Bonn1997 wrote:He's a 2nd round pick with the skill set of a 7th man. There's nothing wrong with getting that out of a 2nd round pick but it was fool's gold to think he was going to keep up the numbers from his fast start. I'm highly critical of Carmelo but I'd view this as just a coincidence.

agree. i don't think there's a reason to stick with him; he played great with a small-ball team of STAT and then guys like wil chandler, felton, and gallo. now, the team is a lot different, and his backup (shumpert) is better than him.

Bonn1997 wrote:

AnubisADL wrote:Landry wasn't that good to begin with. He was getting by on hustle. Now that doesn't mean he doesn't have a place here. I think he'd be a great SF off the bench for us.

Agreed, although right now Balkman looks like the best forward off the bench.

Good point Bonn maybe that is what keeps Fields in the starting lineup for now with hopes of finding his role

fishmike wrote:Ive been tough on Fields calling him overrated by many here, and I stick to my early observations but I have to disagree with this thread.

First off the guy didnt forget how to shoot. That will improve and he will get in a rhythm again. He's a good player. He played PF in school and has a high IQ and knows the game. I think his slow first step holds him back from ever being a high caliber starting 2 in the league but that doesnt mean he wont find a role here and be a part of winning basketball.

I never saw him as a high level starting SG as some did, but he will be a good rotation player in this league for many years IMO.

Just because he's not as good as Shand Battier doesnt mean he's not going to be a good role player.

I would relax and let the coaches figure out where he will fit and flourish

perhaps you misread, my point is that given his decline in production as a shooting guard, we shouldn't start him at shooting guard.

i agree, i think he can be a contributing rotation player. but i think he should be removed from the starting 5; shumpert gives us a lot more skills as a starter and as a shooting guard.

also, i do think there is something up with his confidence/psyche. i don't think he "forgot how to shoot" but you can't refute the #'s -- pre trade he was a 40% shooter from 3 and a 52% shooter from the field; afterwards he was a 45% shooter from the field and 38% from 3, and he DID forget how to shoot in the playoffs he didn't hit 1 3pointer in the whole series!

I agree that he should be benched for Shump and Douglas and bibby need to back up baron and shump eventually.

Landry will be better backing up the Melo and Amare. But with Balkman and Jorts playing well and Novak coming....I see Landry as trade bait

I think he'll be fine again, but I do also think Shump might be a better fit with the starting unit, especially once Baron is fully up and running. Though Baron could also help Landry regain his game - it'd be nice to have an actual PG again.

holfresh wrote:I saw a couple of good things from Landry last night...He bulked up a touch over the summer...There were three times where he drove hard to the hole...He wasn't as aggressive last year...Two drives didn't fall last night but his effort was there...I think he needs time...He just needs some confidence knocking down the open jumper...If he continues to go hard to the hole that may be another dimension to his game that can help us...It's still preseason in my eyes...Give him some time...

Great observation. There is nothing wrong with Landry Fields that a double double game cannot fix.

Fix the lead guard and you fix the Knicks.

Olbrannon wrote:Seems to me Fields used to get a lot of his production off lob passes on the back door cuts and putbacks. With Melo being such a rebounder at SF they may not want him to clog up the paint and so he is being kept on the outside more deliberately.

For all the stats that are thrown up though seems like Stat has fallen off as much or more since Melo arrived.

olbrannon - you have watched enough hoops to know the roles on this pickup squad will not be determined until February, at the earliest. We are in the midst of an audition... an extended tryout for the rotation that will last for most of Janauary.

Stoudemire and Anthony, for all their superficial comeraderie, are struggling to get comfortable on the court at the same time and it shows. The offense has little rhythm and less sync. Fortunately, most NBA teams not named the Thunder, Mavs, Clippers or Grizzlies will struggle with chemistry and depth issues.

Unfortunately, for our beloved Knicks is that we are a roster of strangers. It is not simply Landry Fields issue, it is a team-wide challenge.

As Tommy Dee cited:

"In the first quarter with 6:20 to go of last night’s game there was a play in which the Knicks failed to close out a possession and it led to a foul on Tyson Chandler who hammered Brook Lopez sending him to the foul line.

I watched the replay and saw that Amar’e Stoudemire went to close out on a kick out jumper then “ran out” which is to say he wanted to get out in transition so when the team rebounded (see Chandler) he’d get ball out in transition. Except they hadn’t secured the ball and the result was a foul on Chandler.

Chandler’s reaction?

“WE HAVE TO REBOUND Y’ALL!” Sent in the direction of Stat, who shook his head in agreement.

The pre season will last for another six weeks.

crzymdups wrote:Someone pointed out that it's similar to Channing Frye's second season in NY. The game is still the same, but it seems like the confidence is gone and the guy is pressing.

I think he'll be fine again, but I do also think Shump might be a better fit with the starting unit, especially once Baron is fully up and running. Though Baron could also help Landry regain his game - it'd be nice to have an actual PG again.