The one problem is D'Antoni's refusal to emphasize defense. We have some versatile defenders in Jefferies and Brewer which can help in the playoffs.

not this year.

very tough 1st round matchup with a good shot at a 2nd round exit.

if we get lucky with matchups then a slim chance of getting to the ecf.

and i am still flabbergasted that there are still some of us who think mda refuses to emphasize d.

AnubisADL wrote:I want to know what others here think. I personally believe we can get to the Finals this year.

The one problem is D'Antoni's refusal to emphasize defense. We have some versatile defenders in Jefferies and Brewer which can help in the playoffs.

I don't paint MDA as "refusing" to emphasise defense. I think he very well understands the importance of it.

But its about point differential. If you score more you win.

I don't think we are deep enough to go deep nor do we have the size.

We lead the league in Block shots thru the trade. Blocks are a form of defense. OUr rebounding was improving. Mozzy made a difference.

I believe that we're contenders mainly cuz we should now be close enough to actually be competitive with the better teams in the East. Anything can happen in a playoff series. We have the kind of dangerous players that can go off at any time so there's always a chance we can steal a game. The addition of Billups and Melo allows us to be stronger in a halfcourt game as well. We've got more than a punchers chance.

martin wrote:

FoeDiddy wrote:Dantoni cares about defense but sucks at teaching it..his defensive philosphy is terrible.

really, why?

Watching all season..the funneling Point Guards & Wing players to the rim has to come from coaching..I saw Toney Douglas & Fields funnel guards to the baseline repeatedly against the Bucks and it never worked. Billups had to pull Douglas aside and tell him stop with that nonsense and play your man straight up. Why could Billups point that out after one game and D'Antoni not make the adjustment all season. I bet everything that every teams scouting report is "Knicks Guards concede the drive to guards so drive hard and rotate ball and you will find an open shot"

It's okay to play strong on a guards hand if a pick is coming but our perimeter players do it even with no pick which concedes a lane to rim every time and has team scrambling.

AnubisADL wrote:I want to know what others here think. I personally believe we can get to the Finals this year.

The one problem is D'Antoni's refusal to emphasize defense. We have some versatile defenders in Jefferies and Brewer which can help in the playoffs.

I guess thats why he cant wait to get JJ back? Because of the great scoring? Do you watch the games? Listen to MDA at all? Ever? All he talks about is getting this team to defend better.

Obviously JJ was forced down MDA's throat (twice now) because why would MDA want a guy who only defends? Kinda like how Williams beat out Walker (defense). Kinda like how when he was a GM for the Sun for 2 months he added 2 guys (Kurt Thomas and Marcus banks for DEFENSE). Kinda like Raja Bell was a first team NBA all defensive team under him and no other coach (DEFENSE).

MDA has had offensive players, which is why he's had offensive teams. Shoud he have asked guys like Amare, Nash, Joe Johnson, Richardson, Marion and Raja to slow it down, stop scoring at an NBA record pace and focus on defense? Its called playing to your team's strengths. Melo hasnt played defense for 7 years. I guess if he doesnt here its because of MDA right?

Heck even OKC/Bulls/Hawks/Blazers are were pretenders. We are not a feared team yet and we haven't won a playoff series. What we have going for us is a coaching staff and players who have been tested and possess tons of playoff experience.

martin wrote:

FoeDiddy wrote:

martin wrote:

FoeDiddy wrote:Dantoni cares about defense but sucks at teaching it..his defensive philosphy is terrible.

really, why?

Watching all season..the funneling Point Guards & Wing players to the rim has to come from coaching..I saw Toney Douglas & Fields funnel guards to the baseline repeatedly against the Bucks and it never worked. Billups had to pull Douglas aside and tell him stop with that nonsense and play your man straight up. Why could Billups point that out after one game and D'Antoni not make the adjustment all season. I bet everything that every teams scouting report is "Knicks Guards concede the drive to guards so drive hard and rotate ball and you will find an open shot"

It's okay to play strong on a guards hand if a pick is coming but our perimeter players do it even with no pick which concedes a lane to rim every time and has team scrambling.

The Knicks' strategy for the whole season has been for opposing players to be funneled to the baseline, so I don't know what you are watching.

Just wondering.