Uptown wrote:

SupremeCommander wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:He's basically right but for 9 games it felt like the 90's again and that was amazing. This team seems a lot more like the team that was 8-15 and struggling to have any kind of flow on offense.

our fanbase is so desperate for a winner I think everyone was pretending that a nine game streak was the way it was going to be moving forward

Remember the infamous 6 game win streak under Larry Brown and fans were going beserk?

yep.. I swear, Knicks fans yell "BUY!!" and "SELL!!" more than traders on the floor of the NYSE

Uptown wrote:

markvmc wrote:Now we're taking Bill Simmons as an authority on the Knicks?

Things must be bad.

No, just the message, not so much the messenger. What do you disagree with in the article?

I'd actually disagree with/question quite a lot of it.

A. Saying we're not struggling because of one factor, but rather because of a distinct factor seems simplistic. Yes, the schedule got harder, but Melo and Amare are definitely hurting us too. It's not like we didn't beat any good teams in their absence.

B. I don't know what a "pure scorer" is supposed to be. I know what an efficient scorer is, and I know what a volume shooter is, but "pure scorer"?

C. Simmons obviously doesn't listen to many Knick fans beyond any complaints about Anthony, because there are in fact many people on this planet who would gladly reverse the trade if given a chance.

D. Being disappointed with Anthony's play is quite compatible with being disappointed with Stat's play. (Gee, Bill, really? Stat's not playing so well this season?).

E. It's precisely because the last few years were so miserable that Knick fans are impatient now. We basically tanked for two years to get good free agents. We had a plan, and a guy to implement it, and then James Dolan stepped in, showing us that no GM is ever going to be allowed implement a plan with complete authority. End result, we deliberately sucked for two years (following non-deliberately sucking for 8) in order to end up as a team that might make .500 and squeak in for a one and done, if we're lucky.

markvmc wrote:

Uptown wrote:

markvmc wrote:Now we're taking Bill Simmons as an authority on the Knicks?

Things must be bad.

No, just the message, not so much the messenger. What do you disagree with in the article?

I'd actually disagree with/question quite a lot of it.

A. Saying we're not struggling because of one factor, but rather because of a distinct factor seems simplistic. Yes, the schedule got harder, but Melo and Amare are definitely hurting us too. It's not like we didn't beat any good teams in their absence.

B. I don't know what a "pure scorer" is supposed to be. I know what an efficient scorer is, and I know what a volume shooter is, but "pure scorer"?

C. Simmons obviously doesn't listen to many Knick fans beyond any complaints about Anthony, because there are in fact many people on this planet who would gladly reverse the trade if given a chance.

D. Being disappointed with Anthony's play is quite compatible with being disappointed with Stat's play. (Gee, Bill, really? Stat's not playing so well this season?).

E. It's precisely because the last few years were so miserable that Knick fans are impatient now. We basically tanked for two years to get good free agents. We had a plan, and a guy to implement it, and then James Dolan stepped in, showing us that no GM is ever going to be allowed implement a plan with complete authority. End result, we deliberately sucked for two years (following non-deliberately sucking for 8) in order to end up as a team that might make .500 and squeak in for a one and done, if we're lucky.

If you look closer at the schedule, you'd realize it got harder because we faced much better defensive teams, on the road no less. Heat, Celts, Mavs and Spurs are all top 10 defensive teams that specialize in taking you out of your comfort zones and taking away your specialties, so to speak. All of these teams took away Lin and the pick and roll by trapping him, forcing him left, and clogging the lane which prevented him fromo getting to the rim as he was able to do in previous games. Also, what team did we beat on the road during our streak that is as good as the Heat, Mavs, Spurs or Celts?

As for asking the fans how they felt about the trade, I think it was a bit of hyperbole by Simmons when says 'anyone on the planet'. But he could have easily said, any basketball guy that is paid to make decisions with his head and not his heart.

markvmc wrote:

Uptown wrote:

markvmc wrote:Now we're taking Bill Simmons as an authority on the Knicks?

Things must be bad.

No, just the message, not so much the messenger. What do you disagree with in the article?

I'd actually disagree with/question quite a lot of it.

A. Saying we're not struggling because of one factor, but rather because of a distinct factor seems simplistic. Yes, the schedule got harder, but Melo and Amare are definitely hurting us too. It's not like we didn't beat any good teams in their absence.

B. I don't know what a "pure scorer" is supposed to be. I know what an efficient scorer is, and I know what a volume shooter is, but "pure scorer"?

C. Simmons obviously doesn't listen to many Knick fans beyond any complaints about Anthony, because there are in fact many people on this planet who would gladly reverse the trade if given a chance.

D. Being disappointed with Anthony's play is quite compatible with being disappointed with Stat's play. (Gee, Bill, really? Stat's not playing so well this season?).

