Bonn1997 wrote:In addition to concerns about passing and shot selection, I'm not convinced his ball-handling is good enough to be a point-forward. He tends to be a high dribbler and doesn't control the ball as well as guys like Kobe, Lebron, and Wade. He's a better ball-handler than most SFs but I'm not sure he's good enough to be a point SF.

There were times last season he brought the ball up. Looked fine. But running the offense through him doesn't necessarily mean he's going to be bringing it up all the time. He'll get the ball at half court or around the key when it's not a fast break.

He's also a very underrated passer so hats good.

He just has to buy in.

I never enjoyed watching lebron except for highlights because of stagnant ball movement when he was with the Cav's.

SSOL employs more ball movement.

Those fans who enjoyed Felton-Gallo-Chandler, by that those who actually watched the games instead of the box score or fantasy on paper line ups saw the type of game knick fans form the 70's enjoyed, "HIT THE OPEN MAN"! 90's smash mouth slow ball was fun for some but the games we saw with Felton leading the pt was fun to watch.

Before some go into "There goes Nalod lamenting again", lets get it straight, the 27 games with Melo-Stat-Billups was not that pretty to watch.

I am in full favor of Chandler because he is an uptempo 5 and I can't think of anyone other than Dwight I would want in that position given who our 4 is! Stat at the moment is the best 4 in the game!

If Melo can do the job then I am totally for it.

This ensemble has the talent and the coach to play a very enjoyable game to watch and one that can produce wins!

I want to see a TEAM of high caliber players playing the TEAM game of basketball! Not individual stars in isolation taking turns with the ball doing "Solo" acts.

Listen to Doc Rivers and Phil Jax preach the unity of team first. MDA SSOL is about ball movement. We saw a glimpse of it last year when we had a healthy Turiaf an Mozzy holding the 5 and Stat going on a string of 30pt games. To do that Gallo was slashing, Wilson was hitting his shots and Felton was moving the ball. We have the players to do this.

Fields is a good choice for the 2 as he can alternate on the wing where he will get good looks and be free to rebound on the offensive glass. Shump has the size and speed to get back on defense.

Nalod wrote:

Olbrannon wrote:

crzymdups wrote:

Bonn1997 wrote:In addition to concerns about passing and shot selection, I'm not convinced his ball-handling is good enough to be a point-forward. He tends to be a high dribbler and doesn't control the ball as well as guys like Kobe, Lebron, and Wade. He's a better ball-handler than most SFs but I'm not sure he's good enough to be a point SF.

i agree with the ball handling concern. i'd bet toney or iman would bring the ball up the floor and carmelo would get a cross screen to operate at the top of the key/ high post area and there would be plays to get tyson or amar'e free. i don't think the plan is to have carmelo dribble the ball up the floor.

TD is deadly when his man goes under the screen, can get to the rim and makes a good option in the corner for the pop. If Melo can handle well enough there are lots of ways to get Stat/Chandler the ball in the post. As long as the ball moves it won't be an issue. If Melo hogs and everyone stands and watches no.

If he does that I don't care how wide his smile is, Im gonna hate on him.

He got his money, he got his city now he has to not fill up the stat sheet but fill up the win column.

Otherwise he is in prime Mcgrady-Vince-Rice-Big dogg! All Star players with high talent who could not carry their team to the next level. Not all can do it. They are wealthy all star players and very successful people. I root for the KNICKS.

HIT THE OPEN MAN!

Indeed. He is the one the pressure is on just as much as Douglas.

I think it will be a matter of some plays, which in the end might work.

y2zipper wrote:

BasketballJones wrote:Can someone tell me if there has ever been a successful point-forward? Are we thinking Magic Johnson - forward sized guy, but he played point guard. Why does this keep coming up?

Somebody else plays a point type of position all the time in the NBA. Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, although technically not small forwards, did this and so did Larry Bird. LeBron James does this now, and guys like Duncan and Kevin Garnett do it on in and out teams.

What it comes down to is that SOMEBODY on the floor has to be the focal point of the offense and facilitate and/or make the right type of basketball decision for the offense to work. It doesn't actually have to be the point guard. Positions are kind of wishy washy in the NBA today.

yeah, the whole point of the triangle offense is basically to have the nexus of the offense be on the elbow or in the high post. jordan/kobe morphed into more like post players later in their career. melo already has the post game - just needs to learn to pass it to amar'e in the right places. it's not a given that he can, but i think it's possible.

Knicksfan wrote:

crzymdups wrote:

y2zipper wrote:

BasketballJones wrote:Can someone tell me if there has ever been a successful point-forward? Are we thinking Magic Johnson - forward sized guy, but he played point guard. Why does this keep coming up?

Somebody else plays a point type of position all the time in the NBA. Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, although technically not small forwards, did this and so did Larry Bird. LeBron James does this now, and guys like Duncan and Kevin Garnett do it on in and out teams.

What it comes down to is that SOMEBODY on the floor has to be the focal point of the offense and facilitate and/or make the right type of basketball decision for the offense to work. It doesn't actually have to be the point guard. Positions are kind of wishy washy in the NBA today.

yeah, the whole point of the triangle offense is basically to have the nexus of the offense be on the elbow or in the high post. jordan/kobe morphed into more like post players later in their career. melo already has the post game - just needs to learn to pass it to amar'e in the right places. it's not a given that he can, but i think it's possible.

So we are ready for Phil Jax?

basically... yeah.

of course, next summer if the knicks can go out and get Felton or Nash with the full MLE... maybe it makes sense for D'antoni to stay.