A Preview of the Nets-Knicks Game

Two trust fund kids failing out of Columbia, both ask the dean for one more chance. She says if either of them pass Thursday’s philosophy exam (35 multiple choice, two essays), she’ll let them stay. For now. Otherwise, they’re gone. Neither has showed up much for class this semester (or ever, really), but they do possess the mental capacity to pass one exam. But one of the dudes is in the middle of an ugly nine-day bender, and isn’t showing signs of shaking it off any time soon. The other just had a really weird break-up thing that he told everybody about on Facebook, but he claims it’s not really a break-up, just a change. But he also says that there wasn’t really anything to change since the relationship was never what people thought it was in the first place. Anyway, it’s messing up his school work that was already suffering.

And for some reason the exam is being broadcast on TNT. It's going to be awesome.

No Regard Previews: NBA Forever

One Game We Will Watch Tonight: Miami Heat vs. Memphis Grizzles

How could we not suggest that this is the game you watch tonight?

No Regard Previews: Xs and Os

One Game We Will Definitely Watch Tonight: Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks

The last time these two basketball outfits met, the ball game ended in a chaotic mess. Carmelo Anthony alerted the NYPD and whoever else would listen that a citywide manhunt of Kevin Garnett must ensue. So tonight, one can only imagine that the majority of TNT's coverage will center around these two competitive gents. Will they shake hands? Will they fight? Will they kiss!?

But since we pride ourselves on ignoring all that silly stuff, instead focusing only on round ball tactics and nothing else here at No Regard I'll say this: Tonight's professional basketball bonanza presents a very serious contrast in basketball playing styles. 

The Knicks (a Manhattan-based, paid basketball squad) rely heavily on shots from far away that count for three points, three-pointers if you will, as well as chucked-up bombs from New Jersey native J.R. Smith. Smith may or may not close his eyes before he wings the orange sphere towards the cylinder. They also give opponents a heavy dose of Brooklyn-born Carmelo from Redhook, whose ability to score anywhere on the floor is the bee's knees. The Knickerbocker's are known to sprinkle in some high screen-and-rolls, too, arguably the most basic play in all of basketball plays.

Here's how it works: One player, usually a point-guard, (but in the modern NBA anything goes) bounces a ball into the floor while he waits for a bigger guy to get in the way of a guy wearing a different color tank top whose job it is to try and stop him from doing great stuff. Then, the player still pounding the leather thing into the court either drives hard to the rack, hoping to score, or passes the rock (slang for basketball) to the guy who was getting in the way a second ago. This guy is now headed to the hole himself. Complicated, but true.

The Celtics (a Boston-based, paid basketball group of men) put a strong emphasis on defensive stops, so that they can own the transition game. They also prefer mid-range jump shots preceded by penetration from their two best wing players, Rajon Rondo and Paul Pierce. Sometimes, this works, but other times the Celtics lack of offensive diversity leads them to get smoked by talentless hacks like Larry Frank's Pistons (a Detroit-based basketball franchise).

Whatever happens tonight, this much we know for certain: Grown men will box each other out. Millions will watch while consuming alcohol. Lord knows I'll have a pinot noir or two. 

One Game We Won't Watch Tonight: Orlando Magic vs. Toronto Raptors

Not to brag, but Andrew and I went to the Raptors-Nets game the other day in Brooklyn at Barclays Center (don't say the "The," they don't like it when you say "The Barclays Center"). It was the best day of our lives. I learned that Landry Fields makes a living playing guard for the Raptors now. Complicated, but true.

Anyway, nobody loves Big Baby Davis more than me, but I'll be watching the All-Star reserve announcements instead of taking this one in. So sue me if I would rather listen to Charles breakdown who got snubbed or whatever. It's a free country. Obama told me two days ago. 

No Regard Previews: A Prince Among Men

One Game We Will Definitely Watch Tonight: Milwaukee Bucks vs. New Orleans Hornets

There is only one division-leading squad taking the hardwood tonight in the Association. This same team happens to also be the employer of none other than the spectacular Luc Richard Mbah a Moute.

Did you know that Luc Richard Mbah a Moute is a Prince in Bia Messe, a village in Cameroon?

Were you aware that he has a brother playing college ball for the University of Texas? Hook em' horns!!

Any chance you are privy to the fact that he's played a total of 235 career NBA games? For all you mathematicians out there, that's 235 more NBA games than you've played (unless, by chance, you're a player in the NBA and reading our blog, if so, we love you and you're my favorite player ever). 

No Regard For Human Life, where facts happen. (Also, don't forget to donate to Wikipedia!)

