Let KP be the focal point on offense with Grant, Gallo, KO (second unit). It's not a demotion, but a way to balance the team, give KP training as a go to guy on offense. It's easier for Melo to score on a slower big than a strong and quick SF. Against a big, he doesn't have to make so many moves to beat his man. Against todays SF, he has to put on so many moves, trying to get by a quick player, and winds up shooting an off balance fadeaway, after dribbling out the clock.

Then next year, KP would have a year under his belt and be able to play center, while Lopez comes off the bench. Keep Melo at the PF spot, if we want the old Melo back.

blkexec wrote:Do what I said earlier in the season.....Bring KP off the bench and allow him to play a Melo role as the lead dog. Put DWill or Early in the starting lineup. Move Melo to the PF spot where he can use his quickness against bigger guys....DWill is going to be left alone next to Melo and will provide easy transition buckets.

Let KP be the focal point on offense with Grant, Gallo, KO (second unit). It's not a demotion, but a way to balance the team, give KP training as a go to guy on offense. It's easier for Melo to score on a slower big than a strong and quick SF. Against a big, he doesn't have to make so many moves to beat his man. Against todays SF, he has to put on so many moves, trying to get by a quick player, and winds up shooting an off balance fadeaway, after dribbling out the clock.

Then next year, KP would have a year under his belt and be able to play center, while Lopez comes off the bench. Keep Melo at the PF spot, if we want the old Melo back.

I have no faith in KOQ and Seraphin at this point, and it seems that Fisher is not enchanted with Williams.

After that very good shooting game a number of contests ago, Thomas has really come back to earth.

Not saying that Early is any kind of answer...but can he perform better than Thomas or Williams at times...Yup.
The fact that he is still with the team and not in the DL makes me think they want to use him on the big club, or at least it seems so tod me.

A lot depends on Grant, though, because my feeling is that Gallo has to do too much as a lead guard and is much better a SG.

We will see...

blkexec wrote:Do what I said earlier in the season.....Bring KP off the bench and allow him to play a Melo role as the lead dog. Put DWill or Early in the starting lineup. Move Melo to the PF spot where he can use his quickness against bigger guys....DWill is going to be left alone next to Melo and will provide easy transition buckets.

Let KP be the focal point on offense with Grant, Gallo, KO (second unit). It's not a demotion, but a way to balance the team, give KP training as a go to guy on offense. It's easier for Melo to score on a slower big than a strong and quick SF. Against a big, he doesn't have to make so many moves to beat his man. Against todays SF, he has to put on so many moves, trying to get by a quick player, and winds up shooting an off balance fadeaway, after dribbling out the clock.

Then next year, KP would have a year under his belt and be able to play center, while Lopez comes off the bench. Keep Melo at the PF spot, if we want the old Melo back.

This has to be one of the worst suggestions I have ever heard. Bring KP off the bench??? NO F'IN WAY! Sorry man but bad suggestion.

clyderules wrote:How do we get better? By leaving our starting rotation alone and playing a reasonable second unit that can score and defend such as Grant Gallo Dwill Thomas and either Oquinn or Seraphin. No exceptions to this except for Early. Also I'd add one or two promising dleague guys who can maybe help us in the future.

My point is these bench guys have regressed enough to make you think about a trade. If Fisher broke a few hearts and shortened his bench to 10 players instead of 13, then maybe guys could get a rhythm.

I don't line playing small ball and playing guys out of position. So maybe the Knicks need to move guys. We need to settle on 1 back up small fwd. I personally would love to see Early be that guy. Derrick williams looked great but he might have to go. O'Quinn or Seraphin might have to go as well.

Can a package surrounding Seraphin, Derrick Williams and maybe Jerian Grant get us a real pg?

I keep looking at Jeff Teague since Schroeder is there. Maybe Lou Williams in LA. Grievas in the Bucks.

