Knicks · Good Signs! (page 1)

We've got enough negatives to look at. How about some positive signs that we can hang our hats on going forward.

Lin and Baron are good PG's and they can actually play well together too. Baron is getting better and better and as he does it only makes this team more dangerous. Lin looked like his old self last night. Hopefully he can carry that aggressiveness forward.

Jorts is coming along and helps our bigman depth. Jorts is a solid defender even if he isn't a shot blocker. He gets rebounds and he actually plays good team Ball. As his wrist heals he'll be a good asset.

STAT and Melo aren't doing much else, but they seem to have gotten their offensive games going. STAT absolutely stunk on help D, but at least he made an effort last night. Hopefully he realizes that he has to give a bigger effort from now on.

MDA has more lineups he can go to that we see work well. This is a process for the coach as much as the players. MDA has had a tough time figuring out how to use all these guys. He's starting to figure it out which is a good sign.

The team isn't giving up! It may seem odd to state this after a big losing road trip, but this team still believes it will get it going. I can see how this team could easily get on a roll with a key win against the Sixers. If they come out focused they can get that win and regain confidence. There's still a long way to go even tho it seems that they're running out of time.

It's still in the Knicks hands. They've got 2 against the Sixers coming up. They've got Boston going on a massive 8 game road trip with back to backs. It's up to them to take advantage of their remaining opportunities.

I'm glad for a positive thread. Everyone is allergic to positivity around here. I for one go on record still believing this can work. I think a team built around Melo, Lin, and Chandler, starting with Shumpert, Novak, and Harrellson as a supporting cast, can eventually compete. I left Stoudemire off for a reason, i think there are better fits at PF. But i think we need a player like Melo to win a championship, even though it hurts now.

Bottom line:

Knicks- 18-22 3rd in Atlantic Division, 4 games under .500

8th in the Conference- Only 2 game lead over the Bucks, who beat us last night.

5-0 during first stage of Linsanity (No Stat, no Melo)

3-1 during second stage of Linsanity (Stat back, Melo out)

2-6 during death of Linsanity (Stat in, Melo back)

Good signs? Yeah, there have been. We also had good signs in previous losing seasons. Can good signs make Amar'e play D and Melo play team basketball?

Its not that Knicks fans are allergic to positive thinking, is that they have been fooled so many times by them, they don't believe easily anymore.

I don't care about good signs anymore because they have yet to translate into a good record. A fan can only live of good signs for so long.

I don't see good signs anymore. I am 100% resigned to another 5 years of Melobury drama.

Way I see it, it's time for a rebuild. The sooner we rebuild the better.

Agree nixluva- this team has many positives- good pg tandem, centre, deep bench- that's why it's so frustrating to see them suck. Plus i like most of the team- they're good guys who are easy to root for.

I know they need time and I know they can be great, but the problem is we're quickly running out of time

smackeddog wrote:Agree nixluva- this team has many positives- good pg tandem, centre, deep bench- that's why it's so frustrating to see them suck. Plus i like most of the team- they're good guys who are easy to root for.

I know they need time and I know they can be great, but the problem is we're quickly running out of time

You could have said the same thing about Marbury.

"Look, uh, you got Marbury, who's a great point guard, you got Francis, Eddy Curry he can really become so awesome" etc., etc.,

Not gonna work. End of story.

nixluva wrote:We've got enough negatives to look at. How about some positive signs that we can hang our hats on going forward.

Lin and Baron are good PG's and they can actually play well together too. Baron is getting better and better and as he does it only makes this team more dangerous. Lin looked like his old self last night. Hopefully he can carry that aggressiveness forward.

Jorts is coming along and helps our bigman depth. Jorts is a solid defender even if he isn't a shot blocker. He gets rebounds and he actually plays good team Ball. As his wrist heals he'll be a good asset.

STAT and Melo aren't doing much else, but they seem to have gotten their offensive games going. STAT absolutely stunk on help D, but at least he made an effort last night. Hopefully he realizes that he has to give a bigger effort from now on.

MDA has more lineups he can go to that we see work well. This is a process for the coach as much as the players. MDA has had a tough time figuring out how to use all these guys. He's starting to figure it out which is a good sign.

The team isn't giving up! It may seem odd to state this after a big losing road trip, but this team still believes it will get it going. I can see how this team could easily get on a roll with a key win against the Sixers. If they come out focused they can get that win and regain confidence. There's still a long way to go even tho it seems that they're running out of time.

It's still in the Knicks hands. They've got 2 against the Sixers coming up. They've got Boston going on a massive 8 game road trip with back to backs. It's up to them to take advantage of their remaining opportunities.

What you say makes sense the eternal Knick fan (good for positives)

But all in all NY Knickerbockers always done things the HARD Way!

At this rate if Knicks get in 7th or 8th seed(again) would you be satisfied ?
not me this knick fan.

