Knicks · A positive article on the Knicks, which I totally agree with (page 1)

http://www.hoopsworld.com/knicks-bottom-out-%e2%80%93-panic-setting-in

Knicks Bottom Out – Panic Setting In?
By Tommy Beer
Senior NBA Writer & Fantasy Sports Editor
Follow @Tommy BeerTommy BeerEmail Print 0

The controversy and commotion surrounding the Knicks slow start came to a head Saturday night when New York hosted the Nuggets, Carmelo Anthony’s former team. Many frustrated fans were hoping the Knicks would finally end a five-game losing streak. Instead, the Knickerbockers dropped another decision, this time in excruciating fashion – a double-overtime loss to Denver in which former Knick Danilo Gallinari stole the show by playing the best game of his young career.

Almost immediately upon the conclusion of the Knicks latest loss, the blood-letting began. Yet, while the Knicks will continue to get crucified by NYC tabloids chomping at the bit, there is a different tack to take here.

Take a deep breath nervous Knicks fans, step away from the ledge. All is not lost. Not yet at least. This 2011-2012 Knicks team has many miles to go before they sleep…

Surprisingly, many fans and analysts alike feel comfortable making definitive declarations that the Knicks were foolish to make the move for Carmelo Anthony. However, both the Nuggets and Knicks have played less than 50 regular season games apiece – seems a little early to make to make any sort of final evaluations of this trade, no?

When the Knicks traded for Melo, acquiring the franchise’s first true offensive superstar since Patrick Ewing, the ultimate goal was to build a championship contender. It was not to win more regular season games than the Denver Nuggets between February 2011 and February 2012. Hastily determining a winner or loser in the Carmelo trade at this point is simply a rush to judgment. Not only is this season far from finished, but the construction of the Knicks roster in still a work in progress.

Have the early returns on the Melo investment been favorable? Of course not. The Knicks lack of success over the past year has been humiliating to the franchise. But these past 11 months will not be the final determinant of this trade. It is not as if the Knicks were an aging group of all-star veterans just one piece away from a title. No, at the time of the trade, they were a .500 team than hadn’t won a playoff game since 2001. Melo wasn’t the final piece of the puzzle; he was an extremely important part of a nascent rebuilding project.

Melo, who is just 27 years of age, is signed through June of 2015. He’ll have many opportunities to re-write the early (negative) narrative. Moreover, although the current win/loss record may not reflect it, New York has some pieces already in place.

The fact of the matter is this team has been in a state of flux since the day the trade was made. Last season, both Amar’e and Chauncey Billups were injured late in the regular season, as well as the postseason. And, as result of the lockout, Mike D’Antoni never had an opportunity to build cohesion and chemistry in training camp this past fall. The Tyson Chandler signing also resulted in the Knicks parting with their only true point guard.

That said, the injuries and other issues do not excuse the Knicks’ poor play. They simply have way too much talent to find themselves four games below .500. But fortunately for New York, the NBA doesn’t hand out final grades or trophies to team based on how they play over the first 15 games of the regular season. This team can be fairly judged once the season concludes. There is still plenty of time, and plenty of games, to be played. We are still in the first quarter of the 2011-2012 NBA season.

And, believe it or not, there is reason for Knicks fans to be relatively optimistic. For starters, the imminent return of Baron Davis (who may begin practicing fully as early as Monday) could potentially alleviate the Knicks biggest flaw – lack of a true point guard. In D’Antoni’s system, having a trustworthy PG dictate flow and facilitate the offense is crucial. Currently the Knicks’ offense often seems bogged down in half-court sets, which frequently degenerate into Carmelo in isolation trying to manufacture a decent shot.

If (big “if”) Baron Davis can stay healthy, he provides D’Antoni with the point guard this offense so desperately needs. Davis spoke with the media on Friday and affirmed that it would be prudent to wait until the end of the season to judge the Knicks. “Offensively, I know that we’ll come around. We just have to continue to sacrifice for each other, and make that extra pass and play with a little bit of quicker pace. If you look at it, we’re 14 games into the season and we’re only in the middle of January… I’m confident in all my teammates that we’re all going to figure it out. This is definitely a work in progress. Our whole goal, the way we talk, is be ready by April — clicking on all cylinders and ready to head into the playoffs,” said Davis.

