TheGame wrote:It is a long read but a good article. The only question now is whether Fields has reached his potential or whether he can make a David Lee-like jump in production each year. If they guy can improve like Lee did, he will be a borderline Allstar in 3 years.

Exhibit A:
His 3pt % is already higher in his first NBA season as it was at any point in college.
He is essentially matching his rebound numbers at a new position in the NBA.

The thing I took from the article is what you alluded to regarding Lee. Lee was quite athletic for his size, but not exactly "quick". Yet Lee did the most with what he had (except on defense - Landry does not have that problem). Fields has some good numbers but also doesn't have blow by speed, though a nice first step and rarely gets beat on defense. All this from a rookie. I think it really goes without saying that a player with Fields IQ who already is shooting better from 3pt land and equaling his rebounding numbers from college, while playing a new position - this is already answering your question. He will probably continue to improve because he does not rely on his athleticism (though he has that) but rather (more) on his IQ.

Understand that Fields is talented in all areas, great in none. Even if he improves a little across the board (which I think is the likelihood) he will be substantially better in time. He just has too much of a foundation and a great system to express it in. Even if his rebounding numbers don't get better he will still be a GREAT rebounding guard. Teams know about him now, his scoring and rebounding numbers have only gotten better. He has already shown too much to think he won't improve, especially when you factor in his IQ as IQ can't be taken linearly when it comes to sports. (I mean it's not like a typical statistic in that it gives so much to all areas of your game.) Yeah, Mr. Second rounder who has started since game one - Damn are we lucky.

BTW - We will be able to resign him with the Arenas rule. Basically other teams can give him up to the MLE, we can match (not using the MLE though - I'm pretty sure here).

martin wrote:

AnubisADL wrote:

orangeblobman wrote:

martin wrote:

AnubisADL wrote:

orangeblobman wrote:

AnubisADL wrote:My issue with Fields is he isn't a SG. Those rebounding stats are highly inflated be too because D'Antoni has him crashing the boards. Most coaches dont want their guards crashing the boards because the opposing teams guards will leak out and that leads to fast breaks.

Who cares? He's grabbing the boards, that's all that matters.

It matters when Fields is standing under the rim and his man is running down the court wide open.

it's defensive rebounds that he is getting so many of.

There you go. Anubis, the tree branch just snapped and sent you to the ground, your legs are broken, bones are poking through your skin, the nearest hospital is 17 miles away because that's how far away you were from reality in blasting Landry Fields and his rebounding totals.

- I suggest you watch where Fields is when the ball goes up. Then watch other teams guards when the ball goes up.

This is grand. Knicks have a rookie who is doing some extraordinary and he is being described in a negative way.

Are the Knicks getting killed by Fields' guy leaking out? Cause I don't remember that at all. That so-called specific weakness has not been exposed.

MDA should just instruct all his guys to crash the boards.

Im simply stating Fields rebounding numbers are inflated. Im not knocking MDA instructing Fields to crash the boards because Amare and Chandler aren't great rebounder's.

If everyone crashes the board how can you start a fast break?

AnubisADL wrote:

martin wrote:

AnubisADL wrote:

orangeblobman wrote:

martin wrote:

AnubisADL wrote:

orangeblobman wrote:

AnubisADL wrote:My issue with Fields is he isn't a SG. Those rebounding stats are highly inflated be too because D'Antoni has him crashing the boards. Most coaches dont want their guards crashing the boards because the opposing teams guards will leak out and that leads to fast breaks.

Who cares? He's grabbing the boards, that's all that matters.

It matters when Fields is standing under the rim and his man is running down the court wide open.

it's defensive rebounds that he is getting so many of.

There you go. Anubis, the tree branch just snapped and sent you to the ground, your legs are broken, bones are poking through your skin, the nearest hospital is 17 miles away because that's how far away you were from reality in blasting Landry Fields and his rebounding totals.

- I suggest you watch where Fields is when the ball goes up. Then watch other teams guards when the ball goes up.

This is grand. Knicks have a rookie who is doing some extraordinary and he is being described in a negative way.

Are the Knicks getting killed by Fields' guy leaking out? Cause I don't remember that at all. That so-called specific weakness has not been exposed.

MDA should just instruct all his guys to crash the boards.

Im simply stating Fields rebounding numbers are inflated. Im not knocking MDA instructing Fields to crash the boards because Amare and Chandler aren't great rebounder's.

If everyone crashes the board how can you start a fast break?

Fields' rebounds stats are inflated because he is rebounding the ball. Pause.

earthmansurfer wrote:

AnubisADL wrote:

orangeblobman wrote:

AnubisADL wrote:My issue with Fields is he isn't a SG. Those rebounding stats are highly inflated be too because D'Antoni has him crashing the boards. Most coaches dont want their guards crashing the boards because the opposing teams guards will leak out and that leads to fast breaks.

