fishmike wrote:crzymdups wrote:fishmike wrote:ChuckBuck wrote:fishmike wrote:ChuckBuck wrote:Yea those 24 losses from the previous regime did indeed cost them higher seeding, but let's let that go because we're in for a major dog fight with the biggest bullies on the block. If we can just split the first 2 games, we can make this a grind it out dogfight. BEAT THE HEAT! BEAT THE HEAT!
previous regime? Did we make a huge midseason trade? I thought it was the same group of players.
I'm pretty sure MDA, Dan D'Antoni, and Phil Weber left with him.
oh good to know... I remember being pissed when Weber shot 9-27 in that loss to Orlando, or when DAntoni shot 5-14 in that loss to Cle.My bad
are you seriously telling me you didn't notice a difference in strategy?
yes, melo's effort level is one thing. but the coaching was a major upgrade. the strategy was designed to actually fit the talent on the roster.
MDA did a horrible job. a big part of his job is getting melo and amar'e to buy in and to design a scheme that uses his talent to the best of their ability.
he did neither. why bother defending him.
I will always defend a coach when a player's effort is involved. MDA failed with Melo. Tried point forward, tried playing off the ball... it didnt work and it cost him his job. I have no problem with that. Its the nature of the business. But when I have brought up Melo's previous playoff failures the most common excuse is unfavorable matchups. All Im saying is who's fault is that this year? Did MDA do a good job? No. Is Woodson better? For this team 100% yes. But once again we have another scape goat dont we?My point is simple. Knicks are 7th because of the players. Too many poor efforts that cost us games.
Im happy with the direction of the team and the roster and the coach. We are lucky to have good players. I like every guy on our roster. But if we get swept its not because of a bad matchup. Its because we had guys mail it in costing us games in the standings.
Fair? Unfair?
I don't think its fair. We are not 7th because of the players. We are 7th because 2/3 of the season we had a coach who thinks every player is an equally valuable cog in his small ball philosophy.
Ask yourself this question, with Woodson as coach from the beginning of the year, are we even having a discussion about the 6th or 7th seed? I confidently say no.
I blame D'antoni, its hard to go out there every night playing for a coach you don't believe in with a system you know doesn't work and undervalues all of the tremendous things you can do on the court. it is demoralizing and you just can't play at your best under those circumstances.
I never wanted him as coach to begin with and I'm very happy he's gone. Nice guy don't get me wrong, but not the coach for the Knicks roster or style of play. It is neither surprise nor coincidence that the Knicks have done so well after his departure even with an injured Lin and Stat for most of the time.