In addition, one bright spot early on has been the Knicks improved performance on the other end of the floor. The Knicks are actually playing better defensively than most anyone would have predicted. They are in the top half of the league in Defensive Efficiency (98.9) – thanks in large part to the impact of Tyson Chandler down low. New York’s Defensive Rating (DRtg) – an estimate of points allowed per 100 possessions – currently stands at 101.0, which is the lowest it’s been in New York since the 2000-2001 season under Jeff Van Gundy, which, coincidentally, was the last time the Knicks won a playoff game. Assuming their offense will eventually improve, that in combination to the vastly improved defense is a recipe for success.

Moreover, Baron Davis won’t be the only reinforcement the Knicks receive this season. New York wisely saved their “room” exception, which will allow them to be major bidders on the NBA players that signed contracts to play in China. Standouts such as Kenyon Martin, Aaron Brooks, and J.R. Smith are currently under contract with Chinese Basketball Association teams. Come March, when the CBA season ends, these players become eligible to be signed by NBA teams. New York has been linked, in some form or fashion, to each one of the aforementioned players.

The Knicks starting backcourt in April could include Baron Davis and J.R. Smith, with Iman Shumpert playing the role of energetic sixth man. Or might feature Baron starting at the point, with Shump at SG and Kenyon Martin as the first big off the bench.

Which top team in the East would want to see a healthy Knicks team in the first round of the playoffs? In every sport, we often see the team that gets hot towards the end of the season and is firing on all cylinders entering the playoffs, wreak havoc in the postseason. (During the last NBA campaign truncated by a lockout back in 1999, the Knicks barely qualified for the playoffs as a #8 seed but went on to shock the HEAT in round one and advanced all the way to the NBA Finals. New York was 21-21 after 42 regular season games that year.)

And looking beyond just this season, the Knicks will have the opportunity to further improve the roster significantly next offseason. Next summer New York will be able to go shopping with the mid-level exception. Luckily for the Knicks, the market will be flooded with a bevy of top-tier point guards. Steve Nash, Raymond Felton, Jason Kidd, Andre Miller, Jason Terry, and Kirk Hinrich will all be unrestricted free agents. Ramon Sessions, Beno Udrih, and Jameer Nelson also have the opportunity to opt out of their current contracts and become unrestricted FA’s. With the Knicks boasting a frontline featuring Anthony, Stoudemire, and Chandler, you can safely assume many a PG would enjoy the opportunity to play in NYC.

But before looking too far into the future, the Knicks still have the opportunity to make some noise this season.

The playoffs don’t start until the end of April, still over three months away. A lot can happen in 100 days and the story of this Knicks’ season will have many more twists and turns. There will be a few more valleys, but there also will be some peaks. Patience is a virtue at this stage of the game.

Ultimately, the Knicks won’t be judged on their record in late January, but rather by their record and how they are playing in late April.

I rarely post here, however, I read the comments on this forum daily, personally, I believe is time for us fans to relax, step back and let the Knicks grow as a team. If you watch other NBA teams, is clearly that the Knicks don’t have the talent to win a championship this year (especially on the back court and bench), but they can definitely grow into a championship contender team in the near future. Just have some patience, must teams wining in the NBA today, win because their core guys have been playing together for a few years already.
I know is hard, but Instead of trying to break up the Knicks without giving them the opportunity to grow, let them have some continuity for the first time in God knows how long. Just my two cents.

I couldn't agree more with this article. Poeple need to consider there are still plenty of ways to upgrade this roster in addition to just playing better basketball. This team may not gain home court in the first round of the playoffs, but they will be a scary team for any favorite in the east to play. In addition, what a year to go into free agency armed with a mid level exception. Knicks could easily add one of the many available PGs as well as a big man like Camby with the bi-annual exception. Consider what it would do for his legacy if Nash came in to make this team a true contender in his last 3 years in the league? This is 1 of 4 full seasons with this core and unless a player of Dwight Howard's caliber comes up, you really must see this thing most of the way thru. I think we will flash forward a few months and have a lot of people here wishing they didn't say all of the things they are saying now.

