"Thus, happy days have become panicked days, the great expectations of ’Melo’s arrival already given way to some fear that the Knicks erred in getting him — even loathing from some fans that he might become Stephon Marbury II."

- Steve Adamek, North Jersey

If the sportswriter cites "loathing" from "some" (not to be confused with un-named sources) fans where is the originality?

The Knicks are playing with four quality basketball players and do not have a center on the roster.

When Shelden Williams is starting that is a sure sign of troubles deeper than your personal bias against Carmelo Anthony.

“I just think they’re flawed,” said an Eastern Conference scout who has watched the Knicks several times since the trade.

The scout listed defense and ball movement as the Knicks’ greatest weaknesses. But the lack of talent was a close third.

(ball movement relates directly to playing together and feeling where and when to deliver the ball, it would also help if Toney Douglas played like Ray Felton)

“You have no depth,” he said. “You’ve got five good starters and a sixth man in Toney Douglas and who is the next guy? Jared Jeffries is your next-best player?”

(the best part is coming up)

Beyond the top six, the Knicks fall into two categories: specialists (who have one notable skill) and space-fillers (who have none). Shawne Williams, Roger Mason Jr. and Bill Walker are capable 3-point shooters who do little else. (And Williams is reliable only from the corners — meaning even his one dimension is one-dimensional.) Jeffries is a decent help defender who has a knack for drawing charges.

But consider their recent history: Jeffries was waived by the Houston Rockets, who barely used him. Williams spent the 2009-10 season out of the N.B.A. Until recently, Mason could not break the Knicks’ rotation. Walker has fallen out of the rotation entirely.

The rest of the Knicks are space-fillers — a category the scout bluntly called “Can’t Play.” That includes Shelden Williams, Renaldo Balkman, Anthony Carter, Andy Rautins and Derrick Brown.

(did he just call one half of our roster "scrubs"?)

- Howard Beck

The same writers that wrote about MSG falling over themselves to get that "Star".

The Same writers who covered the fans who bought into the starphuch and bid up tix prices and bought up Melo shirts.

The same writers who are seeing the same crap play and lack of ball movement we all see.

THe same crap they have been writing the last 10 years about the same crap we see on the floor.

Its NY crap media where its drama news if you don't like it.

Predicting an over .500 season is not a crime. It is a simple sign of hope.

There is no grand prize for being "right" and everyone is wrong sometimes, even Donnie Walsh. This ain't no contest. It is entertainment.

Writers build up guys to tear them down. It is a standard formula for mass media, from President of the United States to the starting forward for the NYKnicks.

Hit the open man.

misterearl wrote:Chameleon

SlimChin - you just struck a chord on the necessary transition Carmelo (and everyone else) must make in order for this team thing to work. The artificial "pressure" of the media and the Garden renovation (the instant increase in ticket prices) is different from giving up ego and, in turn, the ball, and leading by being unselfish. There are too many instances of the three leaders - Carmelo, Billups AND Amare - catching the ball and not looking for another team mate in a better spot.

When players stop looking for each other, they will also stop moving without the ball. The Boston fourth quarter panic is a perfect example. Even Landry Fields, who is constantly in motion, becomes an afterthought. The game devolves into individual play and the top-heavy production leaves NO room for anyone else to contribute. As a result you have the "have's", the guys with a license to shoot whenever they feel like it... and the have-nots. You have two distinct cliques on the court and that is never a good thing. EVER.

If a game is lost the finger pointing starts. The "have's" feel like they are not getting enough help and the "have-nots" feel neglected or under used.

"You want to be the man, go be the man"

It is up to the coach to demand total accountability. Players cannot "figure it out" because they are stubborn. Habits and muscle memory are ingrained. It is up to the coach to instill a clear directive that everyone embraces. That is where training camp 2011 will be the most pivotal camp in recent NYK history.

It don't mean a thing if the ball don't swing

i've mentioned this in other threads. MDA lives and dies by the treys. when the knicks are hitting the threes, the ball moves—but mostly to the guys on the perimeter. when they're not hitting the threes, guys stand around and resort to the ISO plays with Melo and Stat. and of course opposing teams pick up on this and clog the paint which makes penetration more difficult for Melo and STAT.

they need to find the pick and roll again.

misterearl wrote:SlimChin - pick and roll? Derrick Rose don't need no steekin' pick and roll!

Take it strong to the rack with your head up.

I miss Channing Frye

I wasn't crazy about moving Frye even with his sophomore slump. He's not a superstar, but a solid role player. He, Landry, and Chandler are perfect guys to compliment Amare and Melo. The teams just needs a real center and for TD to want to be a better PG and next season could be really special. I don't know how the Knicks would be able to land either CP or DW without gutting the team again...who are the decent 1s and 5s available this off season?