crzymdups wrote:You guys realize the Hawks won 60 games last year right? And the Knicks were on a second night of a back to back? and the Hawks weren't? and the Hawks were trying to avenge a loss in their own home opener?

I mean, yes, Jose shouldn't start. Ever again.

Melo is trying to find his rhythm.

The kids played well - they looked shook at first, but came back. No, it wasn't enough to beat the 60 win Eastern Conference Finalist Hawks. But it's not the end of the world. Geez.

Yeah, the early back to back schedule was something I was concerned about from the get-go. That's something KP and Grant have never experienced, and I'm pretty sure a lot of the new guys in our regular rotation aren't used to playing this many minutes to begin with. With the exception of RoLo of course, who was pretty damn good tonight, at least with his offense. I really hope he keeps that going because that will help a lot.

TPercy wrote:

mreinman wrote:

TPercy wrote:

mreinman wrote:aside from the turnovers, KP did not play that bad. His shot will come but at least he is not forcing them.

I think his productivity would be up a lot offensively if he was with Grant. He works well in those pick and roll situations where KP can pull up, draw a foul on the way to the basket, or clean up after a missed grant layup.

nobody can play well when your superduperstar takes 27 shots (most of them disgusting).

KP is a rookie. He is going to let the game come to him and he will miss shots and make some bad plays. I love that he has the opportunity to do so.

That is why we need Grant to be on the court. His high speed play and great passing ability can take the ball out of Melo hands. Good things happen when he is on the court.

It is good that KP is trying to let the game come to him, but that dosen't mean that we shouldn't be trying to make the game easier for him also. We should be experiment with this things to see what works and what doesn't work.

It is interesting regarding Grant. Doc Rivers said the other day that the PG is often the most hated on the court (was regarding the negative press Chris Paul had received.) He said that because the PG decides who gets the ball. Well, when Lin was here, he seemed to fall out of favor (many thought with Melo) as he was sort of taking over games and getting everyone involved. Not saying that is true, but I really think that Grant would do the same thing, that is his game. And I'm all for ball movement. (Not against Melo here but I do want to see his game open up and be less black hole-ish.)

So, once Grant does get into the starting lineup, things will be interesting and in a variety of ways. Kristaps is going to get the ball in better spots, heck, everyone will, including Melo. What that does to team chemistry, I think will be clear. Bring it on.

Yellowboy - Well said, didn't realize 27 shots in 32 minutes! How can you even do that in the triangle. That is the definition of triangle breaker (unless you B hot!). Not hating on him again, I just like to see the team play as one and 27 shots when you don't look 100% is irresponsible. You would think after a 4-16 performance you would adjust, not almost double your shots in less time.

nixluva wrote:

mreinman wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:

mreinman wrote:

nixluva wrote:I wanna see how things look with a healthy Afflalo after he gets his legs along with Melo after he gets in mid season form. Right now we're missing what was expected to be the two primary targets playing at full strength.

melo is at full enough strength to take 27 shots? Don't want to hear that bs. If you are not healthy then don't play and/or dont chuck like an dik head.

If we get 50 games out of afflalo I will be euphoric. However, I would rather have gallo out there over him any day.

no excuses.

predicting records should factor in assumed injuries and age.

Reggie said Melo didn't have his legs early in the second quarter. Seems like a possibility on the second night of a back to back coming off season ending surgery.

ok ... so why the hell is he shooting 27 shots and 7 threes?

no excuses!

If his legs were not there and he took 8-10 shots and tried to make lots of plays for others then I would be ok with the tired / injured legs excuse.

It's not so much tired legs as its not having the level of explosion that he's used to. The timing as well. There's a lot to it beyond being in shape enough to get up and down and take shots. Often players think they have it until they get out there and miss shots that they normally make. Lebron has had this happen to him at the start of seasons too. His shot is off and he's not getting the same lift etc. this happens to many players coming off injury.

he has had a history of taking 4-5 bad shots a game, be they contested or heat checks. he has always needed to tighten up his game in terms of fewer bad shots vis a vis more productive passing. this has always been the issue with him as a scorer: volume and inefficiency versus ball movement and letting the game come to him. fisher in the first game spoke of melo's tendency to try to hit the home run (read: hero ball). you will recall the anecdote of coach rivers and paul pierce their first year together... "paul why do you take that shot? if you move the ball it will come back to you for a better shot." or something to that effect. obviously pierce was always the better passer/playmaker but the principle of passing and the ball garnering energy, holds.

so the problem is not merely his legs... the problem is his head. that said, if his legs betray him and his head doesn't get right, i will say again here what i have said for a while: melo's best role may well be as a 6th man as this squad matures and gels over the next 2-3 seasons.

BRIGGS wrote:I like the start KP has gotten off to but I dont like the three's.

dk7th wrote:

StarksEwing1 wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:I like the start KP has gotten off to but I dont like the three's.

give him time. One of his biggest assets as a bigman is his 3 point shooting ability. Right now he is rushing his shot probably because of nerves

you're playing your first professional home game in madison square garden-- it's a factor. i keep playing the open court spin move he made on milsap fro the dunk. holy moly!

KP has looked good to start the year. Obviously their will be growing pains. His stat lines have been pretty good considering he hasn't shot the ball particularly well in the first 2 games.

They can't roll Calderon out their much more. He is a disaster on defense. It's really bad. Giving up quality looks every time down the floor and easy offensive rebs bc players are out of position and scambling to cover for him getting burned.

SwishAndDish13 wrote:Outside of the Calderon/Sasha backcourt, I take only positives away from last nights game. The team as a whole did not shoot the ball well, but they were getting fairly good looks. Melo/KP took over this thread so I'll chime in. On Melo, I like him defensive efforr so far and willingness to try and do other things. He took 7 more shots that he should have yesterday given that his legs didn't appear under him yet but the game was out of reach at the half so I'm not gonna lose a ton of sleep over it.

KP has looked good to start the year. Obviously their will be growing pains. His stat lines have been pretty good considering he hasn't shot the ball particularly well in the first 2 games.

They can't roll Calderon out their much more. He is a disaster on defense. It's really bad. Giving up quality looks every time down the floor and easy offensive rebs bc players are out of position and scambling to cover for him getting burned.

I think Melo shot about 15 shots more than he should have.