dk7th wrote:nixluva wrote:Melo is just stating the obvious. Of course he's gonna be used in the Pinch Post since that's where he's comfortable. Not that he won't also still see the ball on the perimeter. He's just describing how he's gonna be used offensively and not what the actual Lineup will be composed of. He's not sophisticated enough to explain that. The Knicks can still play with a real PF in the lineup so no one has to get their Panties in a bunch over what he said. You would think none of the media or fans have actually watched a Knicks game.This is not rocket science people. It's simple Melo likes to post up like a PF but he doesn't have to actually defend the PF on the other end. We played Melo with PF's on the floor last year and there was no issue. This offense was originally called the Triple Post Offense for a reason. The 3, 4 and 5 have clear post positions in this offense and even the PG or SG can be in a post up at any time. The natural motion in the offense makes it possible to play with multiple post players with ease. All the Give n Go actions and cuts keep the options open for anyone to be in a post up position, therefore there really is no issue with Melo saying he'll be playing PF since really it doesn't matter what he calls himself.
if melo is in the pinch post then he had better be there because he is the most effective passer of all the potential 4s on the team at present. he's a liability defensively pretty much no matter what. check his dbpm.. it ain't a pretty picture.
the primary decision-maker has to be the best passer, not the best scorer. if you take the primary decision-making away from melo that would be for the best.
It's really not about Melo as an individual defender or offensive player. It's the team as a whole that matters most. Melo was pretty much the same guy when the team won 54 games. The Knicks were ranked 18th in defensive efficiency in 2012-13 and were ranked 5th in 2011-12!!! It is in fact very possible for this team to be a good defensive team with Melo in the mix. Just as it is possible for them to be a winning team and a top offensive team. Melo is not the problem.
This is all about what the other players are able to contribute. IMO this roster has a better chance of winning because it has more guys who are capable of holding up their end of things on D, the boards, passing and scoring. They don't have to be great. They just have to be solid and productive players, which I believe these players have the talent and drive to be. We saw how Lance, Lou, Gallo and Shved had a positive impact last year. Now we have a team full of guys like that. Hustle and energy guys, who are smart and unselfish.
9/28/2015 7:59 PM LAST EDITED: 9/28/2015 8:00 PM