First of all, unlike most of you, i don't want to fire MDA for many reasons. There aren't any better options that are available for one. He still brings creditability until he is fully exposed, which is not the case. The reason it is not the case is because we still have not provided him the team he needs to win consistently. Call him a narrowly effective and minded coach who can only coach with a Suns-like roster, but if you provide him half of that, he will lead us to wins. We have the beginning of that with having uptempo players, an athletic big in Amare who will finish everything, and a big shooter in Gallo who will develop. What we are missing is shooters and the right PG who can control the offense.

This isn't to say that Felton can't be that guy because we can reserve judgment at least until december, but right now it is not looking good. When we make 3s we win. We aren't making enough 3s. When we have a PG creating offense for others, it helps us make 3s and find other ways to score when we are not. We don't have that right now. Gallo, Fields, and Stoudemire all benefit from having the right PG in a way that fits MDA's philosophy. But the PG position needs to be under the microscope in the worst way.

A MDA roster needs to look like this;

PG who can create offense for other and play the PnR game (if Felton doesn't get it soon, urgency should raise to get Nash, or maybe Calderon (any other suggestions of who fit this mold that may be attainable?)

SG Must be a lights out shooter (Fields can become that because he shoots a high percentage from the field, Gallo will slide here if Melo comes.)

SF Gallo because he is our best shooter. Only move him if Melo comes then slide him to the SG.

PF Amare, perfect fit

C Player who can cover Amare's flaws and generate some offense (Turiaf is ok but doesn't rebound, Mozgov should develop but needs time, AR could be a possibility, and Jason Thompson is an option if we are looking for an upgrade. Basically there aren't a lot of players who fit this mold who could become available, but i think we have decent options on our team as long as we are rebounding at all positions.)

Bench: Must have shooters, this we lack.

The main component is the PG so this either needs to be corrected in-house quickly, or a change needs to be made. If that is the case, Felton is extremely tradable and would be of use somewhere. If we correct this area and maybe add a shooter or two along the way, you will see success with MDA as a coach.

http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/in_the_line_of_fire_UYYGx0AlHNi0KnYXO6WkHP#ixzz15UiLLqQE

"Before the game, I asked D'Antoni what he could have done differently in Minnesota during Kevin Love's 31-point, 31-rebound game. He dismissed the premise.

The coach also gave a shocking response: "I know one thing for sure: It's not going to be the last time we blow a 21-point lead. It happens."

I still believe they should give him the rest of the season in part because(like you said) there really isn't anyone else
available right now and I have zero faith in his assistants. He doesn't have to yell at his teammates on the sidelines when
they keep making the same mistakes but he can at least point it out. I can't see what goes on during timeouts, maybe he is
telling them the right things and they just aren't listening.

crzymdups wrote:i'm starting to believe that building this team correctly involves first firing Mike D'Antoni and hiring Mark Jackson. Then add a defensive minded center if Mozgov can't develop.

A good defensive coach who structures his style of play to the players here wins 45-50 games with this roster. the Pinball Wizard will only win as many games as his point guard and shooters win for him.

I'm willing to give MDA the season... but if he misses the playoffs with this roster he needs to go.

if the Knicks are top 10 in league defensively but don't make the playoffs, do you like the coach or not?

crzymdups wrote:

martin wrote:

crzymdups wrote:i'm starting to believe that building this team correctly involves first firing Mike D'Antoni and hiring Mark Jackson. Then add a defensive minded center if Mozgov can't develop.

A good defensive coach who structures his style of play to the players here wins 45-50 games with this roster. the Pinball Wizard will only win as many games as his point guard and shooters win for him.

I'm willing to give MDA the season... but if he misses the playoffs with this roster he needs to go.

if the Knicks are top 10 in league defensively but don't make the playoffs, do you like the coach or not?

Hey, anyone who has watched the team knows that they are making a DECENT effort on defense... but their offense is HORRIBLE. The problem is that they play at such a high pace that it gives the opposing team extra chances to get back in the game or build on leads. Playing at a fast pace, the knicks offense has to be extremely efficient in order to build leads and keep them.

