Now, the friends of LeBron and Wade around the league should pause before they rush to emulate a blueprint that clearly needs more work. For Stoudemire and Anthony, it could be too late. Given the talent the Knicks had to give up to get Melo, he and Stoudemire are left with a Miami-like, star-heavy roster that is lacking the supporting cast necessary to win. The Knicks have two things going for them that the Heat are missing: 1) a strong leader and capable point guard in Chauncey Billups, who will figure out how to deploy his star duo's strengths and hide the weaknesses; and 2) a pair of stars who complement each other better than James and Wade do. Still, New York's starting center is Jared Jeffries, who has logged an even 100 minutes without scoring a single field goal since rejoining the Knicks
http://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/14793...
I think the Knicks really need to pick up Billups contract. I think if you have a finals mvp with his leadership abilities playing the point you do everything you can to keep him. In my opinion that is money well spent.
I love the addition of Billups. I just hope he doesn't have any setbacks. We really need him to be in tip top shape and to get the chemistry going with everyone. I was pleased with TD during this stretch, but you feel much better with Billups back in the mix.
nixluva wrote:I love the addition of Billups. I just hope he doesn't have any setbacks. We really need him to be in tip top shape and to get the chemistry going with everyone. I was pleased with TD during this stretch, but you feel much better with Billups back in the mix.
I agree. I have enjoyed Douglas's success but I don't think the Knicks can rely on him to provide anything close to what Billups does. I think Karl misses Billups more than Melo.
I disagree...Lots of folks get caught up in scoring and miss the bigger picture...Don't get me wrong but Billups is a dynamic player...It's still early, but Felton did a better job getting getting Amare the ball where he needs it to be more effective...Amare got to the rim more frequently and thus drew more fouls...Amare, to his credit because he is knocking them down, is now a jump shooter...The pace is slower...Felton got in the lane more frequently allowing our wing players along with S. Williams wide open looks...Felton was somewhat effect at keeping opposing PG out the lane, that helps...But Billups is a big time player and is a much better scorer than Felton, but sometimes it ain't all about scoring...
holfresh wrote:I disagree...Lots of folks get caught up in scoring and miss the bigger picture...Don't get me wrong but Billups is a dynamic player...It's still early, but Felton did a better job getting getting Amare the ball where he needs it to be more effective...Amare got to the rim more frequently and thus drew more fouls...Amare, to his credit because he is knocking them down, is a jump shooter...The pace is slower...Felton got in the lane more frequently allowing our wing players along with S. Williams wide open looks...Felton was somewhat effect at keeping opposing PG out the lane, that helps...But Billups is a big time player and is a much better scorer than Felton, but sometimes it ain't all about scoring...
I think now that Amare and Melo are together there needs to be a guy to keep things in perspective. I think Billups is that guy. There was a lot made of Amare and Melo laughing at Bosh. I think Billups might prevent the tweet wars that could come up between Amare/Melo and the Heatles. I also think his leadership on the court and in the locker room is extremely valuable. I was at the Cleveland game right after the deadline and the only reason the Knicks were even in the game was because Billups came down for 4 consecutive possesions in the fourth quarter and either hit a three or got fouled shooting a three. He got the Cavs into the penalty and single handedly got the Knicks back into the game. The Knicks have some egos to keep in check now. I think Billups is the guy to do that.
CrushAlot wrote:holfresh wrote:I disagree...Lots of folks get caught up in scoring and miss the bigger picture...Don't get me wrong but Billups is a dynamic player...It's still early, but Felton did a better job getting getting Amare the ball where he needs it to be more effective...Amare got to the rim more frequently and thus drew more fouls...Amare, to his credit because he is knocking them down, is a jump shooter...The pace is slower...Felton got in the lane more frequently allowing our wing players along with S. Williams wide open looks...Felton was somewhat effect at keeping opposing PG out the lane, that helps...But Billups is a big time player and is a much better scorer than Felton, but sometimes it ain't all about scoring...