Guaranteed earliest exit by BULLs or the Miami HEAT. Write that in stone.
Guaranteed also the final exit for Michael J-Fox D'Antoni. I respect Michael J alot more than I ever respected D'Antoni

A coach whom got to have his players ADJUST to him in yr.2012,
However a coach WHOM NEVER EVER adjust to any NBA players in this league. The good ones & bad ones (players)

Doc Rivers adjust his scheme to players
Greg Popovich adjust his schemes to players
Rick Carlisle adjusted his schemes to his players
retired HOF coach Phil 'action' Jackson adjusted himself & schemes to players

Each above NBA coach is a Champion with a title!

Michael 'Jackson' D'Antoni is sole only coach in pro NBA history whom fails to adjust anything he does
whether offensively or 'no-defensively' to current NBA players.

MDA got his PG and Mike still aint doing the job.

Bye bye Mike if Knicks dont win at season end & make an impact in season ending with playoffs.
Best thing that can happen to knickerbockers, Mike gone.

You know this winning thing aint my thang! I'm Iron Mike just a river boat gamble whom happens to be $24 mil bucks NBA Coach!

DJMUSIC, you seem to be stuck on this idea that MDA doesn't adjust, but exactly what does that even mean? Do you think he should completely change the system or employ the Triangle offense? In truth, MDA has been making adjustments all the time he's been here. The thing is that you want him to change what are Sound Basketball principles for what?

His system is about sharing the ball and moving on offense to gain easy scoring opportunities. It's about playing with pace so that you attack the defense before it's completely set.

WHen this team was winning it was doing all of those things and defending at a high level!!! So what are you suggesting he should change about what he's been teaching the team to do? MDA isn't having the players do things that aren't about winning. The players have to continue to execute. So if STAT is told how to defend a PnR, which is what they do in practice every day, but STAT basically ignores this and instead steps away and allows an easy score, how does that lead to Mike should change his system? If Melo goes brain dead and doesn't blockout for a rebound how is that MDA's fault, when you know they've been going over these things day after day? Woodson was brought in and you know he's been talking to these guys so really it's not about the coaches anymore. This is really on the players, in particular STAT and Melo!!! If they actually exert themselves on both ends this team will win. So far they've yet to do it for a complete game let alone a season!!!

One positive I saw last night was that MDA and the coaching staff finally made an adjustment from the switch the high-pick and roll to the high double-team-trap of the point guard. I've been calling for this since the 2nd week of the season. Didn't work aswell as it will work once we get Jeffries and Chandler back who are both very good help defenders.

Once Jeffries and Chandler return, when Stat traps out high, Jeffries will have the quicks to rotate over from the weakside to help with penetration. Its questionable whether Stat can/will rotate and cover the paint if Chandler is the one trapping out high.

Stat & Melo are two overpaid clowns.

Uptown wrote:One positive I saw last night was that MDA and the coaching staff finally made an adjustment from the switch the high-pick and roll to the high double-team-trap of the point guard. I've been calling for this since the 2nd week of the season. Didn't work aswell as it will work once we get Jeffries and Chandler back who are both very good help defenders.

Once Jeffries and Chandler return, when Stat traps out high, Jeffries will have the quicks to rotate over from the weakside to help with penetration. Its questionable whether Stat can/will rotate and cover the paint if Chandler is the one trapping out high.

Thing is they used it alot before STAT and Melo came back. If you go and watch the games during the streak you'll see much more aggressive defense on opposing guards. More traps and full court pressure. It seems everything got out of synch when we started adding in all the guys STAT, Melo, Baron & JR.

nixluva wrote:

Uptown wrote:One positive I saw last night was that MDA and the coaching staff finally made an adjustment from the switch the high-pick and roll to the high double-team-trap of the point guard. I've been calling for this since the 2nd week of the season. Didn't work aswell as it will work once we get Jeffries and Chandler back who are both very good help defenders.

Once Jeffries and Chandler return, when Stat traps out high, Jeffries will have the quicks to rotate over from the weakside to help with penetration. Its questionable whether Stat can/will rotate and cover the paint if Chandler is the one trapping out high.

Thing is they used it alot before STAT and Melo came back. If you go and watch the games during the streak you'll see much more aggressive defense on opposing guards. More traps and full court pressure. It seems everything got out of synch when we started adding in all the guys STAT, Melo, Baron & JR.

Not all the way true. They actually trapped the pick and roll some during the Christmas game vs. the Celts then went away from it afterwards. They also full court pressed some in that game with Douglas, but it seemed to go into the cooler for a while.

Uptown wrote:

nixluva wrote:

Uptown wrote:One positive I saw last night was that MDA and the coaching staff finally made an adjustment from the switch the high-pick and roll to the high double-team-trap of the point guard. I've been calling for this since the 2nd week of the season. Didn't work aswell as it will work once we get Jeffries and Chandler back who are both very good help defenders.

Once Jeffries and Chandler return, when Stat traps out high, Jeffries will have the quicks to rotate over from the weakside to help with penetration. Its questionable whether Stat can/will rotate and cover the paint if Chandler is the one trapping out high.

Thing is they used it alot before STAT and Melo came back. If you go and watch the games during the streak you'll see much more aggressive defense on opposing guards. More traps and full court pressure. It seems everything got out of synch when we started adding in all the guys STAT, Melo, Baron & JR.

