Lin included.

Ok, I get the LIn thing.

But Im not buying that we are better without Amare. Get this on paper talent to work together is this teams best chance with JR smith Coming off the bench.

I bought into the knicks being a contender in the east with Amare playing starter minutes.

Anything less than that to me is Knicks being a good team, one in the playoffs and one that might get into round two.

Don't mean Im not going to watch, but Im not that excited.

tkf wrote:I am trying not to be negative, but I am extremely worried about our talent level.. even with amare... looking at the celtics and Heat last night, i saw their reserves.. both teams.. jason terry, Rashard lewis, jeff green, Barbosa, ray allen.. I mean those guys can all start for our team right now..... I am wishing for the best, despite the direction this team has taken and even despite having a guy whom i just don't care for at all... I just don't see how this team is going to compete from a talent standpoint.... hopefully they can play above their heads and put together a good season...

There is always the nagging pit in the stomach moment when the starphuch dies and it all goes wrong. The Blank stare of Larry going to his homecoming staring lineups, the emotion empty Isiah staring into the Ambien void, and MDA's arroganct "told you so" look knowing his time is soon to end.

I fear the abyss of Woodson's beard being the black hole of disspare but He'll most likely keep yelling. When he stops its over.

Dolan will hide behind the curtain in Oz and we'll call for the Flying Monkey's to fetch Grunwald while we float the next round of starphuch changes.

Phil Jax looms. His words haunt us.

"Clumsy Roster"

Reality bites. Lets hope it don't bite hard! Just a nibble.

technomaster wrote:So... what does our best 5 look like without Amare?

C: Chandler
PF: Camby
SF: Melo
SG: JR Smith
PG: Felton

Or is it:

C: Chandler
PF: Melo
SF: Novak
SG: Prigioni
PG: Kidd

The first 5 is pretty intruiging but Chandler and Camby might be a little to similar. I really like

C Chandler
PF Anthony
SF Brewer
SG Smith
PG Felton

I just feel like that lineup gives you great balance and Brewer can guard the 1 thru 4 position well. I really wish we had a big SF or stretch PF to play next to Melo though.

y2zipper wrote:Melo played at an elite level at the 4 position offensively last year because he's quicker than most power forwards and increased his efficiency. Defensively, you can cross-match and Chandler can guards the other team's traditional big because every team not named the Lakers has 1 or none of those guys.

Offensively I think the Knicks can make up Amar'e's 15-18 points running pick and rolls to chandler, A jump-shooter like Thomas or Novak and with Melo picking up some of the scoring load.

The Knicks are going to have to be on point defensively to be successful without Amar'e in the lineup but I'm not convinced it's hopeless. I like one of these...

Felton
Brewer
Novak
Melo
Chandler

OR

Felton
Brewer
Melo
Thomas
Chandler

I'd rather keep Smith on the bench and have Brewer play the 2 for Brewer's defense in the starting lineup and Smith on the bench for scoring.

Keeping Smith on the bench is a big problem. Smith is a scorer and we need his points at the begining of the game. We always fall behind at the begining of the game and have to play catch up.
We all know the JR Smith wants to start and if he dosen't start and have a great 6th man season he will only leave next season and start on another team and we will get nothing for him. Damn the man wants to start give him that chance.

Papabear wrote:

y2zipper wrote:Melo played at an elite level at the 4 position offensively last year because he's quicker than most power forwards and increased his efficiency. Defensively, you can cross-match and Chandler can guards the other team's traditional big because every team not named the Lakers has 1 or none of those guys.

Offensively I think the Knicks can make up Amar'e's 15-18 points running pick and rolls to chandler, A jump-shooter like Thomas or Novak and with Melo picking up some of the scoring load.

The Knicks are going to have to be on point defensively to be successful without Amar'e in the lineup but I'm not convinced it's hopeless. I like one of these...

Felton
Brewer
Novak
Melo
Chandler

OR

Felton
Brewer
Melo
Thomas
Chandler

I'd rather keep Smith on the bench and have Brewer play the 2 for Brewer's defense in the starting lineup and Smith on the bench for scoring.

Papabear Says

Keeping Smith on the bench is a big problem. Smith is a scorer and we need his points at the begining of the game. We always fall behind at the begining of the game and have to play catch up.
We all know the JR Smith wants to start and if he dosen't start and have a great 6th man season he will only leave next season and start on another team and we will get nothing for him. Damn the man wants to start give him that chance.

Just as much as his scoring, we need his ability to stretch the D. He is a great compliment to Melo with Stoudemire out. He can create shots, spot up, and be that second scorer. If he establishes consistency we won't miss a beat.

NUPE wrote:This team can endure a few weeks without Amar'e and be fine. However, if Amar'e is going to be out for a pro-longed period then this team will be like a 7th seed at best.

I think thats a better argument when you are talking about the playoffs. I don't think missing Amare will effect the Knicks overall record this season. I think the Knicks have an opportunity to win 50 games with or without him. I do think however there is a better chance to win in the playoffs with him. I think the Knicks are a 1st or 2nd round team without him. I think they can make a much greater run with him. But in the regular season as long as there aren't any unforseen major injuries and Melo, Chandler, and Felton all play 75 games or greater than we will be just fine in the regular season to finish as a 2-seed at best and 5-seed at worst.

Melo doesn't pass unless he's triple team, tyson only knows PnR and amare is trying to figure out where he should be cause his comfy spots are occupied most of the possession. We may have the most talented front court on paper..chemistry wise it hasn't proven to be anything more then a pick up game..