I think the extra weight he added (he said he added 20lbs of muscle) might be slowing him down. But I'm worried it's the back. He looks inflexible, he's running stiffly, he doesn't seem to be able to bend or move quickly. To me, the way he's looked in these two pre-season games is exactly the way he looked for the final two games of the Boston series when he was playing with a bad back.
He's just had negative impact on offense and defense.
Also worried that it might just be that he's not meshing with Melo. Last season, the times they were most effective were when one of them went of the floor and the other became the focal point. That might be what they need to do, at least until they get a lead guard. Really hoping Baron can get back healthy by February or so.
Anyone else notice this? Am I just overreacting?
I think he is no longer the main focus of our offense, mixed with not real SSOL, PG play, ball movement, and spacing with shooters.
Amare looks a little lost to me, while I am not sure if its more of the combination of above or if you are right.
I hope he isn't hurt and wish him the best.
He did show some of his shot blocking ability on the help defense that he showed early last season.
I think he was taking it easy during preseason so he doesn't get injured. When the game matters you will see the athleticism. Add to that his jumper is rusty. Not worried at all.
I think in the first couple of weeks, they will need time to regain their legs and lungs.
It was a big vacation for some and no matter how much you train, nothing is like the real thing, in the pro level.
it's the preseason, with no training camp. let's revisit in a month
na... I was watching him and move during that free scrimmage and he looked very fluid and quick. I thought he looked good on defense last night, had some good blocks and held great position on the weak side. His shot was off and took too many jumpers but when they didnt fall he started attacking the rim
STAT also have a different role this year..He won't be attacking the rim as frequently...Most of the pick an roll to the basket will go to Chandler this year...Amare said he will be more of a perimeter player this year...Can't really say I agree with this but we will see...
i don't know, i don't think he looks like the same player. hopefully he's just getting acclimated to playing with Tyson and Melo. but not thrilled with how he's playing. we'll see, i guess.
the problem with Amare is more about not having a PG and less about his health IMO.. he has made some really athletic moves, block attempts etc... Once Baron arrives... he will be beasting
crzymdups wrote:I think the extra weight he added (he said he added 20lbs of muscle) might be slowing him down. But I'm worried it's the back. He looks inflexible, he's running stiffly, he doesn't seem to be able to bend or move quickly. To me, the way he's looked in these two pre-season games is exactly the way he looked for the final two games of the Boston series when he was playing with a bad back.He's just had negative impact on offense and defense.
Also worried that it might just be that he's not meshing with Melo. Last season, the times they were most effective were when one of them went of the floor and the other became the focal point. That might be what they need to do, at least until they get a lead guard. Really hoping Baron can get back healthy by February or so.
Anyone else notice this? Am I just overreacting?
I only caught a small part of the game last night, but I agree - he just doesn't look like the player he was when he first got here- and I think he may either be hurt, or getting old and wearing out. He has a ton of minutes on his body, and he may simply be worn out.
My sense is that it'll take Amare a while (? 5 games ?)
before we see the same player that we saw last year.
I'm seeing alot of rust there on top of having to adjust to his role in the offense
now that Tyson is here. I agree that patience is necessary.
KNICKSBIGCATS wrote:My sense is that it'll take Amare a while (? 5 games ?)
before we see the same player that we saw last year.
I'm seeing alot of rust there on top of having to adjust to his role in the offense
now that Tyson is here. I agree that patience is necessary.
It'll be interesting if in the end, he actually prefers being the center...
Panos wrote:KNICKSBIGCATS wrote:My sense is that it'll take Amare a while (? 5 games ?)
before we see the same player that we saw last year.
I'm seeing alot of rust there on top of having to adjust to his role in the offense
now that Tyson is here. I agree that patience is necessary.
It'll be interesting if in the end, he actually prefers being the center...
was wondering about this. if need be, they could run some sets when tyson goes out where amar'e is the five on offense and jorts is the four.
i agree patience is necessary in feeling out everyone's role on the offense.
but this isn't really even about his production - it's the way he's been moving, he looks stiff and hasn't been jumping a lot. he's driven to the hoop a few times but laid it in where last year we would have seen an explosive dunk. just a little worried
When I think back to last year, I thought Amare scored more frequently driving to the basket, as compared to shooting from the outside. Amare's best offensive talent is his freakish athleticism for his size, which has allowed him to be quite successful driving to the basket during his career. Will he be anywhere near as effective in his new role? Seems like the odds are against it. But perhaps he will have more energy to invest on the defensive side of the court. Perhaps this may help explain why the Knicks apparently tried trading Amare for Paul. It also might indicate why the Knicks went after Paul before they went after Chandler. They knew that the way Chandler played would cause the paint to be more packed, clogging the lane that Amare needed to drive to the basket.
i'm concerned. he doesn't look as explosive to me. he looks like he's lumbering a little. please let me be wrong.
don't 4get to discount Amare isn't playing center anymore.
When a center has to guard Amare, he usually is a lot slower, lacks the speed, and athleticism.
To go with that, Chandler is playing center, meaning the spacing is clogged and without the shooters to spread him out.
This is where Dantoni seems to prefer the liability vs the pros of having an undersized lineup
This is the same reason I believe, he never played Darko, he didn't feel he was that great defensively, or at legit range to run his system.
I don't want to start this whole Darko and so on talk, this isn't what I am trying to start
but just saying, part of the reasons why Amare doesn't look as quick could be a combination of all things, mixed with legs n health...
eViL wrote:i'm concerned. he doesn't look as explosive to me. he looks like he's lumbering a little. please let me be wrong.
As might as well be blunt - he's looked shitty. At least one poster here assured us that he will be fine though.
He definately looks bigger. That's alot of extra stress on his body...I dunno why gaining weight was something they would advise him to do after a back injury.
At the same time...he needs to pace himself and start to redefine his game the way LJ did.....learn to box out better and develop some slicker moves inside instead of bowling over and exploding every time. The Knicks need that element right now with Tyson and melo around
Amare will look a lot better once Baron steps in. He can go back to doing what he does best Pick & Roll
EnySpree wrote:He definately looks bigger. That's alot of extra stress on his body...I dunno why gaining weight was something they would advise him to do after a back injury. At the same time...he needs to pace himself and start to redefine his game the way LJ did.....learn to box out better and develop some slicker moves inside instead of bowling over and exploding every time. The Knicks need that element right now with Tyson and melo around
because Amare couldn't stand watching Jeffries play center himself, something had to be done.
during the summer, Billups extension meant it was unlikely to even add a slightly above average caliber center.
who would be able to predict the amnesty clause and the effects it will have on the Knicks.
People are so hyped up about the addition of Chandler on defense (understandably), they aren't noticing the issues with Amare.
Amare had traditionally done one thing (and only one thing) extremely well as a basketball player. He scored very efficiently FINISHING at the basket. The thing is, he has always done that best when playing "C" because he was too quick for traditional Cs and could drive past them or get the ball from a great passer like Nash. His scoring efficiency has always been worse when playing against PFs because they are quicker and also more willing to come outside and defend his mid range jumper near the foul line.
Now he's going to be playing PF, we have no PG with anywhere near the passing skills of Nash (even Felton was a lot better), Chandler is going to be clogging the middle more often, and Amare gained 20 pounds and appears a step slower. To me, gaining that 20 pounds was mistake. All it's going to do is reduce his advantage. He's not a power player!
You can already see that Amare is going to be settling for more mid range jumpers (which he is just an average ball player at) or trying to create off the dribble more and turning the ball over.
Personally, I think the Knicks offense is not going be nearly as good as many people believe. It will certainly still be good, but expectations are too high.