E. It's precisely because the last few years were so miserable that Knick fans are impatient now. We basically tanked for two years to get good free agents. We had a plan, and a guy to implement it, and then James Dolan stepped in, showing us that no GM is ever going to be allowed implement a plan with complete authority. End result, we deliberately sucked for two years (following non-deliberately sucking for 8) in order to end up as a team that might make .500 and squeak in for a one and done, if we're lucky.

Papabear Says

I think that this is Melo's team and much respect to Lin in those 7 or 8 games Melo has had 7 years proving he can score. All of this I believe is hurting Melo's game. He will get better. New York is a tough place to play. If you have 10 bad game they are willing to throw you under the bus. Give me Melo , Amare, and Chandler They will make it work. Melo know that without defense this team ain't going anywhere. So Melo will have a break out game soon and will take over this team.

nixluva wrote:This story isn't written yet. There is still time for this team to come together and find a way to mesh. I think they'll eventually figure it out. I think there's too much talent to not eventually find a rhythm.

Papabear Says

I agree

I want to believe.

Tonite I DVR'd the game and put it on at late. Fell asleep and missed 3qtrs. In time to see last minute.

I am better off not watching all the games. I have seen all but 3 this season. Too many.

Its no fun.

Tune in or tune out.

Again, nothing to do with system or his "sweet spot" or Mike D'Antoni. That's lousy play.

Carmelo killed Linsanity.

fishmike wrote:

soundcrib wrote:Airball three...
Two failed box outs...
Missed the first free throw...

Again, nothing to do with system or his "sweet spot" or Mike D'Antoni. That's lousy play.

Carmelo killed Linsanity.

He also killed the ball movement and selfless play. 2-6 now with Melo back?

Thank god we have the articles written by Boston media to make us feel better

I don't think I've seen Melo pass one time when he sees a double team coming. He sees the double coming, dribbles so he can jack off his shot, and bricks it more often than not.

That isn't smart basketball.

Jordan would bait the double team, and pass to the open man.

loweyecue wrote:I was holding out hope that Melo would figure it out. But he seems to be extremely stubborn and selfish at the same time. I don't buy that this has anything to do with coaching or even the rest of the players not having chemistry worth him. In 7 games he was out our chemistry peaked, 7 games after his return we look like the old dysfunctional Knicks.

Amare is much worse. I can't think of one player outside of Marbury that I disliked seeing more in a Knicks uniform. It's not that he can't play defense he makes a conscious choice not to. I loathe him for this.

The team is at a point where it has to choose to stay with MDA and winning team ball or stay with these selfish giant egos and implement some half court grinding offense that will peak around 90 points a game with Melo and Stat taking 55 shots and making 20.

We can continue to fantasize that Melo will give a damn about team ball or Amare will play defense. But in reality these things will never really happen.

These are the times when you question the teams manifest which prefers the buzz and cashflow of a starphuch catering to the casual fan and corp. sponsor.

Building a winning tradition starts at the top.

Need I say more?

I'll give the Russian credit, he might not have achieved his goal but he has not backed himself into a corner.

He comes out with Deron and Dwight into the Borough he wins.

Knicks are testing my patience. We coming up on 40 years with few and far between good seasons.

martin wrote:

Nalod wrote:

loweyecue wrote:I was holding out hope that Melo would figure it out. But he seems to be extremely stubborn and selfish at the same time. I don't buy that this has anything to do with coaching or even the rest of the players not having chemistry worth him. In 7 games he was out our chemistry peaked, 7 games after his return we look like the old dysfunctional Knicks.

Amare is much worse. I can't think of one player outside of Marbury that I disliked seeing more in a Knicks uniform. It's not that he can't play defense he makes a conscious choice not to. I loathe him for this.

The team is at a point where it has to choose to stay with MDA and winning team ball or stay with these selfish giant egos and implement some half court grinding offense that will peak around 90 points a game with Melo and Stat taking 55 shots and making 20.

We can continue to fantasize that Melo will give a damn about team ball or Amare will play defense. But in reality these things will never really happen.

These are the times when you question the teams manifest which prefers the buzz and cashflow of a starphuch catering to the casual fan and corp. sponsor.

Building a winning tradition starts at the top.

Need I say more?

I'll give the Russian credit, he might not have achieved his goal but he has not backed himself into a corner.

He comes out with Deron and Dwight into the Borough he wins.

Knicks are testing my patience. We coming up on 40 years with few and far between good seasons.

Don't give the Russian credit yet. Deron got him by balls right now. If he and Dwight land in Dallas, a VERY distinct possibility with Dirk and which they are almost assured multiple WCF appearances with OKC, New Jersey will be a ghost town for another 5 years minimum.