Not all the way true. They actually trapped the pick and roll some during the Christmas game vs. the Celts then went away from it afterwards. They also full court pressed some in that game with Douglas, but it seemed to go into the cooler for a while.

There is a tiny bit of info you are forgetting. Pierece dint play and Pierce has owned us so i wouldnt take that game as an example man lol

JCrusher wrote:

Uptown wrote:

nixluva wrote:

Uptown wrote:One positive I saw last night was that MDA and the coaching staff finally made an adjustment from the switch the high-pick and roll to the high double-team-trap of the point guard. I've been calling for this since the 2nd week of the season. Didn't work aswell as it will work once we get Jeffries and Chandler back who are both very good help defenders.

Once Jeffries and Chandler return, when Stat traps out high, Jeffries will have the quicks to rotate over from the weakside to help with penetration. Its questionable whether Stat can/will rotate and cover the paint if Chandler is the one trapping out high.

Thing is they used it alot before STAT and Melo came back. If you go and watch the games during the streak you'll see much more aggressive defense on opposing guards. More traps and full court pressure. It seems everything got out of synch when we started adding in all the guys STAT, Melo, Baron & JR.

Not all the way true. They actually trapped the pick and roll some during the Christmas game vs. the Celts then went away from it afterwards. They also full court pressed some in that game with Douglas, but it seemed to go into the cooler for a while.

There is a tiny bit of info you are forgetting. Pierece dint play and Pierce has owned us so i wouldnt take that game as an example man lol

What the hell does trapping Rondo off the pick-n-roll have to do with Pierce? Its not about who's on the floor, its about defensive philosophy and principles....

This is what I look for more than the actual opponent. It's the style of play and level of execution. Great teams have a very consistent level of execution on both ends. This team has been up and down with the exception of the Linsanity streak. IMO this team has the highest upside of the teams in the playoff race. When everything is clicking this team can play well against anyone. It's not a lack of talent that's for sure. This is what gives me hope for this season still turning into a successful one, which for me is a strong playoff showing.

Thank Father Knickerbocker for you, nixy. This manic-depressive approach to Knicks fandom is getting on my nerves. The stores are still full of Linsanity gear, I don't want to wake up from the dream!

DrAlphaeus wrote:Thank Father Knickerbocker for you, nixy. This manic-depressive approach to Knicks fandom is getting on my nerves. The stores are still full of Linsanity gear, I don't want to wake up from the dream!

YO JLin is a beast. I love that kid and look forward to the rest of his career here as a Knick. He's had some down games but overall he's been such a breath of fresh air. His D on Jennings was impressive. I really liked how Baron and Lin played together. Baron is crafty and tough and Lin can shoot it and still make plays. JLin can play with anyone really

Jeremy Lin Plays Beautiful Basketball

nixluva wrote:JLin can play with anyone really

Let's not get too crazy nixluva. Deron Williams, Tony Parker and Rajon Rondo took Lin very personal. Before we crown him Beastmaster of The Point Guards let us remember our Jeremy has yet to face Derrick Rose.

misterearl wrote:Jeremy Lin Plays Beautiful Basketball

nixluva wrote:JLin can play with anyone really

Let's not get too crazy nixluva. Deron Williams, Tony Parker and Rajon Rondo took Lin very personal. Before we crown him Beastmaster of The Point Guards let us remember our Jeremy has yet to face Derrick Rose.

True. I loved the linsanity movement as much as the next man, but Lin, just as much as Melo and Stat needs to step it up defensivley aswell.

misterearl wrote:Jeremy Lin Plays Beautiful Basketball

nixluva wrote:JLin can play with anyone really

Let's not get too crazy nixluva. Deron Williams, Tony Parker and Rajon Rondo took Lin very personal. Before we crown him Beastmaster of The Point Guards let us remember our Jeremy has yet to face Derrick Rose.

I am one of the biggest Jeremy Lin fans out there. That being said, the reason I am a big fan of his is that he is an overachiever. Clearly, he lacks the physical abilities of most NBA point guards. It is his unabashed relentlessness and team play that attracts me to this type of player. However, that isn't enough. He also has the ability to take his game to another level during clutch time. There cannot be enough said about this trait. Fact is...although he never says it...he most definitely has a chip on his shoulder, which serves him well.

Lin, however, is below average on D. Not because of his effort, but because of his lack of natural athletic ability. No matter how much a fan of Lin you are, you cannot deny that he simply doesn't match up in athleticism. On the bright side, Steve Nash and Stockton weren't super athletes either, and they are going to the Hall of Fame.

What makes me so mad about guys like Melo is that he has God given abilities, but in my opinion doesn't become all that he can be.

If that was the case Todd Marinovich would own seven Super Bowl rings.

HugeKnick4 wrote:What makes me so mad about guys like Melo is that he has God given abilities, but in my opinion doesn't become all that he can be.

HugeKnick4 - basketball ability is not God-given. Period. Basketball requires specific skills that take hours of preparation and practice, whether you were born in French Lick, Indiana or West Baltimore.

No matter who you are, excellence in pro sports requires hard work. There is no such thing as "God-Given."