holfresh wrote:I initially hated MDA coming here because he stressed zero defense at his previous stop...I eventually came around to allowing him the time to get things right...I think there is lots of stuff going on behind the scenes...This trade created lots of divisions within the organization...We had defensive minded players in Chandler and Felton yet defense was never stressed..Even AR could block a few shots and rebound but never saw light of day...MDA only stresses defense when the team loses...I remember his philosophy during the 13-1 streak, "we don't adjust to what the other team is doing, they have to adjust to us"...I think he really believes that...

This team is in such a funk now that if this continues into next year we risk losing the players...NY can wear you down quickly...I can't image where this franchise would be if we are doing this a year from now...I think he needs a point guard to run his system and this can heal a lot of wounds...but I'm not ready to risk that being the fix it into next year...He doesn't have a foundation to fall back on like defense to win him games...I think the playoffs determines whether or not he is here next year...It's might just be time to move on...

Good stuff Holfresh...I agree, dont want to waste another year. We need to make a move before the start of next season.

martin wrote:

Uptown wrote:

martin wrote:

Uptown wrote:MDA excuses need to stop. This team has been horrendous on the defensive end since he's been here. But people will tell you its not his fault because he doesn't have a big man to plug up the middle. Well, where is the big man holding down the middle in Miami, one of the top 3 defensive teams in the league? Another excuse is that he only has offensive players. Well, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, too prolific offensive players, are intrical parts of the best defensive system in the league over the last 3 years. But again, our problmes on defensive have nothing to do with the coach, but everything to do with the players.

His teams continually, come out unprepared for games which results in 1st half holes that we need to dig ourselves out of. But thats not MDA's fault either because the layers are supposed to motivate themselves eventhough this has been a problem whihc each of the three sets of teams he's had since being here.

Lastly, MDA is losing a grip on his last crutch. MDA is supposed to be an offensive guru, yet, his team can longer score in the 4th quarter. But agian, its not the job a coach to adjust to the players he has, the players are supposed to adjust to him. So teflon MDA escapes again.

So to sum it all up, we play no defense (we are the get well hallmark card for all sick offensive teams, see Mil, Charl etc), we come out unprepared seemingly for every game, The players dont seem to be buying in and our offense spurters in the crucial 4th quater. Much better coaches than MDA have lost their jobs for only 1 of the above mentioned evils. So again, why should he keep his job beyond this season?

Boston. Miami.

You just asked why NY can't be as good at defense as Boston and Miami. 2 teams that start 2 all-defense first team'ers. LeBron, Wade. KG, Rondo.

I don't think you can say that the Knicks have a stater that is even near average at defense at his respective position.

I think its all about system and team defense. Like I mentioned in my post, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, two prolific offensive players are intrical pieces to one of the best defensive teams in the league. The same coach that instilled that defensive system, now has his new team (Bulls) playing just as well as the Celts. The fact that we lack a big man or an average defensive player as you say is a poor excuse IMO.

Take a look at the Sixers. They lost their shot blocker in Dalembert, yet with a new coach/system they improve this year by giving up about 6 pts less and the opponents FG% has dropped by about 3-4 % pts.

The point of this thread was not only to point out our defensive short-commings, but the fact that we are struggling all around. Offense is supposed to be his specialty, yet we struggle to score in the 4th Q. We come out unprepared and fall behind every game. It seems as if the players aren't buying in or listening to the coach. So, my question for those who keep making excuses for him, which of the following does he take the blame for? Or is he exempt from all?

First, help me understand the difference between excuse and reasonable explanation?

I think it's fair to say that what the coaches are trying to implement and what the players are doing aren't working. I think it's also fair to say that the Knicks haven't really had practice time, that 3/5 of their lineup has been changed, they probably have the thinnest bench of the top 20 teams in the league, and that that they are playing the most games in 1 month as any team has played all year within the same time period. It took Miami full training camp, preseason, and 2 months to get it together; that's 3 complete months. MDA and staff has had 1 month since the trade deadline.

It's clear that MDA can coach offense. Why has his team's offense been so sucky, especially in 4th quarter? Probably the same reasons his team's defense has been so sucky - all the reasons I list above and probably more.

Knowing that this team needs as much court time together as possible, why does this coach continue to cancel practices? This is the third time he's done this. Makes absolutely no sense. He's bringing the rope to his own lynching.

martin wrote:

Uptown wrote:

martin wrote:

Uptown wrote:

martin wrote:

Uptown wrote:MDA excuses need to stop. This team has been horrendous on the defensive end since he's been here. But people will tell you its not his fault because he doesn't have a big man to plug up the middle. Well, where is the big man holding down the middle in Miami, one of the top 3 defensive teams in the league? Another excuse is that he only has offensive players. Well, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, too prolific offensive players, are intrical parts of the best defensive system in the league over the last 3 years. But again, our problmes on defensive have nothing to do with the coach, but everything to do with the players.

