Since the season began, we've all been in agreement that we need a pg/facilitator to pull this team together. The great thing about Lin, outside of his ability to run the point, is the fact that he can score aswell. Besides the glaring hole at the PG spot, Lin also gives us the much needed scorer out of the backcourt that we desperately needed because Fields was/is not a consistant scoring threat at the 2. Outside of Melo, now we have another player who can create their own shot and with the game on the line, we have two major options. Melo is 2nd behind Bryant in game winners since he's entered the league. Lin and Melo give us two major options down the stretch.
Now, here's where Fields comes in. If we Run the pick and roll with Stat and Lin, you put Melo on the weakside wing, and Chandler weakside baseline to crash the boards in case of a miss or if his defender decides to help on penetration. Melo would be open for the kick-out if the weakside sags into the paint to help out on Lin as he dives to the rim. The only weak spot on the floor in this scenario is Fields standing behind the strong side corner 3. He absolutely has to be able to sink that shot or his defender will dive into the paint or trap Lin out high and blow up the pick and roll.
At one point, I didnt like Fields as a future starter because we always lose the SG battle on a nightly basis because Fields just doesn't score enough nor is he an elite defender. But with Lin picking up the scoring slack at the point (Similar to Westbrook in OKC and Rose with the Bulls) we might not need our SG to score much. Just hit the open 3 when given (similar to Thabo and Bogans last year), get out in transition (Thabo) abd defenitely become a lock down defender. If he can do these things, there would be no need to sign a guy with questionable character like JR Smith. Also, we would have a really nice mixed bag of talent that can challenge anyone.
Agreed. We have all we need. Shumpert backs up the 1, 2, 3.
To be the final piece Fields needs to develop a drop dead consistent outside shot.
Silverfuel wrote:We need a backup PG too
Baron Davis, shumpert, Douglas?
Silverfuel wrote:We need a backup PG too
agreed 100%. hopefully its baron b/c if lin is playing 44 mpg, unless this guy truly is jesus christ, he's going to break down.
I still think you need a better option than Walker. I like Fields, I just wished he had a quicker release.
Chicago had Korver behind Bogans.
OKC has Cook and Harden behind Sefolosha.
Having extra shooters never hurts, especially when you hardly have any.
Melo's development is the final piece. This team will go as far as or fall as far short of expectations as he takes them.
Fields still isn't all the way back yet- you can see it in his eyes some games. But he has improved since the start of the year and has had some good games. I still worry about whether he'll regress again- stuff like the missed FT's and 3pt shots show he's still lacking confidence, which is strange as when he started off as a rookie, it was his poise and confidence that really stood out.
I agree though, his development is key- he needs to sharpen up his defense and regain his 3 point shot- if he does he's our starting SG, if he doesn't, maybe he's out backup 3 in the seasons ahead.
BigRedDog wrote:To be the final piece Fields needs to develop a drop dead consistent outside shot.
It's his one true weakness. If he ever gets it down consistently, he'll be a borderline all star, IMO: very good defender, good passing 2-guard, mobile enough to drive to the hoop, obviously an excellent rebounder. Just a very good all around player.
MaTT4281 wrote:BigRedDog wrote:To be the final piece Fields needs to develop a drop dead consistent outside shot.
It's his one true weakness. If he ever gets it down consistently, he'll be a borderline all star, IMO: very good defender, good passing 2-guard, mobile enough to drive to the hoop, obviously an excellent rebounder. Just a very good all around player.
Doubt he'll ever become a borderline allstar, nor is it needed with this team. Fields is a stat-sheet stuffer. Rebounds pretty well from the guard spot and can assist on seom baskets. But what we really need from him is to become a lock-down defender, finish on the break and nail that corner 3 on kick outs.
Ok, I guess I'll be the dissenting voice.
IMO, Shumpert replaces Lin in the starting line up by the second month of next season at the latest. Better defender, AND better scorer. Only thing Fields has over him is rebounding. I think Field's perfect role is backup SG/SF.
New York needs to trade Douglas and Balkman together for Chris Duhon.
I agree about Fields shooting. He needs to get back to where he was, at least downtown, last year. I am not sure what he did exactly where he changed his shooting form enough to damange his shot at this clip. However; the offseason should help because at least he will be in contact with the trainers and coaches this time around so hopefully he will get a little bit better advise than he did this past offseason.
It's pretty awesome that he brought his FG% back to par with the way he is driving to the hoop. He seems to have gotton real good at that. If he can even make his outside shot respectable (And improve his FTs) then he can be a real threat on our team, especially with Lin. That would make everyone better too.
y2zipper wrote:New York needs to trade Douglas and Balkman together for Chris Duhon.
Or sign Steph from China to play the mentor
Panos,
You are not alone. I actually think the Shumpert for Field's switch happens sooner than you do. When Melo returns to the starting lineup, who will MDA play in the last 10 minutes of the game Shumpert or Fields? I believe Shumpert gets the nod, because of the suffocating defense he has played at the end of the last few 4th quarters. Its what works. Also is there any doubt as to who the Knicks would prefer to have guarding a Dwyane Wade, or a Derrick Rose?
MarburyAnd1Crossover wrote:y2zipper wrote:New York needs to trade Douglas and Balkman together for Chris Duhon.
Or sign Steph from China to play the mentor
I wasn't talking about a mentor. I'm talking somebody who can run the D'Antoni point (aka ANYONE who can dribble, pass and run a PnR with some type of effectiveness) in a limited capacity (say 15-20 minutes per game) so that Lin doesn't have to play so many minutes during the season.
Panos wrote:Ok, I guess I'll be the dissenting voice.
IMO, Shumpert replaces Lin in the starting line up by the second month of next season at the latest. Better defender, AND better scorer. Only thing Fields has over him is rebounding. I think Field's perfect role is backup SG/SF.
Maybe once Baron returns and you don't need to rely on Shump to hold the fort backing up Lin
I agree with Rvwink too once Melo returns it will be Shump out there in the 4th quarter to close out games. Once Shump starts hitting those jumpshots later this year or next year WATCH OUT
