It’s hard enough being a Northwestern basketball fan. It’s even harder watching other teams boast in spades what we haven’t been able to find in more than a decade: a quality post player. In a rare break from Big Ten coverage, I had the chance to check out highlights from Monday’s Kansas-Kansas State game, and the Jayhawks are fortunate to not only have a forward who averages a double-double but a center who blocks shots like it’s nobody’s business. We all know about Thomas Robinson, although I only realized today that he is easily averaging a double-double, with 18.1 points and 12.1 rebounds per game, but perhaps the world was not aware of Jeff Withey, who made his presence known with a nine-block performance against the Wildcats, the Wildcats of Kansas State that is. The seven-foot center has freakishly long arms, and also boasts impressive speed, which allows him to get to players on the fast break, sneak up behind them, and swat their shots against the glass. I couldn’t believe some of the shots he got to. And then for a rather meek looking kid, he fights hard down low, and even has the ability to tip shots in. Of course, I’m making my judgments from one set of highlights, and it’s doubtful that a kid like this could ever play more than a reserve role in the NBA, but still Withey and his 3.2 blocks per game and 6.3 rebounds per game are worth noting.
Also, the latest fuss out of the Big Apple is what will happen when Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony return to the starting lineup. Will brilliant babysitter Jeremy Lin be forced to turn his keys over to the established stars, and head back to the bench? Of course not, there’s always room for an electric scorer and unselfish passer like Lin in the Knicks’ starting lineup. He seems perfectly content to feed Anthony and Stoudemire all day if necessary, and this will make it harder for teams to crack down on the so-called Linsanity, because if they crack down on his drives to the hoop in future games, he will have the option to dish it out to an open Anthony or Stoudemire in the post. Both are menacing threats. So, I think this could work out quite nicely. And this could help Anthony get open shots, rather than force shots off the dribble. Watch Anthony’s atrocious 40 percent clip from the field skyrocket with Lin at the point. The Knicks will have two guys who can drive to the hoop and hoist up shots from the outside, in Lin and Anthony. They’ll have a dominant scorer in the post, in Stoudemire, and the game’s most underrated big man, perennial double-double threat Tyson Chandler, who’s averaging 9.9 rebounds per game. Chandler carried my fantasy team back in the day, and I have no doubt he can carry the day on the boards for the New York Knicks. Landry Fields makes for a nice role player, spark player in my opinion, and they have two veteran ball-handlers off the bench in Baron Davis and Mike Bibby, both formerly among the game’s best, who should provide leadership during a potential playoff run. Yes, I like the look of this team very much. And with a slate of easy games coming up, the Knicks have a chance to capitalize on their current momentum.
As for the return of the old guard, if this quote from ESPN New York’s Ian Begley, attributed to Stoudemire, is true, then the Knicks should have nothing to worry about.
Lin is finding guys out there. He’s playing totally unselfish. He’s taking what the defense gives him. He’s studying, which is what you want from your point guard, a guy who wants to be that facilitator and get guys involved and get guys open shots. He’s passing the ball right on the numbers where guys can catch and shoot. That brings up high-percentage shooting.
Also, happy payday to DeSean Jackson. By getting the franchise tag slapped on him, the Eagles wideout will be paid like an elite wide receiver, despite finishing 22nd in the NFL with 961 receiving yards, 46th in the league with 58 receptions and tied for 63rd in the league with just four touchdown receptions in 2011. Jackson obviously contributes to more than just the receiving corps, as he is an electric option on punt returns, but similar players can be found in the draft. And better yet for Jackson, after a miserable contract year, he gets one more chance, and if he can cross the millenium mark once more, he should be in line for a fat new contract, whether it’s with Philadelphia or someone else.
The Facts of Life 