Knicks @ Nets (Pre-Season Game 1) Preview

Tomorrow, the Knicks will tip off their quick two-game pre-season series against the New Jersey Nets.

Whilst it is just a pre-season game, Knicks fans will be excited to see the team play for the first time since they were swept by the Celtics almost 8 months ago. The game will also give fans their first chance to see new signings such as Iman Shumpert, Tyson Chandler and Mike Bibby in their first (semi) competitive action as Knickerbockers. The game will also mark the first of many returns for former Knick Shawne Williams.

A slight worry emerged for the Knicks earlier in the week, when Carmelo Anthony hyper-extended his knee in practice, but he has since said that he will be good to go for the pre-season opener. It will be extremely important for Carmelo and the other Knick stars to get substantial minutes in these pre-season games to build chemistry – a major problem in the final stretch last season.

The game may also give Glen Grunwald a final chance to see exactly what the Knicks are missing, giving him the opportunity to fill those needs in time for the regular season. Will another contributor off the bench be needed? Is the starting point guard currently on the roster? We’ll soon find out.

The Knicks are obviously the better of the two teams and - despite it being the pre-season - they need to wipe the floor with these Nets. If we want to win a championship the intensity must start now.

This game may not be too important in the long run but we should enjoy it – remember that just 20 days there was no promise of us seeing any NBA basketball at all this year.

Follow me on Twitter @Ciaran_KF

Editors Note:  Tomorrow the O&B and Peaceman will lead the first LBE (Live Blogging Event) of the season.   For those who have never participated in our LBEs, they are fast-paced and loads fo fun as we engage in a freewheeling e-conversation while the game is in progress.  Stop on by.