nyknickzingis wrote:He's playing like Kobe was playing late in his Laker career with Phil as his coach in the Tri. Wasn't Kobe's prime, so the comparison is comparable in my opinion. But it's way too early. It's only been about 10 games where I've seen this on a consistent basis from him in terms of moving the ball, picking his spots and reducing the amount of time he monopolizes the ball. He's become very, very good at picking his spots and also moving the ball to the right direction. This is the beauty of what the Triangle is all about for guys like Melo. He can only get better at this if he wants, because he and the team has still not mastered the offense as it usually takes an entire season of running to get a strong grasp of it.

Keep this up for a few years and Melo will go down as one of the greats. It's a great situation to see what he does. If this maintains I'll be the first to say, I can't believe he actually made that transition as a player. Not only will it be good for the team, it'll prolong his career because Michael Jordan feasted of post ups and jumpshots in isolations late in his career as a Bull just playing very similarly. Once Melo plays like this doubling him won't be easy and teams just won't know how to defend him on the ball.

thats exactly how I feel.

TPercy wrote:

fishmike wrote:I think through his career Melo has shown to be really driven by his environment. When things were good he's an amazing player. When things weren't good with Karl, the locker room, DAntoni, etc... he's shown to be downright unlikable. I think he's a good guy and likable. I say this because he has strong peer support and relationships, and his teammates speak highly of him. This is clearly the best basketball he's played in his career. Give him credit as he has clearly tried, but damn... Fisher's reputation is that of a leader of men. That's what Kobe and Durant said. Remember he ran the player's union? And Phil.. Zenmaster. The fastest way to improve is from within, and they have created an environment that has brought out the best in this player. Something no coach or situation has been able to do since honestly Syracuse.

+1 Well said. The culture of hard-working, high character, and High IQ play that Phil has instilled in the Knicks rubbed off on Melo;thus, him being able to implement that in his style of play, and make his less talented teammates look more talented.

yup

Knixkik wrote:Amazing how all he needed was a little help. Many of us have been saying you need to give him quality help to expect this type of result.

And just think....this isn't even Phil's finished product yet. In two years we'll have a solid team that's ready to challenge for not only deep playoff runs but for the ECF and championships. Who knows maybe we'll get lucky and everything will come together even quicker. maybe he'll come up with a good trade at this deadline and finish the job this off season.

THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT FOR OUR NEW YORK KNICKS.

newyorker4ever wrote:

mreinman wrote:

Knixkik wrote:Amazing how all he needed was a little help. Many of us have been saying you need to give him quality help to expect this type of result.

or maybe he needed to become a better player.

Its ok to say that melo needed to improve.

It's not Melo's fault that he was expected to be ISO Melo by all his other coaches. He was jus doing what was asked of him but this Melo is that same Melo who is now in a offense that more is being asked of him and he's providing that.

ok ... nothing was melo's fault but I'm happy the poor kid is finally in a better foster home

Yes Melo is finally getting it. I never thought he would but it's great too see him getting better every game. We are in great shape if he keeps this up

yellowboy90 wrote:I think more than Phil or Fisher Losing like they way the knicks have these past two years have really impacted him. I think the desire not to be the leading player on an embarrassing team has lead him to change things up.

You might be right. What athlete wants to be known as that guy?

mreinman wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:

mreinman wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:

Knixkik wrote:Amazing how all he needed was a little help. Many of us have been saying you need to give him quality help to expect this type of result.

This.

if that makes your feel better ... so this is the best team that melo has had? Not even close.

sad how hard this is for some of you. Just enjoy that phil has made the impossible happen.

I think it is reality. What guys have passed through ny that compare to the guys he is playing with now?

now? this is a good team? He is making these not so good players play much better. When you trust your teammates you empower them.

Anyway, this is silly. People want to hold onto the idea that he played that way because he had no players to pass to, fine. This is about how great he has been playing lately.

