To me it's lazy and stupid to go by the previous season. For one thing they wouldn't do that if we were talking about KG, Allen and Pierce in their 1st year. No they properly assessed the talent and that they would be a top team. Same would go for Lebron and the Heat. NO... This is lazy BS. The team is not even remotely the same as last year. Getting Melo back and all the other additions of solid NBA players and young talent that is on the rise. I'm not saying this is a Title team but they aren't at the bottom anymore either. Aside from last year any decent roster with Melo has never been lower than 37 wins in a full season. What is the logic behind thinking this team won't be better than that?
G GS MPG PER
Samuel Dalembert, C 32 21 17.0 11.8 Robin Lopez
Jason Smith, PF 82 31 21.8 12.1 Kyle O'Quinn
J.R. Smith, SG† 24 6 25.8 11.6 Arron Afflalo
Shane Larkin, PG 76 22 24.5 10.9 Jerian Grant
Iman Shumpert, SG† 24 24 26.0 11.9 Langston Galloway
Tim Hardaway Jr., SG 70 30 24.0 12.1 Kristaps Porzingis
Quincy Acy, SF 68 22 18.9 12.0 Kevin Seraphin
Andrea Bargnani, C 29 22 27.1 16.7 Derrick Williams
I am convinced that this is a much more representative roster in terms of having legit NBA talent. A stronger and smarter roster. The players are more unselfish and skilled overall. I think this roster will be stronger on Defense and Rebounds. I think this roster has MUCH fewer issues with personalities and attitudes. They all want to be here.
Melo's team records over the years.
Season Lg Team W L W/L% Playoffs Coaches
2014-15 NBA New York Knicks 17 65 .207 D. Fisher (17-65)
2013-14 NBA New York Knicks 37 45 .451 M. Woodson (37-45)
2012-13 NBA New York Knicks* 54 28 .659 Lost E. Conf. Semis M. Woodson (54-28)
2011-12 NBA New York Knicks* 36 30 .545 Lost E. Conf. 1st Rnd. M. D (18-24), M. Woodson (18-6)
2010-11 NBA New York Knicks* 42 40 .512 Lost E. Conf. 1st Rnd. M. D'Antoni (42-40)
2009-10 NBA Denver Nuggets* 53 29 .646 Lost W. Conf. 1st Rnd. G. Karl (53-29)
2008-09 NBA Denver Nuggets* 54 28 .659 Lost W. Conf. Finals G. Karl (54-28)
2007-08 NBA Denver Nuggets* 50 32 .610 Lost W. Conf. 1st Rnd. G. Karl (50-32)
2006-07 NBA Denver Nuggets* 45 37 .549 Lost W. Conf. 1st Rnd. G. Karl (45-37)
2005-06 NBA Denver Nuggets* 44 38 .537 Lost W. Conf. 1st Rnd. G. Karl (44-38)
2004-05 NBA Denver Nuggets* 49 33 .598 Lost W. Conf. 1st Rnd. J. Bzdelik (13-15), M. Cooper (4-10), G. Karl (32-8)
2003-04 NBA Denver Nuggets* 43 39 .524 Lost W. Conf. 1st Rnd. J. Bzdelik (43-39)
It's clear that any decent team with a healthy Melo is usually able to have a winning record. The last 2 seasons are the only times that it hasn't happened and the dysfunctional causes are gone now IMO. We know the issues with the 37 win team and at the start of last year. Phil purged those players and now this roster is much more talented, balanced and minus the dysfunctional elements. If Melo is healthy it's much more likely this team has a winning record than not.
9/24/2015 12:19 PM