"Among the many things that make him great is his willingness to evolve," Ravin said. "We constantly look for ways to add new wrinkles to his game. Defenses and defenders become more sophisticated each year, so we always look for ways to counter this. He has been consistent and methodical with his training, as well as meticulous with his diet, avoiding the processed and refined sugars."

One element Anthony would like to bring more to the court is running pick-and-rolls, and for good reason. In 2012-13, while he ran only 184 pick-and-rolls, he ranked first in points per play at 1.071 (the only player above 1.0). That's a big credit to his shooting ability and Tyson Chandler's strength as a screen-and-roller.

"I want to continue doing that and figuring that part out, but that comes along with the territory and the game situation," he said. "It's all about just trying to tighten up those screws that you already have, and just having fun with it."

I would really be happy to see Melo look to use the PnR more in addition to curls and other NON ISO plays. IMO this is the thing that could really raise Melo's game to the next level. There are no guarantees that this will be the year Melo really looks to be more efficient, but we can all hope this attention to adding more PnR is just the beginning of Melo realizing he needs to give defenses different things to try and defend. Melo needs to make use of more team BB and get more easy looks as opposed to always working so hard to score on ISO plays only to be less efficient. Melo wears himself down by Kung Fu fighting on every play as opposed to playing smart and getting more easy scores using team BB. There's no shame in using a Pick or running around a screen to get an open look.

gunsnewing wrote:Why is it that we as this and the infinite number of coaches making millions on the Knicks bench did not?

Before you jump down the coaches throught shouldn't you have a comparisons to go on. Like what is the range of attempts of the other good pnr wings and also look at Melo's other numbers.

Regardless isolations and post ups need to come down about 5-10% each and transition baskets need to go up.

Vmart wrote:Efficiency, that should be the goal. 50% FG if he can't do that then I don't consider him a superstar, good player yes but certainly not superstar worthy.

at this point in his career I really don't expect that at all... he is what he is...

tkf wrote:

Vmart wrote:

tkf wrote:

Vmart wrote:Efficiency, that should be the goal. 50% FG if he can't do that then I don't consider him a superstar, good player yes but certainly not superstar worthy.

at this point in his career I really don't expect that at all... he is what he is...

I agree with you. I don't think Melo has it in him to be great. He is at best a good player.

I just don't think he knows how to be great, outside of just not having all of the tools to be great anyway....... you ever see that kid on the playground playing ball.. he will give up 3 straight baskets, but as long as he goes down and gets that one thunderous slam, all is even... you see them, they will trade 3 baskets for one dune, and they feel they won because they "Dunked all in your face" LOL...

Great analysis...

Melo led the league in scoring last year and was a major draw in the league on one of the flagship franchise's.

He has to imporove just to keep his status. Same for Durant, CP3, Lebron, etc. etc.............

Some still do get better at a rate faster then the rest of the league.

What will Melo do? We'll find out!!!!

Dude is a pure scorer, accept his game for what it is.

ONly guy I can see in the league that can carry a franchise himself is Lebron.

Nalod wrote:NBA players get better each year. The best have to improve just to keep up.

Melo led the league in scoring last year and was a major draw in the league on one of the flagship franchise's.

He has to imporove just to keep his status. Same for Durant, CP3, Lebron, etc. etc.............

Some still do get better at a rate faster then the rest of the league.

What will Melo do? We'll find out!!!!

Dude is a pure scorer, accept his game for what it is.

ONly guy I can see in the league that can carry a franchise himself is Lebron.

I am curious, I hear that term a lot "pure scorer" what does that mean?

nixluva wrote:We've actually seen players make transitions as they mature. How many players have worked on their game to perfect a turn around jumper for later in their career? It's not uncommon to see players introduce a post up game as they age to find other ways to score. In this case we're actually looking for Melo to add a few more Team BB plays per game. Melo doesn't need to add any particular skill since he already has about every shot in his bag. Also it's not taxing physically to use a screen or set a screen to get your shot off in the PnP game. I don't know where that idea came from. Heck you don't even have to be moving fast.

Look this is all mental. Melo has to change the his approach to the game and start looking for tons of EASY looks rather than go to battle on every play. He actually uses more energy trying to go ISO all the time. He makes it easier for help defenders to come and bother his shot by not using the pick more often. I was watching highlights of Melo in the 2011 Christmas Day game and I was surprised by how many plays came after a pick or pass as opposed to just ISO. MDA really did try to have Melo play a more Team oriented style. More of his shots came in the flow of the offense. This is how Melo should look to play as we've argued over the years, but really when you step back and watch this old game you see such a difference in how the offense was run in terms of trying to create easier looks and stretching the floor. Plays started much earlier and forced the defense to have to move out of the paint to come out and defend the perimeter.

im going to book mark this.. LOL... funny thing is, MDA did try to do that, but carmelo fought it, until MDA was gone.. so what makes you think he is inclined to change how he plays at all, in light of all of that?

tkf wrote:

nixluva wrote:We've actually seen players make transitions as they mature. How many players have worked on their game to perfect a turn around jumper for later in their career? It's not uncommon to see players introduce a post up game as they age to find other ways to score. In this case we're actually looking for Melo to add a few more Team BB plays per game. Melo doesn't need to add any particular skill since he already has about every shot in his bag. Also it's not taxing physically to use a screen or set a screen to get your shot off in the PnP game. I don't know where that idea came from. Heck you don't even have to be moving fast.

Look this is all mental. Melo has to change the his approach to the game and start looking for tons of EASY looks rather than go to battle on every play. He actually uses more energy trying to go ISO all the time. He makes it easier for help defenders to come and bother his shot by not using the pick more often. I was watching highlights of Melo in the 2011 Christmas Day game and I was surprised by how many plays came after a pick or pass as opposed to just ISO. MDA really did try to have Melo play a more Team oriented style. More of his shots came in the flow of the offense. This is how Melo should look to play as we've argued over the years, but really when you step back and watch this old game you see such a difference in how the offense was run in terms of trying to create easier looks and stretching the floor. Plays started much earlier and forced the defense to have to move out of the paint to come out and defend the perimeter.

im going to book mark this.. LOL... funny thing is, MDA did try to do that, but carmelo fought it, until MDA was gone.. so what makes you think he is inclined to change how he plays at all, in light of all of that?

Funny thing is I think Melo will actually do it cuz it's his idea along with his trusted trainer. If MDA or Woody said it, I think he'd resist it. However, it's kind of a Jedi Mind Trick. This trainer points it out to Melo and all of a sudden Melo finds it more acceptable. Melo's other coaches suggest it and he resists. I don't care why I just want to see Melo finally look to add more of a team dimension to his game. Every other great player plays this way, but him.

StarksEwing1 wrote: Personally i think melo had his best year last yera. I admit i ahve gotten on melo in the past but i was very driven last year. My onlly issue is that he tends to do too much issue in certain situtations. he has great passing ability that he will hopefully use more of this year

I wouldn't say last year was Melo's best. I think Melo started off last year with the right mindset and the team as a whole was playing on a high level, but as the year went along and players broke down, Melo reverted back to the old ways. I think this year Melo may have fewer points but have a better year due to having better talent around him and not having to go SOLO as much. Just look at how great the spacing and ball movement was last year. Woody had the team playing that spread floor style that Melo resisted under MDA. The ball didn't stick.

I believe the Knicks will be able to maintain this style of play for the entire season this time. A younger and more talented roster should help.

Crazy that last season Melo was inefficient and now he stinks for trying to become more efficient. Gotta love this place