SocraticBallin22 wrote:Time for Baker, Ndour and Plum.

I'm starting to believe that this team will never be a contender with Melo on it.

Might not have been a bad idea to inject some intensity on the defensive end...

Is it possible that Hornacek is thinking that if you let things get bad enough there might be less controversy when you do make some changes in minutes so that some of our more energetic bench players get more time in certain situations?

In defense of Anthony, tonight, I thought I saw him laboring at times, and figured his injury might be an issue, but he is clearly not able to be a consistent defender.

Knicks67 wrote:This roster won't work from here unless something radical happens. On the bright side we may see a higher pick for the future. I'm trying to play the glad game now

fwk00 wrote:

WaltLongmire wrote:

SocraticBallin22 wrote:Time for Baker, Ndour and Plum.

I'm starting to believe that this team will never be a contender with Melo on it.

Might not have been a bad idea to inject some intensity on the defensive end...

Is it possible that Hornacek is thinking that if you let things get bad enough there might be less controversy when you do make some changes in minutes so that some of our more energetic bench players get more time in certain situations?

In defense of Anthony, tonight, I thought I saw him laboring at times, and figured his injury might be an issue, but he is clearly not able to be a consistent defender.

This is more about effort and basketball mindfulness than anything else. Somebody has to give a sh@t. Playing defense means trying to play team basketball. This looked like a pickup game in which none of these guys had ever played together before. Passing the ball into traffic and the rafters one trip after another might also contribute to the F'up.

As a fan I was flat out mad at what I was seeing out there. I hate to start ranting about trades but this group is not connecting on fundamental levels. And playoffs or no, changes are needed. Not major surgery, but I would be taking a long look at Randle by moving either Rose or Jennings. If Miami will move Dragic you have to take a flyer.

Thomas is no longer a second option to Melo either. Promote Kuz or bring in a player getting cut who is mobile.

And I would stop depending on Melo as the go-to player. It's strictly co-incidental when he succeeds late in a game. Frankly, I just wince when he gets the rock.

We were 22-22 at one point and then we went south. This is where we are falling apart.

This team, this whole franchise has mental issues that seem to go beyond the personnel. It really sucks to be their fan, but can't stop.

holfresh wrote:

crzymdups wrote:

holfresh wrote:Wally is waxing poetic about how Lee plays good defense and he must be disappointed in this team's defense..Lee is not a good defender..

He was definitely a step slow or more on Meeks in the first quarter, allowing Meeks to get off to a great start.

He hasn't played good defense all season..It's like Affalo all over again when people talked about these guys being good defenders until you see them play...No way C.Lee would be moving around so much if he was a good defender..

This is simply not true. He had a poor first half. Second half was fine and he has played very good defense all season

In all seriousness the basic problem on D is pretty obvious. Melo can't guard SF well and too often doesn't show the desire to guard 4s.

We should consider moving him to the second unit so he could guard inferior competition. Also he could the. Play the 4 spot where he's better anyway

This will never happen but would cure a lot of issues (including creating more ball movement on offense)

Chandler wrote:

holfresh wrote:

crzymdups wrote:

holfresh wrote:Wally is waxing poetic about how Lee plays good defense and he must be disappointed in this team's defense..Lee is not a good defender..

He was definitely a step slow or more on Meeks in the first quarter, allowing Meeks to get off to a great start.

He hasn't played good defense all season..It's like Affalo all over again when people talked about these guys being good defenders until you see them play...No way C.Lee would be moving around so much if he was a good defender..

This is simply not true. He had a poor first half. Second half was fine and he has played very good defense all season

Complete bs..Lee is not a good defender..Why is a guy who shoots 40% from the three and plays two guard always available?..We snagged him for 11 mil per??..Slightly more money than Shump?

Meeks was 6-7 from the three...

crzymdups wrote:Alan Hahn looks like he wants to kill Wally lately... Wally seems to like getting under his skin. Wally may be the best defender on the team.

I've noticed this, too. I even wondered during the post-game if they are somehow competing for a new role. It's bizarre, and they're both really nice guys.