nixluva wrote:

knickscity wrote:Rather odd that in a read and react offense, players have to talk to the coach about running more pick and rolls. Very telling indeed.

They're still learning. It's a process of trying to get these players to not only master the system so that they're able to execute on their own at a high level but also improve their individual games. Making changes and tweaks have to be done carefully. Despite how it looks they're making progress.

Also have to realize that the recent injuries to core players do have an impact. Before the injuries their chemistry was building and they were playing at a good level.

knickscity wrote:

nixluva wrote:

knickscity wrote:Rather odd that in a read and react offense, players have to talk to the coach about running more pick and rolls. Very telling indeed.

They're still learning. It's a process of trying to get these players to not only master the system so that they're able to execute on their own at a high level but also improve their individual games. Making changes and tweaks have to be done carefully. Despite how it looks they're making progress.

Also have to realize that the recent injuries to core players do have an impact. Before the injuries their chemistry was building and they were playing at a good level.

I don't know, the "still learning" is more an excuse for losing. When they were playing well and hit .500, the sentiment was "they finally got it", but in reality the majority of the teams wins have come primarily via giving a high level of effort. Losses are natural when teams go through injuries, but that's where your depth comes in to play. Even team doesn't lose every game their best player is out, and if the teams 2nd best player happens to be a rookie, then that is a fail from the start. I questioned the talent level of this team before the season and my main concern was what they could do if Melo missed games. So far they are winless, which even for me was below expectation. I saw a 28-35 win team than, and still see that now.

The idea that the players are still learning is valid given the depths of this offense. There's no way they've mastered this offense completely. There's also the individual development of our players that are still trying to improve their game. It's not necessarily the case that these players should all have things figured out down to the point where they can function at a high level minus their best players. Remember they've been missing more than one core player in many of these losses! They had some tough losses in these games too. Ball bounces their way in a few and it could look a bit different.

Its convenient to come around during this bad stretch and try to sound like you had it figured out. The strength of your argument is based on fluke injury. When the team was at .500 and playing well no one was making the argument you're promoting. If MELO never trips on that official perhaps they don't lose as many of these games. In any event theres still time to get back on track. Gotta hope guys play better, get healthy and maybe Phil makes some key additions.