nixluva wrote:I don't know if anyone can really use the excuse that MDA doesn't stress defensive effort enough. It was highlighted during the loss to the Bobcats when they mic'd D'Antoni on the bench he was stating over and over that they had to get up into their men on D. Over the years here he has been seen getting all over players for not defending. I've seen it and I can't believe no one else watching the games has never seen MDA yelling at his team about poor D.

As for effort I always think about how guys like Shump, Jared or Balkman never need to have someone tell them to D up or give effort.

As for his offense and needing to come up with something that doesn't require a PG, that is a bit misleading, cuz even on a team running triangle, you need guys that can make good decisions with the ball and have high skill level. It's not as easy as some make it sound. If you have good players running the triangle it works, but you can't do it with low skill players, it will be just as much of a disaster as SSOL with no PG. Let's see how successful triangle is with no Kobe, Shaq, Gasol or MJ. All well rounded players who can handle the ball and pass well.

Good points....But I would give Douglas a little more credit as far as IQ goes. Especially compared to the PG's that successfully ran the triangle offense during Phils tenure. Unless it's SSOL system, I just don't trust Mikes half court offense right now. Or maybe it's just his inability to command the respect and leadership thats needed when your best players are deva's (Melo and STAT).

blkexec wrote:

nixluva wrote:I don't know if anyone can really use the excuse that MDA doesn't stress defensive effort enough. It was highlighted during the loss to the Bobcats when they mic'd D'Antoni on the bench he was stating over and over that they had to get up into their men on D. Over the years here he has been seen getting all over players for not defending. I've seen it and I can't believe no one else watching the games has never seen MDA yelling at his team about poor D.

As for effort I always think about how guys like Shump, Jared or Balkman never need to have someone tell them to D up or give effort.

As for his offense and needing to come up with something that doesn't require a PG, that is a bit misleading, cuz even on a team running triangle, you need guys that can make good decisions with the ball and have high skill level. It's not as easy as some make it sound. If you have good players running the triangle it works, but you can't do it with low skill players, it will be just as much of a disaster as SSOL with no PG. Let's see how successful triangle is with no Kobe, Shaq, Gasol or MJ. All well rounded players who can handle the ball and pass well.

Good points....But I would give Douglas a little more credit as far as IQ goes. Especially compared to the PG's that successfully ran the triangle offense during Phils tenure. Unless it's SSOL system, I just don't trust Mikes half court offense right now. Or maybe it's just his inability to command the respect and leadership thats needed when your best players are deva's (Melo and STAT).

Well STAT was doing fine last year before the trade and the only thing that happened was he wore down. I think the poor start is overshadowing the fact that he's been able to get his teams to play well before. It only takes 1 or 2 guys not playing well or doing the right thing to make you look lost. TD and Fields have been putrid and it's effecting Melo, Tyson and STAT. No one looks fluid. Davis would change that so i'm hoping he gets well soon.

# “D-Fence!” The Knicks now rank 7th in the NBA in Defensive Efficiency. No, not seventh from the bottom, but 7th! I’m no stat-geek, so I have no idea what this means, but I’m pretty sure being ranked in the top-third in the league in a category with the word “defense” in it is a good thing. As an aside, having a press credential paid real dividends last night as I was able to check out D’Antoni’s pre-game instructions and reminders to the team. The anti-MDA crowd might be surprised to learn that at least 80% of the white-board scribblings – D’Antoni’s handwriting is horrible – pertained to defense. Stopping the 76’ers in transition, hitting the defensive boards, rotation-assignments, zone-traps, switching v. not switching; it was all there. At some point, players have to execute what they’re being coached. Just food for thought, folks.

http://knicks.lohudblogs.com/2012/01/12/knicks-independence-sixers/

Like i've always said you've got to have some defensive talent too. It can't just be the coach emphasizing D. You've got to have some players that go hard on D and have superior defensive talents as well. MDA was spot on wanting to take Iman in the draft. I know he was having nightmares of TD being destroyed by Rondo leading up to the draft.

mrKnickShot wrote:Lin is an underrated defender - and, he understands team defense

I 2nd that. He was shutting down anyone he was on and disrupting their offense. Maybe stat should come off the bench? Lol jk even though Jeffries couldn't handle Jefferson he played great team d. They need to start playing proper defense though if they wanna actually win anything. The bigs gotta show n get back on screens. This switching has been going on for too long.

martin wrote:

mrKnickShot wrote:Helps to also have a good defensive coach in Woodson

Helps to have Tyson Chandler and guards that can do some slowing down of opposing players.

Absolutely. I still think the team does a pretty bad job on Opponents 3pt FG pct. That really needs to get better.

mrKnickShot wrote:Helps to also have a good defensive coach in Woodson

you might be right... but does it matter? The team is playing defense. (So weird to say.)

And, although I'm in the minority here, I have faith that the offense will turn around drastically--just a question of when. I do think that eventuially Stat and Melo will work an effective high/low post tandem, Melo won't fight the flow, and Stat and Chandler will both get involved in the pick-and-roll game.

All of that is contigent on guard play, and it's funny how much better the team looks without TD and Shump chucking away for the majority of the game

mrKnickShot wrote:Don't discount Woodson - he is a good defensive coach and will make the better. They brought him in for a reason.

Now we have a better blend of defenders and offensive players.

crzymdups wrote:

nixluva wrote:

mrKnickShot wrote:Don't discount Woodson - he is a good defensive coach and will make the better. They brought him in for a reason.

I'm not discounting Woodson, just pointing out that he's doing what MDA wants in terms of the defensive scheme. They're using the same defense MDA has always used. Woodson's different style of coaching and his experience are a plus for this team, but not as much as having better defensive players! That's the single most important way to improve your D. For years MDA has had very poor defensive players and so he's had poor defensive teams. Whether is was Nash and STAT in the middle of his D or Duhon and Lee, you can't defend on a high level with those kinds of players.

Now we have a better blend of defenders and offensive players.

The funny little secret is that both Woodson and D'Antoni have the same defensive philosophy - they both switch everything on screens and picks. At least they're on the same page, but I don't think that's the best philosophy - it allows too many mismatches that a disciplined team can exploit the heck out of.

I think it's all in the execution. They're not going to have to switch everything. It's supposed to be done only when there is no other option. Problem is that like many things a team can get lazy and overuse it. MDA himself said that they aren't taught to switch everything. They've gotten better at not overdoing it.

I just don't want people thinking that this is some new defensive scheme that Woodson brought, cuz it's the same defense. The only difference is we have better defensive players. It's a cumulative effect. You start with Tyson, then you add Shump and Fields. Now you have JLin and Jared and really that's a good amount of the rotation that plays good D. You have to have some good defenders mixed in. We won't be a great defensive team with Melo and STAT in there tho, but it should be good enough if the offense is clicking.

Now here this year we actually have defensive players. MDA picked Shump. MDA wanted Jared. MDA clearly has no problem playing guys that are good defenders as some seem to think. Having Tyson has made a huge difference as MDA has never had a great defensive C. It's more about the players MDA has being better defensively than some major change in coaching. They run the same defense, but this year they have better players executing it. You really need a good defensive anchor at C and a guard or two that can defend on the perimeter for any team to have good D.