GustavBahler wrote:I thought D'Antoni was saving Williams for later in the playoffs. Maybe, maybe not. He looks a little gimpy when he goes up and down the court. I agree that he should get some minutes. Keep throwing fresh bodies to wear out Boston's inside game and some scoring that we don't get from you know who.

My guess is there is 2 reasons Williams is not getting minutes.

First is same as you said: he may be hurt. Dude could barely walk off court in that last game.

Second is a matchup thing: the Knicks do not want Amare to guard KG, and the 2 guys who are better at guarding KG (especially on perimeter) are Turiaf and JJ; Sheldon likes body up down low and barely ever goes outside of 10 feet from rim, and that's where KG operates.

The other Boston guys a part of the big rotation: big baby and Nenad, both dudes can hit the 18 footer, again, not something Sheldon likes to defend.

Also, Sheldon plays more 1-on-1 defense, whereas JJ he much better help defender, which is more of a need in the Boston matchup.

martin wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:I thought D'Antoni was saving Williams for later in the playoffs. Maybe, maybe not. He looks a little gimpy when he goes up and down the court. I agree that he should get some minutes. Keep throwing fresh bodies to wear out Boston's inside game and some scoring that we don't get from you know who.

My guess is there is 2 reasons Williams is not getting minutes.

First is same as you said: he may be hurt. Dude could barely walk off court in that last game.

Second is a matchup thing: the Knicks do not want Amare to guard KG, and the 2 guys who are better at guarding KG (especially on perimeter) are Turiaf and JJ; Sheldon likes body up down low and barely ever goes outside of 10 feet from rim, and that's where KG operates.

The other Boston guys a part of the big rotation: big baby and Nenad, both dudes can hit the 18 footer, again, not something Sheldon likes to defend.

Also, Sheldon plays more 1-on-1 defense, whereas JJ he much better help defender, which is more of a need in the Boston matchup.

Great points, that may indeed be D'Antoni's reasoning. I still wouldn't mind them giving him a few minutes because as you said Williams like to "body up" in the paint and force big men to take longer jumpers, less opportunities to rebound for KG. If KG is making his jumpers then take Shelden out. I like the idea of throwing different looks at opposing teams and seeing how they respond.

Sangfroid wrote:I don't know if it rates a seperate thread, but Derrick Brown looks like an adequate replacement for Fields, who is struggling. Let him chase Allen around and force him to shoot over a 6'7" defender.

Id have to agree, although I doubt Brown can shoot as well as Fields. But he's certainly far more explosive.