airchibundo507 wrote:Like it or not, Melo is capable of winning a championship as the best player on his team. The reality is that that 08-09 Nuggets team came within two inbounds passes of winning a championship. Hate Melo for being selfish in the past (what superstar scorer hasn't been?) or not being focused on defense, but surround Melo with shooters to generate adequate spacing, guys who can pass the rock and play off double teams, an elite defense and a coach that will keep him accountable on that end, and you have a legitimate contender in the mold of the 2010-2011 Mavericks. If Amare buys into the concept, this is an improvement of those mavs with a more diverse offense built around two legit stars that can easily put the ball in the hoop.

If you can't appreciate Melo and the success he has brought the Knicks, give up your fanhood until he's gone, but I guarantee he will be here awhile.

Very well said and wish you guys would stop comparing Melo to dirk. Why cant you guys just enjoy whats going on with this team NOW and stop looking so far down the road. Its like some of you guys are just looking for perfection and as MOST of us know nothing is perfect.

yellowboy90 wrote:

Bonn1997 wrote:

Melo is a scorer so what does FM have to do with the price of tea in China?

Melo has helped the team this year but if you have a guy who never gets assists and always has the ball in his hands, it's not surprising that we're at the bottom of the league in assists. So your question really boils down to "what's wrong with having a team that doesn't get many assists?"

What's wrong with having a team that's more efficient when Melo is on the floor? Probably near the top 5. Assists maybe low but the ball moves regardless.

Also, a TS that high with that usage rate is impressive.

Bonn1997 wrote:

cooch2584 wrote:Its scary to think what this board would be like if the Knicks record was the opposite of what it is now. Some of you would want Melo,Felton,Tyson etc... brought to the MSG plaza and flogged. But yet some of you are flogging this team verbally when a Knicks team hasnt looked this good in YEARS. ENJOY WHAT YA GOT.

It would be like how it's been for most of the time Melo's been here.

You mean three months last season???

He's been a knick so long that a little 11-4 run has you changing the whole Mr. 4whatever post you to make too.

Sample Size, sample size.

Bonn1997 wrote:

Melo is a scorer so what does FM have to do with the price of tea in China?

Melo has helped the team this year but if you have a guy who never gets assists and always has the ball in his hands, it's not surprising that we're at the bottom of the league in assists. So your question really boils down to "what's wrong with having a team that doesn't get many assists?"

Nothing that I can see. We're tied for 19th in the league in FGA's with 81.6 per game. A team that is that low on possessions per game is not going to be high on assists per game. We're 24th at 20.1 assists per game. However, we're 7th in FG's made per game with 37.4 per game and FG's are a result of an assist over 50% of the time.

4th in PPG at 102.7
2nd in PPG differntial at +8.3
7th in FG%
3rd in 3PT%
3rd in Adjusted FG%
7th in FT%

1st in TO's per game
1st in A/TO
1st in TO differential

Regardless of assists we have a top 5 offense. Ball movement is the most important aspect. Without ball movement we don't get the high percentage shots that we do.

Besides, it's not like Melo has not been a willing passer and there is no NBA stat called hockey assists. The guy will never be a high assist guy but a major problem with him in the past has been shot selection. Of course, he does take some bad shots but he's been much better this year thus far and has a TS% of almost 58%.

As far as I'm concerned, a team that ranks 19th in the league in FGA's per game but 4th in PPG is doing something right.

cooch2584 wrote:Why dont some of you guys look at this team one year ago? WE SUCKED and people didnt wanna watch their games because we knew we sucked. Your gonna tell me that you,real fans, dont look forward to sitting and watching this team play? Come on, last year we knew they were gonna lose before the game even started and this year I myself think that they have a chance to win every game. Just dont know about some of you.

There are alot of "fans of opinion" rather than the team itself.

So desperate to be right, that even if the Knicks won it all, they wouldn't celebrate, so I'm not surprised at what it is with a few wins.

cooch2584 wrote:Why dont some of you guys look at this team one year ago? WE SUCKED and people didnt wanna watch their games because we knew we sucked. Your gonna tell me that you,real fans, dont look forward to sitting and watching this team play? Come on, last year we knew they were gonna lose before the game even started and this year I myself think that they have a chance to win every game. Just dont know about some of you.

These guys are non-fans and literally want to see this team and Melo fail. It's obvious.

knickscity wrote:

Bonn1997 wrote:

cooch2584 wrote:Why dont some of you guys look at this team one year ago? WE SUCKED and people didnt wanna watch their games because we knew we sucked. Your gonna tell me that you,real fans, dont look forward to sitting and watching this team play? Come on, last year we knew they were gonna lose before the game even started and this year I myself think that they have a chance to win every game. Just dont know about some of you.

I'm not sure who you're writing to but nothing you said here contradicts what I've been writing. I've been really excited about a lot of players on this team and starting threads to make sure they get credit because most here are not giving them sufficient credit.

I think he's saying that while some players have been doing well overall, the TEAM is doing better.

I guess that's the downside of the NBA, wanting to credit the players over the team itself.

knickscity wrote:

cooch2584 wrote:Why dont some of you guys look at this team one year ago? WE SUCKED and people didnt wanna watch their games because we knew we sucked. Your gonna tell me that you,real fans, dont look forward to sitting and watching this team play? Come on, last year we knew they were gonna lose before the game even started and this year I myself think that they have a chance to win every game. Just dont know about some of you.

You have to understand how it works on here.

There are alot of "fans of opinion" rather than the team itself.

So desperate to be right, that even if the Knicks won it all, they wouldn't celebrate, so I'm not surprised at what it is with a few wins.

Knickcity,I know how it works on here so dont assume I dont. I have been on this board for many years, and have been discussing the pros and cons of this team for many years. I have been a fan since 1967,so I know the great Knicks team and the teams that sucked,so please have some respect. And Bonn I wasnt talking about you and notice I said SOME of you guys not All of you guys. I agree with your point about if the Knicks won the championship that SOME guys would complain about it. Its just human nature,but to bitch about assists and shots per game etc... is just stupid.We are winning and thats all that counts.

CashMoney wrote:

Bonn1997 wrote:

Melo is a scorer so what does FM have to do with the price of tea in China?

Melo has helped the team this year but if you have a guy who never gets assists and always has the ball in his hands, it's not surprising that we're at the bottom of the league in assists. So your question really boils down to "what's wrong with having a team that doesn't get many assists?"

Nothing that I can see. We're tied for 19th in the league in FGA's with 81.6 per game. A team that is that low on possessions per game is not going to be high on assists per game. We're 24th at 20.1 assists per game. However, we're 7th in FG's made per game with 37.4 per game and FG's are a result of an assist over 50% of the time.

4th in PPG at 102.7
2nd in PPG differntial at +8.3
7th in FG%
3rd in 3PT%
3rd in Adjusted FG%
7th in FT%

1st in TO's per game
1st in A/TO
1st in TO differential

Regardless of assists we have a top 5 offense. Ball movement is the most important aspect. Without ball movement we don't get the high percentage shots that we do.

Besides, it's not like Melo has not been a willing passer and there is no NBA stat called hockey assists. The guy will never be a high assist guy but a major problem with him in the past has been shot selection. Of course, he does take some bad shots but he's been much better this year thus far and has a TS% of almost 58%.

As far as I'm concerned, a team that ranks 19th in the league in FGA's per game but 4th in PPG is doing something right.

Good post...