It is a lazy journalistic means to create a headline from nothing. Until Baron Davis is fully healed, his return is as much story as the return of Antinio McDyess, and he's retired.

Baron Davis will know when he is ready, IF he is ready. Unfortunately, the first time he steps on the court for a live game is not the end of his rehab, it is just a baby step forward. He still must prove to himself that he can do the following:

- play 12 minutes at full speed, wake up the next morning and straighten his spine

- make a cut, run blindly into a pick, and recoil from the hit without straining his obliques

- be knocked to the floor, land on his tailbone, and not feel a thing (yes, he WILL be knocked to the floor)

- not rely on meds that erode his stomach or have nasty side effects

- play every other night for a total of 25 minutes

- be comfortable at 35,000 feet, after a game, for two hours, without a heating pad

- warm up, play, sit on the bench, cool down, stand up, play again, and then sit back down

- not slip on any moisture in the painted area

- stay in a defensive stance for 5 seconds, and shuffle laterally in a backpedal - leaning over

Rinse and repeat.

Nalod wrote:
It will be Baron by the time the team hits Houston.

Just sayin'

gunsnewing wrote:Nice Job Dr. Earl. We are in huge trouble

We are only in trouble if we ignore the truth of the matter. The Knicks need to make some difficult choices and cultivate yoot in the backcourt.

Play Iman Shumpert and you live with his mistakes. Hope that he learns something about consistency before he cramps up again.

Mike Bibby can give you about 15 "do no harm" minutes about twice a week. Not enough.

Toney Douglas? No thank you.

Jeremy Lin has decent size, can dribble a basketball, plays with verve and keeps his head up. Play him.

Solution:

Play Jeremy Lin and live with his learning curve.

Carmelo is hurting. Put the ball in Landry Fields hands instead of Carmelo hands.

Open up a roster spot and take a gamble on the best available DLeaguer. Will he have warts? Of course. That is why they call it the DLeague.

Bring Shumpert off the bench.

nixluva wrote:The team is trying to make it work with the guys on the floor. Only fans are holding out for a messiah. It's hard not to do that when you know that you have a player who tho injured is capable of a high level of play at your weakest but most important position. EVERYONE knows how important the PG spot is, so it's only natural to get worked up about Baron.

The reason you stick with a group of guys even if they aren't performing right now is in the hope that they develop some consistency. If MDA was changing the rotation a lot as he once did it doesn't lead to miracles. You make small adjustments rather than go crazy with changes like LB did and get killed for that too.

I think Lin will get a shot. MDA has been slow to work guys in, in the past, but he does try to find a spot where he can get them in when he feels confident they can help. It's too bad this kid didn't have a training camp with the team to work on learning the system. It's not like you can just stick a guard in there and he's gonna have it down. It took experienced PG's a month to get it!!!

you make good points about the PG play that we are lacking especially about the play of TD/Bibby in other posts.
But that is exactly why Lin should have got a shot, Dantoni played everyone but him, while Lin is the quickest, best handle, and can penetrate with speed/quickness
We are not getting good looks or taking good shots for a reason, for majority of the 48minutes

But, we should always have at least 2 players that can penetrate with 3-4 shooters that can hit the 3pointer
to go with at least one post player, which Melo can do but he won't be able to penetrate if you put C and PF that cannot spread the floor.

Jordan might be able to post up and hit the 15footer as well
While we know Novak can hit the 3pointer, but needs good spacing and someone to penetrate cause he cannot create his own shot.

Bibby is not getting good looks at all, he has V1 engine, going 1mph, that is hurting his ability to penetrate and defend, NOVAK can spread the floor if you put in players that can penetrate at eh PG/SG position

Even when Davis comes back, he should not be the only player that can penetrate, especially without playing basketball for so long.
Our PG/SG rotation should be

PG Lin/Baron Davis/Iman
SG Iman/TD/Fields

misterearl wrote:RonRon

G help wanted/ Lin/ DLeague project/ open audition
G Fields/ Shumpert as sixth man/ why did they sign Douglas?
F Carmelo/ help wanted/ Novak
F Amar'e/ help wanted/ Harrellson in March
C Tyson Chandler/ Jerome/ best available big man from Summer League

Part of our problem is we are lacking the shots that Shawne Williams were able to hit while playing the SF/PF.
We do not have that type of forward to stretch the defense, last year, we constantly played 4 shooters on the floor for our 2nd units.

Having the shooters to spread the floor, allows Amare to dominate at the 5, driving pass the center, but unable to defend at that position.
Melo/Shawne to play the SF/PF, in which someone was able to get the edge.

Billups could not penetrate consistently but his ability, fearless attitude to take and hit the big shots far away from the 3point line, being the 2nd/3rd option at times outside of Melo/Amare. When he hits those type of shots, the defense will come out all the way, allowing him to penetrate, and get fouled in which he is a great free throw shooter.

This is where TD and Shawne Williams, benefits from Billups, Amare, and Melo. As they are often left unguarded and able to square up for a good shoot.

Turiaf's defense at the PF is better than any defender we currently have too. He can also hit the 12 footer, post up, and finish. He isn't expected to always put up
the points, great rebounding, shot blocking, and great defense. But he was able to do it many nights as well. This is also where Amare's help defense excelled with his shot blocking.

When we went small, our foot speed on the court, allowed us to have good rotation defense, spread the floor, and be more efficient with a fast break and half court sets....

nixluva wrote:The team is trying to make it work with the guys on the floor. Only fans are holding out for a messiah. It's hard not to do that when you know that you have a player who tho injured is capable of a high level of play at your weakest but most important position. EVERYONE knows how important the PG spot is, so it's only natural to get worked up about Baron.

The reason you stick with a group of guys even if they aren't performing right now is in the hope that they develop some consistency. If MDA was changing the rotation a lot as he once did it doesn't lead to miracles. You make small adjustments rather than go crazy with changes like LB did and get killed for that too.

I think Lin will get a shot. MDA has been slow to work guys in, in the past, but he does try to find a spot where he can get them in when he feels confident they can help. It's too bad this kid didn't have a training camp with the team to work on learning the system. It's not like you can just stick a guard in there and he's gonna have it down. It took experienced PG's a month to get it!!!

Davis said. “I need more contact, more 3-on-3. I can go in spurts, but I’m not comfortable mentally or physically to get out there right now."

What Davis Is Thinking

"I KNOW this is only a temporary thing, but damn, this is ridiculous. Back in the day I could make that move in my sleep. I hear you body, coming back from an injury at 32 is more challenging than it was at 28. No, I'm not getting on the floor simply to embarrass myself. Yes, this is a young man's game."

I guess some posters are right, common sense is overrated.

loweyecue wrote:

Childs2Dudley wrote:This team is garbage.

The sooner people realize it, the better.

Is there a reason you post or do you actually have a plan for us to stop being garbage? Let's hear it.

I didn't know my posts affected you so much.

I apologize.

PS: Amare/Chandler for Howard/Turk, Carmelo for Deron.