jskinny35 wrote:1. Pass the Ball (Attn: Melo, JR - you'll get it back)
2. Attack - push the pace (Felton, Prigs)
3. Rebound and Defend (Chandler and Martin)
4. Use the Bench (Cope, JR and Novak?)
5. Lead/be even going into 4th period (Pressure shifts to Indy)

If we do these - I will be content regardless of the outcome - cause at least it plays to our strengths
(Of course these are the same things we would put on the white board for my 9 y/o cousin's youth rec league)

Go Knicks!!!!!!!!!

We have been out coached for much of this series, his philosophy is flawed on both OFF and DEF
Woody's loyalty to players like Kidd, Chandler, STAT, while not giving the opportunity to Copeland and even some Camby
Woody cannot just tell his players to play DEF, REBOUND, and MOVE THE BALL, his lineups just are not working and he is exposed without making the proper adjustments till last game
We NEED to try to get in the paint, but it is very hard with the lineups we utilize and the defensive schemes of the Pacer's instead of setting for deep jumpers

Offense
===========

ISO basketball does NOT work on the Pacer's DEF without the shooters to pull their big's out

Our offense has a problem to initiate because we have a hard time getting the ball IN THE PAINT, whether by post up or penetration
This is because Hibbert is always protecting the rim while he can cheat and easily recover with Chandler's inability to score
On top of all of this, every single position, they have bigger, stronger, more athletic, and quicker/faster players that mainly play 1 on 1 DEF with Hibbert's help if they get beat

I have been saying we need Copeland prior to the season ending and I hope Woodson does not return Copeland to the doghouse especially if STAT comes back after not playing for 3months
If possible put Copeland at the PF/C, if he can pull Hibbert out, then the lane will be open, if not, he will be open for the 3point shot, and the rest of the team on the floor, should read how Copeland is being defended and look to get rebounding position if so

It surely helps that George Hill he is no doubt a top 4 on their team
While DJ has been very efficient of the bench, now he has to be their starter
It surely helps that Kidd was defending him too

Also, since we have a player like Copeland, who we can choose to start him or JR Smith since either one can play the 6th man scoring mode
JR Smith cannot get in the paint with penetration when a player like Copeland to pull out Hibbert on top of the solid DEF players of Paul George/Lance Stevenson
All year he has shown the ability to play tough DEF, good REB, ability to penetrate/set up team/and get fouled, however, it is hard to do because of the inability of Tyson Chandler and the tough help DEF in Hibbert with the solid 1v1 DEF of Paul George/Lance/George Hill

Same with Iman, so they elect to shoot half contested far jumpers instead, however, they should look to penetrate and either pull up on the baseline, or draw a double team and dish it back out

When they penetrate, the other players must move and attack to Pacer's DEF together with player movement/screens off the ball/ ball movement instead of staying in one spot

Melo has to establish himself in the mid post because of Hibbert's help and when Copeland is in or Hibbert is out of the lineup, that is when he can attack with deeper post position and penetration. Melo did this in game 2 and was very successful, however, Paul George does a great job on DEF with his size/length/athleticism and with Hibbert's help
George is a modern Tmac with his body/size that does not mind playing DEF for most of his energy while not letting other's initiate the OFF

DEFENSE
==================

We were trying so hard to stop Hibbert, we had some plays where we left many players open like George Hill and Lance Stefanson
We must respect the shot/penetration of George/Hill/ and Stefanson *he is the weakest link out of the 3 for his shot*
Try to fight through the picks and NOT SWITCH easily, on most plays on Martin has the ability to help his team and help for Hibbert since West is the weakest shooter
It would greatly help us IF George Hill is unable to play this game

When Chandler is not doing well on Hibbert why not try to use players on the bench that have not gotten the opportunity to do so like Camby and even Earl Barron?
Only other person was Kmart who clearly is too small at 6-9
On the most part, why not just rotate Copeland with a big increase in PT, while decreasing Chandler's minutes, and utilize Kmart/Camby/Earl Baron, while minimizing STAT after 3 months of not getting in shape?
Have them all utilize their fouls and PLAY AT A HIGH ENERGY to decrease the stamina/production of the Pacer's big's instead of using mainly Chandler/Kmart while they have not been successful

Especially with Camby, he has the legit size to play Hibbert while he has the ability to be a shot blocker as a team defender *although he has the box out and keep a body on Hibbert if he get's the opportunity to play
Instead of over using Tyson Chandler when he is not effective, Camby is the much better shot blocker and would probably be the best combo DEFENSIVELY with K-Mart

I hope Woody was able to read and adjust do this by game 2/3 instead of doing it in game 5
It is NOT impossible to come back, but it will be very tough to do so, it surely does help if George Hill is out at least one more game and possibly the entire series

Made the adjustments needed so we can get in the paint, we do not have to finish there if Hibbert is protecting the rim, but if the DEF can shift to inside then out, it would be a higher shot % opportunity
Whether he is Melo or JR LITE or Rasheed lite, his ability/skills changes the dynamic of our overall team play
Including opening the lane for Felton/Iman/Pablo in addition to Melo and JR

TeamBall wrote:

blkexec wrote:1. REFS
2. REFS
3. REFS
4. REFS
5. and finally REFS

LOL
The only thing i'lll say about the refs is that this game hinges on how they decide to ref Hibberts "defense" against penetration. They call it fair and we're good.

Agreed. They finally started blowing the whistle on Hibbert the other night (and rightly so) and it made a difference. If I'm the Knicks -- guys like Ray, Melo, JR, Amar'e when he gets in there, even Copeland -- attack the hell outta Hibbert tonight. He might get us a couple of times but if we keep taking it at him, it'll positively affect a few areas -- (1) the goal's to try to get him in foul trouble (2) get him tired and hopefully less effective on the other end (3) it's high % offense anyway.

RonRon wrote:would like to add, we cannot play from behind a large deficit because we lose confidence in each other as well as momentum
As role players on our opponents like Lance/Hill gain confidence to hit less pressured shots with the comfortable lead
Same with our role players and to prevent any Hero plays, especially with 1v1 mode with Melo/JR

Made the adjustments needed so we can get in the paint, we do not have to finish there if Hibbert is protecting the rim, but if the DEF can shift to inside then out, it would be a higher shot % opportunity
Whether he is Melo or JR LITE or Rasheed lite, his ability/skills changes the dynamic of our overall team play
Including opening the lane for Felton/Iman/Pablo in addition to Melo and JR

Great video Ron!

This just got me real pumped up!! I'm excited for this dude -- good player, great humble kid...No question he's an x-factor for us here tonight. Go get 'em, Cope!!

playa2 wrote:

playa2 wrote:One key that needs to be talked about, will Carmelo Anthony play within the system and let the game come to him.

We know he's the best scorer in the association, but this is the playoffs you must get your teammates in the game by being a decoy sometimes then as the game goes on your own shots will become be easier.

We don't need him to force shots or go 1 on 3 somebody is open. So the key is Woody having a 3pt shooter on the court at all times and never a lineup with Martin , Kidd and Tyson on the court at the same time.

This is what I said!

NOBODY in the media HAS SAC UP AND ASK WHY CAMBY DIDN'T PLAY

We needed Camby's height for this series.....Martin is an under sized PF, guarding a 7'2 center....