I think for basketball chemistry reasons, the 5 spot has to be mostly Dalembart and Cole A. I'm sure we can sprinkle some of the others guys in for short stints at 5but I think if we want a rim protector/rebounder type in the pivot--than we will go with those two.

That leaves

Jason Smith
Amare Stuodemire
Andrea Bargnani
Jason Smith
Quincy Acy
and even Carmelo(as moving him to 4 opens up time for THJ and JR to play with Melo)

This is the most complex problem this team has. It may cause disharmony.

I still do not like Amare. He has yet to prove me wrong.

smackeddog wrote:The thing is Jason Smith, Bargs and Amar'e are all injury prone, so I'd be very surprised if they are all available every night.

Things should get sorted out this pre season. I'm highly optimistic....but right now I would be very confident in Bargs starting and Quincy Acy being the primary back up.

Lets also not get to carried away with Dalembert and Cole at C. Jason, Bargs and STAT are also capable of spending time at the C spot for this team. Dalembert is older and didn't log a lot of minutes last year. I'm guessing they will keep his minutes down here too. Cole I think will fall out of the rotation once Jason comes back. Jason is more versatile as a player. Both Bargs and Jason can play C. They're 7'ers and they have the ability to shoot from different spots on the floor. They are perfect offensive Triangle C's. As long as they can be effective defensively as well they will play.

IN this defensive system I think Bargs will be much better. I think the same goes for Jason. From what i've seen this approach is much more cohesive and they are defending more as a team. IMO Bargs is still the best Man defender at the C spot on the team. He just has a better handle on how to defend his man. Unlike all the other bigs he doesn't let his man get into his body early. He stays an arms length back and this helps him to not get beat so easily by quick moves. Then he uses his length to disrupt the shot. As long as he stays aware as a help defender rather than play indifferent to the rest of the floor Bargs will be just fine defensively. I saw some good signs in his only game action but we'll see if he is learning as time goes on.

callmened wrote:Smith - im a big fan of Jason Smith. He skill set fits perfectly. I just need to see him play first.

STAT = I think amare could contribute but so far hes been the forgotten man in the system

Bargnani - people know how i feel about him. he will show flashes offensively but his defense is so bad i cant stand it

ACY - energy guy who i dont want taking jumpers

He's added a pretty reliable jumper- why would you not want him to shoot it?

Bargs actually looked good on D IMO. We need more evidence but I saw some good things.

Can't wait to see Jason. I think he has the right mix of ability on both ends. He's not spectacular in any one area but good overall skills.

We should get a good idea of all these guys by the end of Preseason.

Right now Tom the look of it this team has good options no matter who they play at PF. That's a good problem to have!!!

Sam is a center though. It is just he is neither elite, not young enough to be a full-time starter. But he is pretty durable if he doesn't get burned out, so I think we have at least a decent defensive center to start with for the time being. That should account for roughly half our minutes at the Center position.

I'd be happy right now with our other starting forward being simply a tough defender and rebounder who can pass and make a few shots to play next to Melo.

The only guy who looks like he might fit that description right now is Acy actually. I think the guy has a huge opportunity here. Let's see if he steps up, because defense can easily be the deciding factor for our rotation. There could be some surprises ahead.

Melo will be just fine at SF. The dude played SF more than he's played PF in his career.
Bargs, STAT, Jason, Acy, Sam and Cole give us all we need this year at PF/C. The panic of some is unbelievable. Fish can cut minutes of anyone he sees not working and increase minutes of anyone being productive. Fish isn't beholden to any of these guys.

BRIGGS wrote:Wow do we have a backlog at the 4 or what?

I think for basketball chemistry reasons, the 5 spot has to be mostly Dalembart and Cole A. I'm sure we can sprinkle some of the others guys in for short stints at 5but I think if we want a rim protector/rebounder type in the pivot--than we will go with those two.

That leaves

Jason Smith
Amare Stuodemire
Andrea Bargnani
Jason Smith
Quincy Acy
and even Carmelo(as moving him to 4 opens up time for THJ and JR to play with Melo)

This is the most complex problem this team has. It may cause disharmony.

I agree Briggs --- I believe Phil has planes flying around every NBA front office with a banner stating --- STAT for Free call 1-800-NYKNICKS --- ask to speak with Phil.

babyKnicks wrote:I don't see cole as a definite center. I see dalembart and smith at the 5.

With amare and bargs manning the 4.

Cole is not a definite center because sometimes his arms and torso behave like a wind puppet at an auto dealership.