When we're healthy, we'll be contenders the same way the Philadelphia Eagles are contenders. We have the talent, but we have to actually execute.
Melo will be there to take the pressure of Lin just like Shump did tonight. There where many possesions where Shump was holding the ball as the primary ball handler driving or shooting without Lin getting the ball. What Melo will bring is he will be able to drive from the wing or get an open look with Lin to start games and the third quarters then when MDA brings in the second unit with Melo at the end of the 1st and 3rd he becomes the point forward and primary scorer. The closing 1st/3rd unit with Melo, Novak, Shumpert, Fields, and Jeffries will be nice because of the spacing it provides. Then to start the second and 4th MDA can go with Amare to start the quarter instead of Melo to get his touches with Walker or Bibby coming in for Fields to start the quarter too.
Now when Davis get healthy he can take the minutes of Bibby and/or Walker with second unit. I think Davis at the 2 with Shimp at the three will be played some. The only problem is that you can't count on Davis being Healthy and he could reinjure his back. So, this is why you add a player like Smith who can also take minutes form Walker and/or Bibby. Unlike Walker he can actually dribble. He is really like Shumpert except he is a lesser defender, although pretty good, but a better shooter.
People do not like his antics and I get that but he is a good defender, good shooter, and a secondary ball handler that can run a PnR. He is simply a better option than Walker, Bibby, and Douglas.
It's all about DEFENSE. The team will now score, that has been fixed. Will Melo and STAT play the defense with the intensity needed?
Knicks could use some pure shooters. Bibby apparently has lost his touch. The Knicks bomb squad from last year (Carmelo, Fields, Douglas) seriously need to regain some of their consistency. Between the 3 of them they averaged almost 40% from 3pt land. This year, I wouldn't be surprised if they were averaging less than 25% between the 3.
If they can edge that up to 33% they'd be deadly.
The way I'm looking at things now is that by simply playing Carmelo instead of Bill Walker, you should make an extra 2 baskets a game. If you have Amare in there instead of Jeffries, you'd expect at least 3 more baskets - though I wouldn't expect Amare to come up with even half the brilliant defensive plays that Jeffries does.
I think Amare will begin to show signs of awesomeness again if he gets some of the P&R opportunities with Lin. His FG% should improve - I have doubts his scoring will, or should.
I wonder how scoring will play out. Based on how Lin plays, I wouldn't expect his "starter" scoring to drop off too dramatically. The Knicks need him to be a scoring threat for the Lin offense to operate. Carmelo and Amare will need to
misterearl wrote:Get to playing .500 ball first.Work to do
Two games out. We will get there. I have no worries that Melo can integrate himself, Melo knows he wants a chip, he already got his money.
For the first time we saw what pesky defender with fresh legs and a defense that packs the paint can do against Lin when our only options are Tyson and kickout to Billy. It opened up the lane for Fields to drive at will. He should learn to draw contact from the bigs. Walker is a waste of space and has regressed from last year.
We now have a passing PG but we need out weapons back, can't expect this team to keep beating NBA teams at full strength plus the zebras every night.
Last night proved that the Knicks are going to need Melo and Amare. Believe it or not teams can take away the P&R. There was a lot of individual play once the P&R was taken away.
If melo plays the point fwd, were as good as done..For all his passing ablity, he sucks at running anything other then the PnR, and even thats suspect.
My thought process is that we have 2 bonifide PG's (when Baron is healthy) and we have 4 rotatinal players out, Jorts, melo, Amare, Davis..You can't just stop playing JJ and Novak. Honestly speaking the only 2 guys thats headed to the bench is bibby and walker..
I don't see where JR helps this team out at all..
If JR Smith were to sign & Baron Davis healthy, we would have a nice 2nd unit.
Pg: Lin, B.Davis
Sg: Fields, Shumpert
Sf: Melo, Smith
Pf: Amare, Novak
C: Chandler, Jefferies
TLover wrote:If JR Smith were to sign & Baron Davis healthy, we would have a nice 2nd unit.
