I disagree with the premise that the knicks have players that fit the running system. I stated why. They don't play defense, don't rebound and don't take care of the ball. Being able to run fast and dunk - does not make a running team. This team lacks the defense and rebounding to consistently get the opportunity to run and lacks the passing and know how to effectively run given the opportunity.
All the weaknesses you described are true whether they play half-court or if they run. The difference is if they play an uptempo game they are taking better advantage of the player's abilities--if there is one thing we can say about the knicks it's that we have athletes.
What we don't have is players who can execute in the halfcourt set. We don't have shooters, which is mandatory for a successful half-court team. We don't have executors and we ain't a bruising team.
Furthermore:
1) To run you have to play D. It's hard to run when you're taking the ball out of the net. Until the Knicks can get some stops running ain't an option.
Perhaps if we played an uptempo style we could PRESS. Don't tell me we don't have the right players for a pressing defense. This team is terrible in the halfcourt both offensively and defensively, so what are we losing by running or pressing? The Knicks are the worst team in the league plaing their current style! They have to take advantage of the personnel. Create some turnovers and some opportunities. Give the other team something to think about--which they are not doing playing half-court.
2) To run you have to make good decisions with the ball.
Same goes with playing half-court style--even moreso. The players the Knicks have are better suited to running, so they have a better chance of success ball-decision making being equal.
3) Marbs so far in his career has not shown the running the break to be one of his Strengths. What running team has ever been successful without a PG that was excellent at running the break?
He hasn't been successful running a half-court set either. However, he finishes at the basket better than most players in the game at any position. If the Knicks run, that uses Marbury to his strengths, it causes defenses to concentrate on him, opens up the lanes for Ariza, Frye, and Lee to jambola, and for frye to get OPEN j's as a trailer.
Also, if Crawford isn't the type of player who thrives in an uptempo game, I don't know who is. NR could use his athletic abilities better to get steals and push the ball. Q might get some of those open 3's he enjoyed in Phoenix.
4) Curry - a key component of the offense - is out of shape and has trouble even playing at half court pace.
Curry has had a enough time to get in shape--3 months at least. There is no longer any excuse for him to not be in game shape. They can't tailor the game plan to when he might be in shape. In any case, Curry does not have to be the main man all the time. Curry is a half-court player. Go to him when you can't run, and run when you can!
5) To run - you need to have a Strong Defensive rebounding team. This team is only a so-so defensive rebounding team.
This is still hurting us with the half-court style. So why not take advantage of some of the team's strengths?
Apparently you disagree. That's great - but please expain why.
No need to be obnoxious.
Running isn't the answer, but it is a lot closer to the answer than trying to fit a running peg into a half-court hole.
oohah
[Edited by - oohah on 01-01-2006 7:36 PM]
