Amare had traditionally done one thing (and only one thing) extremely well as a basketball player. He scored very efficiently FINISHING at the basket. The thing is, he has always done that best when playing "C" because he was too quick for traditional Cs and could drive past them or get the ball from a great passer like Nash. His scoring efficiency has always been worse when playing against PFs because they are quicker and also more willing to come outside and defend his mid range jumper near the foul line.

Now he's going to be playing PF, we have no PG with anywhere near the passing skills of Nash (even Felton was a lot better), Chandler is going to be clogging the middle more often, and Amare gained 20 pounds and appears a step slower. To me, gaining that 20 pounds was mistake. All it's going to do is reduce his advantage. He's not a power player!

You can already see that Amare is going to be settling for more mid range jumpers (which he is just an average ball player at) or trying to create off the dribble more and turning the ball over.

Personally, I think the Knicks offense is not going be nearly as good as many people believe. It will certainly still be good, but expectations are too high.

ItalianStallion wrote:People are so hyped up about the addition of Chandler on defense (understandably), they aren't noticing the issues with Amare.

Amare had traditionally done one thing (and only one thing) extremely well as a basketball player. He scored very efficiently FINISHING at the basket. The thing is, he has always done that best when playing "C" because he was too quick for traditional Cs and could drive past them or get the ball from a great passer like Nash. His scoring efficiency has always been worse when playing against PFs because they are quicker and also more willing to come outside and defend his mid range jumper near the foul line.

Now he's going to be playing PF, we have no PG with anywhere near the passing skills of Nash (even Felton was a lot better), Chandler is going to be clogging the middle more often, and Amare gained 20 pounds and appears a step slower. To me, gaining that 20 pounds was mistake. All it's going to do is reduce his advantage. He's not a power player!

You can already see that Amare is going to be settling for more mid range jumpers (which he is just an average ball player at) or trying to create off the dribble more and turning the ball over.

Personally, I think the Knicks offense is not going be nearly as good as many people believe. It will certainly still be good, but expectations are too high.

+1 to all this.

edit: though i wonder if the extra weight will actually help him stay more durable throughout the season. could be a net plus in the end.

Michael6835 wrote:Wow, 2 preseason games in a shortened season with a shortened camp, and we are already being Debbie downer. They all look rusty, but amare is probably taking it easy. Should he be posterizing people in the preseason?

He looked active to me, around the rim. Last year, he was the first and second option most nights. He has help now. I just hope his jumper returns, that opens everything up.

Is she related to Betty Bummer? Kathy Killjoy? Sally Sourpuss?

ItalianStallion wrote:People are so hyped up about the addition of Chandler on defense (understandably), they aren't noticing the issues with Amare.

Amare had traditionally done one thing (and only one thing) extremely well as a basketball player. He scored very efficiently FINISHING at the basket. The thing is, he has always done that best when playing "C" because he was too quick for traditional Cs and could drive past them or get the ball from a great passer like Nash. His scoring efficiency has always been worse when playing against PFs because they are quicker and also more willing to come outside and defend his mid range jumper near the foul line.

Now he's going to be playing PF, we have no PG with anywhere near the passing skills of Nash (even Felton was a lot better), Chandler is going to be clogging the middle more often, and Amare gained 20 pounds and appears a step slower. To me, gaining that 20 pounds was mistake. All it's going to do is reduce his advantage. He's not a power player!

You can already see that Amare is going to be settling for more mid range jumpers (which he is just an average ball player at) or trying to create off the dribble more and turning the ball over.

Personally, I think the Knicks offense is not going be nearly as good as many people believe. It will certainly still be good, but expectations are too high.

One of the most insightful posts about the new Knicks, ever.

Did Amar'e consult with an orthopedist before adding the extra weight? Did he listen to his knees barking? Those fragile joints will bear the extra load and from what we know they are already on the tender side. Add in four games in five nights and you have a recipe for disaster. That is reality.

D'Antoni would be wise to monitor Stoudemire's minutes, and conditioning, carefully. If that means sitting out entire weeks, so be it. We will need Amar'e much more in March than we will need him in January.

Josh Harrelson becomes the X factor. If he can contribute quality minutes at forward, it will be a huge benefit. Jorts shooting range is a perfect compliment to Tyson Chandler's inside game - and his rebounding is a bonus. Remember, even Patrick Ewing needed a bodyguard (Oak).

One more thing - Stoudemire cannot think about creating off the dribble. He needs to hit the open man.

Walt Frazier: "Pass the ball man!"

misterearl wrote:

ItalianStallion wrote:People are so hyped up about the addition of Chandler on defense (understandably), they aren't noticing the issues with Amare.