His teams continually, come out unprepared for games which results in 1st half holes that we need to dig ourselves out of. But thats not MDA's fault either because the layers are supposed to motivate themselves eventhough this has been a problem whihc each of the three sets of teams he's had since being here.

Lastly, MDA is losing a grip on his last crutch. MDA is supposed to be an offensive guru, yet, his team can longer score in the 4th quarter. But agian, its not the job a coach to adjust to the players he has, the players are supposed to adjust to him. So teflon MDA escapes again.

So to sum it all up, we play no defense (we are the get well hallmark card for all sick offensive teams, see Mil, Charl etc), we come out unprepared seemingly for every game, The players dont seem to be buying in and our offense spurters in the crucial 4th quater. Much better coaches than MDA have lost their jobs for only 1 of the above mentioned evils. So again, why should he keep his job beyond this season?

Boston. Miami.

You just asked why NY can't be as good at defense as Boston and Miami. 2 teams that start 2 all-defense first team'ers. LeBron, Wade. KG, Rondo.

I don't think you can say that the Knicks have a stater that is even near average at defense at his respective position.

I think its all about system and team defense. Like I mentioned in my post, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, two prolific offensive players are intrical pieces to one of the best defensive teams in the league. The same coach that instilled that defensive system, now has his new team (Bulls) playing just as well as the Celts. The fact that we lack a big man or an average defensive player as you say is a poor excuse IMO.

Take a look at the Sixers. They lost their shot blocker in Dalembert, yet with a new coach/system they improve this year by giving up about 6 pts less and the opponents FG% has dropped by about 3-4 % pts.

The point of this thread was not only to point out our defensive short-commings, but the fact that we are struggling all around. Offense is supposed to be his specialty, yet we struggle to score in the 4th Q. We come out unprepared and fall behind every game. It seems as if the players aren't buying in or listening to the coach. So, my question for those who keep making excuses for him, which of the following does he take the blame for? Or is he exempt from all?

First, help me understand the difference between excuse and reasonable explanation?

I think it's fair to say that what the coaches are trying to implement and what the players are doing aren't working. I think it's also fair to say that the Knicks haven't really had practice time, that 3/5 of their lineup has been changed, they probably have the thinnest bench of the top 20 teams in the league, and that that they are playing the most games in 1 month as any team has played all year within the same time period. It took Miami full training camp, preseason, and 2 months to get it together; that's 3 complete months. MDA and staff has had 1 month since the trade deadline.

It's clear that MDA can coach offense. Why has his team's offense been so sucky, especially in 4th quarter? Probably the same reasons his team's defense has been so sucky - all the reasons I list above and probably more.

Knowing that this team needs as much court time together as possible, why does this coach continue to cancel practices? This is the third time he's done this. Makes absolutely no sense. He's bringing the rope to his own lynching.

if this makes no sense to you than I would have to say that you are either not paying attention at all the what the Knicks are doing or are willfully ignorant.

Wow! That was a bit below the belt, dont you think? My first post in this thread was thoughtout and pointed out the problems of the team that goes beyond our inept defense. The last crutch-bit was to point out that our offense has been horrendous of late and offense is supposed to be MDA's specialty. This team has also fell behind early in the last 6-7 games which might suggest to most that the team is not prepared to play. With that said, you pointed out the fact the team has not had much practice time becasue of the hectic schedule. If thats the case, why not use the few practices that are available to try and fix the offensive and defensive problems rather than calling them off? BTW, everyone has the same rugged schedule so I'm not buying the idea that Amare is too tired to practice, etc. Amare was the MVP of the league second half of last season.

I say D'Antoni.

knickstorrents wrote:We downgraded our defense drastically from the trade, and guess what, our defense blows and is worse than before.

You guys who want to fire the coach need to really take a careful look at what happened, and how we got here.

D'Antoni was very vocal about making a huge trade that gutted the team. You know he was thinking about a bad situation like this happening. Donnie didn't want to do it either. It's not to say that the team can't find some way to play that can be successful, cuz they have the ability to do that, but this kind of big trade had the potential to set the team back for a bit.

This isn't about crutches or excuses. This is just common sense. The team got smaller and we sent away a lot of our better talent and only got back one bigtime player in return. Billups is a good player, but he's having issues right now. If and when CB gets out of his funk and if the team as a whole can find a balance in how they play, this team could get it together enough to finish out the season respectably. That's all I want to see at this point. Just get back on an even keel.

martin wrote:

Uptown wrote:

martin wrote:

Uptown wrote:

martin wrote:

Uptown wrote:MDA excuses need to stop. This team has been horrendous on the defensive end since he's been here. But people will tell you its not his fault because he doesn't have a big man to plug up the middle. Well, where is the big man holding down the middle in Miami, one of the top 3 defensive teams in the league? Another excuse is that he only has offensive players. Well, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, too prolific offensive players, are intrical parts of the best defensive system in the league over the last 3 years. But again, our problmes on defensive have nothing to do with the coach, but everything to do with the players.

