BRIGGS wrote:But here are my initial concerns --we are NOT rebounding the ball in the first unit and the 2nd unit relies on low % shots way too much /secondary Felton has not looked good--not anywhere near good as Lin last year and our overall D has been just ok

But think of the money Dolan saved. As I have said before I like Felton, but much much much prefer Lin over him. We'll see how Felton does as a distributor, apparently that is why they got him. Anyway, if Felton doesn't play good my money is on Prigioni to put his azz on the bench. I predict that will happen regardless.

We had problem rebounding last year as well, in particular with Stat out there. It will be important to see how Stat and Melo and Chandler play together. 2 of the 3 will rebound I think, and it is up to Stat to raise his defense and rebounding. Melo played decent defense last year, at least at the 3.

I think it will take some time for them to come together, at least with the new guys. I just would have liked to see what Lin could have done as a PG and 3rd scoring option on this team. We would be pretty dangerous imo.

gunsnewing wrote:Biggest question is does Amare, Melo & Tyson learn to play together? Will it take until the end of the season or maybe by year 3 of their contracts? Defense and rebounding is a major concern when Amare is on the floor. Can anyone other than Novak off the bench shoot on this team to space the floor for those 3? Like has been said can we contain lightning quick PGs? A lot of questions just wondering how long it will take this team to gel if ever? It would be an embarrassment if we go through another season trying to gel and the Brooklyn Nets figure it out before them.

Stat is not made for this team. I think Melo and Felton and Chandler can play well together. But Stat needs to be set up, and ideally be on a more active team imo, not a half court team, at least not this one with Melo having the ball so much. But, if Melo learns (or rather continues and improves on) passing out of more double teams, I think we will be ok.

Who can contain lightning quick PG's? No one can but yes, Felton will get burned a lot as he isn't great with fast pgs. The good thing is we have Chandler and Camby to back him up.

If we go through another year like last year (and with Lin now gone), Dolan will be wishing he had the chance to sign the kid again.

Uptown wrote:So, the thread title implies that we shouldn't be worried because its preseason, then when we open the thread, there is a toilet paper roll worth of worries....

First, why would Felton, in his 3rd preseason game look as good as Lin did in the middle of the season? Lin didn't look as good as Lin did when he checked in for his first skit in garbage time.

Second, Tyson Chandlers career numbers tell us that he is going to beast on the boards as usual. No reason to get alarmed by the 3 rebs last night. Add to that, Camby has always been a monster on the boards so, I'm really not that concerned about our board work this year.

Third, once we get our legs under us (meaning, once the games count and we shake off usual pre-season rust)our defense will pick up. Again, we were without 3 of our best defenders last night; Brewer, Smith and Camby.

But, butt, but, Lin would be killing it in Perseason, right???LOL

gunsnewing wrote:Yes Lin had more reps playing with amare, melo and tyson. And he is light years better than Felton

Both Lin and Felton are having pretty much the same preseason. Way too early to call it in my opinion.