I think now that Amare and Melo are together there needs to be a guy to keep things in perspective. I think Billups is that guy. There was a lot made of Amare and Melo laughing at Bosh. I think Billups might prevent the tweet wars that could come up between Amare/Melo and the Heatles. I also think his leadership on the court and in the locker room is extremely valuable. I was at the Cleveland game right after the deadline and the only reason the Knicks were even in the game was because Billups came down for 4 consecutive possesions in the fourth quarter and either hit a three or got fouled shooting a three. He got the Cavs into the penalty and single handedly got the Knicks back into the game. The Knicks have some egos to keep in check now. I think Billups is the guy to do that.
Really...U think Amare or Melo needs to be led by Billups??...
holfresh wrote:CrushAlot wrote:holfresh wrote:I disagree...Lots of folks get caught up in scoring and miss the bigger picture...Don't get me wrong but Billups is a dynamic player...It's still early, but Felton did a better job getting getting Amare the ball where he needs it to be more effective...Amare got to the rim more frequently and thus drew more fouls...Amare, to his credit because he is knocking them down, is a jump shooter...The pace is slower...Felton got in the lane more frequently allowing our wing players along with S. Williams wide open looks...Felton was somewhat effect at keeping opposing PG out the lane, that helps...But Billups is a big time player and is a much better scorer than Felton, but sometimes it ain't all about scoring...
I think now that Amare and Melo are together there needs to be a guy to keep things in perspective. I think Billups is that guy. There was a lot made of Amare and Melo laughing at Bosh. I think Billups might prevent the tweet wars that could come up between Amare/Melo and the Heatles. I also think his leadership on the court and in the locker room is extremely valuable. I was at the Cleveland game right after the deadline and the only reason the Knicks were even in the game was because Billups came down for 4 consecutive possesions in the fourth quarter and either hit a three or got fouled shooting a three. He got the Cavs into the penalty and single handedly got the Knicks back into the game. The Knicks have some egos to keep in check now. I think Billups is the guy to do that.
Really...U think Amare or Melo needs to be led by Billups??...
Yeah, that's alarming.
holfresh wrote:Really...U think Amare or Melo needs to be led by Billups??...
It's not so much Amare, but Melo definitely needs to get dragged by the ear by someone.
I agree with Berger's premise.
One thing though - Mike Bibbiy has actually been a big pickup for the Heat. He's well past his prime... but he can shoot it and pass it and tell people where to be on offense. He might make a big difference for them. Again - I'm in no rush to face the Heat in Round 1 - I think that's seriously playing with fire.
I believe the Knicks, as currently constructed, are a 50 win team.
That's enough to roll the dice, dependable role players will be the tipping point to a title.
holfresh wrote:I disagree...Lots of folks get caught up in scoring and miss the bigger picture...Don't get me wrong but Billups is a dynamic player...It's still early, but Felton did a better job getting getting Amare the ball where he needs it to be more effective...Amare got to the rim more frequently and thus drew more fouls...Amare, to his credit because he is knocking them down, is now a jump shooter...The pace is slower...Felton got in the lane more frequently allowing our wing players along with S. Williams wide open looks...Felton was somewhat effect at keeping opposing PG out the lane, that helps...But Billups is a big time player and is a much better scorer than Felton, but sometimes it ain't all about scoring...
Felton didn't even know how to run the PnR with Amare after a full training camp and through the whole month of November... and after 4 games with Billups you want to draw a conclusion about Felton being able to run things better then Billups?
martin wrote:holfresh wrote:I disagree...Lots of folks get caught up in scoring and miss the bigger picture...Don't get me wrong but Billups is a dynamic player...It's still early, but Felton did a better job getting getting Amare the ball where he needs it to be more effective...Amare got to the rim more frequently and thus drew more fouls...Amare, to his credit because he is knocking them down, is now a jump shooter...The pace is slower...Felton got in the lane more frequently allowing our wing players along with S. Williams wide open looks...Felton was somewhat effect at keeping opposing PG out the lane, that helps...But Billups is a big time player and is a much better scorer than Felton, but sometimes it ain't all about scoring...