Pg: Lin, B.Davis
Sg: Fields, Shumpert
Sf: Melo, Smith
Pf: Amare, Novak
C: Chandler, Jefferies
Baron Davis may never play again. Until he steps on the court, he is a pigment of our imaginations. With the emergence of Shumpert, JR Smith can take a hike. The most desperate point of need is point guard.
G Lin, tbd - Lin needs help, Bibby is not the answer
G Fields, Shumpert - best quality depth, Shump is playing at a high level
F Anthony, Novak - Novak's shooting range spaces the floor
F Amar'e, Jeffries - platoon for defense
C Chandler, Harrellson, tbd - you need three centers
If Davis comes back strong and we sign J Smoth, we would have a solid contending team. Even without hose two, I think we have the 4th best team in the East. This team is for real with Lin. He just has to continue to grow as a point guard.
Have to admit, I was all for signing JR about a week ago. But now with the emergence of not only Lin, but Novak has me second guessing signing Smith. Think about it,
IF Baron comes back at some point, he will back up Lin at the point. That would leave, Shump, Fields and Smith (a log-jam) at the 2. Even if you can give Fields some mins at the 3 backing up Melo, that would take away mins from Novak.
Its amazing, just a week ago, we were point guard-less and had a week bench. Now, we have a facilittator not names BDiddy, and once Melo and Stat comes back (and Jorts for that matter)all of a sudden we have a deep productive bench even without JR. It actually feels good to be a Knick fan right now
Jeff van gundy was right novak is the best pure shooter. now that lin can get him the ball novak is really dangerous
TLover wrote:If JR Smith were to sign & Baron Davis healthy, we would have a nice 2nd unit.
Pg: Lin, B.Davis
Sg: Fields, Shumpert
Sf: Melo, Smith
Pf: Amare, Novak
C: Chandler, Jefferies
so your going to leave jorts on the bench, the perfect mda big
misterearl wrote:TLover wrote:If JR Smith were to sign & Baron Davis healthy, we would have a nice 2nd unit.
Pg: Lin, B.Davis
Sg: Fields, Shumpert
Sf: Melo, Smith
Pf: Amare, Novak
C: Chandler, Jefferies
Baron Davis may never play again. Until he steps on the court, he is a pigment of our imaginations. With the emergence of Shumpert, JR Smith can take a hike. The most desperate point of need is point guard.
G Lin, tbd - Lin needs help, Bibby is not the answer
G Fields, Shumpert - best quality depth, Shump is playing at a high level
F Anthony, Novak - Novak's shooting range spaces the floor
F Amar'e, Jeffries - platoon for defense
C Chandler, Harrellson, tbd - you need three centers
I think you just made a case why you bring in Smith for insurance purposes because you do not know what will happen with Davis and Smith can run the two with the 2nd unit while Shumpert runs the point like he has been doing while Bibby is on the floor. Also, its nice two have two good three point shooters on the floor with Lin or Melo to keep the D honest.
Im certain were contenders now, there's no if's buts or question marks
all the pieces are in place
Defenders
pure shooters
a bonifide center and pg
post up players
athletic players
deep bench
Youth
Leadership
vets
The list is totally complete
knicks1248 wrote:Im certain were contenders now, there's no if's buts or question marksall the pieces are in place
Defenders
pure shooters
a bonifide center and pg
post up players
athletic players
deep bench
Youth
Leadership
vets
The list is totally complete
I think we are contenders. I don't think we will go all the way this season but I feel we have what it takes to get to the Eastern Conference finals. I think Lin needs a little seasoning and maybe some work on the defense and his J (Although he's not bad) and we need to get everyone used to each other by the time Melo comes in. This is a totally different team than pre Lin so hopefully the adjustment period wont affect us getting a nicer seed in the playoffs.
With that said, lets just focus on winning at least 2 of 3 this week and taking it to the Heat. Maybe we will surprise them and really shock the basketball world with a win.
i think we match up well with the heat. i mean we competed last time with them and we were missing so many of our guys. the bulls are good but they aren't unbeatable
Not if Lin has to carry the offense.
Lin2Jeffries wrote:jr is gahbage. please stop hyping him up like he's some savior. i'd rather have shump.
where do you take your trash out to, it must be the best garbage in all NY