+1 BTW -- interesting stat - -Last year - -the first year of the Big 3 in Miami the Heat were 8-7 after 15 games -- not quite 6-9 but not 15-0 either.

mmorman wrote:+1 BTW -- interesting stat - -Last year - -the first year of the Big 3 in Miami the Heat were 8-7 after 15 games -- not quite 6-9 but not 15-0 either.

Doesn't apply. Amare and Melo have had half a season together already. We added Tyson Chandler who has not negatively impacted chemistry. Like you said 6-10 isn't 9-8. They were also blowing out the bad teams. All these comparisons are to teams that ended up doing well. Noone ever posts the more numerous comparisons to teams that continued to crash and burn or just ended mediocre which would be more likely.

nykshaknbake wrote:

mmorman wrote:+1 BTW -- interesting stat - -Last year - -the first year of the Big 3 in Miami the Heat were 8-7 after 15 games -- not quite 6-9 but not 15-0 either.

Doesn't apply. Amare and Melo have had half a season together already. We added Tyson Chandler who has not negatively impacted chemistry. Like you said 6-10 isn't 9-8. They were also blowing out the bad teams. All these comparisons are to teams that ended up doing well. Noone ever posts the more numerous comparisons to teams that continued to crash and burn or just ended mediocre which would be more likely.

Do you realize that one of the Knicks problems is lack of interior spacing, especially between Chandler and Stat.

To sum up:
It's early.
Baron Davis is coming back.
We can always sign someone else.

Good article and I agree with everything the OP said. At least they're not Layden's Knicks. Remember that BS?

KnicksFE wrote:

nykshaknbake wrote:

mmorman wrote:+1 BTW -- interesting stat - -Last year - -the first year of the Big 3 in Miami the Heat were 8-7 after 15 games -- not quite 6-9 but not 15-0 either.

Doesn't apply. Amare and Melo have had half a season together already. We added Tyson Chandler who has not negatively impacted chemistry. Like you said 6-10 isn't 9-8. They were also blowing out the bad teams. All these comparisons are to teams that ended up doing well. Noone ever posts the more numerous comparisons to teams that continued to crash and burn or just ended mediocre which would be more likely.

Do you realize that one of the Knicks problems is lack of interior spacing, especially between Chandler and Stat.

I think it is a very small problem that has not been a major issue and will not be in the future. When the major issues get corrected, minor things like that tend to work themselves out. In general, i still believe Chandler and Stoudemire will be a good fit together especially when Stoudemire starts to consistently knock down his shot again.

mmorman wrote:+1 BTW -- interesting stat - -Last year - -the first year of the Big 3 in Miami the Heat were 8-7 after 15 games -- not quite 6-9 but not 15-0 either.

MIami won 12 games in a row after starting 9-8 and went on a 21-2 run for their next 23 games. If the Knicks pull off something like that than the comparison has merit. I hope it happens but I am not expecting it.

CrushAlot wrote:

mmorman wrote:+1 BTW -- interesting stat - -Last year - -the first year of the Big 3 in Miami the Heat were 8-7 after 15 games -- not quite 6-9 but not 15-0 either.

MIami won 12 games in a row after starting 9-8 and went on a 21-2 run for their next 23 games. If the Knicks pull off something like that than the comparison has merit. I hope it happens but I am not expecting it.

Does anyone remember watching any miami games and thinking their players had lost a step? I mean, everyone knew Lebron and Wade would mesh, and were still dominant talents. Sure, they choke a fair bit. And Bosh looked completely lost most of last year.

But so far this year, Amar'e looks like he may have lost a step and on his way to becoming LJ2.

