misterearl wrote:
Woodson has been better recently

Nixluva - the players have been playing better recently

Coaches do not suddenly get smarter or dumber.

Also, the increase in assists is a sign the Knicks are making shots. New York is shooting 46.6 from the floor in its past seven games and knocking down 38 percent of its 3-pointers. For perspective, the Knicks are shooting 43.7 from the field on the season and 35.7 percent from beyond the arc.

The bold is a very good way of putting it.

Dagger wrote:What interest do people have in defending this guy? He's a mediocre coach that cost us multiple games this year through extremely embarrassing mistakes that the other 29 teams in the league would never make. Now that we're winning I understand holding off on pushing him out the door, but what do people see in him?

To Woodson's supporters- I understand that you don't think the early hardships of the team fall on his shoulders for whatever reason, but look at it from a different perspective; what is it you like about Woodson? What makes him a great leader and coach? What distinguishes him from his peers around the league? When has he used intricate knowledge of the game to give us an advantage another coach couldn't? What are his strengths?

My point is that Woodson has his greatest success when he follows common sense and does what everyone wants and expects him to do. When he goes against popular opinion with his "the east is big, man" and "jr mile-long leash" mentality is when he struggles the most. So if Woodson is at his best when he finally caves and does what an average nba fan has wanted for weeks, how does that possibly make him a strong coach? Compare this to an elite coach; when coaches like PJax and Greg Popovich go against the grain, it is because they are informed and see things that we common observers do not, and their unconventional decisions reap benefits others could not foresee. It is in these situations where a coach's value is made clear, and these instances in which Mike Woodson flounders most.

I think if you look there are very few great coaches out there not named Pop or phil Jax! Spolestra that great or does having the best player on the planet make you look good?

The assumption was if Woodson was fired another is going to improve things? We have won 5 in a row and if it was another coach some would be proud to say "told you so" and sell the new coach as the needed change.

But for a franshise to get 5 in a row after the disaster start what changed? Sure Woodson made adjustments, sure Bargs had to get his legs and find his timing on a new team. What about the injuries? What about JR? Chris Smith? These things add up.

Its not that everyone is defending Woodson as being great, but that his track record in NY is very good with the roster and injuries given. Amare included!!!

when I hear JVG would be "better" what is the basis of that? Because he is a good announcer? I like Jeff but with this roster what more can he do? Im not sure this team has the mental toughness to man up on Defense as Thibs might want them too! I just don't know.

I do know Woodson gets a pass for a rough start given the injuries.

Bonn1997 wrote:

misterearl wrote:
Coaches do not suddenly get smarter or dumber.

The bold is a very good way of putting it.

I wouldn't characterize it that way. Coaches go through slumps just like players do. They have to make decisions on the fly, when to substitute, when to call a timeout, when to push the tempo, what plays to draw up in certain situations. Who to cut some slack, who to bench.

Sometimes coaches go through stretches when the other coach is doing a better job than they are. Some things are out of a coaches control like shooting pct, injuries, but there are some things that they can control which I just listed.

I don't believe anyone here believes our record is all Woodson's doing but I wouldn't say that he always made the right decisions either. That's fanboy talk.

GustavBahler wrote:

Bonn1997 wrote:

misterearl wrote:
Coaches do not suddenly get smarter or dumber.

The bold is a very good way of putting it.

I wouldn't characterize it that way. Coaches go through slumps just like players do. They have to make decisions on the fly, when to substitute, when to call a timeout, when to push the tempo, what plays to draw up in certain situations. Who to cut some slack, who to bench.

Sometimes coaches go through stretches when the other coach is doing a better job than they are. Some things are out of a coaches control like shooting pct, injuries, but there are some things that they can control which I just listed.

I don't believe anyone here believes our record is all Woodson's doing but I wouldn't say that he always made the right decisions either. That's fanboy talk.

Coincidence or coaching?

Anthony's assist rate -- or the percentage of teammate field goals a player assists while he's on the floor -- averages to 20 percent over the past seven games. It was 14 percent prior to that.

Woodson: "hey Melo, pass the ball."

misterearl wrote:The Knicks star (Melo) had four assists on Monday night against Phoenix. New York improved to 11-2 when Anthony has at least four assists. The club is 5-1 when he has five or more. And the Knicks are just 4-17 when Anthony has three assists or fewer.

Coincidence or coaching?