His teams continually, come out unprepared for games which results in 1st half holes that we need to dig ourselves out of. But thats not MDA's fault either because the layers are supposed to motivate themselves eventhough this has been a problem whihc each of the three sets of teams he's had since being here.

Lastly, MDA is losing a grip on his last crutch. MDA is supposed to be an offensive guru, yet, his team can longer score in the 4th quarter. But agian, its not the job a coach to adjust to the players he has, the players are supposed to adjust to him. So teflon MDA escapes again.

So to sum it all up, we play no defense (we are the get well hallmark card for all sick offensive teams, see Mil, Charl etc), we come out unprepared seemingly for every game, The players dont seem to be buying in and our offense spurters in the crucial 4th quater. Much better coaches than MDA have lost their jobs for only 1 of the above mentioned evils. So again, why should he keep his job beyond this season?

Boston. Miami.

You just asked why NY can't be as good at defense as Boston and Miami. 2 teams that start 2 all-defense first team'ers. LeBron, Wade. KG, Rondo.

I don't think you can say that the Knicks have a stater that is even near average at defense at his respective position.

I think its all about system and team defense. Like I mentioned in my post, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, two prolific offensive players are intrical pieces to one of the best defensive teams in the league. The same coach that instilled that defensive system, now has his new team (Bulls) playing just as well as the Celts. The fact that we lack a big man or an average defensive player as you say is a poor excuse IMO.

Take a look at the Sixers. They lost their shot blocker in Dalembert, yet with a new coach/system they improve this year by giving up about 6 pts less and the opponents FG% has dropped by about 3-4 % pts.

The point of this thread was not only to point out our defensive short-commings, but the fact that we are struggling all around. Offense is supposed to be his specialty, yet we struggle to score in the 4th Q. We come out unprepared and fall behind every game. It seems as if the players aren't buying in or listening to the coach. So, my question for those who keep making excuses for him, which of the following does he take the blame for? Or is he exempt from all?

First, help me understand the difference between excuse and reasonable explanation?

I think it's fair to say that what the coaches are trying to implement and what the players are doing aren't working. I think it's also fair to say that the Knicks haven't really had practice time, that 3/5 of their lineup has been changed, they probably have the thinnest bench of the top 20 teams in the league, and that that they are playing the most games in 1 month as any team has played all year within the same time period. It took Miami full training camp, preseason, and 2 months to get it together; that's 3 complete months. MDA and staff has had 1 month since the trade deadline.

It's clear that MDA can coach offense. Why has his team's offense been so sucky, especially in 4th quarter? Probably the same reasons his team's defense has been so sucky - all the reasons I list above and probably more.

Knowing that this team needs as much court time together as possible, why does this coach continue to cancel practices? This is the third time he's done this. Makes absolutely no sense. He's bringing the rope to his own lynching.

if this makes no sense to you than I would have to say that you are either not paying attention at all the what the Knicks are doing or are willfully ignorant.

Papabear Says

Now that's not a nice thing to say.

http://twitter.com/fisolanydn

Uptown wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:Don't practice. Give days off, show film and have a game day shoot around. WTF is that? The playoffs are in two weeks. During the losing streak all that you kept hearing was the Knicks didn't have practice time and since they have all been cancelled. Beating the Nets after giving up 68 points in the first half doesn't mean everything is alright and the team should not practice for two days. I hope he has his guys run tomorrow. Even if they don't prepare for the next team or work on defense just having them run and interact as a group might help.

Totally agree with this. Its hard to accept this when we think back to those grueling Pat Riley/Van Gundy practices.

but here is the rub: neither of you understand what is norm in the world of NBA practices, video session and non-mandatory stuff, right?

So what if this is normal SOP? Especially considering the circumstances.

Perhaps Knicks should have 2-a-day practices every day from Sept to June. Why not?

CrushAlot wrote:

martin wrote:

Uptown wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:Don't practice. Give days off, show film and have a game day shoot around. WTF is that? The playoffs are in two weeks. During the losing streak all that you kept hearing was the Knicks didn't have practice time and since they have all been cancelled. Beating the Nets after giving up 68 points in the first half doesn't mean everything is alright and the team should not practice for two days. I hope he has his guys run tomorrow. Even if they don't prepare for the next team or work on defense just having them run and interact as a group might help.

Totally agree with this. Its hard to accept this when we think back to those grueling Pat Riley/Van Gundy practices.

but here is the rub: neither of you understand what is norm in the world of NBA practices, video session and non-mandatory stuff, right?So what if this is normal SOP? Especially considering the circumstances.

Perhaps Knicks should have 2-a-day practices every day from Sept to June. Why not?

I understand that there might be a day where you do non mandatory stuff. However, why wasn't that on Thursday? Earlier in March you kept hearing about how D'Antoni wanted more practice time because this group of guys just got together. Now it is days off until the game day shootaround. Again they gave up 68 pts to the Nets in the first half when they were the team competing for a playoff spot. I think there are things to work on. If you want Amare to get treatment that is fine but this team needs more than days off.