washingtoneagle.com
GAME PREVIEW
Washington (0-0) @ New York (0-0)
Knicks Update - The Knicks have been on a downward spiral since their appearance in the '99 Finals, last year getting eliminated 3-2 in the first round of the playoffs by the lower seeded Toronto Raptors. Larry Johnson and Luc Longley have retired, and Glen Rice has been traded to Houston. In the offseason they added Clarence Weatherspoon, Shandon Anderson, and Howard Eisley, which probably isn't enough to stem the tide. Star guards Latrell Spewell and Allan Houston remain, but defensive hub Marcus Camby is out (plantar fasciltis), so the paint will look much more inviting than usual. Washington should try and take advantage of this as best they can in order to secure an easier win against a team they may be in stiff competition with come April.
Wizards Update - Outside of His Airness, the new look Wizards did not impress during the preseason, compiling a 2-6 record and getting handily beaten in their last two exhibitions (i.e. when teams start getting serious) against Toronto and Boston. Michael Jordan's overall October numbers weren't mind-blowing (22.3 ppg, .454 FG%) -- a step or two down from his career averages, but he's still working his way back into form after being out of his Nikes for three and a half years. Rookie center Brendan Haywood is on the injured list with a torn ligament in his left thumb, and shouldn't be back for at least three weeks. - Steve Caas