto are set for an almighty playoff battle after they finished 4th and 5th respectively.

The Knicks will re-ignite their playoff rivalry with the Miami Heat and Pat Riley once again as the Heat slipped to 8th place. Rounding out the top 8 were the Pacers in 6th place and Charlotte in 7th.

The Knicks were absolutely terrific this season and are riding high after notching up 60 wins. They had a few stutters mid season, but GM Mike Hobbs made some excellent trades to deepen the Knicks front line and bench. Bryant Reeves has been a reivigorated man for them, often flirting with triple doubles. He was able to give Patrick Ewing a new lease of life by coming off the bench as a 6th man. Glen Rice has fitted in seemlessly too, which was not expected. Rice started a few games at Power Forward after this trade, and this seemed to appease him. Mind you winning games and getting court time keeps most players happy.

But back on April 3rd sixty wins did not look so great. A last gasp loss to the Timberwolves meant the Knicks had to steady the ship once more. Garnett's 27 points led the Timberwolves to an important victory which gave them a real foothold in the playoffs out West. Sprewell and Houston were the best Knicks scoring 24 and 22 respectively. But no need to panic as that loss was the wake-up call the Knicks needed. Two nights later Miami came to town.

The Knicks have swept the Heat this season and Jeff Van Gundy will relish the match-up with his mentor Pat Riley. Again the Knicks routed the Heat by 31 points. Twelve Knicks scored with Houston, Sprewell and Camby leading all scorers. Reeves again was dominant, and Miami must be praying Alonzo Mourning can return for the playoffs.

Spree and Houston led the way against the lowly SuperSonics.

The Magic were next in the door to MSG and again the Knicks have dominated this match-up all season. Latrell Sprewell has a particular dislike for Grant Hill and that rivalry came to the fore once more. Spree had 21 and held Hill to 17 points. Bryant Reeves must like playing the two Florida clubs, as again he had a dominant performance scoring 16, and grabbing 17 rebounds. Not to be outdone, 6th man Patrick Ewing also chipped in with 14 points and 9 boards. T-Mac had 31 points and is the red hot favorite for Most Improved Player this season.

A trip to Seattle was up next and as expected it was not much of a contest. Gary Payton cut a forelorn figure in Seattle and you can sense his time is almost up there. Sprewell was incredible with 28 points, a match-up nightmare for Ruben Patterson. One is left to wonder how things would have been had Seattle traded for Ewing in the off-season.

It was a coast to coast trip for the Knicks as they packed their bags and headed back East to Toronto.

The 48 hour turnaround proved too much for the Knicks as Vince Carter again was a match-up nightmare. Carter has 38 points and could not be stopped. The Raptors were fighting tooth and nail for the victory and it proved to be a vital win in the playoff race. But now with two games remaining, could the Knicks win them and hit 60?

The lowly Pistons came to MSG and they have proven to be a banana skin for New York all season, beating them twice so far. The nerves were palpable in the MSG and the game was nip and tuck for 4 quarters. But cometh the hour, cometh the man. Patrick Ewing with a put-back layup with 30 seconds remaining was enough to give the Knicks the victory. 59 and counting. Off to Minnesota.

Lady luck was on the Knicks side. They had clinched the top seed in the East, and the Timberwolves had clinched the 5th seed in the West. So with that in mind, Minnesota decided to only play their star Garnett 18 minutes. Not that the Knicks cared. Sprewell was a man on a mission, hitting 28 points and ensuring the Knicks were going to grab 60 wins. 11 Knicks scored and you could feel how good it felt as the final buzzer went. Joyous scenes ensued on the Knicks bench afterwards. 60-22 record, roll on the playoffs.

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Around the NBA - April 15th 2001.

Around the NBA - April 15th 2001.

Eastern Conference Standings.





Western Conference Standings.

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NBA Season Awards - 2000/01

NBA Season Awards - 2000/01.

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All NBA Teams Awards 2000/01.

All NBA Teams Awards 2000/01.