But, I think my biggest criticism is there are parts here to this squad that should be performing better. The Coach just doesn't seem able to get the players on the same page and playing his style of basketball.

franco12 wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:

mmorman wrote:+1 BTW -- interesting stat - -Last year - -the first year of the Big 3 in Miami the Heat were 8-7 after 15 games -- not quite 6-9 but not 15-0 either.

MIami won 12 games in a row after starting 9-8 and went on a 21-2 run for their next 23 games. If the Knicks pull off something like that than the comparison has merit. I hope it happens but I am not expecting it.

Does anyone remember watching any miami games and thinking their players had lost a step? I mean, everyone knew Lebron and Wade would mesh, and were still dominant talents. Sure, they choke a fair bit. And Bosh looked completely lost most of last year.

But so far this year, Amar'e looks like he may have lost a step and on his way to becoming LJ2.

But, I think my biggest criticism is there are parts here to this squad that should be performing better. The Coach just doesn't seem able to get the players on the same page and playing his style of basketball.

Disagree with Amare progressing towards becoming LJ2. I feel Amare can still be the explosive and offensively talented PF that we need him to be. His jumpshot from 20-ft out last year was so money. I believe that Amare's greatest drawbacks this year are stemming from mental roadblocks; he's no longer the #1 go-to guy on his team, his jumpshot isn't falling so now he's "thinking" rather than instinctively "shooting", and of course, losing never helps. Amare needs more touches and obviously needs the coaches to work with him on his decision-making and shot selection (stop ramming into your defender!!!) Again, mental.

Which brings me to the part I do agree with on your post. "The Coach just doesn't seem able to get the players on the same page and playing his style of basketball." Agree. The Coach isn't connecting with his players on ANY page or level... and he is the primary reason we plain suck right now.

Knixkik wrote:

KnicksFE wrote:

nykshaknbake wrote:

mmorman wrote:+1 BTW -- interesting stat - -Last year - -the first year of the Big 3 in Miami the Heat were 8-7 after 15 games -- not quite 6-9 but not 15-0 either.

Doesn't apply. Amare and Melo have had half a season together already. We added Tyson Chandler who has not negatively impacted chemistry. Like you said 6-10 isn't 9-8. They were also blowing out the bad teams. All these comparisons are to teams that ended up doing well. Noone ever posts the more numerous comparisons to teams that continued to crash and burn or just ended mediocre which would be more likely.

Do you realize that one of the Knicks problems is lack of interior spacing, especially between Chandler and Stat.

I think it is a very small problem that has not been a major issue and will not be in the future. When the major issues get corrected, minor things like that tend to work themselves out. In general, i still believe Chandler and Stoudemire will be a good fit together especially when Stoudemire starts to consistently knock down his shot again.

I totally agree that this will be corrected and eventually Chandler and Stat will be able to play effective basketball together, but to assume that there is no adjustment period, is not being realistic.

sealy wrote:Good article and I agree with everything the OP said. At least they're not Layden's Knicks. Remember that BS?

I keep trying to forget, but thanks for reminding me.

mmorman wrote:+1 BTW -- interesting stat - -Last year - -the first year of the Big 3 in Miami the Heat were 8-7 after 15 games -- not quite 6-9 but not 15-0 either.

We do not have a big 3.

BRIGGS wrote:

mmorman wrote:+1 BTW -- interesting stat - -Last year - -the first year of the Big 3 in Miami the Heat were 8-7 after 15 games -- not quite 6-9 but not 15-0 either.

We do not have a big 3.

Well, according to our payroll, we do!

KNICKSBIGCATS wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:

mmorman wrote:+1 BTW -- interesting stat - -Last year - -the first year of the Big 3 in Miami the Heat were 8-7 after 15 games -- not quite 6-9 but not 15-0 either.

We do not have a big 3.

Well, according to our payroll, we do!

And we do have BIG expectations... too big.
This group is not final by any streach and making the playoffs will be a cool but tuff...
But with so many other junk team in the East not impossible.

arkrud wrote:

KNICKSBIGCATS wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:

mmorman wrote:+1 BTW -- interesting stat - -Last year - -the first year of the Big 3 in Miami the Heat were 8-7 after 15 games -- not quite 6-9 but not 15-0 either.