There's gotta be a way to get better. Doesn't have to be a block buster.

blkexec wrote:Do what I said earlier in the season.....Bring KP off the bench and allow him to play a Melo role as the lead dog. Put DWill or Early in the starting lineup. Move Melo to the PF spot where he can use his quickness against bigger guys....DWill is going to be left alone next to Melo and will provide easy transition buckets.

Let KP be the focal point on offense with Grant, Gallo, KO (second unit). It's not a demotion, but a way to balance the team, give KP training as a go to guy on offense. It's easier for Melo to score on a slower big than a strong and quick SF. Against a big, he doesn't have to make so many moves to beat his man. Against todays SF, he has to put on so many moves, trying to get by a quick player, and winds up shooting an off balance fadeaway, after dribbling out the clock.

Then next year, KP would have a year under his belt and be able to play center, while Lopez comes off the bench. Keep Melo at the PF spot, if we want the old Melo back.

KP's proven way too valuable in just 15 games to be playing 2nd unit lead dog; I agree that his minutes have to be curtailed from what's happening now. I don't agree with putting Melo back at full time PF; he continues to get no respect from the refs, and getting pummeled consistently in the paint by other 4's is a great way to end up back on the IR. Asking Melo to continue to facilitate when his leading scoring option is sitting on the bench makes no sense to me. Get this first unit, now with AA, some time to cohere, and you already have a good bench, provided Fish figures out what to do with them and when.

I know no one really knows what's going on in Fisher's head and what he sees daily during practices, but his use/non-use of the bench between the start of the season and the past few weeks is maddening.

jrodmc wrote:

blkexec wrote:Do what I said earlier in the season.....Bring KP off the bench and allow him to play a Melo role as the lead dog. Put DWill or Early in the starting lineup. Move Melo to the PF spot where he can use his quickness against bigger guys....DWill is going to be left alone next to Melo and will provide easy transition buckets.

Let KP be the focal point on offense with Grant, Gallo, KO (second unit). It's not a demotion, but a way to balance the team, give KP training as a go to guy on offense. It's easier for Melo to score on a slower big than a strong and quick SF. Against a big, he doesn't have to make so many moves to beat his man. Against todays SF, he has to put on so many moves, trying to get by a quick player, and winds up shooting an off balance fadeaway, after dribbling out the clock.

Then next year, KP would have a year under his belt and be able to play center, while Lopez comes off the bench. Keep Melo at the PF spot, if we want the old Melo back.

KP's proven way too valuable in just 15 games to be playing 2nd unit lead dog; I agree that his minutes have to be curtailed from what's happening now. I don't agree with putting Melo back at full time PF; he continues to get no respect from the refs, and getting pummeled consistently in the paint by other 4's is a great way to end up back on the IR. Asking Melo to continue to facilitate when his leading scoring option is sitting on the bench makes no sense to me. Get this first unit, now with AA, some time to cohere, and you already have a good bench, provided Fish figures out what to do with them and when.

I know no one really knows what's going on in Fisher's head and what he sees daily during practices, but his use/non-use of the bench between the start of the season and the past few weeks is maddening.

I agree with you jrodmc

dk7th wrote:not that this will happen, but:

kp6 5
melo 4
thomas 3
afflalo 2
galloway 1

bench: lopez, calderon, o'quinn, grant, williams

the problem with the team right now is the bench, which looks chaotic and is being beaten. part of the problem is it is not running the triangle. this notion of a run and gun bench is a mirage at this point... we are trying to institute a system so it benefits nobody to abandon it.

the other problem is calderon's defense, which puts the knicks at a disadvantage every night and regardless of his much-improved shooting.

work the system with lopez and calderon out there as the ballast of a second unit. this will help o'quinn, who also likes to pass the ball. and it might also benefit grant in some way.

the knicks need more continuity and better defense, and these adjustments address both.

lopez has to start. He is way too important at both ends to not have him in there and getting us out early.

With the 2nd unit Fisher needs to play more uptempo. Grant isnt a half court PG at this point in time. Mins should be adjusted so he plays with our best pick setter in Lopez and attacking the paint creating for others or drawing fouls.