One Game We Definitely Won't Watch Tonight: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons

Last season, the point-guard stylings of Ricky Rubio were cruelly stripped from our lives far too prematurely.  Now, during the budding stages of this 2012-2013 season, the gentleman whom, after seeing him play in person for the first time, our own Andrew Abides suggested was, "the only thing that matters" is watching his team play in church clothes from the bench. 

Kyrie Irving, the dazzling magician charged with easing the blow of LeBron's exit from Cleveland to South Beach, is injured and quite frankly (mind if I'm frank?), it's a real buzz-kill.

So instead of watching a young dude with the bollocks to challenge Kobe Bryant to a one-on-one game for serious dollar bills, the honest and hardworking people of Detroit, Michigan will have to settle for watching Coach Frank man the sidelines. Listen, nobody respects Lawrence more than our staff here, but right now his squad could use a most extreme makeover and his wacky antics alone an entertaining evening at the Palace do not make. Kyrie, get well soon.

One Final Game We Probably Won't Catch Tonight Either: Utah Jazz vs. Los Angeles Clippers

After defeating the Sacramento Kings on Saturday, Clipper reserve and tattooed journeyman Matt Barnes, who notched 12 professional basketball points during the competition, stated, "It's a long season, and it's important to get the production out of your starters and your bench."

Agreed, Matt. Well-said.

No Regard Previews: Think Happy Thoughts

One Game We Will Definitely Watch Tonight: Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics

Sure, the Heat thoroughly dominated the Celtics in game one. LeBron looked like the best basketball player of all time (which he is). And Ray Allen missing free throws on the reg is a definite sign that the world is indeed coming to an end in 2012. All these things are true, I get it. 

But you know what else is true? Kevin Garnett is back and better than ever. You better believe he has this on his mind headed into tonight:



So you can have your D-Wades, Mike Millers, Ronny Turiafs, Shane Battiers, Super Nintendo Chalmerses, and any other clown that puts on a tank top that says "Heat" on the front of it, Miami fans. I will take my chances with an angry KG, injured Walter Ray Allen, tired Paul Pierce, inconsistent Rondo, and a Goron of a head coach in Doc Rivers.

Celtics 100, Heat 98. You heard it here first folks. 

Another Game We Will Watch Tonight: USA vs. Brazil

You can have your worldwide superstar named Neymar, Brazil. I will take my deadly, bald center-midfielder Michael Bradley any day.

USA 3, Brazil 1. 

Fan optimism and irrationality for life, folks.

No Regard Previews: The Wonder

One Game We Will Definitely Watch Tonight: Miami Heat vs. Indiana Pacers

A thing happens if and only if that thing happens. If not, then it doesn't happen.

This Miami Heat team may very well generate the most discussion of any sports team ever. They also render any and all pre- or post-game analysis pretty much moot. Their high-tempo, turnover-to-fast-break style of basketball (perfectly branded the "flying death machine" by basketball writer Matt Moore) either works or it doesn't. When it works, they win. When it doesn't, they lose. This is mostly true for any NBA team with a strong identity, but with the Heat, it's gospel. When they power bomb passing lanes and turn long rebounds into breakaway dunks, they're unbeatable. When it doesn't work, everyone talks about breaking up the gang. Whether or not this happens, though, doesn't seem grounded in any sort of recognizable pattern. It kind of just happens or doesn't. There's not really any way to know beforehand if the Heat will unsheathe their fire-blade on any given night. Do I think they will tonight? I do. But what do I (or you) know?

I know it's a little more complicated than I'm making it out to be, but it's also kind of not.

One Game We Probably Won't Watch Tonight: Los Angeles Kings vs. Phoenix Coyotes

Can you believe that's how you pronounce/spell "coyotes"? That's way off. We weren't even close on that one.

No Regard Previews: Wrecking Ball

One Game We Will Definitely Watch Tonight: New Jersey Nets vs. Philadelphia 76ers

So long.

One Game We Won't Watch Tonight: I Don't Know, I Miss The Nets

No Regard Previews: A Hero's Welcome

One Game We Will Definitely Watch Tonight: New York Knicks vs. Sacramento Kings

Tonight's featured contest marks the return of a legend back to New York. You guessed it: Jimmermania invades NYC!!

Jimmer Fredette, a native of Glens Falls (a small town about two-and-a-half hours north of New York City) is New York State's 6th all-time leading scorer in high school basketball history. The sharpshooting guard is averaging 8.2 points per game in his rookie campaign, impressive numbers for the humble baller from Upstate.

