:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60515779/154688750.0.0.0.jpg)
Okay! Almost time for the mid-season season opener, y'all. In case you missed it, the news before tip-off is that Jason Kidd is suffering from back spasms and did not make the "trip". The Knicks were characteristically vague about that info, but we've now learned that Kurt Thomas will start for New York. That means Ronnie Brewer will shift down to the two and likely guard Joe Johnson, while Carmelo Anthony will start at the three for the first time this year. Thomas and Tyson Chandler will match up with Kris Humphries and Brook Lopez, which is, if nothing else, a more orthodox approach than we've seen from the Knicks since they lost Amar'e Stoudemire. Beyond the first unit, I guess we should expect to see more J.R. Smith and Pablo Prigioni than usual.
I've had a bad feeling about this one ever since the Knicks' defense started to slide, and the absence of Kidd doesn't help. Brooklyn's got a way better offense than any of New York's last three opponents, so the Knicks' options are to either suddenly wake back up defensively (and, who knows, maybe a lineup change can spark that) or run up a whole mess o' points.
Should be an exciting one. Two quick, important notes:
1. Nets fans will probably come by P&T tonight. Please be respectful. If a visitor's comments are clearly of the troll-ish variety-- meant only to disrupt and inflame-- please do not respond to those comments. Objectionable comments should be flagged so that I can attend to them myself and otherwise ignored to avoid nasty back-and-forths. Please please please.
2. You're encouraged to visit Nets Daily. If you choose to comment, please be similarly respectful. A warning for unseemly behavior at another blog will get you a strike here at P&T.
Let's just all enjoy the game and be kind to one another. Tip-off is at 7. Comment along here, and please don't post large photos, .gifs, or links to illegal streams.
!!!