Posted by BlueSeats:

In the past people have excused poor seasons because of injuries, but lets just put this on the floor right now, this system will break players down. Anyone prone to injuries or chronic conditions (including the Balkman variety) in the past (Marbury, Houston, Gallo, James, Eddy, Q, Zack) are at serious risk of wearing down quickly.

[Edited by - blueseats on 10-05-2008 02:18 AM]

Posted by BigC:

This will be an interesting season. The fact that Mardy Collins and Nate did well makes wonder how well Marbury can do in this system. Especially since Marbury loves to play halfcourt more than push the rock. The second thing that I was thinking when watching the clip is where is Chris Duhon "The Million Dollar Free Agent"? The Knicks went out and got Duhon to be the starter but it looks like the backups might understand the system better than him.


Let me add that this will be a long season for Eddy Curry. Last year people blamed Zach for Curry failures. Who will be blamed this season when Curry looks like the second coming of Fat Albert or a life time member of the Bubba's Waffle House?

Posted by SupremeCommander:

Posted by kam77:

Trading Balkman was stupid. No excuses for it really.

During the offseason when posters were upset with him going, I didn't get it. But now, yeah, I agree with you. Bottom line is he was last season's leading shotblocker (with 30, how pathetic is that) and would excel even more so in that role in this system. People talk about Lee or Jeffries as a potential Cs in this lineup, how about Balk being the shot blocker, defensive rebounder... then leading the break up court?

Posted by BigC:


Let me add that this will be a long season for Eddy Curry. Last year people blamed Zach for Curry failures. Who will be blamed this season when Curry looks like the second coming of Fat Albert or a life time member of the Bubba's Waffle House?

Posted by djsunyc:

not to take away anything from anybody...but aren't these players doing well against...well against their own teammates who comprise one of the poorest defensive squads in the league?

Posted by 4949:

Posted by djsunyc:

not to take away anything from anybody...but aren't these players doing well against...well against their own teammates who comprise one of the poorest defensive squads in the league?

That's why I said 'if they can score half of what they scored in this scrimmage game, with the time I figured they played then that's still an awful lot of points in a full, regular season game. These are athletes, who have not had any real training, no enthusiasm to take it to another level. They are getting their first real taste, their first real test. They will be broken, sore and sick, but they will get to that level. D'Antoni will make sure of it. Even if we end up losing a few players, which I think is a good thing, because that will filter out the bad ones.

I love it that suckbury was lying on the floor and couldn't move because he was over played, something he's never done in his career. it's gonna be interesting and I look forward to the new system. If they lose any games, it won't be because a lack of effort. I think we'll be somewhat proud of them putting it out there when the time comes. That's what I think will happen.

Posted by BlueSeats:

Posted by Markji:

Posted by BlueSeats:

In the past people have excused poor seasons because of injuries, but lets just put this on the floor right now, this system will break players down. Anyone prone to injuries or chronic conditions (including the Balkman variety) in the past (Marbury, Houston, Gallo, James, Eddy, Q, Zack) are at serious risk of wearing down quickly.

[Edited by - blueseats on 10-05-2008 02:18 AM]

You are right in that players will break down if they have chronic injuries....but also players who are not in shape will break down. Our guys are getting into great shape and will be able to play this up-tempo game. The other team may break down first!

That's a fair point, that is one of the goals of the system.

Another thing that we have going for us is that our team is fairly young. (Not counting Houston to be on the team.) Then only a few players are over 30 - Malik-34, JJ1-32, Marbury-31. Marbury is in great shape and the other 2 won't hardly play - and that is if they are even on the team when the season starts.

Players who will see a lot of playing time are in their early to mid 20's. So they should be able to run and last the entire year. Even Zach just turned 27, so he isn't that old. Curry is the only question mark in this system.

You're forgetting Marbury's history of ankle and knee problems, and Zach microfracture surgeries. When you get right down to it, I'd have serious concerns about anyone on this team not on a rookie contract, other than perhaps Jeffires, Crawful and Duhon.

Posted by djsunyc:

not to take away anything from anybody...but aren't these players doing well against...well against their own teammates who comprise one of the poorest defensive squads in the league?