Who cares? He's grabbing the boards, that's all that matters.

It matters when Fields is standing under the rim and his man is running down the court wide open.

Fields' man rarely gets by him on defense, when he is rebounding or just playing D. So, you are essentially stuck on a thought with nothing backing it up. If that was the case, people would be complaining, much like they did with Lee and his rebounding (while not boxing out or playing defense - and most of us loved Lee.)

Fields is not rebounding at this rate because of the coach's instruction. Even if that was the case, and even if he is really a shooting forward, as TMS said, he would still be tied for the league lead.

I really don't understand your points here.

- Dude I have seen Fields left Paul Pierce a few times. Lets exaggerate what Fields is doing out on the court.

- No one was complaining about David Lee when he was rebounding early in his career. I like some others noticed he was terrible on defense. We had Frye and Curry stinking it up so David Lee was a bright spot in the front court. We have Walker and Mason stinking it up so Fields is great for us at SG.

- Fields isnt locking anyone down on defense so please stop. I remember vividly Paul Pierce leaving Fields in quicksand off the dribble in the Boston game before Christmas. Pierce did it more than once too in the 4th quarter.

AnubisADL wrote:

earthmansurfer wrote:

AnubisADL wrote:

orangeblobman wrote:

AnubisADL wrote:My issue with Fields is he isn't a SG. Those rebounding stats are highly inflated be too because D'Antoni has him crashing the boards. Most coaches dont want their guards crashing the boards because the opposing teams guards will leak out and that leads to fast breaks.

Who cares? He's grabbing the boards, that's all that matters.

It matters when Fields is standing under the rim and his man is running down the court wide open.

Fields' man rarely gets by him on defense, when he is rebounding or just playing D. So, you are essentially stuck on a thought with nothing backing it up. If that was the case, people would be complaining, much like they did with Lee and his rebounding (while not boxing out or playing defense - and most of us loved Lee.)

Fields is not rebounding at this rate because of the coach's instruction. Even if that was the case, and even if he is really a shooting forward, as TMS said, he would still be tied for the league lead.

I really don't understand your points here.

- Dude I have seen Fields left Paul Pierce a few times. Lets exaggerate what Fields is doing out on the court.

- No one was complaining about David Lee when he was rebounding early in his career. I like some others noticed he was terrible on defense. We had Frye and Curry stinking it up so David Lee was a bright spot in the front court. We have Walker and Mason stinking it up so Fields is great for us at SG.

- Fields isnt locking anyone down on defense so please stop. I remember vividly Paul Pierce leaving Fields in quicksand off the dribble in the Boston game before Christmas. Pierce did it more than once too in the 4th quarter.

You're talking about Paul Pierce dude. He's one of the best and craftiest scorers in the NBA. He's going to make a rookie look bad.

AnubisADL wrote:My issue with Fields is he isn't a SG. Those rebounding stats are highly inflated be too because D'Antoni has him crashing the boards. Most coaches dont want their guards crashing the boards because the opposing teams guards will leak out and that leads to fast breaks.

We start 3 SFs. Fields shouldn't be playing SG but we don't have a better option. Ideally, an SG is more of a playmaker than Fields is. Part of the reason Felton's assists are so high is that he's the only starter who sets up other players regularly.

martin wrote:

Bonn1997 wrote:

AnubisADL wrote:My issue with Fields is he isn't a SG. Those rebounding stats are highly inflated be too because D'Antoni has him crashing the boards. Most coaches dont want their guards crashing the boards because the opposing teams guards will leak out and that leads to fast breaks.

We start 3 SFs. Fields shouldn't be playing SG but we don't have a better option. Ideally, an SG is more of a playmaker than Fields is. Part of the reason Felton's assists are so high is that he's the only starter who sets up other players regularly.

Huh? I think you best watch some of MDA's Mike D'Antoni show to get a better grasp of the offense.

It is true that Felton is the one guy that sets other guys up more than anyone. That's how it should be though. He's the PG. There are many times in the course of the game though when you others feeding others. This doesn't have to lead to assists for the record, in order to call it a feed.

AnubisADL wrote:

Allanfan20 wrote:

earthmansurfer wrote:

AnubisADL wrote:

orangeblobman wrote:

AnubisADL wrote:My issue with Fields is he isn't a SG. Those rebounding stats are highly inflated be too because D'Antoni has him crashing the boards. Most coaches dont want their guards crashing the boards because the opposing teams guards will leak out and that leads to fast breaks.

Who cares? He's grabbing the boards, that's all that matters.

It matters when Fields is standing under the rim and his man is running down the court wide open.

Fields' man rarely gets by him on defense, when he is rebounding or just playing D. So, you are essentially stuck on a thought with nothing backing it up. If that was the case, people would be complaining, much like they did with Lee and his rebounding (while not boxing out or playing defense - and most of us loved Lee.)