So there's that. And there's the fact that having watched the NBA for 20 years now, I've never seen a team with D'Antoni's philosophy advance to the finals. I just don't believe it's possible deep down.

I believe if you installed Jeff Van Gundy with THIS EXACT roster, he'd have us winning 50 games and a threat in the playoffs, with room to add Melo.

The offense right now does not play to our players strengths.

1) you never answered my question
2) "I've never seen a team with D'Antoni's philosophy advance to the finals." - Showtime Lakers.

martin wrote:

crzymdups wrote:

martin wrote:

crzymdups wrote:i'm starting to believe that building this team correctly involves first firing Mike D'Antoni and hiring Mark Jackson. Then add a defensive minded center if Mozgov can't develop.

A good defensive coach who structures his style of play to the players here wins 45-50 games with this roster. the Pinball Wizard will only win as many games as his point guard and shooters win for him.

I'm willing to give MDA the season... but if he misses the playoffs with this roster he needs to go.

if the Knicks are top 10 in league defensively but don't make the playoffs, do you like the coach or not?

Hey, anyone who has watched the team knows that they are making a DECENT effort on defense... but their offense is HORRIBLE. The problem is that they play at such a high pace that it gives the opposing team extra chances to get back in the game or build on leads. Playing at a fast pace, the knicks offense has to be extremely efficient in order to build leads and keep them.

So there's that. And there's the fact that having watched the NBA for 20 years now, I've never seen a team with D'Antoni's philosophy advance to the finals. I just don't believe it's possible deep down.

I believe if you installed Jeff Van Gundy with THIS EXACT roster, he'd have us winning 50 games and a threat in the playoffs, with room to add Melo.

The offense right now does not play to our players strengths.

1) you never answered my question
2) "I've never seen a team with D'Antoni's philosophy advance to the finals." - Showtime Lakers.

1) i would not be happy missing the playoffs with this roster in the weak Eastern Conference. my answer to your question was that I do not think defense is the problem, i think the offense is.

2) hey, i said 20 years. i saw Michael Jordan beat the showtime Lakers at the end of their run, but I never really saw the showtime Lakers in their prime. but my understanding was that they played incredible defense that created their offense. and they had one of the best point guards to ever play the game.

crzymdups wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:

crzymdups wrote:
problem is that they play at such a high pace that it gives the opposing team extra chances to get back in the game or build on leads. Playing at a fast pace, the knicks offense has to be extremely efficient in order to build leads and keep them.

The offense right now does not play to our players strengths.

My problem isn't the pace, if anything I think they are playing too slow, its the shot selection that bothers me. Also, the lack of an inside game, and the lack of adjustments.

i agree that the lack of adjustments is painful to watch. how do you watch kevin love grab 15 rebounds in the 3rd quarter and not GLUE a guy to him on defense (paging AR). how do you keep forcing a pick and roll that isn't there. how do you keep jacking contested three point shots? is that really the best shot we can get?

we have two guys who thrive at getting to the line in gallo and amare. we have a PG who thrived in the halfcourt set for Larry Brown. maybe this is actually a half court team? not a running one? playing a slower more considered offense that got BETTER shots for our guys would make our improved defense stand out more.

yikes I wouldn't go that far. He didn't really thrive.

crzymdups wrote:

martin wrote:

crzymdups wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:

crzymdups wrote:
problem is that they play at such a high pace that it gives the opposing team extra chances to get back in the game or build on leads. Playing at a fast pace, the knicks offense has to be extremely efficient in order to build leads and keep them.

The offense right now does not play to our players strengths.