We do not have a big 3.

Well, according to our payroll, we do!

And we do have BIG expectations... too big.
This group is not final by any streach and making the playoffs will be a cool but tuff...
But with so many other junk team in the East not impossible.

aren't they the 8th seed if the season finished today?

mrKnickShot wrote:

arkrud wrote:

KNICKSBIGCATS wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:

mmorman wrote:+1 BTW -- interesting stat - -Last year - -the first year of the Big 3 in Miami the Heat were 8-7 after 15 games -- not quite 6-9 but not 15-0 either.

We do not have a big 3.

Well, according to our payroll, we do!

And we do have BIG expectations... too big.
This group is not final by any streach and making the playoffs will be a cool but tuff...
But with so many other junk team in the East not impossible.

aren't they the 8th seed if the season finished today?

I have the feeling that it will be better to finish today... or may be never start it?

arkrud wrote:

mrKnickShot wrote:

arkrud wrote:

KNICKSBIGCATS wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:

mmorman wrote:+1 BTW -- interesting stat - -Last year - -the first year of the Big 3 in Miami the Heat were 8-7 after 15 games -- not quite 6-9 but not 15-0 either.

We do not have a big 3.

Well, according to our payroll, we do!

And we do have BIG expectations... too big.
This group is not final by any streach and making the playoffs will be a cool but tuff...
But with so many other junk team in the East not impossible.

aren't they the 8th seed if the season finished today?

I have the feeling that it will be better to finish today... or may be never start it?

I still really believe that they will turn this around - maybe a trade, a coach or Lin or JJ2 or BD - something ... (not trying to channel Nixluva)

mrKnickShot wrote:

arkrud wrote:

mrKnickShot wrote:

arkrud wrote:

KNICKSBIGCATS wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:

mmorman wrote:+1 BTW -- interesting stat - -Last year - -the first year of the Big 3 in Miami the Heat were 8-7 after 15 games -- not quite 6-9 but not 15-0 either.

We do not have a big 3.

Well, according to our payroll, we do!

And we do have BIG expectations... too big.
This group is not final by any streach and making the playoffs will be a cool but tuff...
But with so many other junk team in the East not impossible.

aren't they the 8th seed if the season finished today?

I have the feeling that it will be better to finish today... or may be never start it?

I still really believe that they will turn this around - maybe a trade, a coach or Lin or JJ2 or BD - something ... (not trying to channel Nixluva)

That's why we are watching... It cannot be this bad. Just cannot be.

This is from realgm.com

http://basketball.realgm.com/article/218550/Why_Its_Way_Too_Early_To_Declare_Winners_&_Losers_From_Carmelo_Trade

Why It's Way Too Early To Declare Winners & Losers From Carmelo Trade
By: Jonathan Tjarks
Jan 24, 2012 6:34 PM EST

Since Carmelo Anthony was traded to New York, the Knicks are 20-24 in the regular season while the Nuggets are 30-12. To make matters worse, Anthony was outplayed by Danilo Gallinari in Denver’s 119-114 2OT victory over New York at Madison Square Garden on Saturday.

Given both the acrimony surrounding how Carmelo forced himself out of Denver and the shortened attention span of modern culture, it’s no surprise that many are ready to crown the Nuggets as the trade’s clear winner.

However, constructing a championship-caliber roster takes time, and New York is much closer to reaching that goal than Denver. It’s far too soon to judge the trade, especially a quarter-way through a lockout-shortened season where the quality of play league-wide has been sporadic at best.

The Knicks have undergone a complete roster transformation since Christmas 2010, when they were an up-tempo team stocked with athletic shooters (Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton) surrounding Amar'e Stoudemire. A year later, the only players left besides Amare are Landry Fields, Toney Douglas and Bill Walker.

New York had to sacrifice most of their depth to bring in a perimeter player capable of being a primary offensive option (Carmelo) and an All-Defensive team 7’0 capable of anchoring a defense (Tyson Chandler).

