Knicks @ Lakers Matchup: 12/29

     With what should be an interesting match tonight between the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks, the two teams aren't as easily matched up as one would think. Andrew Bynum is still serving a suspension, which forces Pau Gasol to shift over to the center position.  Portions of the Knicks roster should be checked into Beth Israel Medical Center (i.e. Baron Davis, Iman Shumpert, Jared Jeffries; the list could go on). There is one thing for certain though: tonight's match has been long awaited for both Lakers' fans and Knicks' fans alike.
     I want to start off by taking a brief look at both teams point guard positions.  Los Angeles has a proven leader in Derek Fisher.  The 16 year veteran has had his share of glorious moments, in which he has played in 1,113 games. Fisher is a clutch shooter and with the Knicks as his opponents he might need to pull a rabbit out the hat.  Toney Douglas is NOT a true point guard.  He is a scorer and is more comfortable at the shooting position. There is still so much more for Toney to improve on before he can be a leader of the team.  I give the edge to the Lakers here.
     The next position is the shooting guard which places Landry Fields against Kobe Bryant.  This is simply a no brainer. Not to take anything away from Landry; he is a great shooter, solid 3 point range, and plays decent defense; HOWEVER, he is no Kobe Bryant. One might complain that Kobe has an injured wrist, but he is still one of the greatest of modern times.  This one goes to the Lakers as well.

     At the small forward position the Lakers are starting Devin Ebanks. Although he hasn't been doing too bad for the Lakers, starting ahead of a struggling Metta World Peace, he is pitted against Carmelo Anthony.  Melo has one too many weapons in his arsenal for Ebanks to guard him.  With his ability to drive off the dribble, or his infamous stutter step jumper, the edge here goes to New York.
     Similarly at the power forward, fans are given the matchup of Amar'e Stoudemire against Josh McRoberts.  This is where Bynum's suspension hurts because you don't have Gasol here.  McRoberts is no Pau. Stat is very difficult to guard and McRoberts will be tested here. Stat can shoot the 10 footer or he'll drive baseline.  This matchup belongs to the Knicks.
    Finally at the center position it's Pau Gasol against the new acquisition Tyson Chandler. Gasol is not a center; he never was and never will be.  Simply put, he does not possess the toughness to be down low. Pau can score, but that's at the forward position. Chandler does have that toughness.  In fact, he has so much that he's trying to rub off on his team, and thus far he has.  Knicks are starting to play good defense against teams, and its all starts with Chandler voicing himself under the basket.  I think this one belongs to New York as well.

Look back after tonight's game for a final score and recap.