franco12 wrote:Effort is the single most important factor.

We've seen our group play defense when they try. They need to have that kind of effort sustained for as long as they want to continue playing.

franco12 - how do you measure effort?

GustavBahler wrote:Adjustments by the coach, substitutions.

Substitutions?

Do you think the Knicks have a superior bench compared to Boston?

Williams, Walker, Fields, Douglas have to make there three pointers

Douglas needs to be in control and go off at least twice

Melo needs to be agressive but make sure he plays with his head up and get guys open shots

The coach needs to make sure we don't isolate melo too much

Fields needs a couple of back door cuts to get him going

Billups needs to limit his transition three pointers

Mike needs to actually have a game plan

franco12 wrote:lots of folks here are talking about our need to hit 3pters & shoot the ball well.

But, during the play offs, on average, doesn't scoring and shooting all tend to go down?

Well Orlando and Phx of 2010 playoffs had the BLUEPRINT....they both won it all after their semi-final performances according to D'Antoni...They did it with shooting....although they didn't make it to the Finals to answer your question hitting 3ptrs teams usually live by them in the playoffs not die

franco12 wrote:

misterearl wrote:

franco12 wrote:Effort is the single most important factor.

We've seen our group play defense when they try. They need to have that kind of effort sustained for as long as they want to continue playing.

franco12 - how do you measure effort?

by the final score!

Seriously - its a qualitative thing that you have to observe - are the guys trying to get over screens - does Amare box out or simply float.

Its not something you can measure as much as observe.

"You can observe a lot by just watching"

- Yogi Berra

JrZyHuStLa wrote:Anyone who understands a lick of playoff basketball will tell you defense is the most important aspect.

You can play some great D and still lose, unless you believe that any team can hold another team completely scoreless. Our best defense is a strong offense. If we're hitting and clicking like we can it's going to put pressure on the C's, but of course we have to play D. The C's are tough cuz they shoot a GREAT FG% and they defend. We have to put pressure on their D and get into them. Cause them to put us on the line by attacking them constantly. This is one of the strengths of our offense. Our best players draw a lot of fouls.

My key to the series is Knick ball movement and player movement. When we move the ball and have motion teams just can't key in on D and we score. I think we'll score against the C's. This team has come a long way since the last time we played them.

GustavBahler wrote:Adjustments by the coach, substitutions.

misterearl wrote:

Moonangie wrote:The Knicks MUST accomplish all of these things to win:

1. Hitting their open shots (duh!)
2. Move the effing rock (i.e., don't ISO except in obvious situations)
3. Boxing out on both ends of the court, but especially on defense
4. Fighting through screens, playing tight M-2-M defense (e.g., keep Rondo from getting into the paint)
5. Getting to the line and hitting the free throws

What will make us lose?

If Melo decides he will ISO on every play instead of keeping the ball moving and the team flowing, we lose.
If TD launches ridiculous threes all game, even when he's not "on", we lose.
If Stat stands around on defense while his man grabs the boards, we lose.
If Billups/TD make stupid passes and continually turn over the ball, we lose.

Chances are we will not win the series, but if we play smart, we certainly can beat the Celtics, who are old and lame.

Winning is good.

Moonangie - if you had to pick the single most important task the Knicks must handle effectively, what would it be?

Just one.

SCORING. We must hit open shots and keep the rock moving to find the open shooter. MDA's system relies on scoring.

misterearl wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:

misterearl wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:Adjustments by the coach, substitutions.

Substitutions?

Do you think the Knicks have a superior bench compared to Boston?

No, which is why substitutions are important. We aren't a deep team so instead of a tight rotation, D'Antoni needs make this more of a chess match and expand it. I don't want to see Jeffries get too many minutes. Or Williams if he can't hit the three, or Douglas if he can't move the ball around or his shooting is off. It means more subbing.

Gustav - it is not quantity but quality. It is not so simple as going deeper if the guys you go deep with are less talented. The sad fact is that the Knicks cannot match the quality, or size, on the Celtics bench.

For example, it might shake out like this:

6'3 Delonte West ... 6' Toney Douglas
6'9 Jeff Green... 6'9 Shawne Williams
6'5 Von Wafer... 6'2 Anthony Carter
7' Nenad Krstic averaging 8 and 4 ... 6'11 Jared Jeffries with the things that do not show up on the stat line
6'11 Troy Murphy ... 6'9 Shelden Williams
7'1 Shaquille O'Neal ... 6'10 Ronny Turiaf

Carlos Arroyo...
Avery Bradley or ...

Big Baby is not the size of a man you can easily miss! ...or is he a starter these days?