It isn't a coincidence he turned this on with this team. Let's look at it this way. Many people here have been saying from the start of this season that Melo is "rapidly declining" before our eyes and completely ignored the fact he was coming back from a season ending injury. He was not rapidly declining at all, simply trying to get his rhythm back. Now people are saying that 4 months before his 32nd birthday he is improving and becoming a better basketball player. Not the case. You don't improve in that way at 31/32. He has matured and adjusted his game while recovering probably 95% of his elite scoring ability since injury. This has gone hand and hand with Phil putting a group a players who compliment his abilities and the right mix of vets and young players. Hats off to Melo for getting it, but he is also a product of his supporting cast. Many of us preached patience with him this season and now it's time for those who called him rapidly declining to man up.

Knixkik wrote:

mreinman wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:

mreinman wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:

Knixkik wrote:Amazing how all he needed was a little help. Many of us have been saying you need to give him quality help to expect this type of result.

This.

if that makes your feel better ... so this is the best team that melo has had? Not even close.

sad how hard this is for some of you. Just enjoy that phil has made the impossible happen.

I think it is reality. What guys have passed through ny that compare to the guys he is playing with now?

now? this is a good team? He is making these not so good players play much better. When you trust your teammates you empower them.

Anyway, this is silly. People want to hold onto the idea that he played that way because he had no players to pass to, fine. This is about how great he has been playing lately.

It isn't a coincidence he turned this on with this team. Let's look at it this way. Many people here have been saying from the start of this season that Melo is "rapidly declining" before our eyes and completely ignored the fact he was coming back from a season ending injury. He was not rapidly declining at all, simply trying to get his rhythm back. Now people are saying that 4 months before his 32nd birthday he is improving and becoming a better basketball player. Not the case. You don't improve in that way at 31/32. He has matured and adjusted his game while recovering probably 95% of his elite scoring ability since injury. This has gone hand and hand with Phil putting a group a players who compliment his abilities and the right mix of vets and young players. Hats off to Melo for getting it, but he is also a product of his supporting cast. Many of us preached patience with him this season and now it's time for those who called him rapidly declining to man up.

well everyone around the league is seeing that this new melo is a different melo. you want to lay blame elsewhere? no need ... spilled milk

mreinman wrote:

dk7th wrote:sadly, i have heard that when he "trusts his teammates," only then he is a willing passer. if that is true it speaks to low character or a very shallow primadonna-like person. the super-max contract kind of reflects that.

i prefer to think that he has come to his senses, is getting some mentoring from the right people in fisher and jackson, and realizes his career is only going to continue winding down. i think he has always possessed the skills but not the will or the common sense to play the right way.

always felt that way while the melo defenders down deep did not believe that he was capable. "he is a scorer! that is what scorers do! why do you expect him to be someone that he is not?" Hogwash ... he had the talent and was wasting it.

Good point. I just didn't think he had it in him to make plays for others and defend. I didn't think he had the IQ & common sense like Dk said. I didn't think he had the lateral quickness and hands to defend but I'm glad he's proving me wrong. Just goes to show anyone can defend for 48mins if they have the will which he didn't have. Or if you have more decent teammates like Crush said

CrushAlot wrote:

mreinman wrote:

dk7th wrote:sadly, i have heard that when he "trusts his teammates," only then he is a willing passer. if that is true it speaks to low character or a very shallow primadonna-like person. the super-max contract kind of reflects that.

i prefer to think that he has come to his senses, is getting some mentoring from the right people in fisher and jackson, and realizes his career is only going to continue winding down. i think he has always possessed the skills but not the will or the common sense to play the right way.

always felt that way while the melo defenders down deep did not believe that he was capable. "he is a scorer! that is what scorers do! why do you expect him to be someone that he is not?" Hogwash ... he had the talent and was wasting it.

I can't recall anyone saying what you claim. I do recall guys interpreting words he said to mean something else, suggesting he was at odds with the coach, calling out his teammates etc. the search to find fault at all levels was pretty intense.

What does that have to do with this thread? Classic smug deflection from good ol Crush