GustavBahler - let's do the math.

(via ESPN)

Here's how the Knicks' prominent isolation defenders have stacked up this season, in order of rank (there have been 171 players who have guarded at least 10 isolations):

• Carmelo Anthony: 6-for-8, one turnover, one foul; ranks 171 of 171
• Jason Kidd: 5-for-11, no turnovers, one foul; ranks 165 of 171
• J.R. Smith: 7-for-14, four turnovers, two fouls; ranks 148 of 171
• Pablo Prigioni: 4-for-10, no turnovers, one foul; ranks 145 of 171
• Raymond Felton: 2-for-6, two turnovers, three fouls; ranks 116 of 171
• Steve Novak: 4-for-12, two turnovers, no fouls; ranks 57 of 171

Interestingly, Ronnie Brewer, a perimeter player, has only defended four isolations all season.

The Knicks have run isolations more often than each of their opponents this season. But five of their last six opponents have scored more points per isolation than the Knicks (the Hornets are the only exception).

By comparison, when defending non-isolation, half-court plays this season, the Knicks have been more effective. Here's how opponents are shooting against individual Knicks players, in order of attempts:

• Felton: 32-for-98
• Anthony: 30-for-80
• Smith: 28-for-76
• Kidd: 25-for-54
• Novak: 18-for-45
• Prigioni: 20-for-41

The Knicks won't be facing star slashers like Harden every night, but even Parsons, a second-year forward, got in on the action. Now opponents have added "weaker defending isolations" on their scouting report on the Knicks. The Rockets represent the plenty of young legs around the league that will want to run on and attack the older Knicks.

The Knicks face the lowly Pistons on Sunday afternoon, but on Monday they'll face two star isolation players in Deron Williams and Joe Johnson.

misterearl wrote:Isolated

GustavBahler - let's do the math.

(via ESPN)

Here's how the Knicks' prominent isolation defenders have stacked up this season, in order of rank (there have been 171 players who have guarded at least 10 isolations):

• Carmelo Anthony: 6-for-8, one turnover, one foul; ranks 171 of 171
• Jason Kidd: 5-for-11, no turnovers, one foul; ranks 165 of 171
• J.R. Smith: 7-for-14, four turnovers, two fouls; ranks 148 of 171
• Pablo Prigioni: 4-for-10, no turnovers, one foul; ranks 145 of 171
• Raymond Felton: 2-for-6, two turnovers, three fouls; ranks 116 of 171
• Steve Novak: 4-for-12, two turnovers, no fouls; ranks 57 of 171

Interestingly, Ronnie Brewer, a perimeter player, has only defended four isolations all season.

The Knicks have run isolations more often than each of their opponents this season. But five of their last six opponents have scored more points per isolation than the Knicks (the Hornets are the only exception).

By comparison, when defending non-isolation, half-court plays this season, the Knicks have been more effective. Here's how opponents are shooting against individual Knicks players, in order of attempts:

• Felton: 32-for-98
• Anthony: 30-for-80
• Smith: 28-for-76
• Kidd: 25-for-54
• Novak: 18-for-45
• Prigioni: 20-for-41

The Knicks won't be facing star slashers like Harden every night, but even Parsons, a second-year forward, got in on the action. Now opponents have added "weaker defending isolations" on their scouting report on the Knicks. The Rockets represent the plenty of young legs around the league that will want to run on and attack the older Knicks.

The Knicks face the lowly Pistons on Sunday afternoon, but on Monday they'll face two star isolation players in Deron Williams and Joe Johnson.

One thing left out of that equation is effort which has been lacking for the last couple of games. I'm more concerned about that than the opposition right now. Effort and perseverance has helped the Knicks overcome bad stretches on both ends of the court and its a big part of what fueled the hot start. We get that back and we should be ok.

misterearl wrote:Collective Effort

Gustav - over the last two games the Knicks appear to work extra hard for points. Houston flowed. We played on a treadmill.

Open up the offense and the defensive effort become more vibrant.

Play isolation ball and the defense goes isolation as well. Less talking. Less cohesive effort.

Team ball on both ends of the court. team.

Collectively I didn't see much by way of effort. Knicks made it tough on themselves with the lack of ball movement as well which ended up in too many forced shots. Houston wanted a W a lot more than the Knicks did and it showed.

misterearl wrote:Road Weary

GustavBahler wrote:

misterearl wrote:Collective Effort

Gustav - over the last two games the Knicks appear to work extra hard for points. Houston flowed. We played on a treadmill.

Open up the offense and the defensive effort become more vibrant.

Play isolation ball and the defense goes isolation as well. Less talking. Less cohesive effort.

Team ball on both ends of the court. team.

Collectively I didn't see much by way of effort. Knicks made it tough on themselves with the lack of ball movement as well which ended up in too many forced shots. Houston wanted a W a lot more than the Knicks did and it showed.

Gustav - it will feel good to be back in The Garden. Nothing like the roar of the crowd to soothe the inevitable bad referee calls, jet lag and room service mixups.

In typical Rasheed fashion, when asked if he's playing, he said, ''Yeah. I ain't gonna let those punks escape.''

1st Qtr 11:37
NYK 0 DET 2