http://www.northjersey.com/sports/knicks/A_matter_of_style.html

This is kinda big cuz Phil and Mike have had some heated words before... I dont think Mike is his fav. person...

The man, who’s won nine NBA championship rings by running the far more structured triangle offense, thinks D’Antoni’s offense can win in the postseason, even though with Phoenix that system never got the Suns past the Western Conference finals.

He also believes the fans in New York, weaned not only on Holzman’s system, but then the smash-mouth styles coached by Pat Riley and Jeff Van Gundy, enjoy how the Knicks are playing now.

"I think that the friends that I have that are still alive back there, that haven’t passed away from old age, are really saying that this is kind of fun to watch," he said with a smirk. "They play freely and they have a certain sense of teamwork, sharing the basketball. They like what they see."

Still, can it win a championship?

"There was a lot of talk about that this may be something that would be effective in the regular season when people don’t have the opportunity to match up and defend against it, but will it be successful in playoff basketball?" he said.

"I have to say they have been successful, even though [the Suns] never got through the finals in the West. They got there a couple times and they were effective."

"Can't trust 'em... don't need 'em" - Mike Singletary

Of course a fast break team can win in the playoffs. Have you ever looked up at the rafters of Boston Gardens?

Of course, trends and styles of play are fluid. What's hip today - might become passe. The question is whether Mike D'Antoni will be able to distribute minutes to a proper mix of players who are committed to make a serious run at a title?

One thing remains - you need coachable, intelligent, dedicated and trustable talent.

Posted by Bippity10:

Posted by misterearl:

"Can't trust 'em... don't need 'em" - Mike Singletary

Of course a fast break team can win in the playoffs. Have you ever looked up at the rafters of Boston Gardens?

Of course, trends and styles of play are fluid. What's hip today - might become passe. The question is whether Mike D'Antoni will be able to distribute minutes to a proper mix of players who are committed to make a serious run at a title?

One thing remains - you need coachable, intelligent, dedicated and trustable talent.

Don't forget showtime. Many accused them of not playing D either.

They played D, make no mistakes about it...Cooper, Kareem, Rambis, and Byron Scott played D..

Heck, Worthy played some D as well...


[Edited by - holfresh on 12-17-2008 10:03 AM]

Al Harrington, Chris Duhan and Wilson Chandler all play D btw

Elite - I guarantee you Kobe noticed when The Mayor blocked his shot

Did I mention I miss Marcus Camby?

Posted by misterearl:

"Can't trust 'em... don't need 'em" - Mike Singletary

Of course a fast break team can win in the playoffs. Have you ever looked up at the rafters of Boston Gardens?

Of course, trends and styles of play are fluid. What's hip today - might become passe. The question is whether Mike D'Antoni will be able to distribute minutes to a proper mix of players who are committed to make a serious run at a title?

One thing remains - you need coachable, intelligent, dedicated and trustable talent.

I'm not believing that one Earl...Parish played D...Dennis Johnson was an all NBA defender, MCHale's long arms played D, Ainge played D...Hondo,Charlie Scott and Jo Jo White played D, along with the center no.18, who currently slips my mind, before them...

Come better than that Earl...

holfresh - you are killin' me.

I was not overlooking the Boston defenders. Hell, any basketball fan knows that Bill Russell INVENTED defense. Invented it by his lonesome. And he invented defense a city that was hostile to his living comfortably there - but that's another story. You want to talk Celtics defense while I was talking fast break offense. Cool. Sam Jones, Bailey Howell and Satch Sanders played defense. Cousy? He was okay.

happy now?

Posted by holfresh:


One thing has been proven so far is this league, you are not winning without playing defense, even if Phil Jackson says it...

First of all, its all about when you get the stops. Thats kind of what the Lakers and Celts did in the 80's. Speaking of the Lakers take a look at these stats and tell me they were a defensive Juggernout.

1988 world champion Lakers

Defensive FG% 48%
Pts per game against 108

1989 world champion Lakers

Defensive FG% 47%
Pts per game against 107

1988 Celtics

Defensive FG% 48%
Pts per game against 108

1887 Celtics

Defensive FG% 46%
Pts per game against 106

Okay Holfresh....come with the excuses...BTW, I have some of the Laker/Celts game on tape and I still watch them to this day. No way were they big time defensive teams.

[Edited by - uptown on 12-17-2008 10:35 AM]

[Edited by - uptown on 12-17-2008 10:35 AM]

Posted by Uptown:

Posted by holfresh:


One thing has been proven so far is this league, you are not winning without playing defense, even if Phil Jackson says it...

First of all, its all about when you get the stops. Thats kind of what the Lakers and Celts did in the 80's. Speaking of the Lakers take a look at these stats and tell me they were a defensive Juggernout.

1988 world champion Lakers

Defensive FG% 48%
Pts per game against 108

1989 world champion Lakers

Defensive FG% 47%
Pts per game against 107

1988 Celtics

Defensive FG% 48%
Pts per game against 108

1887 Celtics

Defensive FG% 46%
Pts per game against 106

Okay Holfresh....come with the excuses...BTW, I have some of the Laker/Celts game on tape and I still watch them to this day. No way were they big time defensive teams.

[Edited by - uptown on 12-17-2008 10:35 AM]

[Edited by - uptown on 12-17-2008 10:35 AM]

good post!

Nobody is saying we dont need defense, but to discredit Mike D'Antoni as a coach because of stats is silly. The suns were a decent defensive team, but if he were to have played a slow down grind it out style and preached defense defense defense (detroit style) then they would not have made it out of the first round.. Why? they didnt have the personel.

This Knicks team IS playing defense. They are not perfect, but if you can't see the HUGE improvement not just offensivly but DEFENSIVELY from last year to this year then you are blind!!!

Posted by Bippity10:

Our team is good at defense because the players want to be good at defense.

This needs to be embossed, covered in gold and framed. Our defense is better this year for this reason.

Just cuz the score was high doesnt mean defense wasn't played....if the pace is quickened of course there will be more points scored. Anybody that was around to remember that era knows those guys played some great physical defense.

it's all about making key stops like someone here just said....

teamwork wins games....knicks are playing as a team....but running 7 dudes who are all playing out of position is not gonna have you beating alot of good teams....still you have to admire the heart of this team.