Denver, on the other hand, doesn’t have either. They’ve been winning games by playing at the league’s fastest pace and relying on their depth at nearly every position.

And while Ty Lawson is one of the NBA’s most underrated players, at only 6’0, it’s hard to envision him as the primary offensive option a championship team. Not only does his lack of stature present problems for Denver on the defensive end, but lengthy, athletic defenders like New York’s 6’6 rookie Iman Shumpert can frustrate him into games like Saturday, where he shot 3-for-12 from the field.

Their two other main scorers, Gallinari and Al Harrington, are both jump-shooting forwards better suited as second options as well, as neither player has the play-making ability to consistently create shots for other players.

The 2004 Detroit Pistons were able to win a championship without a traditional first option, but they had a four-time Defensive Player of the Year (Ben Wallace) and an elite 6’11+ defensive big man (Rasheed Wallace) protecting the paint.

Denver has a solid two-way center (Nene) averaging only a block a game and a giant hole at the power forward position. At some point in the playoffs, they will have either Harrington or Gallinari trying to guard Blake Griffin, Dirk Nowitzki, LaMarcus Aldridge, Pau Gasol or Zach Randolph on the low block.

For the Nuggets to make noise in the playoffs, they’re going to need to turn some of their offensive threats on the perimeter into an elite front-court defender. Of course, those types of players, especially ones who won’t destroy a team’s floor spacing offensively, are among the most coveted in the NBA.

New York, in contrast, will have a much easier time “fitting” players around Carmelo, Amar'e and Chandler.

The team’s biggest holes are at point guard and behind Chandler and Amare, who are being backed up by a combination of Josh Harrellson, Jared Jeffries and a prayer.

Baron Davis, if healthy, could solve the first problem. He’s scheduled to return soon, and while he’s never been the healthiest or most motivated player, a big-market team that desperately needs him is the perfect situation to regain the form he showed leading the Golden State Warriors to a shocking upset of the Dallas Mavericks in 2007. This is the most talented team he’s ever played on, and he would be beloved if he could play at a similar level for New York in the playoffs.

Even more importantly, point guard is the easiest position on the court to fill. If Davis doesn’t work out, Steve Nash, a pending free agent unlikely to stay in Phoenix and looking for one more chance at a ring, looms as a possible savior.

On the interior, the Knicks need a replacement-level big man to soak up the minutes behind Chandler and Amare. And in a post-lockout NBA where teams are increasingly reluctant to give mid-level players big deals, there are a number of ring-chasing veterans who might be available at an extremely low number. Most intriguingly, Boston is indicating they’ll blow the team up and it’s hard to imagine Kevin Garnett, who is entering free agency and has already made $270 million in his career, chasing money.

This is the beauty of having a team full of near-max superstars in the new CBA: with guaranteed money for mid-level free agents declining, they’ll be basing their decision primarily on location and winning. Three years from now, we may see Miami and New York as two of the big winners of the new system.

Small-market owners may end up regretting pushing for a system with a harsh luxury tax and a payroll floor, as the effect will be redistributing money from bench players on good teams (who will be playing for near minimum salaries) to bench players on bad ones (who, on average, will need to be slightly overpaid for the team to reach a payroll floor).

With the rosters they currently have, neither Denver nor New York will win a championship this season. The difference is the Knicks are a few small tweaks from having a team capable of matching up with Chicago and Miami while the Nuggets look headed for a stint as the Atlanta Hawks West, a good regular season team with a second-round ceiling.

I liked the Knicks deal for Anthony last season when many people were worried it would prevent New York from acquiring Chris Paul, and I liked it even more when they were able to sign Chandler in free agency.

And by the start of next season, when the Knicks could have a starting five of Davis, Shumpert, Anthony, Amar'e and Chandler with Douglas, Fields and Garnett off the bench, I’m betting they’re going to have the last laugh.

let’s have some patience Knicks Brother, eventually, with the right pieces in place, there is no doubt that we will have a very good team, possibly a true championship contender.