NardDogNation wrote:I hate to be a Debbie-Downer but I doubt this is sustainable. I don't buy the hype about Melo having some epiphany because he's been playing the same way since last season. The biggest difference now is that the roster is largely back from injury and guys are finally hitting shots (Shumpert). Unfortunately, our "biggest difference" is still injury prone and still prone to unsustainable shooting streaks. We desperately need to upgrade the roster if we expect to make any serious run and I don't see such a series of moves occurring.

We didn't turn into favorites to win it all but we do look like a team that stands a better chance of going deep in the playoffs. My biggest concerns are what will happen when Tyson comes back?. Both Stat and Bargs are playing well in part because of his absence, and how long JR will play like he did last night? Our bigs staying healthy is also a concern which is why I believe we need another one

I agree Melo didn't have an epiphany but he isn't forcing the issue as much because there is less of a reason to now.

NardDogNation wrote:I hate to be a Debbie-Downer but I doubt this is sustainable. I don't buy the hype about Melo having some epiphany because he's been playing the same way since last season. The biggest difference now is that the roster is largely back from injury and guys are finally hitting shots (Shumpert). Unfortunately, our "biggest difference" is still injury prone and still prone to unsustainable shooting streaks. We desperately need to upgrade the roster if we expect to make any serious run and I don't see such a series of moves occurring.

nixluva wrote:WTF are you guys talking about? Do you even know what the hell it means to have an epiphany? From the statements Melo has made it's clear that an epiphany is what he had and he made it his business to pass his thoughts along to his teammates and the coaches. He then followed thru on those statements and has actually done exactly what he said needed to be done. That doesn't mean he'll be perfect, but it clearly is a major shift in approach and thinking about his role as a leader on this team.

Here is the thing. If a player gets hot and his team starts winning that is something that is easily questionable. Players go thru streaks. However, that's not what we're talking about here. Melo made a conscious decision to take a self examination and assess what could help to make things better. He came up with ideas and so far his solutions have proved to be correct. He has changed how he's playing in a way that seeks to help his teammates play better. That is clearly an epiphany. He may have had times where he was forced to pass or even times where his teammates were hot and that was the sole reason for their success. This is the 1st time Melo has changed his approach to the game in such a way that he's taken a holistic approach to his game. He's still the primary scorer but he's also using his offensive threat to get his teammates lots of good looks at the same time. He's NEVER really been able to find that balance so many have been asking for.

This idea that we can't still get good play when Tyson returns is also off base. KMart is the one who will likely see his minutes reduced the most. KMart is avg'ing 25 mpg over the last 5 games he's played. As long as Melo continues to look for his teammates as he has with STAT there should continue to be good play from STAT and Bargs. I can understand the doubt about Melo after so many years, but I think this time is different for all the reasons i've posted about in this thread. I think the epiphany is real.

I got your epiphany Nix, right here.

jrodmc wrote:

NardDogNation wrote:I hate to be a Debbie-Downer but I doubt this is sustainable. I don't buy the hype about Melo having some epiphany because he's been playing the same way since last season. The biggest difference now is that the roster is largely back from injury and guys are finally hitting shots (Shumpert). Unfortunately, our "biggest difference" is still injury prone and still prone to unsustainable shooting streaks. We desperately need to upgrade the roster if we expect to make any serious run and I don't see such a series of moves occurring.

Changing the roster in mid-season? That worked out well in 2010, didn't it? We're still reading the Apocalypse Now threads 4 years later.

Wouldn't it make a little more sense to see Woody get this whole crew together on the floor, healthy, for more than 15 minutes in a row?

This is not a bad roster tho. It's a group that has gone thru some issues and wasn't performing anywhere near it's real potential. Playing bad is different from actually being bad. There are teams that really aren't any good, but the Knicks were not playing up to their abilities. There are those who never liked the roster to begin with that refuse to accept that the team wasn't as bad as they looked early on. I think it was a smart move by Melo to try and help his teammates get going, because he can't carry the load all the time and he's gonna need help to make anything positive happen this year. If this team can focus in like they have recently they can climb out of this hole and put in a good showing in the postseason. They just have to get there and there's plenty of time to do that.

While players like Dirk and Duncan have been doing it their entire careers

Lets not even talk about the Lebron, Durant, or Paul George....

Melo simply doesn't have the abilities of these players, his game DOES NOT ALLOW HIS TEAM MATES TO PLAY OFF him consistently with poor shot selection
He can still put up BIG numbers and score in bunches at times but he is not on the same caliber as these players
Melo is what he is, a SCORER, carrying a franchise by himself? Not so much....
Even if Lebron, Durant, or George didn't win without ALL STARS around them, they have shown the ability to carry a franchise, along with Dirk and Duncan their entire careers and don't need to be praised to play correct basketball or to make the extra pass (where as Melo needs to get credit for ball movement thus "HOCKEY ASSIST")