babyKnicks wrote:Since Carmelo Anthony has gone off since March 26, averaging exactly 30 points per game entering Tuesday, there are those who are concerned that by adding Amare Stoudemire to the starting lineup will disrupt what Melo's been doing.
But Mike Woodson has made it clear that STAT will not come off the bench, and that his immediate role will not cause any disruptions

"We just want him to get healthy," the coach said. "I don't think there will be adjustments. I am pretty sure he will fit right in. Our biggest thing is for him to get healthy. We will need him down the stretch."

I, for one, believe Woodson is making the right decision. While the stats indicate Anthony and Stoudemire score more when the other is sitting, together they'll benefit the entire offense by putting more pressure on the defense to start games. There's not enough of that consistently right now. Eventually, more double teams (on Anthony and Stoudemire) will lead to better spacing, which will lead to more open shots. Jumping out on leads is always important, and the Knicks will have a better shot at doing that with both them on the court right away.

Stoudemire will not get in the way of what Anthony has been doing. He's a guy who will sacrifice touches for the greater good of the team. In fact, if Anthony passes like he did tonight (10 assists), then Stoudemire will love playing with him. He'll find an ocean of room to shoot his patented midrange jumpshot. Of course, both will have to sacrifice a little for their playing relationship to work, but they've already done that -- and it worked.

From the time Mike Woodson first took over the team on March 14, to the last game Stoudemire played on March 24 before going down with a bulging disk, the Knicks went 6-1. And that was with Anthony and Stoudemire in the starting lineup together, which resulted in standout team production usually surpassing 100 points.

The biggest challenge then offensively was that Anthony wasn't as healthy as Stoudemire. Melo was still dealing with a right wrist injury. Now that he's 100 percent and Stoudemire should be fine when he returns this Friday or Sunday, that will make their combined offense and defense even better, and, as a result, benefit the entire team.

Fans forget real fast. We were playing GREAT when Amar'e went down and I'd like to remind a few that some called it a season when he went down because Stat was starting to play great and we still weren't sold on Anthony as our savior alone. Now that Melo has thrived, I understand the fear in some people, but this would be practically as telling the Bulls to use Rose off the bench because their team is playing so well without him. Nuts because Amar'e is still one of our best players and definitely a solid second option offensively that compliments with the long range shooters we have.

Woodson is unlikely to give heavy minutes to a returning Amar'e and even if he proves healthy, Im sure he will still monitor his minutes kinda like he does to Baron, so no need to think this is the last Melo-at-PF we will see for the season. Remember that Amar'e plays solid at C too and I easily see Woodson giving Ty some spells with 'Mare playing center.

One important point to note, it's been said that the best way to help Amar'e recover and avoid more back-tightening issues is to play him consistently. Stat warming up to then stay on the bench for long and then coming into the game after long minutes is not a good recipe for him. Let him start, get his feel for the game back and rest him accordingly. Don't you think Melo needs to rest too? Ty? It will be great to have Amar'e back and if he can return for good and stay healthy the rest of our run, we could even get the desired bonus of Lin coming back at some point in the playoffs.

BELIEVE!

crzymdups wrote:

gunsnewing wrote:problem is by starting Fields you fall behind early against GOOD teams like Miami. Because they are playing 5 on 4

yeah, take out fields and bring in amar'e...

but... do you bring in fields off the bench? have him bite into JR or Novak's minutes??? not sure i like that either.

fields doesn't matchup well against NBA 2s or 3s... starting to see why his college team played him at the 4.

Fields doesn't deserve to be in the rotation with his play this year. Sit him 4th next to Jerome Jordan, Bill Walker, Toney Douglas

Bippity10 wrote:To win a title you need Amare and Carmelo playing well together. Can't hide from that by putting Amare on the becnh. You have to put them in the starting line-up together and see if they can make it work. If not, then you have to split up the pairing in the offseason. If these two can't learn to excel together then we are just another team that can compete with anyone, but won't win the title

Amare may come back against Cavs. That's 5 games left in the season. After coming back from a back injury.

Is this really the time to do this type of evaluation?

If it was mid-season, I would agree. But this should be about trying to get right and do what's best for playoffs?

martin wrote:

Bippity10 wrote:To win a title you need Amare and Carmelo playing well together. Can't hide from that by putting Amare on the becnh. You have to put them in the starting line-up together and see if they can make it work. If not, then you have to split up the pairing in the offseason. If these two can't learn to excel together then we are just another team that can compete with anyone, but won't win the title

Amare may come back against Cavs. That's 5 games left in the season. After coming back from a back injury.

