I think Artest will help improve the defense or bring an edge in regards to defense that was missing last season.

We will see how things pan out on the court but the off-season has been solid.

The reason I feel this team is a top #2 or #3 seed is that we have the most potent offensive team. We have a more consistently good offensive team all the while being able to defend at a good level. We also have a very mature team but not in a bad way like last year. These guys should still be able to walk at the end of the year. If last years team wasn't quite as old they surely would've beaten the Pacers. I don't see them beating the Knicks like that again. The Bulls are always tough, but we still have to see if D Rose can get thru an entire season and perform at an elite level. Everyone seems so sure of it, as if there should be no question. Also let's remember that even with a healthy Rose they won 50 games as opposed to 45 without him. IMO adding Dunleavy doesn't make that team demonstrably more potent. Still the Bulls are probably the biggest threat next to the Heat. I'm also not that sold on the Nets either. They might be the AARP team of this year as we were last year. In truth I think all the top East teams will be in a tight bunch with a little luck being the big difference between the teams.

And as every I hope Amar'e can stay healthy- it's tough seeing someone with a lot of pride and a great work ethic endure the last two seasons he has.

I liked most of the team last season, so i have no problem rooting for the team!

Can't believe it's still almost 3 months away!

gunsnewing wrote:From day 1 Woodson needs to make it clear to Bargnani that he is a key part of the team. Make him Melos sidekick. Start him. He will spread the floor for Melo. Don't bury him on the bench when he blows a defensive rotation. Put him in the best position to prove why he was the #1 pick and can get back to being the lethal weapon he once was. He has potential to be tremendous for new york

I agree with Bargs and i think it goes for the whole team. Everyone needs to have clearly defined roles and the rotation needs to be consistent. I used to hate Woodson starting Camby, White, etc only to play them 5 mins and sit them the following game. Play your starters starters minutes, and get your rotation set. It will go a long way.

Knixkik wrote:

gunsnewing wrote:From day 1 Woodson needs to make it clear to Bargnani that he is a key part of the team. Make him Melos sidekick. Start him. He will spread the floor for Melo. Don't bury him on the bench when he blows a defensive rotation. Put him in the best position to prove why he was the #1 pick and can get back to being the lethal weapon he once was. He has potential to be tremendous for new york

I agree with Bargs and i think it goes for the whole team. Everyone needs to have clearly defined roles and the rotation needs to be consistent. I used to hate Woodson starting Camby, White, etc only to play them 5 mins and sit them the following game. Play your starters starters minutes, and get your rotation set. It will go a long way.

I agree, Woodson constantly starting a "FAKE" starter out there was annoying, often played no role, didn't give any production, and was often a weak link, *EXCEPT for Ronnie Brewer/Kidd when they played well in the start of the season*

Thing is about AB, I feel he should be paired with JR Smith, because they would compliment each other well for spacing/penetration and kick outs for collapse the defense
Melo, JR Smith, and AB are our "BIG 3" and should learn to play as a team together, fit, open spacing, and compliment each other 2 players can play off their abilities on offense
We need them to play TOGETHER, not take turns going ISO, attacking the opponents defense TOGETHER with ball movement/player movement and mismatches, PnR, penetration, post ups, sometimes with screens off the ball

In theory, this would open up the spacing, penetration, and post up opportunities for Melo/Barg's, feeding whoever has the mismatch or advantage

STAT is not part of our main core anymore, not with his injuries and a 20 minute restriction
He is a 8th-10th man player with that restriction and who knows how he will look after "resting" and not working out in addition to his injuries

For out 2nd unit, maybe Murry or Iman (if he is back to his 1st year or better physical abilities) initiating our DEFENSE on the PG with

PG???

Iman
Artest
Martin

Ivan Johnson????

For last player, depending on the matchup, it could be anyone from a Center, PF/C, to a G/F, SF or SF/PF like James Johnson

that could be our 2nd unit and they play a different philosophy, exerting much more energy focused on DEFENSE, hopefully lockdown potential and a grind out style

I honestly think for this team though, constantly changing starting lineups, and rotations depending on the matchups would be to our advantage vs 1 starting lineup and playing 1 way
While understanding and changing philosophies vs different teams to our advantage, problem is Woody just isn't very creative
Like sometimes, using a lineup that puts 5 shooters on the floor, 3 players have the ability to post up, open the lane for penetration, and great spacing to go with ball movement

PG
JR
Melo
Artest
AB