Felton didn't even know how to run the PnR with Amare after a full training camp and through the whole month of November... and after 4 games with Billups you want to draw a conclusion about Felton being able to run things better then Billups?
The main thing that is heartening about the Melo trade is that it already seems like Melo knows how to run a pick and roll with Amar'e better than Felton or Gallinari ever did.
The Melo trade maximizes the benefit we'll get out of Amar'e.
What remains to be seen is whether the Knicks can put enough complementary pieces around those two - Chauncey, Toney, Landry and Shawne Williams and even Jeffries are a good start, but some quality bigs will be a necessity.
martin wrote:holfresh wrote:I disagree...Lots of folks get caught up in scoring and miss the bigger picture...Don't get me wrong but Billups is a dynamic player...It's still early, but Felton did a better job getting getting Amare the ball where he needs it to be more effective...Amare got to the rim more frequently and thus drew more fouls...Amare, to his credit because he is knocking them down, is now a jump shooter...The pace is slower...Felton got in the lane more frequently allowing our wing players along with S. Williams wide open looks...Felton was somewhat effect at keeping opposing PG out the lane, that helps...But Billups is a big time player and is a much better scorer than Felton, but sometimes it ain't all about scoring...
Felton didn't even know how to run the PnR with Amare after a full training camp and through the whole month of November... and after 4 games with Billups you want to draw a conclusion about Felton being able to run things better then Billups?
Right, I was just about to post this. To say Billups doesnt know how to feed Amare rolling to the basket is a bit premature.
The only worry over picking up Billups' option rather than saving the cap space is that he'll be injured and miss half the season since he's aging.
The only question is do we wait and try to strike gold with Howard even though its a long shot but would gurante mulitple championships. Or do we try and make moves right away. Maybe exercise the TO on Billups then resign him for cheap, then make a play for a big man with the extra cash and Turiaf expiring contract.
three things. add fans that show up on time to the list
newyorknewyork wrote:The only question is do we wait and try to strike gold with Howard even though its a long shot but would gurante mulitple championships. Or do we try and make moves right away. Maybe exercise the TO on Billups then resign him for cheap, then make a play for a big man with the extra cash and Turiaf expiring contract.
I get the sense that Billups signs elsewhere if his option is not picked up.
martin wrote:holfresh wrote:I disagree...Lots of folks get caught up in scoring and miss the bigger picture...Don't get me wrong but Billups is a dynamic player...It's still early, but Felton did a better job getting getting Amare the ball where he needs it to be more effective...Amare got to the rim more frequently and thus drew more fouls...Amare, to his credit because he is knocking them down, is now a jump shooter...The pace is slower...Felton got in the lane more frequently allowing our wing players along with S. Williams wide open looks...Felton was somewhat effect at keeping opposing PG out the lane, that helps...But Billups is a big time player and is a much better scorer than Felton, but sometimes it ain't all about scoring...
Felton didn't even know how to run the PnR with Amare after a full training camp and through the whole month of November... and after 4 games with Billups you want to draw a conclusion about Felton being able to run things better then Billups?
You might have missed me saying it's early...my point in saying this was to show Billups has a ways to go before we start saying we are up anything on the Heat...Also Felton might have taken a month to get things going, but he did an unbelievable job when he got things right...Let's see Billups get there...
Sad Im going to have to read these articles after every loss.
Sangfroid wrote:newyorknewyork wrote:The only question is do we wait and try to strike gold with Howard even though its a long shot but would gurante mulitple championships. Or do we try and make moves right away. Maybe exercise the TO on Billups then resign him for cheap, then make a play for a big man with the extra cash and Turiaf expiring contract.
I get the sense that Billups signs elsewhere if his option is not picked up.
They would only not pick up the option if they already agree to resign him to a new contract.
