The nouveau Knicks are gradually learning New York toughness the hard way. The Celtics have been together through enough battles to have trust in each other. They understand how to assert their personality on a game at a critical minute when a stop, or a critical shot, is needed. There is no hesitation.

As strange as it seems, the Cavs learned toughness via a 26 game losing streak. They did not implode and came back battling harder when they finally won one.

The Knicks are still searching and will continue to search, for an identity. They desperately need collective experience. They must go through more brutal battles to discover how to execute without fear when the pressure is on.

For a roster of tourists, that will require at least a year together for the concept of "team" to become intuitive.

Looking forward to March 2012.

“Truly you cannot try to come to a team like this and try to win on your terms,” he said. “I know because I know when I went from Milwaukee to Seattle, there was a space open for me; like there were 25 points, 6-7 rebounds, 5 or 6 assists, based on the void that Gary Payton left.

“But here, that void was no longer there, where I needed to shoot the ball 19 to 23 times. So you have to temper how you pick and choose the shots you are going to get, and how else you can help win a game. Now, I might have to set a good screen, or get a big rebound or make a sharp cut so someone else can go down the lane for a layup or be open for a 3. But that’s winning on this team’s terms, not on my terms.”

“When you see chemistry, it’s always judged basically in the fourth quarter, executing on both ends of the floor,” Allen said.

Marv wrote:What He Was Really Thinking: "I need a big bottle of scotch and a long night out with firefly."

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

misterearl wrote:Ten Things The Nouveau Knicks Need to Do To Become A Team

10. Visit a senior center. That will remind you that time is precious.

Plus marv hasn't had visitors in a while. Badum-bum.

misterearl wrote:Tough Decisions

Chauncey Billups is an ending contract and his heart is not in New York City. It happens. In six months will also be 35 years old. By that standard NBA growth curve, his productivity will have passed its peak.

Timofey Mozgov and Ty Lawson straight up... and whatever else it takes to make the deal work, without including Landry Fields or a first-rounder, of course.

you think Denver would give up Ty for Billups with whatever spare parts?

I would do it, but not sure Denver would.

2. Landry Fields will savor his excellent rookie adventure know exactly what to improve over the Summer.

3. If Carmelo Anthony can be celebrated for the joy of the assist (9 tonight) he can bring the ball up against token pressure. Putting the ball in his hands opens up some options for the pick and pop.

4. Stoudemire should get some rest and heal his knees

5. Help Wanted

6. Shawane Williams is a keeper. At 6'9 he can work on his drives

7. Insert First round draft pick here

8. Toney Douglas can work on his decision making

9. Insert backup center here

10. If Derrick Brown wants to impress, do it in Las Vegas in July

crzymdups wrote:good post, earl.

thinking outside the box a little - what about buying a late first rounder to draft the brazilian marcus camby? i believe he is eligible for the draft because he'll be 19yrs old before the next season starts.

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Lucas-Nogueira-5957/

nixluva wrote:

martin wrote:

Marv wrote:good post.

i'll call you and raise you.

let go of d'antoni.

bring in a guy who wants to utilize bigger players and intensity around the hoop on both sides of the court.

which big players do you recommend this new coach play?

I want to know how long will fans ignore that Mike wanted to play Mosgov, so much that he rushed getting him into the starting lineup. Neither Mike nor Donnie wanted to trade him, but Dolan stepped in. So both Donnie and Mike have to deal with the repercussions of Dolan's decision.

- timing is everything. “To me, I think the worst problem, if it was a problem, is when the trade was made,” Jerry West said of the Anthony deal, which was consummated after the All-Star break. “They had established a pattern of play and they gave up a lot of players to get two very good players.”

- your mate looked better when they were with someone else. West said the term (superstars)“is thrown around much too loosely” and that there are only four or five in the N.B.A. He called Stoudemire and Anthony “All-Star caliber players.”

- a great marriage takes time. “I think people are looking for instant gratification,” he said. “With New York, there’s just so much more scrutiny. If someone goes outside and coughs, he’s got pneumonia or something.”

misterearl wrote:Tough Decisions

Chauncey Billups is an ending contract and his heart is not in New York City. It happens. In six months will also be 35 years old. By that standard NBA growth curve, his productivity will have passed its peak.

Timofey Mozgov and Ty Lawson straight up... and whatever else it takes to make the deal work, without including Landry Fields or a first-rounder, of course.

We might get Denver to give us Timmy M back for Billups, but there is no way they are including Lawson unless they think Felton is better, which does not appear to be their opinion since Felton is coming off the bench. I would do that trade in a heartbeat. I would even give them another pick. We need a center badly and I think Timmy M. is going to develop into a starting caliber center who can actually hit an open jumper.