nixluva wrote: Some may not want to believe it but as this team plays more and gets healthier it's the kind of team that should be able to get to the ECF's and have a legit shot to win.
Critics/doubters don't have to believe it, but we're only the 3rd team in NBA history to star off 5-0 (with all 5 W's being of double digit points). It's been a long time coming, but I believe we're true Eastern Conference contenders. It's a good feeling because as a fan, I truthfully felt hopeless after watching Miami have their way with us, while eliminating our Knicks from postseason contension (on their way to an NBA championship).
Then the offseason happened. I then became a full-blown believer (moving forward) after the additions of Raymond Felton, Jason Kidd and Pablo Prigioni in replace of Jeremy Lin, Mike Bibby and Toney Douglas. Seen a very strong upgrade in regards to Ronnie Brewer replacing Landry Fields. Landed a great perimeter defender in Brewer. Also loved our improvements down low with actual veterans (NBA warriors) in Marcus Camby, Kurt Thomas and Rasheed Wallace over the likes of Josh Harrellson, Jared Jeffires and Jerome Jordan/Dan Gadzuric. My two favorite offseason moves were 1.) Extending J.R Smith and 2.) Signing Steve Novak long term.
But yet critics of the Knicks front office and/or future of this franchise shoved the loss of Jeremy Lin down our throats during the entire offseason while completely ignoring the extensions of both J.R and Novak. Ignoring the trades for Felton, Kurt Thomas and Camby while also sleeping on free agent signings such as Kidd, Brewer, Prigioni and Rasheed Wallace; all because of "Jeremy Lin".
With all that said, since we're 5-0 for the first time since 1993-1994, I thought it'll be interesting to compare both teams statistics (throughout their first 5 games).
[ Scoring Offense: ]:
1993-1994 averaged 103.2 points throughout it's first five games. Games of 115, 111, 103, 95 and 92 points scored.
2012-2013 averaged 103.4 points throughout our first five games. Games of 110, 104, 104, 100 and 99 points scored.
[ Scoring Defense ]:
1993-1994 allowed an average of 93.8 points throughout it's first five games. Allowed games of 108, 107, 86, 84 and 84 points.
2012-2013 allowed an aveerage of 87.8 points throughout our first five games. Allowed games of 94, 89, 88, 84 and 84 points.
{ Offensive turnovers committed, defensive turnovers forced and turnover differential. }
1993-1994 turned the ball over 16.8 times per game while averaging 17.7 takeaways per game. A differential of +0.9 per game.
2012-2013 turned the ball over 10.5 times per game while averaging 18.4 takeaways per game. A differential of +7.9 per game.
[ Rebounds and Rebound differential] :
1993-1994 averaged 41.0 boards per game. Allowed an average of 37.0 boards per game. A differential of +4.0
2012-2013 averaged 39.6 boards per game. Allowed an average of 45.6 boards per game. A differential of -6.0
Points scored per game: Advantage 12-13 Knicks.
Points allowed per game: Advantage 12-13 Knicks.
Turnover differential: Advantage 2012-2013 Knicks.
Rebounding differential: Advantage of 1993-1993 Knicks.
Credit where credit is due, because that 93 Knicks team started off 7-0. We still need another two consectuve W's in order to match that. Just a good feeling being able to compare these two teams (stat wise).
