Knicks · Knicks hire Hakeem to work with big men (page 1)

CrushAlot @ 9/13/2012 11:00 PM
3G4G @ 9/13/2012 11:10 PM
This is quite possibly the best move this organization has made in the past 10-15yrs.

The sad part about it is... how come Pat was never offered this early on in his coaching endeavors? Especially when we had Curry and Frye?

CrushAlot @ 9/13/2012 11:12 PM
3G4G wrote:This is quite possibly the best move this organization has made in the past 10-15yrs.

The sad part about it is how come Pat was never offered this early on in his coaching endeavors? Especially when we had Curry and Frye?

I agree about Ewing. The Knicks haven't done right by him. I Do love the Hakeem hire.

gunsnewing @ 9/13/2012 11:13 PM
getting amare, melo & chandler to learn to play together seems easier said than done
3G4G @ 9/13/2012 11:17 PM
gunsnewing wrote:getting amare, melo & chandler to learn to play together seems easier said than done

I kind of wonder what this does with ISO Melo/Woody style of play factor. Like if Amar'e and Chandler could actually develop post play, then Melo's Lion Share role may have to become more cougar in nature.

Swishfm3 @ 9/13/2012 11:22 PM
CrushAlot wrote:
3G4G wrote:This is quite possibly the best move this organization has made in the past 10-15yrs.

The sad part about it is how come Pat was never offered this early on in his coaching endeavors? Especially when we had Curry and Frye?

I agree about Ewing. The Knicks haven't done right by him. I Do love the Hakeem hire.

Maybe because Ewing has been hunting for a head coaching position since he retired

3G4G @ 9/13/2012 11:28 PM
Swishfm3 wrote:
CrushAlot wrote:
3G4G wrote:This is quite possibly the best move this organization has made in the past 10-15yrs.

The sad part about it is how come Pat was never offered this early on in his coaching endeavors? Especially when we had Curry and Frye?

I agree about Ewing. The Knicks haven't done right by him. I Do love the Hakeem hire.

Maybe because Ewing has been hunting for a head coaching position since he retired


He's been offered Big Men coaching jobs from Houston and Orlando and taken both positions since he's retired


Come Again?


Were you implying he'd only accept a head coach offer from us? If so on what grounds are you basing this on?

nixluva @ 9/14/2012 2:13 AM
This is all about WOODY!!! This guy is putting his imprint on this team. He's been doing nothing but great things since he got the job and in particular after the season ended. There's no negative in this at all. Yes the Ewing thing is odd, but that isn't Woody, but Dolan who has messed that up over the years. Woody is doing what he feels is right and this is one of the smartest things i've seen this franchise do in decades.

I was a bit disappointed when Tyson wasn't able to get with Hakeem but now that's all taken care of. This may not work, but you can't fault the effort. That's all you can ask is that your team does everything it can to increase it's chances of winning. From what i've seen this franchise is 100% on the same page and on the right track in terms of making smart decisions. At the very least you see some kind of direction and vision here. Woody used his great relationship with Hakeem to help convince him to leave his home and come to NY. That's a bold move and shows Woody wants his players to get better and learn from a WINNER! Just listening to Hakeem tells you he knows what he's talking about.

yellowboy90 @ 9/14/2012 2:41 AM
Wow I called for something and it happened. This is really the first this has happen in my fandom of any team. Tear runs down eye. on the real though this is a nice move and Woody tells Chandler you do not have to go to Hakeem we will bring the Dream to you.

On another note: I wonder if Amar'e is trying to get his money back?

nixluva @ 9/14/2012 5:00 AM
Hey Amare can get a double dose for free. It can only help him refine the moves. I'm excited about this to be honest. Melo has tons of talent but if Hakeem can help Stat n Melo figure out how to play off each other...
misterearl @ 9/14/2012 10:41 AM
The Chicago Way

"You take our world famous point guard, we take your hall of fame center."

Could this move be a precursor for Woodson making Olajuwon a full time Assistant?

GustavBahler @ 9/14/2012 10:45 AM
misterearl wrote:The Chicago Way

"You take our world famous point guard, we take your hall of fame center."

Could this move be a precursor for Woodson making Olajuwon a full time Assistant?

I was wondering the same thing. That would be awesome.

misterearl @ 9/14/2012 10:56 AM
Amare Got 99 Problems But a Per Diem To Hakeem Ain't One

yellowboy90 wrote:Wow I called for something and it happened. This is really the first this has happen in my fandom of any team. Tear runs down eye. on the real though this is a nice move and Woody tells Chandler you do not have to go to Hakeem we will bring the Dream to you.

On another note: I wonder if Amar'e is trying to get his money back?

The beauty of Hakeem joining the trusted brains is that it frees Woodson to focus primarily (like Red Holzman) on defense.

Having Hakeem on the bench removes any excuses for the frontcourt not jellin' like a felon.

The Answer Man approves this message.

JesseDark @ 9/14/2012 10:58 AM
Definitily like the move, not a good look for Patrick. There is something brewing under the surface between Dolan and Ewing.

CrushAlot wrote:
3G4G wrote:This is quite possibly the best move this organization has made in the past 10-15yrs.

The sad part about it is how come Pat was never offered this early on in his coaching endeavors? Especially when we had Curry and Frye?

I agree about Ewing. The Knicks haven't done right by him. I Do love the Hakeem hire.

Nalod @ 9/14/2012 11:05 AM
Anyone read up on Hakeem, where he lives, what he does?

Olajuwon played for 20 consecutive seasons in the Houston area, first collegiately for the Cougars and then the Rockets.[4] He still maintains a home in the area,[7] and is considered a local icon and one of Houston's most beloved athletes.[61] Olajuwon has had great success in the Houston real estate market, with his estimated profits exceeding $100 million. He buys in cash-only purchases, as it is against Islamic law to pay interest.[62] Olajuwon spends his time going back and forth between Jordan, where he moved with his family to pursue Islamic studies,[7] and his ranch in the vicinity of Houston, Texas.

