They are playing a deeper rotation and finding big contributions from guys like Anthony Carter, Bill Walker and Shelden Williams
Carmelo Anthony is absolutely on fire. He looks more comfortable in this free flowing offense. Is taking more three pointers, but scoring more efficiently than before. Not forcing the action and is putting up huge numbers consistently.
Billups looks to be over the injuries and is playing better ball. But meanwhile its Toney Douglas that actually looks like a PG now. And Anthony Carter creates offensively and defensively every time he gets in the game.
To me that leaves two guys- Fields and Amare. Stalwarts all year, but have had the most difficulty adjusting of the holdovers. I think some of it is fatigue. But both have shown signs.
The Knicks found the best time in the year to get hot and get on a win streak. If they are are able to beat Indiana and play Chicago and Boston tough, I think they will have the right amount momentum going into the playoffs to potentially pull off a first round upset.
This was the plan and it's good to see the team finally clicking. It took a while and looked bad while they were working things out, but they've hit a groove and you can see the team has a swagger now. They know that they can compete and they feel good about how they're playing.
The most encouraging thing is that we actually play better against good teams! It may have been frustrating to see them lose to bad teams, but one thing is for sure they showed up against the better teams. No one really wants to see the Knicks in the Playoffs. They'd rather see the Hawks or Pacers before they see the Knicks. If the Knicks are hot from 3 there's no beating them and that has to be a scary factor. Also the Knicks are a decent road team. It doesn't seem to matter to them where they play. Not to mention that Knick fans are everywhere.
These next 3 games will determine what we will do in the playoffs imho.
My concern is that D'Antoni is going to shorten the rotation to the point where it hurts the team's chances to advance. I know its SOP for most teams to have a short rotation during the playoffs but talent wise this team isn't very deep and could use the extra help. I've also noticed that the team seems more up for a fight when the rotation is larger.
ramtour420 wrote:These next 3 games will determine what we will do in the playoffs imho.
100% agree. The teams we have been beating on the streak have been bad. I think it's been great for confidence and getting them out of the losing slump but the playoffs will be against good teams so these next few games will be a good measure of how things will shake out.
I think they will do well, regardless of the teams the Kniks have been playing - they are starting to look competitive.
I do think those that believe the Heat will be a cake walk will realize they aren't going down easy. I don't like them but thatseries will be a dog fight if it happens.
We will soon find out. 3 games all against playoff teams coming up.
I hope so. It would be great to watch a series go seven games or to see this team advance to the second round. It has been a long time since anything like that has happened.
ramtour420 wrote:These next 3 games will determine what we will do in the playoffs imho.
Olbrannon wrote:We will soon find out. 3 games all against playoff teams coming up.
agreed.
These next 3 games will show nothing because the last 2 games our stars will play only 2qtrs and not risk injury
OasisBU wrote:I do think those that believe the Heat will be a cake walk will realize they aren't going down easy. I don't like them but thatseries will be a dog fight if it happens.
Dogfight - I likes it. Dem Heat gots two big dogs and we got da wolf. Bring it.
I think his was posted somewhere before:
Amare >> Bosh
Melo < Lebron (but Melo owns Lebron)
Fields <<< Wade
Biluups >>> Bibby
Both centers are bad.
Our Bench >= Their bench (As long as TD plays in control and Wlker/ the S Williams are contributing)
I think the Knicks will have hit their full stride once they've proven sustained excellence or, at the very least, consistency. All year including the pre-trade KNicks, they've been prone to winning and losing streaks alike. I'm not ready to say they've turned a corner... what I am hoping, however, is they hit a hot streak at the right time of the year
I'm watching the Heat demolish Boston with defense right now. they look playoff ready anyway.
Bosh is spraying mouthpiece and 'bullshit' at a ref and T'd up.
loweyecue wrote:OasisBU wrote:I do think those that believe the Heat will be a cake walk will realize they aren't going down easy. I don't like them but thatseries will be a dog fight if it happens.
Dogfight - I likes it. Dem Heat gots two big dogs and we got da wolf. Bring it.
I think his was posted somewhere before:
Amare >> Bosh
Melo < Lebron (but Melo owns Lebron)
Fields <<< Wade
Biluups >>> Bibby
Both centers are bad.
Our Bench >= Their bench (As long as TD plays in control and Wlker/ the S Williams are contributing)
A good center makes us as good or better than Miami.
Knixkik wrote:loweyecue wrote:OasisBU wrote:I do think those that believe the Heat will be a cake walk will realize they aren't going down easy. I don't like them but thatseries will be a dog fight if it happens.
Dogfight - I likes it. Dem Heat gots two big dogs and we got da wolf. Bring it.
I think his was posted somewhere before:
Amare >> Bosh
Melo < Lebron (but Melo owns Lebron)
Fields <<< Wade
Biluups >>> Bibby
Both centers are bad.
Our Bench >= Their bench (As long as TD plays in control and Wlker/ the S Williams are contributing)
A good center makes us as good or better than Miami.
Nazr Muhammed makes us better than Miami
short rotations are better especially in the playoffs where you get ample rest in between games...
we're going to have a tough time winning any games if jeffries, carter or mason finds any minutes... hopefully mda can find 8 games that doesn't include any of them....
I feel like Melo is really locked into this offense now and much more comfortable. I'm really feeling much better about this team right now.
VDesai wrote:I feel like Melo is really locked into this offense now and much more comfortable. I'm really feeling much better about this team right now.
yes. A lot less iso's early in the clock. MDA has him coming off of cross screen to the mid-post area where he likes it. Better ball movement before he gets it.
I still see Billups as a problem, I'm not trusting his running of the offense at all. And his D ain't great either. I don't like his rep relying on big-shot theatrics. We need solid pg play for 48 mins, not Hail Marys.
BlueSeats wrote:I still see Billups as a problem, I'm not trusting his running of the offense at all. And his D ain't great either. I don't like his rep relying on big-shot theatrics. We need solid pg play for 48 mins, not Hail Marys.
I think I am in the same boat here and do think the big-shot thing is a tad overrated. But I don't think the Knicks really have a choice to move past him.
And he does at least know how to run the system and find Melo and Amare. For the lack of big men in the FA market, and for TD still being at least another year away from having better command of the PG position, the Knicks will undoubtedly pick up Billups' contract for next year.
And then hello CP3 or Deron, which is not bad.
I am anxious to see what Billups can do with a summer off and a full training camp.
everytime i hit full stride and the world is gliding by without effort, i eff it up.
knicks are in deep attack mode, they are focused animals right now, stride is putting it lightly, i say they are in a war fervor
