Gymkata wrote:I would say better, but these time machine reverse game simulations are impossible to project. Do we beat the Heat in Miami? Do we beat Memphis (Carmelo's gamewinner)? The Bucks humiliated us with our pre-trade squad as did the Cavs. So, yeah, I'd say we'd likely be at 9-10 or something to that effect. Maybe. What is killing us is the lethal play of Billups who has contributed directly to losses with his turnovers and missed shots and Amare's inexplicable implosion. Is it fair to lay that at the feet of Melo? I'd argue that aside from that stinker he laid in Detroit, he's done well for us.

So, yes, at this point in the season we are definitely a worse team than the pre-trade Bockers, but I'm in the let's-see-how-things-look-next-year camp.

Oh and I don't see how it speaks well to our guys by saying they were playing erratically because of all the trade speculation. I like Wil and the gang, but if questions of trades rattle you that much to where it affects you on the court, what does it say about your backbone?

Melo was in the same predicament at Denver before the trade deadline. Human nature.

TymeLessKnicks wrote:

markvmc wrote:Pre trade team had just come through the roughest part of the season's schedule (Jan/Feb) at 2 games over .500. With one or two exceptions, they were beating the teams they were supposed to beat (witness the "who have they beaten?" dismissive comments during their best stretch). With the relatively easy schedule we've had since then, there's no reason to think they would have been less than .500 over those 19 games.

As for how tired Amare looks, in part that's because he's having to work harder for his shots now that our spacing isn't what it was, and in part because losing does that to a player. Give him a couple of wins and there'd be more of a spring in his step.

spot on markvmc.

Not spot on. we lost to plenty of GARBAGE teams with the old roster. We were incredibly inconsistent. And we were 2 games over .500 but only had a few really quality wins to that point, San Antonio, the 2 Bulls victories and Oklahoma City at home. I know we beat the heat with the old roster but it took a terrible game from LeBron and no Bosh. That roster was going nowhere guys. They were fun and I loved them but we were never winning a cahmpionship with those guys. I'll take my chances with Caremlo and Amar'e figuring this out, whether it be with MDA or preferably a guy like Mike Brown or ideally Phil Jackson.

To judge this as a failure after 19 games is understandable judging by how bad we're losing right now. But come to me after next season. If we are not a legit contender heading into the playoffs I'll be the first to say this turned out to be a mistake.

markvmc wrote:As I said, we were usually beating the poor teams. Usually, as in not always. We had few quality victories, true. But that's what happens with a young .500 team.

We weren't usually beating bad teams. We were inconsistent against them. Can anyone honestly say we could've blossomed into a contender with a few teaks to the pre trade roster?

fishmike wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:Sorry that this happened. This is part Dantoni s fault for somehow not getting Mosgov and randolph into a scheme. He moved Randolph into the 3 pt corner and started Mosgov to start the season. using Randolph and Mosgov wisley wouldve saved Amare from breaking downa dn prevernetd this God-awful disaster trade.

for anyone to sit here with a straight face and say the club we have now is better or superior to the situation we had--is insane--literally f insane. You're just trying to justify a poor decision that many had thought was the ticket.

your just not patient. You have to give at LEAST 2-3 years before judging this trade. Dont you realize? We traded 5 guys average age of 23 years old but you can get those guys anywhere. This was all about the future. We werent winning anything with those players. This group just needs time. Get back to me 2014. You will see then.

You preached patience for the former squad, why none for this team?

knickstorrents wrote:A team that is young, with cap flexibility and draft picks merits patience.

A capped out team with no way to internally grow is a win now team.

To bad the Knicks are capped out with no youth, and is still not a win now team.

The Knicks have 2 stars in their prime and a top 5 rookie along with a very young bench.
The Knicks have Billips coming off the books and we don't know what the cap situation is going to be next year.

I can understand the disappointment but to say this team doesn't warrant patience is silly.

You take away the trade drama, and they refocus, knowing they're in it for the haul. They come together like fire balls.