Anthony's assist rate -- or the percentage of teammate field goals a player assists while he's on the floor -- averages to 20 percent over the past seven games. It was 14 percent prior to that.

Woodson: "hey Melo, pass the ball."

Coaching had something to do with it because players are actually cutting to the rim now, moving without the ball. If Melo has the ball and his teammates are just standing around like statues watching him for the most part, its going to be hard for him to register an assist. They're cutting and Melo is finding them. In some cases he's passing to guys who just weren't making shots like Shump. There isn't just one reason why this team has been under performing.

misterearl wrote:GustavBahler - this question has been bothering The Answer Man for at least 24 hours. It invites serious consideration and your (and anyone else's) most expert and reasoned opinion.

On a veteran team, which Woodson prefers, how much of the performance issue does a coach expect to be self-policing (expected professionalism) and how much is the responsibility of the coaching staff?

Put another way, when Carmelo Anthony decided to play more like Magic Johnson, was it Woodson ... Or was it Melo's call?

I get the player's coach mentality, let them figure things out, don't micromanage to the point where players feel like they can't breathe. That style can work. But I do believe at some point you have to step in and take the reigns and lay down the law. Bench players who are tuning you out, even if it means bringing in a rook off the bench.

Magic would have had a hard time doling out assists with this squad. Woodson can clearly coach, he took the same team as his predecessor and went on an amazing stretch. I don't believe that happened by accident. Woody took charge, he told them what he expected of them on both sides of the floor and they responded. Just wanted to see a little more of that this season.

Another area where I believe Woodson has improved is how he uses his players. Metta says he feels fine after his injury but he is taking an extra two weeks off to make sure he is completely healed. Last season I believe Woodson would have pressed him right back into service. All hands on deck so to speak. Coaches have their ups and down, some evolve in the way they approach the game. I don't believe its fixed in time.

gunsnewing wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:

Bonn1997 wrote:

misterearl wrote:
Coaches do not suddenly get smarter or dumber.

The bold is a very good way of putting it.

I wouldn't characterize it that way. Coaches go through slumps just like players do. They have to make decisions on the fly, when to substitute, when to call a timeout, when to push the tempo, what plays to draw up in certain situations. Who to cut some slack, who to bench.

Sometimes coaches go through stretches when the other coach is doing a better job than they are. Some things are out of a coaches control like shooting pct, injuries, but there are some things that they can control which I just listed.

I don't believe anyone here believes our record is all Woodson's doing but I wouldn't say that he always made the right decisions either. That's fanboy talk.

Exactly people spend way too much time looking for someone to blame hen in reality there were multiple factors. Front office on down, coaches, players not moving the ball, defense, leadership etc

a roster with new guys minus a handful of saavy veterans that were paramount in getting us to a fast start last year.

terrible backcourt play. Shump admitted to being distracted by the trade rumors. Felton was hurt or out of shape. Prigo hurt. Beno/Murray low end bench player.

Our best player (yes that's Melo) had a pretty long stretch of poor play late in games or shall we say unclutchness

Changes in front office adding negatvity and distractions (Chris Smith, Grundwald, etc...)

#2 scorer starting with a 5 game suspension and follows that up with a couple months of 35% shooting

Look at all these things. Each one is fixable. Each one is either fixed or improving. Each one is somewhat normal stuff you need to "get over" in the world of pro sports, but all these things at once are enough to sink a talented team, and this team does have talent.

Give these guys credit, they are grinding out wins. Melo is getting more assists and showing career highs in rebounds. Guys are doing what they can. Woody is positive. Knicks have had two month of unwatchable basketball but they are no longer asking the fans for support, they are earning it.

Woodson has a very good reputation for being prepared, having integrity, and sticking by players. He plays rookies that earn the minutes. He sticks by vets because thats what most professionals do. Murry is getting an opportunity even if some think it should be more.

The fact he has not hit JR and blasted him far more shows constraint!!!! JR is messing up Woodsons job!!!!

holfresh wrote:Coaching has it's nuances as well...How a coach fit is a very important thing..Pitino, a great coach failed miserably with the Knicks then Boston..Chuck Daly couldn't get it done with the Nets..Calipari couldn't do it with the Nets..I can go on..Woodson is doing ok, not great, but is getting results..Lets see, last year and a half he has outperformed...

I don't think Pitino failed with the Knicks - 549 winning percentage and I liked the style of play - press & 3 pt bombs.

Now- he did with the Celtics- and I think that is your point.