I don't think we're going to get great shot blocking this season. The haters are right about that. But I do want to see our bigs step in the lane and make some people uncomfortable when they drive to the hoop against us. And I want to see our outside players - especially Craw and Nate make a point of keeping their man if front of them.

How many shots did Charles Oakley block?

A. Not many. But he made people think twice about driving the lane.

Ira, the Knicks don't need great shot blocking to be effective on defense. Besides, if Craw and Nate falter on defense, you can look for Nichols and Fred Jones to get a look in the backcourt together with the second unit.

Both pride themselves on playing effective defense first.

Trying is one thing but what are they trying is another thing.

Oakley couldn't block shots but he was a tremendous intimidator. Starks was never a big steals guy but he was a major defensive player in the backcourt.

Mason was right in the same boat as oakley.

Now that I think about it. Who else was the big defender? Why even mention ewing? Aside from him, oak, mason, starks, and the various point guards the knicks have had. Who were the major defenders? Not many. It takes leadership from the coaches to find ways to clog the holes. It takes the players to understand it and for guys to communicate and stop arguing.

Team ****in concept. Coaching? Yup. GM? Yup. Isiah? Yup. Still I believe they will get it. The roster is rounding out.

[Edited by - enyspree on 18-08-2007 09:22 AM]

Mrearl - "pick left" is definately something that should be automatic. "switch", "take mine", and "I got yours" should also be staples.

I want guys to scream "no double" and "step up" also. The knicks have a tendancy to let shooters shoot and they double guys that couldn't post up in an internet forum.

Rest. Rest during time outs. I mofo like me needs to rest cuz I'm not 16 with infinate energy anymore. I am a working man with **** to do so I can't get my body in ultimate shape. Nate, Q, craw, marbs, etc taking breaks while guarding guys like mike miller? Or Brent Barry, Damon Jones, etc. Those bastards want to shoot cuz that's their role. I hate seeing Nate for example watching a retard like big Z posting up, totally losing track of Damon Jones of all people and then seeing that fag stick up his three fingers after draining a bomb wife open in rythmn. That type of **** leads to them having big shooting nights. That scenerio has happened already this season when Damon went for like 30 in a cava win. Total bull****.

That is on Nate, but that's more on isiah cuz if that mofo does it once, take that bitch out the game. Same with Q, cuz he does it too. The bench is deep. Make them accountable. If Q doesn't want to stay with a shooter, I bet you balkman would. I damn sure know Chandler would. Someone will be hungry. If the guys that start aren't hungry and keep doing the same ****. Isiah has to sit them and don't look back. Curry has zach to worry about now cuz if curry misses an assignment, lee is there and zach. They will make it happen.

Let's get it. Bring it fellas. You can't fool the fans bro. i trust isiah to do it, but he is definately on the last days. His team needs to respond and the ones that don't make a move.

Dec. 25th is the date I look at. If guys aren't making the plays they should, trade them. Make an example trade around Christmas. Make the team better. If need be make and adjustment trade at the deadline.
Go isiah! And go knicks! We can do it this year!

Posted by COSSUCKS:

Oakley, Mason, LJ, Buck Williams. All pretty good post big men who I dont remember blocking a ton of shots.

Yeah man. Its about stepping in and bodying people. Like channing. His idea of defense is swiping like he is trying to brush dirt off his defender. Oakles idea of defense was if you come near me, I will hurt you.

Setting the tone. If you are bullying teams the refs have to adjust. Set the tone. If you have been a bitch all game and the make a foul the refs will punish you. If they see you working hard, they will call the game accordingly. Oakley rarely fouled out but he should have fouled out every game. Its about knowing the game and understanding what you can get away with.

All the knicks have to do is stop a mofo from going where they want to. You can't let guys just run to the basket without traveling, getting fouled, changing, or turning the ball over. It just shouldn't happen.

David stern pissed out the rules but the basic principles are the same. Stop the ****in ball. Put a body on him.

PUT SOME "D" ON THAT BITCH!

I get the feeling that this team will make a bigger effort on D this year. I say that due to what seems to be a general expression by all that they want to be much better this year. Isiah has already made reference to improving the perimeter D and all he's done is bring in better natural defenders, who will be right behind the starters if they don't defend.

I'm convinced that Q, Steph and Balk will defend harder if they're in the SL. Then it's just a matter of getting Zach and Curry to move their feet and be more aware of what's happening around them. Don't just focus on their man, but keep an eye on their man and the ball, so that they are always in position to help.

I would expect Lee, Mardy, Jared to defend and give that effort. If Chan and DNic get in there I would expect them to defend as well. I'm not sure about Jamal and Nate, I can only hope that Isiah will put more pressure on them to defend of sit. By adding more talent to the team, Isiah has created a situation where players can't relax, cuz there's a guy waiting to take your spot. Hopefully this will lead to a much better effort this year.

I agree Papabear. 3 point shooting is a team weakness.