Amare had traditionally done one thing (and only one thing) extremely well as a basketball player. He scored very efficiently FINISHING at the basket. The thing is, he has always done that best when playing "C" because he was too quick for traditional Cs and could drive past them or get the ball from a great passer like Nash. His scoring efficiency has always been worse when playing against PFs because they are quicker and also more willing to come outside and defend his mid range jumper near the foul line.

Now he's going to be playing PF, we have no PG with anywhere near the passing skills of Nash (even Felton was a lot better), Chandler is going to be clogging the middle more often, and Amare gained 20 pounds and appears a step slower. To me, gaining that 20 pounds was mistake. All it's going to do is reduce his advantage. He's not a power player!

You can already see that Amare is going to be settling for more mid range jumpers (which he is just an average ball player at) or trying to create off the dribble more and turning the ball over.

Personally, I think the Knicks offense is not going be nearly as good as many people believe. It will certainly still be good, but expectations are too high.

One of the most insightful posts about the new Knicks, ever.

Did Amar'e consult with an orthopedist before adding the extra weight? Did he listen to his knees barking? Those fragile joints will bear the extra load and from what we know they are already on the tender side. Add in four games in five nights and you have a recipe for disaster. That is reality.

D'Antoni would be wise to monitor Stoudemire's minutes, and conditioning, carefully. If that means sitting out entire weeks, so be it. We will need Amar'e much more in March than we will need him in January.

Josh Harrelson becomes the X factor. If he can contribute quality minutes at forward, it will be a huge benefit. Jorts shooting range is a perfect compliment to Tyson Chandler's inside game - and his rebounding is a bonus. Remember, even Patrick Ewing needed a bodyguard (Oak).

One more thing - Stoudemire cannot think about creating off the dribble. He needs to hit the open man.

Walt Frazier: "Pass the ball man!"

While your analysis is logical, it lacks important details: For example, it's not just weight gain, it's how the weight is distributed. Amare is a smart guy who listens to advice. He most likely added strength in his legs and back, which is EXACTLY what he should do to protect his vulnerabilities. Anyone who has had knee surgeries knows that strengthening (i.e., which adds muscle weight) is how you protect those squeeky joints, especially the large muscle groups like hammies and quads.

As for explosiveness, it's not an imperative that Amare look like the old version. He is adapting to his new role as the #2 scorer, taking his mid-range game more seriously and focusing on defense and team play. From my perspective, he's doing all the right things to improve his contributions and protect himself as a key team asset.

Time will tell. Please bookmark this thread Answer Man and let us know how it turns out.

ItalianStallion wrote:People are so hyped up about the addition of Chandler on defense (understandably), they aren't noticing the issues with Amare.

Amare had traditionally done one thing (and only one thing) extremely well as a basketball player. He scored very efficiently FINISHING at the basket. The thing is, he has always done that best when playing "C" because he was too quick for traditional Cs and could drive past them or get the ball from a great passer like Nash. His scoring efficiency has always been worse when playing against PFs because they are quicker and also more willing to come outside and defend his mid range jumper near the foul line.

Now he's going to be playing PF, we have no PG with anywhere near the passing skills of Nash (even Felton was a lot better), Chandler is going to be clogging the middle more often, and Amare gained 20 pounds and appears a step slower. To me, gaining that 20 pounds was mistake. All it's going to do is reduce his advantage. He's not a power player!

You can already see that Amare is going to be settling for more mid range jumpers (which he is just an average ball player at) or trying to create off the dribble more and turning the ball over.

Personally, I think the Knicks offense is not going be nearly as good as many people believe. It will certainly still be good, but expectations are too high.

It's the game plan...It was stated in the preseason workouts that Amare will not be going to be basket as frequently anymore...Chandler will be the primary pick and roll guy...Amare will now be playing more on the perimeter...That's MDA's call...I don't agree with it, but it's his call...

Allanfan20 wrote:From what I saw, Amar'e went to the basket a number of times on Wednesday night and looked pretty strong. It's kind of like Fields. He missed a number of his shots so suddenly he's on the decline and Fields is the "Second round pick he really is" but nobody took the time to see that Amar'e is moving pretty well and playing strong, and Fields actually played quite aggressive and showed some promise.

Don't let missed shots fool you. It's called sloppiness and it's going to happen with a number of players this early, and it may even carry on into the regular season.

I totally agree with you...I have said as much about Fields...i thought Fields was very aggressive going to the basket, more than last year...He just missed a few shots..Amare looks strong to me as well...Maybe some are too fixated on the box score...

babyKnicks wrote:21 points, 8 of 11 shooting, 2 for 2 from 3, 6 boards, 2 blocks, 2 steals.

All That against the Top defending Power Forward in the League.