Even if they go from bottom third to middle third, it will mean a 40+ win season this year.

GoNyGoNyGo wrote:Everyone is talking about how Chandler does not fix the defensive problems alone. What he will do is challenge Amare and Melo to play better and it will make TD and Shumpert better as they can defend the perimeter more aggressively knowing they have some protection down low.

Even if they go from bottom third to middle third, it will mean a 40+ win season this year.

Agreed. What I like about Chandler, from what I have read, is that he is a communicator on defense, same as with Jefferies.

Amare and Melo need that.

VCoug wrote:I don't understand what everyone's problem with Toney is. Over the last several years, Derek Fisher, Jameer Nelson, Mario Chalmers/Mike Bibby, and a 38 year old Jason Kidd have started for teams that went to the Finals. Does everyone here really believe that Toney Douglas isn't just as good as most of those players?

Toney Douglass couldn't be half as good of a 45 year old Jason Kidd.

ATrain wrote:

VCoug wrote:I don't understand what everyone's problem with Toney is. Over the last several years, Derek Fisher, Jameer Nelson, Mario Chalmers/Mike Bibby, and a 38 year old Jason Kidd have started for teams that went to the Finals. Does everyone here really believe that Toney Douglas isn't just as good as most of those players?

Toney Douglass couldn't be half as good of a 45 year old Jason Kidd.

Really?
http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/knicks_simply_mav_elous_HHDU0zSfWaT6WlrJXi5HmM

The Knicks, who rang up their first victory in Dallas since 1999, admitted the 50-point humiliation was on their minds.

The sparkplug was rookie Toney Douglas, plugged in as the starting point guard last night for struggling Sergio Rodriguez. Douglas finished with 21 points and eight assists and likely has the starting job for the remainder.

"I just remember they beat us by 50 and I felt like they probably took us lightly," Douglas said. "A lot of teams on the schedule say, oh the Knicks. That's a win."

Olbrannon wrote:

ATrain wrote:

VCoug wrote:I don't understand what everyone's problem with Toney is. Over the last several years, Derek Fisher, Jameer Nelson, Mario Chalmers/Mike Bibby, and a 38 year old Jason Kidd have started for teams that went to the Finals. Does everyone here really believe that Toney Douglas isn't just as good as most of those players?

Toney Douglass couldn't be half as good of a 45 year old Jason Kidd.

Really?
http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/knicks_simply_mav_elous_HHDU0zSfWaT6WlrJXi5HmM

The Knicks, who rang up their first victory in Dallas since 1999, admitted the 50-point humiliation was on their minds.

The sparkplug was rookie Toney Douglas, plugged in as the starting point guard last night for struggling Sergio Rodriguez. Douglas finished with 21 points and eight assists and likely has the starting job for the remainder.

"I just remember they beat us by 50 and I felt like they probably took us lightly," Douglas said. "A lot of teams on the schedule say, oh the Knicks. That's a win."

Um, Yes really.

Toney (Douglas) is a good player, but he’s young. I don’t want to say they don’t have a point guard, but their best playmaker right now is Melo.

Douglas became a much better 3-point shooter this past season. His one glaring weakness is that he is not a natural playmaker and at times his decision-making has been a source of frustration for his teammates as well as coach Mike D'Antoni.

Douglas is not a playmaker with an average of 2.9 assists so playing without the ball is a concern. (College)

Douglas is coming off major shoulder surgery, but he does expect to be playing by July. His range has improved and he's a solid defender, but he lacks playmaking skills and therefore makes a shaky backup PG, which is what the Knicks need.

Beat writer Alan Hahn says that handing the starting point guard job to Toney Douglas is not a realistic option. Douglas can certainly score the ball, but Hahn points out that he's not a playmaker.

Douglas, of course, is not without flaws. Scouts emphasize that he is not really a point guard and that he can be reckless when he gets the ball in transition.

It certainly wouldn’t be the first time Douglas had to face up to doubts about his decision-making and overall distributive skills; the last time it happened, in the wake of a Freshman year at Auburn which saw then-coach Jeff Lebo insist on playing him at the two spot, Douglas just up and left, transferring to a school (FSU) that promised to play him at the one. Douglas may have gotten his wish, but the point guard gods didn’t necessarily get theirs; Douglas would average exactly 2.9 assists per game in each of his last three seasons.

Vmart wrote:

Childs2Dudley wrote:Douglas is simply not starting caliber.

I like Douglas but he was exposed by Rondo.

I recall Bruce Bowen getting exposed on a regular basis for about the first 3 years of his career.

1 playoff series mis-match don't mean a thing to me.

Knixkik wrote:As long as our current PG situation stands, there will be constant concern throughout the season. I am comfortable with the lineup for now though to see how it works. I am also comfortable with the fact that so many PGs will be available next summer. I see us going through some ups and downs this season as far as chemistry, but ultimately prove to be close to being a contender. An upgrade at the PG position and another quality forward off the bench is what we are missing. We can address both of those next summer or earlier. The combination of Nash and Hill may want to finally come to NY for one last go at it. I also like the fact that all of Melo, Stoudemire, and Chandler are signed for 4 years. Gives us a legit window to build around them and not add salary beyond that point. This team is in a great place right now and i'm very excited.

count Jason Kidd as another PG who will be available next year.

martin wrote:

Vmart wrote:

Childs2Dudley wrote:Douglas is simply not starting caliber.

I like Douglas but he was exposed by Rondo.

I recall Bruce Bowen getting exposed on a regular basis for about the first 3 years of his career.

1 playoff series mis-match don't mean a thing to me.

I agree about Douglas being a capable starter for us. He's shown flashes.

But, I am starting to wonder if he is made of glass- I'm not questioning his toughness, just it is starting to seem like he might always be hurt.

Could be part of the way he plays, which doesn't bode well for a shortened season.

I'm really excited to find out.