In the 2006 NBA offseason, Olajuwon opened his first Big Man Camp, where he teaches young frontcourt players the finer points of playing in the post. While Olajuwon never expressed an interest in coaching a team, he wishes to give back to the game by helping younger players. When asked whether the league was becoming more guard-oriented and big men were being de-emphasized, Olajuwon responded, "For a big man who is just big, maybe. But not if you play with speed, with agility. It will always be a big man's game if the big man plays the right way. On defense, the big man can rebound and block shots. On offense, he draws double-teams and creates opportunities. He can add so much, make it easier for the entire team." He runs the camp for free.[63] Olajuwon has worked with several NBA players, including power forward Emeka Okafor,[64] and center Yao Ming.[65][66] In September 2009, he also worked with Kobe Bryant on the post moves and the Dream Shake.[67] More recently he has been working with Dwight Howard of the Los Angeles Lakers, helping him diversify his post moves and encouraging more mental focus.[68] He has also worked with LeBron James, Amar'e Stoudemire, and Denver Nuggets big men JaVale McGee and Kenneth Faried.

Olajuwon was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a member of the class of 2008.

ChuckBuck @ 9/14/2012 11:08 AM
Nalod wrote:Anyone read up on Hakeem, where he lives, what he does?

Olajuwon played for 20 consecutive seasons in the Houston area, first collegiately for the Cougars and then the Rockets.[4] He still maintains a home in the area,[7] and is considered a local icon and one of Houston's most beloved athletes.[61] Olajuwon has had great success in the Houston real estate market, with his estimated profits exceeding $100 million. He buys in cash-only purchases, as it is against Islamic law to pay interest.[62] Olajuwon spends his time going back and forth between Jordan, where he moved with his family to pursue Islamic studies,[7] and his ranch in the vicinity of Houston, Texas.

In the 2006 NBA offseason, Olajuwon opened his first Big Man Camp, where he teaches young frontcourt players the finer points of playing in the post. While Olajuwon never expressed an interest in coaching a team, he wishes to give back to the game by helping younger players. When asked whether the league was becoming more guard-oriented and big men were being de-emphasized, Olajuwon responded, "For a big man who is just big, maybe. But not if you play with speed, with agility. It will always be a big man's game if the big man plays the right way. On defense, the big man can rebound and block shots. On offense, he draws double-teams and creates opportunities. He can add so much, make it easier for the entire team." He runs the camp for free.[63] Olajuwon has worked with several NBA players, including power forward Emeka Okafor,[64] and center Yao Ming.[65][66] In September 2009, he also worked with Kobe Bryant on the post moves and the Dream Shake.[67] More recently he has been working with Dwight Howard of the Los Angeles Lakers, helping him diversify his post moves and encouraging more mental focus.[68] He has also worked with LeBron James, Amar'e Stoudemire, and Denver Nuggets big men JaVale McGee and Kenneth Faried.

Olajuwon was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a member of the class of 2008.

Guess someone has to update Wikipedia that Hakeem's services don't come cheap.

gunsnewing @ 9/14/2012 11:41 AM
JesseDark wrote:Definitily like the move, not a good look for Patrick. There is something brewing under the surface between Dolan and Ewing.

CrushAlot wrote:
3G4G wrote:This is quite possibly the best move this organization has made in the past 10-15yrs.

The sad part about it is how come Pat was never offered this early on in his coaching endeavors? Especially when we had Curry and Frye?

I agree about Ewing. The Knicks haven't done right by him. I Do love the Hakeem hire.

Theres been something brewing since 1998 between those two

technomaster @ 9/14/2012 1:02 PM
It seems like a shame, but it's unclear whether Ewing actually had a marked impact on Dwight or Yao. Seems like Olajuwon was the better tutor in both cases.

Olajuwon was always the more creative post player and the better passer. Ewing never had a penchant for looking up and making the high-post pass.

Ewing effectively has 2 strikes against him:
* he never really seemed to see the whole floor as a player
* superstars rarely make good coaches, presumably because they have some innate talent or understanding of the game that the normal player cannot easily grasp. (ie Just because Magic Johnson "tutors" you, doesn't mean you'll ever get his court vision, speed, athleticism, long arms, reaction time)

What they can teach you is their approach. In Olajuwon's case, he teaches footwork, he teaches you how to dance his step to get close to the basket. From that point on, it's your job to make the layup or short jumper. He'll also give you a few counter moves.

Not sure what Ewing did. Statistically, Ewing was roughly as effective as Hakeem, but the way he went about his business was entirely different, but less artistry, much more blue collar. (one can say similar things about Abdul Jabbar - he didn't have a huge repertoire of moves, but that sky hook was damned effective... and hey, everyone would be shooting it that way if it were something easy to master - but that has to do with his innate feel for the ball and the basket)

There's part of footwork that can be learned, but there's something (a combination of balance and agility, I suppose) that let Hakeem own it like few players can. (make no mistake, there's good reason why athletes like Kobe/LBJ could get something out of it - because they too are that gifted)

AnubisADL @ 9/14/2012 1:39 PM
Glad the Knicks are making an effort but the only person that might benefit is Melo. He actually has low post skills.
mrKnickShot @ 9/14/2012 2:20 PM
Perhaps he is really here to help Amare with his defensive low post.
DurzoBlint @ 9/14/2012 3:31 PM
To be honest, I never really saw any significant improvement from Howard....at least not nearly enough to proclaim Pat a good big man coach. Dwight really hasn't added much to his game imo
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