I'm not really in the fire Woodson camp. With Amar'e down, he has to rely on Carmelo Anthony and inconsistent and veteran talent. Can we really be surprised that JR Smith is so streaky or that Jason Kidd ran out of gas? Not really. When JR Smith is supposed to be the second option, you got roster problems. The only way this is ever going to get fixed is if the Knicks either ace the draft or if Amare can be integrated in as the starting PF next season.
I think Woodson got a lot of out of this team, but the Knicks just aren't constructed to win against a team like the Pacers, especially when a guy who's supposed to make 15 million to check Hibbert can't do his job. It sucks that it's the same story again, with Carmelo Anthony basically left alone and having to shoot over double-teams because nobody else shows up. The Pacers inconsistent players played better than the Knicks inconsistent players, and that's why the Knicks lost. I don't think playing Prigioni and Copeland more would have made a huge difference since the Knicks didn't have any bodies to defend West and Hibbert. Teams like this are exactly why Melo needs to play the 3, and that can't happen until STAT gets on the court or the Knicks get a stretch 4. Anyway, here's some random thoughts before I sleep...
PG - I think Prigs is a good backup, but at his age and coming from Europe, expecting him to realistically handle more than 20 minutes a night doesn't make sense. It's amazing to me how through Toney Douglas and Lin and Felton and Jason Kidd that this spot is still basically a black hole. The Knicks need to use their first round pick to fix this spot or trade for Eric Bledsoe if they can.
Felton - In fairness, he was very consistent and good throughout the playoffs but is more of a combo guard than a true 1. His ability to penetrate, run the P&R and kick out to shooters are all useful, but I think he'd be better served in JR Smith's role as somebody who can lead a second unit.
Smith is probably a lost cause. I'd still offer him the raise to 5 million over 2 years, a contract that doesn't interfere with the flexibility two years down the road. He has value, but not as the second option or even the third option.
Iman Shumpert looks like the real deal. I keep seeing stuff added to his game, like his 3 pointer and his ability to take guys off the dribble. He's going to be a stud if he learns how to finish at the rim this offseason.
Chandler was downright terrible and I'd probably listen to trade offers. I wouldn't actively look to jettison him for nothing, but I'd move him in the right deal if I could get younger/more athletic.
Most importantly, it's imperative to fix the PF situation. Melo isn't big enough to play the position and the Knicks are going to be a terrible rebounding team as long as he's there. The Knicks also need to add somebody else who is reliable offensively to the mix somehow.
