fishmike wrote:

Knicks1969 wrote:

mreinman wrote:

Knicks1969 wrote:

mreinman wrote:

Knicks1969 wrote:

crzymdups wrote:

Knicks1969 wrote:

TPercy wrote:What I've been saying from the get. He has really started to come around for us.

Fisher needs to start earning his money. He desig plays to spread the floor a little more. What I have seen the last few games need to change. We were better today,because the post player (Seraphin) was making shots. However, defensively we were horrendous. We once again allowed a back door play like what took place in Charlotte; further, we've given way too much space to the shooters.

Offensively, Carmelo needs to go to the line a little more. He is settling for too many jumpers and not forcing the defense to have to foul him. I know he is still working to regain his confidence after a long layoff, so I will give him the benefit of the doubt there

Defensively horrendous? The Pels scored 87 points.

Yes, because we almost gave the game away in the last five minutes

Stop! Its about Melo's improved defensive play ... now if you don't have something to add then move on

I love the NEW Carmelo. Are you happy? I bet you will find something bad to say about him

I am happy with his defense and hopeful about his offense. I see some signs of improvement and often he regressing but I see at least that he has started to consider changing his mindset.

Defensively, he is giving max effort.

I am so happy to read that u r finally acknowledging the new Carmelo. I promise you this much; once Fisher improves his use of the talents he has at his disposal, I will be the very first to come and rave about him

the problem it seems is that's already happening and you are clueless to it.

Please explain!

Melo and the team are playing really inspired d. Respect it.

Bonn1997 wrote:Melo's assists have been great this year. Going from a 1:1 assist:to ratio (career #s) to a 2:1 is a tremendous jump. He's at 4 assists and 2 TOs a game. Usually only PGs have a ratio that good. And he's never rebounded this well as an SF. If only he could get his shooting back to normal.

You know what, I think he will. Missed to layups that were gimme's. Also missed a corner FT that is usually automatic, and he was so wide open. 3 shots for this game and he would have been 50%. And now that KP and Afflalo are starting to hit, along with Gallo and Jose, defenses won't be able to target him as much.

The ball is flowing and the triangle is starting to click.

If one must bring up fish, the "Project" KP is a top 3 rookie of the year candidate. He was drafted at the 4 for his potential and children were crying and experts were leaving their vacation to announce we were "Hoodwinked and banboozeld" but the fact is the coach is putting the kid in a position to succeed and the offense is evolving.

Key word: "evolving"

Defense is evolving, offense is evolving, the rookies are showing it, and even our Golden Mooby is too, evolving!!!!
Last nite he dove for a ball. He is rebounding and passing. His legs and rhythm are coming along.

Evolution.

mreinman wrote:

Bonn1997 wrote:Melo's assists have been great this year. Going from a 1:1 assist:to ratio (career #s) to a 2:1 is a tremendous jump. He's at 4 assists and 2 TOs a game. Usually only PGs have a ratio that good. And he's never rebounded this well as an SF. If only he could get his shooting back to normal.

really need to post more often. The board needs your unbiased view.

Very, very true. I love when Bonn posts numbers based on a 12 game sample size.

I think it's been said that Melo's shooting has to change. Instead of lighting it up early in the first half and having nothing in the 4th quarter, he's got to get to the point where he's back to showing the ability LeQ shows as a matter of fact at the end of games. Patience, it's going to happen. Fish does have to keep his minutes down though, or we're going to see Melo on the IR again.

I've also noticed (and Mike Crispino on 98.7FM ESPN mentions it almost every game) that the Knicks get called for fouls for fighting through screens that the opposition never gets called for. Along the same lines, Melo just does not get the calls around the basket that he should.

Swishfm3 wrote:Is any one considering that maybe Melo's improved defense and passing is because he is (finally) surrounded with MUCH better players?

This. Agree.

Melo is leading the team in assists now, too.

martin wrote:I was impressed with Melo's defense last night. It wasn't lock down, Jimmy Butler or young Artest good, but it was consistent and sustained. There were a few picks which he didn't get around but overall I was happy with what I saw.

Overall, I think the Knicks still switch too easily. Way too easily in some cases, but they are getting much better. Someone else mentioned it in gamethread: PnR defense where the Big hedges and/or slows the ball handler is just not there, it can be much better.

Very good analysis. The switching reminds me of last season, or even the years of Woody. This team has enough length and two-way players to get the job done defensively; therefore, there is No need to switch. Carmelo is leading this squad, and thereby needs to be applauded for his effort. All that talk about KP is definitely hiding the much improved play by many on the roster.

