nixluva wrote:

franco12 wrote:we're in bad shape if Melo and Amare don't blend and can't take their game, and their team mates game to the next level.

STAT and Melo don't have to BLEND!!! People keep saying that, but that's not how it works with forwards. What team ever needed major exchanges from it's 2 forwards in order to win? The key in this teams mix is the PG. That's what allows everything to work. You get good PG play and that takes care of the team chemistry on offense. STAT and Melo are scorer and finishers. Their role isn't to initiate or create offense. You want your PG to make sure to be the decision maker as to where the ball goes and setting up STAT and Melo for easy scores.

The most important aspect of STAT and MELO's role as team leaders is to make sure guys give 110% and play unselfish ball. STAT was a great leader IMO. I felt both guys raised their level of play. Can they do more? Of course! I think that we'll see a totally different demeanor this year. These guys know that together they're on another level. Now since you bring it up. Just imagine how good this team will be with a HEALTHY Billups, Melo and STAT, that are on the same page offensively. This team wasn't even close to being on the same page last year at anytime after the trade was made. We played 2 different styles.

Now with time to adjust and build chemistry things should be much better. I don't think people realize how much better these guys can actually play together if they have a better understanding of how to play with each other and develop real chemistry. Teams had trouble dealing with this team when they weren't on the same page, trust me it's gonna be a different story.

I disagree to some extent. Melo plays on the perimeter alot. If he is going to dominate the ball, he has to learn how to facilate Amare scoring and our 3 pt shooters. That is not going to be on the point guard. Better pg play will help, but Melo has got to be more of a passer than he has been in the past to keep Amare in the game.

In relative terms, we're in great shape. Melo and Amar'e are the best talents the Knicks have had since Patrick. They may not be perfect complimentary pieces but I'll take it.

SupremeCommander wrote:In absolute terms, we're in okay shape. Not good, not bad, but okay. There's a lot work to be done yet on the roster.

In relative terms, we're in great shape. Melo and Amar'e are the best talents the Knicks have had since Patrick. They may not be perfect complimentary pieces but I'll take it.

We have holes in the roster, but we are in better than okay shape. We would be in okay shape if we had this roster and were maxed out with limited ways to improve in the near future. Miami is in better shape than us from a roster standpoint, but is limited in how they will improve going forward. We have zero bad long-term contracts and a ton of cap space coming our way next summer. On top of that we have one of the top rosters in the league just by simply having Melo, Stat, and Billups. If your interpretation of us not being in great shape is that we don't have a contending roster currently constructed, fine, but we are in far better than okay shape.

nixluva wrote:I hate to break it to NY Knick fans, but this team is one of the Eastern Contenders already. People are getting caught up in how the team looked after the trade, but that was not the best this team can be. It wasn't even close. There was no practice time, an absolutely BRUTAL schedule on top of that, plus injury to CB and STAT. Trust me that wasn't the real deal on what this team is capable of. You did see glimpses of what the team could do but the lack of chemistry and sense of purpose, not to mention not really even knowing the plays was too much to overcome. Basically the team was just out there winging it.

nixluva wrote:

Knixkik wrote:

nixluva wrote:I hate to break it to NY Knick fans, but this team is one of the Eastern Contenders already. People are getting caught up in how the team looked after the trade, but that was not the best this team can be. It wasn't even close. There was no practice time, an absolutely BRUTAL schedule on top of that, plus injury to CB and STAT. Trust me that wasn't the real deal on what this team is capable of. You did see glimpses of what the team could do but the lack of chemistry and sense of purpose, not to mention not really even knowing the plays was too much to overcome. Basically the team was just out there winging it.

Agreed, all it takes is some built up chemistry, something we were playing without that most teams were. On top of that, we have one of the worst starting centers in the league in Turiaf. All it takes is a minor upgrade there. Kurt Thomas, Jeff Foster, Kwame Brown, Aaron Gray, Joel Pryzbilla, etc is all it would take to improve the personnel on this team for next season. Or maybe Jerome Jordan becomes the needed upgrade right away.

I think an Aaron Gray, Kwame Brown or Joel Pryz would be a very nice upgrade at the C spot. We're not looking for greatness, just capable. I feel strongly that we can fill that hole at C and develop team chemistry this coming year. I hope they solve the CBA in enough time to have a real season, cuz the Knicks will need that time to really work things out for a strong playoff run.

nixluva wrote:I hate to break it to NY Knick fans, but this team is one of the Eastern Contenders already. People are getting caught up in how the team looked after the trade, but that was not the best this team can be. It wasn't even close. There was no practice time, an absolutely BRUTAL schedule on top of that, plus injury to CB and STAT. Trust me that wasn't the real deal on what this team is capable of. You did see glimpses of what the team could do but the lack of chemistry and sense of purpose, not to mention not really even knowing the plays was too much to overcome. Basically the team was just out there winging it.

you certainly don't "hate to break it". I know I'm not getting caught up how the team looked. You're right, there will be improvements with some play time.

But let's be real here. The team is top heavy, and has no third wheel like the heat, and you cannot even begin to compare the benches of Dallas and New York. What about the LAs and Bostons of the world.

I'm happy with the team and its progress. Depth is easier to replace than top-end talent. But come on. There is still a lot of work to be done before the Knicks are a legitimiate "contender"... Definite playoff team but even when the Knicks of the 90s were always making it (and losing) in the second round, they were only contenders for a portion of that period. All you have to do is look at the old articles or go back to the Mike and the Mad Dog vault to back that up. And this team is not yet as good as those, though it probably has more potential if it isn't mismanaged

This Knick team is better than u give them credit and yes it's top heavy. SO WHAT! Aside from the Heat and aging celts no one in the East has more star power. This team is not that far off.

jrodmc wrote:Just hope whoever gets time at PG, can keep STAT and the rest of the team from playing "4 guys watching Melo".