Is this really the time to do this type of evaluation?

If it was mid-season, I would agree. But this should be about trying to get right and do what's best for playoffs?

The good thing if we have 5 winnable games to try it out and get things right for the playoffs

crzymdups wrote:i think the big issue, which a lot of people here have talked about since last season (myself included), is that amar'e and melo just don't fit on the floor together. especially once you put tyson in there, too.

you put melo at the 4 and tyson in the middle and surround those two with shooters and a PG?? watch out.

amar'e should come off the bench, but he won't.

he's a leader on this team and woodson cannot possibly bench him.

that said, i do think amar'e being healthy and productive is the only way the knicks have a chance in hell against the heat. for some reason, i think the knicks are a better matchup w/ amar'e. against other teams, i don't see it. but the heat? it makes sense.

1) Amare and Melo havent played well, but I dont think its that they arent compatible. Whats really hurt them is timing and health and how its affected their games. Both have had problems with the jump shot when they have been together. Alone this isnt a big issue, because if Melo's shot isnt falling keep feeding him in the post and the dude will just start beasting. Same w/ Amare. Problem is when they are together and the jumper(s) arent falling there is only one paint, and other teams are quiet (cant blame them) happy to pack the paint and live with Melo/Amare being you with the jumper.

Knicks used to do this w/ Alonzo back in the day. Pack the paint, make him beat you with the jumper. If Amare showed that liquid sweet 15-18 footer he was money on last year I dont think its as big a problem.

2) Knicks should play big and slow. Chandler has a history of foot problems. Amare has a history of knee problems. Melo has been banged up this year. Save blame for the 10,00k other theads on this topic of why, but MDA failed here with this personel speedball and high paced games should go away. We have good athletes that can run the break, and that should always be something we try, but if that first shot isnt there lets set up the half court. Make other teams match our size and skill. Call me a koolaid smoker (drinking it doesnt work anymore, Ive upgraded) but I honestly believe if healthy that Lin/Shumpert/Melo/Amare/Chandler is an NBA finals lineup. Shump/Chandler are so commited to defense and unselfish play and winning they are so perfect. You have the pair of great scoring forwards and the PG in Lin with great courtvision, great smarts and great quickness. Not a m2m defender but he defends well in a system and gets his hands on tons of balls (not like Reggie Evans). Its very Nash like. Everyone knows Nash is a weak m2m defender, but he's pesky on the ball, gets steals and knows how to push drving players in the direction of the shot blockers.

3) no reason you cant feature Amare in the 2nd unit when Melo is off the floor.

4) bringing him off the bench is a demotion. He's not 35. He isnt LJ (yet). I view him has a primary scorer. He and Melo are 1 and 1a (interchangable). The downside far outweighs the upside.

5) you want Melo at PF to exploit the matchups, this should be on the coach. Force the other team to quickly rotate and switch. Any NBA coach who cant get Amare/Melo good balanced shots needs to spend some time in the D league

6) Melo isnt built like Lebron. He gets banged up a lot. 82 games vs. NBA powerforwards is a good way to make sure he missed 15-20 games a year. Look at this season. We are 4-5 games behind Orl, Atl, Bos... this is the difference between a favorable or managable first round playoff matchups and miserable ones.

7) I like how they announce his name

That thread failed also. http://www.ultimateknicks.com/forum/topic.asp?t=40392

martin wrote:

gunsnewing wrote:

martin wrote:

Bippity10 wrote:To win a title you need Amare and Carmelo playing well together. Can't hide from that by putting Amare on the becnh. You have to put them in the starting line-up together and see if they can make it work. If not, then you have to split up the pairing in the offseason. If these two can't learn to excel together then we are just another team that can compete with anyone, but won't win the title

Amare may come back against Cavs. That's 5 games left in the season. After coming back from a back injury.

Is this really the time to do this type of evaluation?

If it was mid-season, I would agree. But this should be about trying to get right and do what's best for playoffs?

The good thing if we have 5 winnable games to try it out and get things right for the playoffs

it took Amare like 40 games of the season just to find his legs. I am doubtful that he will be anywhere near playing shape come playoff time.

Amar'e was also coming off a much longer layoff without basketball or his normal conditioning.

The only thing that really concerns me is the risk of STAT causing further damage. I think he can come back in playing shape, but part of me wishes he would have shut it down and gotten surgery if that is going to be inevitable anyways.