Anthony will save SO much energy for doing things other than scoring if he plays like he did last night...especially D.

He is doing much more than hanging on the perimeter, waiting for the ball, and doing the Lebron 1/1 stuff starting at 30 ft from the hoop. You see him setting picks, moving without the ball, and looking for cutters.

I don't believe he's just playing better D and passing more just because of who is surrounding him. I think he's made a conscious decision to change his game and buy into how Fisher is trying to get the team to play.

He's a proud guy, and maybe even a bit stubborn, but folks should not overlook the possibility that he took the criticisms about him made in the press, and even by Phil, to heart. Having a group of guys around him who he feels more comfortable with...especially Aflalo and KP, also plays a role, but he also had to make the commitment to change...and in many ways he has.

He's also been more of a leader...and even more than his play on the court, I believe this is him responding to criticism in a positive way.

Maybe the PR get together becomes a turning point. I know that I've been very critical of his leadership, but I feel that the Puerto Rican event was almost something Jackson or Fisher would have scripted, and I think it was a way for Anthony and the rest of the players who attended to bond in a positive way. For me it signified a change in attitude that was carried on with making his gym available to the Knicks players, and the 1/1 stuff he did with KP.

Hopefully this is the beginning of something good. The vibes I'm getting are very positive, and I'm notoriously negative, even though I put up a positive front at times.

Still got a long way to go, but we look competitive and resilient, and seem have a lot of players who can contribute in various ways when called upon. Team development at this point mirrors KP's development...in both instances I see us being ahead of where I thought we would be.

In addition, Anthony and Aflalo are both going to get better as their recoveries continue...KP has much room for growth, and Grant is still learning to play in the NBA,

We can be a much better team than we've showed so far, and its a great feeling to have even though it is so early in the season.

WaltLongmire wrote:Shooting % aside, last night is the Anthony you want to see for the rest of the season.

Anthony will save SO much energy for doing things other than scoring if he plays like he did last night...especially D.

He is doing much more than hanging on the perimeter, waiting for the ball, and doing the Lebron 1/1 stuff starting at 30 ft from the hoop. You see him setting picks, moving without the ball, and looking for cutters.

I don't believe he's just playing better D and passing more just because of who is surrounding him. I think he's made a conscious decision to change his game and buy into how Fisher is trying to get the team to play.

He's a proud guy, and maybe even a bit stubborn, but folks should not overlook the possibility that he took the criticisms about him made in the press, and even by Phil, to heart. Having a group of guys around him who he feels more comfortable with...especially Aflalo and KP, also plays a role, but he also had to make the commitment to change...and in many ways he has.

He's also been more of a leader...and even more than his play on the court, I believe this is him responding to criticism in a positive way.

Maybe the PR get together becomes a turning point. I know that I've been very critical of his leadership, but I feel that the Puerto Rican event was almost something Jackson or Fisher would have scripted, and I think it was a way for Anthony and the rest of the players who attended to bond in a positive way. For me it signified a change in attitude that was carried on with making his gym available to the Knicks players, and the 1/1 stuff he did with KP.

Hopefully this is the beginning of something good. The vibes I'm getting are very positive, and I'm notoriously negative, even though I put up a positive front at times.

Still got a long way to go, but we look competitive and resilient, and seem have a lot of players who can contribute in various ways when called upon. Team development at this point mirrors KP's development...in both instances I see us being ahead of where I thought we would be.

In addition, Anthony and Aflalo are both going to get better as their recoveries continue...KP has much room for growth, and Grant is still learning to play in the NBA,

We can be a much better team than we've showed so far, and its a great feeling to have even though it is so early in the season.

Bonn1997 wrote:

Swishfm3 wrote:Is any one considering that maybe Melo's improved defense and passing is because he is (finally) surrounded with MUCH better players?

Passing? I doubt it. The team is .500 now, which is about as good as his teams have been career-wise (maybe a tiny bit below his career winning % actually).

fishmike wrote:

Bonn1997 wrote:

Swishfm3 wrote:Is any one considering that maybe Melo's improved defense and passing is because he is (finally) surrounded with MUCH better players?

Passing? I doubt it. The team is .500 now, which is about as good as his teams have been career-wise (maybe a tiny bit below his career winning % actually).

huh? Last year and the 37 win season before are the only two losing seasons Melo has had. I think his first 10 seasons he went to the playoffs.