My problem isn't the pace, if anything I think they are playing too slow, its the shot selection that bothers me. Also, the lack of an inside game, and the lack of adjustments.

i agree that the lack of adjustments is painful to watch. how do you watch kevin love grab 15 rebounds in the 3rd quarter and not GLUE a guy to him on defense (paging AR). how do you keep forcing a pick and roll that isn't there. how do you keep jacking contested three point shots? is that really the best shot we can get?

we have two guys who thrive at getting to the line in gallo and amare. we have a PG who thrived in the halfcourt set for Larry Brown. maybe this is actually a half court team? not a running one? playing a slower more considered offense that got BETTER shots for our guys would make our improved defense stand out more.

yikes I wouldn't go that far. He didn't really thrive.

okay, maybe that's an exaggeration.

yeah, i think ray is the big problem right now. he just can't do what d'antoni needs him to do. i think he's gone as soon as they can move him on 12/15.

you think they will move him? for the likes of whom? Maybe Billups cause he is on a 2 year deal, but there is no way Ray gets traded for a PG whose contract goes beyond 2 years (CP3, Williams).

crzymdups wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:

crzymdups wrote:
problem is that they play at such a high pace that it gives the opposing team extra chances to get back in the game or build on leads. Playing at a fast pace, the knicks offense has to be extremely efficient in order to build leads and keep them.

The offense right now does not play to our players strengths.

My problem isn't the pace, if anything I think they are playing too slow, its the shot selection that bothers me. Also, the lack of an inside game, and the lack of adjustments.

i agree that the lack of adjustments is painful to watch. how do you watch kevin love grab 15 rebounds in the 3rd quarter and not GLUE a guy to him on defense (paging AR). how do you keep forcing a pick and roll that isn't there. how do you keep jacking contested three point shots? is that really the best shot we can get?

we have two guys who thrive at getting to the line in gallo and amare. we have a PG who thrived in the halfcourt set for Larry Brown. maybe this is actually a half court team? not a running one? playing a slower more considered offense that got BETTER shots for our guys would make our improved defense stand out more.

I would have put Mosgov on Love, he wasn't playing like that when Moz was on the floor. You look at these guys in transition and
at times they look like the Suns, in halfcourt they look like the same old Knicks. I realize they need to make stops to break but
this team is young, expand the rotation and try to wear the other team out. I don't know if it will work, but its worth a try.

I agree that they need to excel in halfcourt or they will never go far in the playoffs(playoffs?!!!)

crzymdups wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:
I would have put Mosgov on Love, he wasn't playing like that when Moz was on the floor. You look at these guys in transition and
at times they look like the Suns, in halfcourt they look like the same old Knicks. I realize they need to make stops to break but
this team is young, expand the rotation and try to wear the other team out. I don't know if it will work, but its worth a try.

I agree that they need to excel in halfcourt or they will never go far in the playoffs(playoffs?!!!)

i agree they look great running the fastbreak... when the defense makes stops. or when toney or ray force a steal.

i agree mozgov did a solid job on Love - but AR came in for a three minute stretch and literally ripped two rebounds away from love and basically shut him down, but was taken out of the game for a dumb turnover on the fastbreak. that's bad coaching to me. tell AR to not dribble the ball upcourt after a rebound, but tell him to rebound. he's our only potentially great rebounder on this team. we need him. give him limitations and tell him what to do. he's 21.

Good points, I thought of Mosgov because he is more physical than AR but either one would have been a better option that's for sure.

crzymdups wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:
I would have put Mosgov on Love, he wasn't playing like that when Moz was on the floor. You look at these guys in transition and
at times they look like the Suns, in halfcourt they look like the same old Knicks. I realize they need to make stops to break but
this team is young, expand the rotation and try to wear the other team out. I don't know if it will work, but its worth a try.

I agree that they need to excel in halfcourt or they will never go far in the playoffs(playoffs?!!!)

i agree they look great running the fastbreak... when the defense makes stops. or when toney or ray force a steal.

i agree mozgov did a solid job on Love - but AR came in for a three minute stretch and literally ripped two rebounds away from love and basically shut him down, but was taken out of the game for a dumb turnover on the fastbreak. that's bad coaching to me. tell AR to not dribble the ball upcourt after a rebound, but tell him to rebound. he's our only potentially great rebounder on this team. we need him. give him limitations and tell him what to do. he's 21.

Could not have said it any better.

martin wrote:2) "I've never seen a team with D'Antoni's philosophy advance to the finals." - Showtime Lakers.

now all that's left to do is for Magic, Kareem & Worthy to get here & we'll be in great shape.