Posted by earthmansurfer:

Posted by BRIGGS:

Im pretty sure that we'll some improvement from Frye, hustle rebounds dunks by Lee, marbury showing declining ability, curry up and down
but the cog who has the skills who is in his prime is Crawford he started showing signs late last year he does have the talent to be an NBA impact player maybe the Knicks BEST player yes but can also stay in the shell of inconsistency that has ruled his career. In My eyes, he has been a soft player--can he physically and mentally step up? if he can be the player he can be which is IMHO 23-24 points 4-4 45% all of the other pieces will work better if he can stay in the game and keep Q-rich and his 35% gunning off if he becomes something along the lines of RIP it will open things up for the Fryes Currys and Lee's to do some damage inside. I still think BEST case scenario is still only 38-39 wins, but while still a failure, he can be viewed respectable and perhaps we have something

I think we will be hurt somewhat by letting Butler go. I didnt say to much but I wouldve NEVER traded JB to bring in Jefferies who isnt very good. Style of basketball right? wrong you still need big guys who can score inside.
curry goes down well 30 wins if craw can play up 25 or less if not.

According to your last thread we are giving Oden to the Bulls. I'll watch for that. I really used to like reading your informative posts. But something changed. I am now afraid as the informative posts have turned into rants. I understand your frustration but don't understand why you want to constantly share it with everyone. You have sort of become the person who walks into a room sad or angry all the time and is a joy kill. I'm not saying your not correct in your assessment. But why make essentially the same assessment every week? Then back track a bit here?

I hope everyone holds you to your constant downer predictions, just so you stop, even if you were right. I really like your other posts though. I'm not trying to attack you here, but rather venting back at you what others here have started to say... chill out with the negativity.

I know you post 100X more than me. That is not the question. I don't want you to turn this against me, rather just try to recognize what you are doing to the board. You were one of the most trusted posters imo. Because of that you have unknowing (or knowing) influence over others. It's sort of like propoganda on a small scale, but it is what it is.

Again, you may be correct. I don't want you to stop posting, it's just sort of sad to see something so creative/informative turn into such a constant downer.

Agree with the majority of your post though ;) And, if those positive things do happen and continue you are going to see team play. Imagine team play with this team on paper... I think it adds up to more than 40 wins. Add the other factors: They are ashamed of last year, they essentially quit last year, they want to play for Thomas, have more defined roles, more conducive to winning atmosphere (no more talking about players in the papers), rookies are a bit seasoned, some defense presence added, hopefully Q. Richardson is starting to feel better (big if), Big Snacks... (can't get any worse?), Marbury and Francis want to win and now know what it takes - especially after a God aweful last year, Currying coming in in much better shape and is SUPPORTED by Thomas, Jamal is turing into the man, etc.

Sincerely,
Albert

Yeah maybe Curry will give me some 30-10 games, but he's going to be in FT or lost in many games, I don't think there will be any change there UNLESS jamal can play up to his potnetial. If he draws maximum attention, there will be less fouls and more point blank shots, more lanes for marbury and francis--show me one guy on our team that can do what JC does? no one, not close

Posted by BRIGGS:

Posted by Elite:

I think crawford is the LEAST "key cog".. this is a weird post....... U tellin me that if our most consistant player last year ups his play a little and turns into an allstar then everyone else can continue their sucking ways? I dont think so buddy.. Crawford is fine as he is, its the others that need to change

Let me show you by example what I mean--look at crawford's numbers down the stretch when he was given more PT--yes the games arent big time games--but it does show you what he CAN do which is the ability to score big points rebound from the g position move the ball--and if you fogot, Jamal lead the NBA in steals the last month of the season--hey I bet Jamal didnt even know that. IF Jamal can play that way and I mean up to his potnetial meaning 23-24 points maybe 4.5-4.5 and 2 steals shooting 45% using a mid range and slashing game more than the three--he's going to open things up for other guys because more attention will be forced upon other teams guarding him. Marbury and Francis dont have that anymore IMHO. BUT they can sure BENEFIT from it, especially in 3 guard sets.

Yeah maybe Curry will give me some 30-10 games, but he's going to be in FT or lost in many games, I don't think there will be any change there UNLESS jamal can play up to his potnetial. If he draws maximum attention, there will be less fouls and more point blank shots, more lanes for marbury and francis--show me one guy on our team that can do what JC does? no one, not close he's the best player IF he plays the way he did down the stretch consistently. Were not going to be a big shot blocking team and most of our guards have poor lateral movement, so if Jamal can get into passing lanes and also continue being disruptive stealing the ball at the same pace, it will slightly compensate for the poor lines of defense+ we need that compensation on the D! I think people who know basketball will agree with me---Jamal is the key guy the new franchise type player IF IF IF IF he can play at optimum levels nearly every game. Guys like Francis and Marbury need to take secondary roles and let the game go through Crawford Curry and Frye.

Posted by Bippity10:

Nixluva: good post, now allow me to play devil's advocate . I agree with your assessment of how the minutes will go. I think that will be pretty accurate unless Steph and Stevie jell like Pearl and clyde. But............what happens if Stevie is getting 30 minutes a game. And then Jamal starts playing really well and now Stevie starts getting 20 minutes a game. Do you think Stevie will be a team player at this point? And if the answer is no(which it is in my book) why would we have that on our roster?

Posted by earthmansurfer:

Posted by Bippity10:

Nixluva: good post, now allow me to play devil's advocate . I agree with your assessment of how the minutes will go. I think that will be pretty accurate unless Steph and Stevie jell like Pearl and clyde. But............what happens if Stevie is getting 30 minutes a game. And then Jamal starts playing really well and now Stevie starts getting 20 minutes a game. Do you think Stevie will be a team player at this point? And if the answer is no(which it is in my book) why would we have that on our roster?

Is anybody really considering how the style of play might dictate minutes? I've heard it mentioned before that a really active style is going to tire players quicker, therefor you are going to have players content with a few less minutes a game simply because they can't keep up. I can see lots of substitutions being done because of this reason alone. Throw into the mix guyes who are high energy anyway (ie. Lee and Balkman). I get the feeling that will be contagious and semi sort of required for an uptempo style of play.

EMS

ps - Ok Briggs, I won't take it so serious ;)

I think we are all taking into account when we discuss style of play. Isiah's rotation isn't really the issue. The issue is that when you have Q, Nate, jamal, Steph and Stevie you have five guys that should definitely be in a rotation. You have at least 4 that could start on most teams. But the reality is only 2 can start, 1 more can get significant time and the other can only get token minutes unless we are now going to take minutes away from Lee and Jeffries and Jalen and Frye. The question is, how will career starters handle this. Last year we said it was okay to cry and quit if you don't get consistent minutes but this year we are assuming they will be okay with it. it's a concern, no?