Tonight predicts to be an undoubtedly emotional affair for both Jimmer and Knick fans, as one of their own returns home. The BYU alum will serve as the main topic of conversation around the water cooler in offices everywhere this afternoon. His story will also be the primary focus of the MSG coverage. In other words, expect to hear his name early and often!

In his first foray home as a professional, Fredette looks to avenge a December loss to the Knicks in which the New Yorker shot 2-10 from the field. With the entire city locked in on Jimmer's story, expect the savior to write another epic chapter in his ever-growing narrative.

One Game We Won't Watch Tonight: Milwaukee Bucks vs. New Orleans Hornets

The Hornets are pretty bad this season, but at least Chris Kaman is back. If New Orleans turn their season around, somehow make the playoffs, and Kaman continues to put up his recent numbers, then you have to include the German in MVP discussions.

No Regard Preview: The Legend

One Game We Will Definitely Watch Tonight: New Jersey Nets vs. Detroit Pistons

Did you know that Lawrence Frank is the only coach in the four major American sports leagues to go 13-0 in his first 13 games as the head coach of a new team? Did you know that, just like Michael Jordan, he got cut from his high school basketball team? Did you know that tonight Larry Frank returns home to New Jersey where his legendary status was certified?

Sure, some of you out there are going to watch two Eastern conferences favorites, Chicago and Philadelphia, battle it out in the City of Brotherly Love tonight. Others might look to a rematch of the Western Conference Finals, OKC vs. Dallas, to get their NBA fix this evening. And perhaps there are even some of you out there sick enough to take in the Wizards vs. Magic game for some dumb reason like, "I'm from Orlando, jerk." Yeah, yeah, whatever.

But for us, tonight is all about the Nets, the Pistons and Lawrence Frank—a man with two first names that never let his lack of basketball ability stand in the way of his undying passion for the game. Is Lawrence Frank perfect? Maybe not, but he's as close as any mortal walking planet earth. Is Lawrence Frank mortal? We're not sure.

Welcome home, Lawrence Frank.

One Game We Definitely Will Not Watch Tonight: Utah Jazz vs. Los Angeles Clippers



Just in case you somehow forgot that this happened. (This is not to say we don't have an interest in seeing Blake's prey become a bloody memory right before our eyes tonight, it's just that we're on the east coast and we've got to catch up on some sleep. Sorry we're not sorry.)

No Regard Preview: Video Tributes For Life

One Game We Will Definitely Watch Tonight: Boston Celtics vs. Orlando Magic

The best part about players returning to their former teams' home arenas for the first time is trying to determine if the organization prepared a video tribute for the ex-whoever or not. Recently, when the Celtics welcomed back Perkins, they did so with this fantastic montage. It was emotional, awesome and super dope, all wrapped up into a video tribute. The Lakers gave Odom one as well.

Orlando is at Boston tonight, which means Big Baby is back in TD Bank North Garden. As such, I sit here nervously pondering if Glen will get the same respect and treatment as Perk. If it were up to me, I'd give every player a video tribute every night. Derrick Favors back in Newark? You bet your ass video tribute. Mr. Candace Parker back in Atlanta (dropped 5.5 a game as a rookie, a career high), Sacramento, Minnesota, Boston or New York? Video tribute, all day, please.

Sure, Perkins and Davis had significantly different careers with the Celtics. Perk was around from '03-'11, was a critical rebounder and defender, and bolstered a physical frontline that helped the team win a title. Conversely, Baby played from '07-'11, came off the bench, was inconsistent throughout and took a serious nosedive in terms of production towards the end of last season. On the plus side, he hit a game winner against Orlando in the playoffs and then accidentally barrelled over a young Orlando fan, he let Nate Robinson climb on his back and he was always hustling and taking charges.

Those reasons seem good enough for me: I expect a video tribute tonight and will turn off the TV if I do not get one.

One Game We May Or May Not Watch: Dallas Mavericks vs. Phoenix Suns


Right, Nash has played a bunch of games in Dallas since leaving the Mavericks in 2004, but they should really consider trotting out a video tribute for him tonight. They should put one together each time he comes back to Dallas. And actually, the Mavs should also throw up a video tribute to Dirk before every game, too. And the Suns should do that for Nash also. OK: Before every single game Nash or Dirk plays in, the arena should fire up a video tribute. Because they are the best. Just look at them up there.

No Regard Preview: Work To Be Done

One Game We Will Definitely Watch Tonight: Indiana Pacers vs. New Jersey Nets

You know how going to work is the worst? How even if you have a pretty alright job, going to work in the morning is the worst? So does Deron Williams. He has to go to work every day and pass the ball to Johan Petro, who is bad at catching basketballs.

So you know what? Johan Petro also probably hates going to work because he's very under-qualified for the job he's been hired to do, and his work day is televised.

