AnubisADL wrote:Problem with the small lineup is the Pacers will punish us in the post with West and Hibbert. Knicks gotta go big as to not get blow out in the 1st quarter.

that's what I have been calling for. I even said it here during the season, Melo on West is a mismatch that I think is more likely to get Melo in foul trouble than West and will hurt us on the boards. Going with the/a big lineup would help us on the boards and aid in protecting the paint.

I said it on page 1, play Baron. His jumper is money and would wreck havok in the pic-n-roll.

DurzoBlint wrote:

AnubisADL wrote:Problem with the small lineup is the Pacers will punish us in the post with West and Hibbert. Knicks gotta go big as to not get blow out in the 1st quarter.

that's what I have been calling for. I even said it here during the season, Melo on West is a mismatch that I think is more likely to get Melo in foul trouble than West and will hurt us on the boards. Going with the/a big lineup would help us on the boards and aid in protecting the paint.

I said it on page 1, play Baron. His jumper is money and would wreck havok in the pic-n-roll.

In my opinion

Chandler looked much better last game but he isn't near the player he was last season and some of it is simply EFFORT
He is our only legit 7foot C that is no longer a great/good HELP DEFENDER but should be utilized to defend 1 player instead
I would like to see his minutes go down to about 12-20min per game
Problem is with Woodson's philosophy on DEF requires help, rotations in all positions *where I am actually not to fond of*, and TEAM DEF

Our best help DEFENDER is Kenyon Martin and after that it would be the little utilized Marcus Camby, as both are mobile bigs, and they use their length, athleticism, to rotate efficiently/effectively
I would like to see Copeland get a chance to defend Hibbert once again where he did a great job in the regular season, while Martin is on David West as he rotates VERY WELL with his fundamentals and DEF IQ
Camby and Martin is our 2 best shot blockers and it would greatly help while either one can help protect the paint while the defense guesses who is going to help as they attempt to go in the paint
As for going big, I think Camby/Martin could play better team defense and better offense with their mobility/athleticism than Martin/Chandler
In terms of going "big" with offense, Copeland and Martin together would make sense
Prior to the season, some of us were hoping to see some of the Amare/Camby combo but due to injuries, they were never able to learn to play with each other together with the team

Copeland plays his best while he defends bigger/slower players where they have to defend him on the 3point line pulling out a shot blocker or/and rebounder
Again, he did very well vs a bigger Hibbert in the season, why neutrilizing him on DEF/SHOT BLOCKING/REBOUNDING by making him defend Cope as a mis match
Especially with JR Smith struggling, why not give a chance to Copeland to get the opportunity where he has delivered all season when he was called upon
I do not think Copeland is any worse than Amare on DEF while he does not have to fight back to get in shape after missing the past couple of months
Copeland has the ability to play as a #1, #2, or/and #3 player while others can play off his mismatch, with his ability to spread the floor, post up, and handle the ball when his defender tries to defend him
With the way Copeland can play, it would make sense to me to either start JR Smith or Copeland, while either has the ability to be 6th man scoring option

No Offense to Amare but he simply has not played for too long to expect him to be able to play in a high level for a play off match

Both Anthony and JR CANNOT SETTLE, they need to look to either take high % shots, look to set up team mates, or just move the ball quickly, rather than holding it for ISO plays

Anthony has to continue to get good position like he did in game in the mid range and not just be hanging in the 3point line
We need him to also play good defense, rebound, and just move the ball, letting the game come to him rather than forcing the issue

JR Smith needs to take what the defense gives him and bring back the consistency and effort he had when he was playing in the season
Whether it is penetration, rebounding, defense, setting up team mates, getting fouled

Felton, Iman, Pablo, have been great for us, and they have to continue what they have been doing, along with getting more opportunities rather than heavy ISO's in Melo/JR
They have been great for us and they deserve much credit for what they have done

Kidd has been putrid to this team, I know he does a lot of smart things but if he continues to play this way, I hope his minutes are reduced while giving
Felton, Iman, Pablo, and JR Smith more PT

we cannot allow DJ Augistine or Lance Stevenson, to get on fire
I would rather see JR Smith on Augistine if needed, because our 3 PG's might not have the speed/quickness needed to defend him
Pacer's have a very strong home court with their crowd, and role players generally play much better at home with their fan's support

Let's go Knick's,

I hope Woodson can alter some of his lineups, fix some of his stubborness, and bring back "accountability"
He needs to give JR/Melo crap for taking low % shots when not needed (much time remaining in shot clock)
We play our best basketball when the ball is moving and our players feel involved in the game, rather than standing around watching ISO's

DurzoBlint wrote:defend like the team did last game and I predict another blowout. That is the key, they have to be defensively locked in.

Agreed, the EFFORT/INTENSITY/ while playing smart BB, must be there
Pacer's will likely be a weakest match considering our road to the championship
So it is time to prepare ourselves for the road ahead, one game at a time...

Get back in to playing the best basketball we have been playing that got us here, with DEFENSE, BALL MOVEMENT, quality shots, ATTACKING and NOT SETTLING

Live and Die as a TEAM, but ALWAYS play together on both ends of the court
Limit the Iso's in Melo/JR it isn't about achieving personal STAT's
I do not like the theory of "live by Melo, die by...."

If that makes me a homer, then so be it, but I am here to root for the Knick's as a team, not a personal STAT achieving game
We loss home court advantage but it is time reclaim it by winning on their home floor...

#1. Force slow footed Hibbert to move and react.
#2. Get Hibbert into foul trouble.
#3. Gets the ball out of Melo and JR's hand, which allows the roll players to stay active.
#4. Keep Chandler motivated. A motivated Chandler is better for our defense.
#5. Gives Pablo an offensive role, since pick and roll is his specialty.
I agree, instead of just attacking them one on one, and allowing Hibbert to do some rim protection. Put Hibbert in pick and roll plays, and attack him while he's moving or recovering vs just standing under the rim waiting for Melo and JR to beat their man.

What I saw that was also effective was doubling Hibbert late in possessions. He's not a fluent player on offense and doesn't do very well when he is rushed. He's also not used to being double teamed, since he's never been their biggest offensive threat. Make Hibbert be your decision maker on offense and score off of his TO's. It also disrupts their offensive flow.
The key with doubling Hibbert, is to rotate on the players in his field of vision. If you are going to leave somebody open, leave the guy thats in his blind side open. Hibbert doesn't have point guard IQ or vision to see the entire floor or make any quick decisions.

Neutralizing Hibbert is the key to beating Indiana. When Hibbert is on the bench, nobody should be shooting 3's, unless they are so wide open, they have time to set their feet. Otherwise, this is when you attack the rim and get to the line. This is what we did great in game 2. Attack the basket when Hibbert is off the floor. Hit mid range flooters when Hibbert is in the game. Put him in pick and rolls, to open up back door lobs!