why should i have high hopes when he doesn't play aggressive? he needs to score like 20-25 points to tonight so that kemba is at least expending some energy on defense, and at least half of them have to be pull-up jumpers. PGs are not respecting his shot yet this season.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Oh, the irony.
Patrick Ewing, “The Big Fella,” may make his NBA head-coaching debut Friday night here — against the Knicks.
Bobcats rookie coach Steve Clifford was hospitalized Thursday night due to an illness and was undergoing tests Friday. Clifford is questionable to be on the bench for the return bout against Knicks, whom the Bobcats beat on Tuesday at the Garden. Ewing, the Knicks legend, is the associate head coach and next in line.
“It is strange,’’ Ewing said after shootaround at Time Warner Cable Arena, surrounded by mostly New York media. “Especially against seeing all you guys here. I can see the writing on the wall right now.
“I have to curse Cliff out for my first game being against you guys [the Knicks],’’ Ewing cracked.
But Ewing appeared seriously concerned about Clifford, whom he worked with in Houston and Orlando before joining forces this season in Charlotte.
“He’s just wasn’t feeling well and is in the hospital getting tests,” Ewing said. “Hopefully he’ll be back for the game tonight, but we have to prepare as if he’s not. My emotion is all about Cliff and the team. Cliff is a dear and good friend of mine. I’m concerned for his health, safety and well-being. We have a great staff assembled here, so if he does not make it, myself and the rest of the staff will carry on until he comes back.’’
Ewing said he’s never been a head coach other than in the Las Vegas summer league. Ewing long has aspired to an NBA top job, but never even got an interview this summer when 13 changes were made.
Ewing might have a good time tonight. The Knicks are undermanned without their marquee defensive player, center Tyson Chandler.
“Do we have an edge?’’ Ewing said of the Bobcats’ rebounding. “They’re still bigger than us. We’re just going to play our game and try to rebound and block out. Tyson is a big part of their team and big part of their defense. They’re going to miss him. We have to capitalize.’’
Knicks coach Mike Woodson confirmed a Post report the Knicks will stand pat and not sign a center to the roster, waiting for the D-League season to start where they can better evaluate the talent.

IronWillGiroud wrote:is Melo past his peak?

Melo came out every game last season with his confidence sky high- he looked like he felt every shot was going in, and he came ready to kick arse. This season his demeanor has been completely different. He's looked slow, sluggish, flat and just doesn't seem to have the self belief he had a year ago. Is it the shoulder? Is it the lack of practice over summer due to rehabbing the injury? Is he scared of getting hit on it? Is he out of shape? Was last season just a special year?

I really don't know, but I miss last seasons Melo!

smackeddog wrote:

IronWillGiroud wrote:is Melo past his peak?

Melo came out every game last season with his confidence sky high- he looked like he felt every shot was going in, and he came ready to kick arse. This season his demeanor has been completely different. He's looked slow, sluggish, flat and just doesn't seem to have the self belief he had a year ago. Is it the shoulder? Is it the lack of practice over summer due to rehabbing the injury? Is he scared of getting hit on it? Is he out of shape? Was last season just a special year?

I really don't know, but I miss last seasons Melo!

The olympic tune up helped, he came into the season with a different mind set

ChuckBuck wrote:

smackeddog wrote:

IronWillGiroud wrote:is Melo past his peak?

Melo came out every game last season with his confidence sky high- he looked like he felt every shot was going in, and he came ready to kick arse. This season his demeanor has been completely different. He's looked slow, sluggish, flat and just doesn't seem to have the self belief he had a year ago. Is it the shoulder? Is it the lack of practice over summer due to rehabbing the injury? Is he scared of getting hit on it? Is he out of shape? Was last season just a special year?

I really don't know, but I miss last seasons Melo!

Hindsight I know, but dumbass should've had the shoulder surgery.

I know it's somewhat popular to say this, but many doctors said that there was no guarantee that he'd have full range of motion after the surgery. They did say that it's never the same after surgery. With going the rehab route it doesn't fix the shoulder tear but it does help to make the muscles around the should stronger and more supportive than they had been. They say the risk isn't any higher than if he had the surgery. It's gonna take a specific trauma to the shoulder to get it to pop out again so they say it's worth the risk.

The biggest issue is to get better shots for Melo and Felton and to get JR back. Those are the 3 top scorers for this team last year and they have to be part of the solution this year. They have to perform at a high level. Woody is a big part of this. He has to find better plays for his best players to get great shots and a better flow to the offense. So far he's failed to do that.

smackeddog wrote:

ChuckBuck wrote:

smackeddog wrote:

IronWillGiroud wrote:is Melo past his peak?

Melo came out every game last season with his confidence sky high- he looked like he felt every shot was going in, and he came ready to kick arse. This season his demeanor has been completely different. He's looked slow, sluggish, flat and just doesn't seem to have the self belief he had a year ago. Is it the shoulder? Is it the lack of practice over summer due to rehabbing the injury? Is he scared of getting hit on it? Is he out of shape? Was last season just a special year?

I really don't know, but I miss last seasons Melo!

Hindsight I know, but dumbass should've had the shoulder surgery.

I knew as soon as he said he wasn't going to have shoulder surgery that it was the wrong decision! We all know this seasons going to end up with Melo reagrrivating the injury and requiring season ending surgery, don't we?

CrushAlot wrote:I am a bit concerned about the players only meeting. This often spells the end for a coach. I am not saying that is what is happening but with Grunwald being canned, the bad start, Tyson's injury, and now the players only meeting its getting hot in the coaches seat.

The players meeting happens alot around the league, I really dont gauge that.

What i do gauge is felton thinking the fans arent behind the team after 4 games, and melo questioning his decision making.

It's too early to publicly do this.....this group of players are fragile and has no guidance.

Imo, Melo cant rally the troops...he's down himself.