In fact, right now all the Nets look like they hate going to work. I don't blame them, it's been awful for us fans as well. But tonight we're all going back. I hope there's at least a birthday today so I get a cupcake.


One Game We Probably Won't Watch Tonight: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Denver Nuggets

I would love to watch this game. Love to. But I'm just trying to be honest here. A holiday week was an odd time for the season to start. Family commitments, friend commitments and drinking commitments have prevented me from watching many games other than my Netsies. So as much as I'd love to check in on the Brandon Jennings-Stephen Jackson Tower of Terror (and seriously, I can't wait to see what this looks like), I just don't have enough eyeballs.

Tonight I need to check in on Greg Monroe and Jonas Jerebko as they try and not let Dwight grab every rebound ever made. I need to watch Mike D'Antoni drool over the most Mike D'Antoni player ever in Andrea Bargnani. I need to be reminded that Ricky Rubio is real. I need to see if the Mavs are ready to prove how important the second win of a season can be. I need to learn what Enes Kanter looks like. I need to find out what new vaccine LeBron and Wade have invented for tonight. Heck, I even feel compelled to see what new way the Washington Wizards have found to waste talent.

There's just too much I haven't seen yet in this young season to spend any time peeping Nene and Bogut bump into each other. And that's after I watch the Nets lose another one.

No Regard Daily Previews: Florida Rivals

The First Game We'll Be Watching Tonight: Orlando Magic vs. Miami Heat

Tonight's Florida-on-Florida NBA action has the potential to be some serious eye-candy for NBA junkies and casual fans alike. Outside of the tight Eastern conference playoff race in which the top three seeds are barely separated by a few games, Miami, a side that's been criticized for both its inability to win close games and have success against the top-tier teams in the league, has a chance to gain some confidence and silence their haters temporarily. For Orlando, it's an opportunity to continue the momentum it gained from their comeback victory over the new-look Knicks and tinker with a roster that still hasn't figured out its identity since being revamped a few months back.

No Regard Previews: A New Show On Broadway

One Game We Will Definitely Watch Tonight:
New York Knicks vs. Milwaukee Bucks

The scene is going to be wild tonight during the first game of the Melo Era in Madison Sqaure Garden. After almost a decade of terrible decisions, and pathetic basketball teams, New York Knick nation has a right to be ridiculously excited. And who better to take over the Big Apple than one of its own, Carmelo Anthony? This evening's game marks the start of something special for both New York City and the NBA. Seriously.

No Regard Daily Previews: Bright Lights, Big Payback

One Game We Will Definitely Watch Tonight:
Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks (aka LeBron James vs. New York City)


Lately, I've had to remind myself that this isn't a Knicks blog. It's been difficult, because for the first time in my adult life, my team is the talk of the League, in a good way. They are exciting, they are gellin' like Magellan, and they are looking like a playoff lock. With all that, it's hard for me not to think of the Knicks first and foremost when I currently think about the NBA (or when I think about anything, really). That said, I've told myself that, for this blog's purpose, I need to avoid the temptation of writing about the Knicks all the time.

Well, that's gonna have to wait, isn't it?

No Regard Daily Previews: Goin' Streaking!

One Game We Will Definitely Watch Tonight:
New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics


Something's gotta give tonight. And no, I'm not going to be watching the 2003 movie starring Jack Nicholson, Diane Keaton, and Keanu Reeves in which, according to IMDB, "A swinger on the cusp of being a senior citizen with a taste for younger women falls in love with an accomplished woman closer to his age." I'm talking about streaks, baby, either Boston's (ten straight wins) or New York's (eight straight wins). Tonight's epic Eastern Conference clash is perhaps the first Knicks-Celtics game I've witnessed that's had any significance. Both teams are good, finally. As a huge fan of the New York/Boston rivalry, I couldn't be happier. The NBA's version of this northeastern rivalry is exciting! On that note...

No Regard Daily Previews: Throwing Down Ain't Nothing But A Thang

One Game We Will Definitely Watch Tonight: Dallas Mavericks vs. Golden State Warriors

In typical Dirk-era Dallas fashion, the Mavericks have been piping hot so far this regular season, most recently rattling off nine victories in a row. In typical Curry-era Golden State fashion, the Warriors haven't played any defense so far this regular season, allowing 106.9 points per contest, which ranks them 28th in the league.