Fields is not rebounding at this rate because of the coach's instruction. Even if that was the case, and even if he is really a shooting forward, as TMS said, he would still be tied for the league lead.

I really don't understand your points here.

It's baffling someone would even suggest his man is scoring on the break b/c of this. How many open layups have the Knicks given up, per game, as a result of Fields hustling for the boards. I hardly even see this happening. If this happens maybe once or twice a game, then I'll take that if it's the price to pay for his hustling. There is a level of gambling in hustling, afterall.

For the record, the Knicks this year were never a PURE fastbreak team anyway. We do run a lot, but I'm willing to bet that a majority of our points are score as a result of the pick and roll in the HALF-COURT.

For the record, I looked up the game logs and Landry Fields rebounding numbers prove to show not much of an effect on Amar'e's. Amar'e has been a good rebounding number, and is SLIGHTLY more inconsistent when Landry grabs 8 or more boards a game. It just means more pressure is being taken off of Amar'e.

And Wilson is having his BEST rebounding season overall, even though he's still inconsistent. So I don't see how Landry effects Wilson either.

Anubis, I'm not trying to offend you, but you sound like you are trying to hear yourself speak, or type in this case.

- Wilson Chandler is only grabbing 1 more board per game then he did last year. Amare is also grabbing 1 rebound more per game. Gallinari is averaging LESS rebounds per game than last year. In comparison David Lee was pulling down dam near 12 boards per game by himself while Amare grabs 9 boards. Obvisiously the drop off has to be picked up by other guys.

- Amare was never a great rebounder. Guy never averaged 10 boards per game in his entire career. Suffice to say if Amare wanted to grab 10+ boards a night he could.

Amar'e is on his way to bringing that average up to 10, at the rate he's going. He only had 3 sub 10 rebound games this past month. He's already at 9.3. One more nice month, and he'll be well above 10.

Gallo was never a good rebounder and I've criticized him many times for this. It's a good reason because of our outsizing problems too.

1 rebound a game better than the year is significant.

martin wrote:

Bonn1997 wrote:

AnubisADL wrote:My issue with Fields is he isn't a SG. Those rebounding stats are highly inflated be too because D'Antoni has him crashing the boards. Most coaches dont want their guards crashing the boards because the opposing teams guards will leak out and that leads to fast breaks.

We start 3 SFs. Fields shouldn't be playing SG but we don't have a better option. Ideally, an SG is more of a playmaker than Fields is. Part of the reason Felton's assists are so high is that he's the only starter who sets up other players regularly.

Huh? I think you best watch some of MDA's Mike D'Antoni show to get a better grasp of the offense.

Atlanta (Johnson): 5.5
Miami (Wade): 4.3
Orlando (Arenas): 4.2; Carter at 2.9 before recent trades
Boston (Allen): 3.4
NY (Fields): 1.9
Chicago (Bogans): 1.3

You can get by with Fields at SG but if you think he's truly an SG, you haven't watched much.

TheGame wrote:

martin wrote:

Bonn1997 wrote:

martin wrote:

Bonn1997 wrote:

AnubisADL wrote:My issue with Fields is he isn't a SG. Those rebounding stats are highly inflated be too because D'Antoni has him crashing the boards. Most coaches dont want their guards crashing the boards because the opposing teams guards will leak out and that leads to fast breaks.

We start 3 SFs. Fields shouldn't be playing SG but we don't have a better option. Ideally, an SG is more of a playmaker than Fields is. Part of the reason Felton's assists are so high is that he's the only starter who sets up other players regularly.

Huh? I think you best watch some of MDA's Mike D'Antoni show to get a better grasp of the offense.

OK, tell me who else gets more than an assist or two a game. Who else can penetrate into traffic and set up teammates? If we had an SG who was more of a playmaker, Amare would have to force the offense less and would get fewer turnovers. Here's how many assists per game the starting SG on top eastern teams gets.

Atlanta (Johnson): 5.5
Miami (Wade): 4.3
Orlando (Arenas): 4.2; Carter at 2.9 before recent trades
Boston (Allen): 3.4
NY (Fields): 1.9
Chicago (Bogans): 1.3

You can get by with Fields at SG but if you think he's truly an SG, you haven't watched much.

I've watched all the Knicks games this year except for the CLE debacle, how about yourself?

In MDA's offense, guys like Fields are an outlet not a playmakers. And you just compared a second round rookie to 3 HOFs (Wade and Johnson are SG playmakers for their respective teams) and a former All-Star PG. I have not idea why you would attach Bogans to this discussion.

Yeah, Fields handles the ball far less than Johnson, Wade, or Arenas. Two assists a game for a rookie SG is a solid number.