If memory serves, STAT fell prey at the end of the season to that. As well as Fields.

Yeah a lot of that is just a lack of reliance on the system, due to a lack of familiarity. Melo has years of bad habits he has to overcome and when the pressure is on you just go with what you know. I think he would like the way MDA runs offense once he really gets to know it and trust it. It's about sharing the ball and getting it to the open man and if you're as talented as Melo is you can do a LOT in an offense like this. I believe there will be less standing and watching when Melo and CB really know the plays and have real chemistry with the rest of the guys. Basically this wasn't a TEAM last year after the trade. It was 2 teams with 2 different identities. That has to change and i'm positive that CB and Melo want to get on board with the rest of the team. I think they all realize that they can contend if they're on the same page. IMO STAT and Melo are both ready to sacrifice in order to win a title. STAT has to realize his own BB mortality and i'm sure Melo is tired of being seen as a scorer but not a winner.

Childs2Dudley wrote:

SupremeCommander wrote:

nixluva wrote:I hate to break it to NY Knick fans, but this team is one of the Eastern Contenders already. People are getting caught up in how the team looked after the trade, but that was not the best this team can be. It wasn't even close. There was no practice time, an absolutely BRUTAL schedule on top of that, plus injury to CB and STAT. Trust me that wasn't the real deal on what this team is capable of. You did see glimpses of what the team could do but the lack of chemistry and sense of purpose, not to mention not really even knowing the plays was too much to overcome. Basically the team was just out there winging it.

you certainly don't "hate to break it". I know I'm not getting caught up how the team looked. You're right, there will be improvements with some play time.

But let's be real here. The team is top heavy, and has no third wheel like the heat, and you cannot even begin to compare the benches of Dallas and New York. What about the LAs and Bostons of the world.

I'm happy with the team and its progress. Depth is easier to replace than top-end talent. But come on. There is still a lot of work to be done before the Knicks are a legitimiate "contender"... Definite playoff team but even when the Knicks of the 90s were always making it (and losing) in the second round, they were only contenders for a portion of that period. All you have to do is look at the old articles or go back to the Mike and the Mad Dog vault to back that up. And this team is not yet as good as those, though it probably has more potential if it isn't mismanaged

even after the decade before Donnie, the assumption still seems to be that the roster will automatically fill itself out. unbelievable. your post sums it up better than I could in a thousand words

arkrud wrote:

nixluva wrote:

arkrud wrote:Knicks shape up to be a team with 2 heads, one leg, and weak body.

You're wrong!!! This team is as capable as any top team in the East. We have 3 high level players leading the team, which is a great starting point. We have nice young players backing them up. Fields, Williams, TD and Walker all have shown themselves to be a good fit as role players. We drafted a nice guard in Iman Shumpert. We at least have a couple of young PF/C's to take a look at in Jordan and Jorts. I'm sure that we'll find a vet to fill in at C as well.

No this team isn't deep with old vets like the Mavs but that doesn't mean this team can't be a contender with the young guys we have and CB, STAT and Melo as the lead players carrying the load. I think that will be enough to push the team in to the top 4 in the East. Even with all the turmoil the Knicks ended up in the 6th spot. With hopefully an entire season or close to it, this team should be able to finish top 4 in the East.

Fields, Williams, TD and Walker... nice guard in Iman Shumpert... Jordan and Jorts...
Hmmm... This is power...
Billups, Stat, Turiaf...
Hmmm... This is heath and reshness...
I know you are an Optimist... but man... be real.
You are at risk to be very dissapointed.

Billups got injured on a fluke play!!! ANYONE can get hurt on a Knee to Knee collision. It has nothing to do with is age. He's 6-3, 210 lbs of muscle. CB usually is the one dishing out the punishment. Billups has been a very durable player and his style of play is such that he can do what he does well for years more. He's mostly and perimeter player. Billups is a very good 3pt shooter, which on this team is a good thing. People still underestimate just how good CB is. He avg'd 17.5 on 12 shots a game and he wasn't even shooting his normal %. Expect him to be better this year.

STAT should do better as we fill the C spot with capable bodies and keep him from having to bang and burn himself out. I think STAT will be able to get more rest with having Melo and CB on the team to carry more of the load. With reduced minutes and very few if any at C, STAT should be much stronger at the end of the year.

No one is relying on Turiaf! You mention him as if the team is stuck only with him. You can expect the team to sign a FA as soon as the lockout ends. This is a deep FA class in terms of role players. The C spot is a main area of need and will be addressed. We're not in need of a superstar at C. In fact if we could add a Joel Pryz, Aaron Gray or Kwame Brown, it would go a long way to helping fill the hole.

You also forgot to mention Melo who is a flat out stud!!! Why did you leave him out? Perhaps to make your argument seem more convincing. Your entire argument really relies on CB and STAT not being healthy. While there's always that possibility, it's also not a reliable predictor of how good a team will be.

Lastly you seem to have an issue with out young players? Stick this in your pipe and smoke it:

Fields 50%/40% 3pt, Williams 42.6%/40%, Walker 44%/38.6%, Douglas 41%/37.3%

These kids actually shoot very well and are a great complement to the stars we have. We need good 3pt shooting and contrary to popular opinion we do have good 3pt shooting. I'm excited about adding Iman who brings size and defense on the perimeter. I'm optimistic due to the FACTS of what we have on this roster. It's a good roster overall. It's not perfect, but it is good.

Where would you put the Knicks in the East? 1. Mia 2. Chi 3. Bos 4. ? Ahead of the Knicks were Orl and ATL. Do you really think those teams are a lock to be better than NY? I'd say this team is on their level and it's a good chance the Knicks can finish #4.