Cuban's boys are defending the shit out of the ball, allowing only 92.2 points per game. Shocking, I know, for a team whose nucleus is made up of 67-year-old Jason Kidd and Dirk Nowitzki who, in the past, played as if he'd rather take a swift kick to the nuts than actually try and check opposing bigmen in the post. This whole, allegiance-to-defending gig is a massive step for a team that has championship aspirations. Dirk could easily find himself bodied up against a particularly dexterous Spaniard come May, so everything he's doing now to learn how to defend down low is pivotal.

As for Golden State, don't tell Monta Ellis and Steph Curry that their team doesn't worry about defending.

No Regard Daily Preview: Beasts of Land and Air

One Game We Will Definitely Watch Tonight: Memphis Grizzlies vs. Atlanta Hawks


In a lot of ways, this is the exact kind of game we had in mind when we decided to do a feature spotlighting one matchup each night. Some games feature two high profile teams with major star power (see tonight’s alternate game of Orlando vs. Chicago), and these games are often amazing to watch. Other games feature two down-in-the-dumps squads who are playing merely for pride, and these games often produce a sort of human drama that we enjoy greatly. But this kind of game—the kind that features two teams that are competitive but not elite, two teams with exciting players who are not quite household names, two teams that are likely to be fighting for a playoff spot come April—is sort of what we live for.

No Regard Daily Preview: Starry West

One Game We Will Definitely Watch Tonight: New Orleans Hornets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder


When the season began, these two teams were in very different positions. The Thunder were the darlings of the basketball media and expectations were higher than for any team in the West that doesn't include Kobe Bryant. And while they haven't been bad, per se, their early season performance has been overshadowed by, among other teams, the New Orleans Hornets, who won their first eight games and 12 of their first 13. The Hornets have struggled a bit of late, losing to the shit-hot Spurs and Jazz and the shit Clippers. Tonight is a chance for the Hornets to get back on track and the Thunder to remind everyone that they're still the most exciting team that side of the Mississippi. This could be a preview of what would surely be a second round playoff match-up for the ages.


One Game We Probably Won't Watch Tonight: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Utah Jazz


The Bucks look to be shorthanded for a game that already seemed unlikely to go in their favor. With Carlos Delfino out and Andrew Bogut, Corey Maggette, and Drew Gooden all questionable, the Deer will be relying heavily on Brandon Jennings, who will be kept quite busy by Deron Williams. The Jazz have won five in a row. Don't look for that streak to come close to ending tonight. As a matter of fact, we're not going to look at all.

No Regard Daily Previews: 11-17-2010

One Game We Will Definitely Watch Tonight: Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder


We are a few weeks into the season and have barely written about the Thunder, the team we spent all summer championing until our throats were sore. We even picked them to win the Western Conference. So a fair question is, "Wha' happened?!"

The simplest answer is, "The Minnesota Timberwolves became our spirit animal." The long answer would get boring, so let's just leave it at that and say we're sorry. The road to recovery starts tonight, when we watch the team we crushed so hard on for the better part of this year play the Rockets.

"Why the Rockets?" you ask. I just like them. But I know this shoudn't be a close game. The Rockets are venturing into the loudest arena in the NBA without their starting point guard and starting center. Those two absences would kill their chances in a tug of war or egg spoon race, and pretty much do the same for tonight's basketball exhibition. But the Rockets have pulled off wins against much steeper odds in the past few years (including most of those during their 22-game winning streak back in 2008). Regardless, I think Luis Scola's hair is nice and I'm excited to watch rookie Ishmael Smith. I've never seen so much as a picture of the guy, but dude's name just sounds fast.

Also, no matter what happens in the game, tomorrow morning I'm going to run the headline, "Houston, We Have a Dog!". And that's as fair a reason as any I can think of to watch a basketball game.

One Game We Probably Won't Watch Tonight: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Detroit Pistons


If we want to see innocent people get ruined by ruthless killers tonight, we'll watch Hotel Rwanda. At least that has a sort of hopeful ending.

No Regard Daily Previews: 11-16-10

One Game We Will Definitely Watch Tonight:
Denver Nuggets Vs. New York Knicks

We all know that the Knicks are hoping to land a trade in the near future that would bring Melo to New York. With this in mind, our inside sources have leaked a letter sent directly from James Dolan's office with specific instructions on how the Knicks are supposed to treat the Brooklyn native in this evening's game in Denver. Here are the instructions, word for word:

Dear Knicks Coaching Staff and Players,

You all know that we are hoping to one day in the near future land a trade that would bring Melo to New York (hopefully for Fat Eddie and Gallo). As a result, it's extremely important that in tonight's game, we show Melo what this current Knicks team is all about. Therefore, we are requiring that the following rules be observed throughout the game this evening to ensure we leave Melo with a warm feeling about our team. They've been aptly named the "Melo Rules." I sure am a clever owner, eh?