We played very good most of the game---and lost. We still cannot guard the perimeter. At this point in time the only person I blame for that is IT. He is the coach and the guy who has hand -picked the players. This probelm HAS NOT changed since he has been here and he is either unable or unwilling to try and fix this serious problem. How many times over the last few years have we played well and LOST? Why? Because we simply don\'t have players committed to playing two-way basketball and that is not changing unless they change some of the players around. I\'d like to say it\'s one game--but gosh what the heck is different--most of the same players doing the same things. And for some of the good Zach did--he spent part of the early 4th Q giving the game away by forcing shots and passes. He cant pass and doesnt want to pass. Usually when JC scores 25 with a good% we win but that only happens every other game.

The permieter D broke down because Marbury, Nate, or Crawford were trying to help with LeBron and failed to recover in time to get back to Gibson. Lebron was a tough matchup for us. Zach made some bad passes but really LeBron made some great reads and his athleticism got him those steals. I am not sure most players would have been able to come up with those steals. We were not nearly as bad at turnovering the ball as we have been in the past. I actually was encouraged by last night. The Cavs were focused and in their building and we pretty much gave them all they could handle and that is the defending Eastern Conference champion. Our offense looks much better. It still needs work, but I could actually see an offensive game plan and the players actually were able to execute it. We obviously have alot of work to do, but the team IMO is better than last year's squad and should only get better as the year goes on.

The Knicks, like so many other teams play to a similar defensive philosophy. When a player penetrates the lane, the wing defenders sag into the lane to cut off penetration then scramble back to thier assigned player on the wing.

The problem is, the Knick perimeter players need to use better judgement. Why help off Damon Jones or Gibson when all they have proven they can do is shoot open jumpers? Let Lebron go and hope that one of our bigs (this is where a shot blocker can help because then every one can stay at home on their assigned player) steps up and makes a play.

The scouting report should inform the team of the other players stregnths and weaknesses. I'm certain Marb, Craw and Q are aware that Gibson and Jones are strictly jump shooters. So, when they leave the players on the perimeter to help, they seem to moving on instincts (because its been drilled into thier heads constantly) and not using thier heads.

Posted by bigbeast:

The Knicks, like so many other teams play to a similar defensive philosophy. When a player penetrates the lane, the wing defenders sag into the lane to cut off penetration then scramble back to thier assigned player on the wing.

The problem is, the Knick perimeter players need to use better judgement. Why help off Damon Jones or Gibson when all they have proven they can do is shoot open jumpers? Let Lebron go and hope that one of our bigs (this is where a shot blocker can help because then every one can stay at home on their assigned player) steps up and makes a play.

The scouting report should inform the team of the other players stregnths and weaknesses. I'm certain Marb, Craw and Q are aware that Gibson and Jones are strictly jump shooters. So, when they leave the players on the perimeter to help, they seem to moving on instincts (because its been drilled into thier heads constantly) and not using thier heads.

Well, I guess there's two schools of thought...

Play man-to-man and allow an opposing superstar to get his numbers. Or.... Double and triple team him and put the ball in guys hands who aren't used to scoring. In the case where its someone like Lebron, I honestly don't think he's good enough of a shooter to beat us alone. Don't crowd him, I say give him the jumpshot. Yet we gave his entire supporting cast open looks all night by allowing him to pentrate.

On the other hand, we were leading the game at one point based on the same philosophy. Gib simply got hot at the right time, but we still should've reacted quicker. First real game for this line-up, we need to be patient I guess.