Knicks1969 wrote:I don't give a rat'e ass how much it costs, Phil needs to FIX that back court.

It wouldn't be so bad if we capitalize on out strengths..lopez as 26, twolves couldn't adjust and we stop the fast break

It was pretty much the Melo/Rolo show and we dominated the front court. Our defense was solid, too, but the Wolves are a horrendous team, so I don't know how much you can take away from that.

Lopez/Melo really dominated the weaker Wolves front line.
KP was marred with foul trouble. So not a good game for him.

Jose is a much more useful player when he stops trying to play PG and chooses to play like a SG. He needs to keep shooting and cut down on the passive play. He's a good shooter. His jumpshot is nice. He should step in and try to take shots on a consistent basis. Tonight was a much more balanced game from him. Defense is what it is, but a guy with his jumpshot is far more useful as a shooter than a PG.

The consistent changes I've seen in the team since Rambis took over.

1- Consistency of offense schemes. Less 1 on 1. Even if we go to 1 on 1 situations, it's usually specifically set up with the offensive spacing good such that a Melo or whomever can get a real 1 on 1 chance vs being easily double teamed.

2- Rambis is trying to have one of Melo, KP and Afflalo out there, usually even 2. KP screwed up the planning for that tonight, but luckily Robin Lopez was having a monster game.

3- Lots of Melo handling the ball, bringing it up the court and being the true PG of the team. Dig this.

We are what we are talent wise, but nice to see that over 3 games the Knicks have began to play sound basketball on offense again. Average since Rambis took over as coach is 103 points a game. Small sample size but I definitely notice a better offense.

As I said when Fish got fired, I just want the offense to improve and for Porzingis, Melo, Lopez, Galloway, DWill, Thomas to get repetitions in for an offense that will likely be back next year. Plenty of the top 9 guys from this season are coming back next year. We need them ahead of the curve next season on the offense. What Rambis is putting in will help these guys get off on a stronger start next season with hopefully at least 2 new backcourt players. We'll likely lose either DWill or Thomas to free agency, can't see us having the money to sign both of them and also have money to get some backcourt help.

Lopez, Porzingis, Melo, Galloway, Afflalo (especially this less 1 on 1 AA version under Rambis) all fit within the system. If we can get a point guard this summer who can give us 15/5, we're going to be more than capable to be a playoff team next year. Sorry if I'm talking too much about next year, just looking forward to having some more talent to work with. As you see tonight, we have 2-3 guys every night who can give us 20-25 points up front (Melo, KP or Lopez, sometimes even DWill/Thomas steps up). In the backcourt we don't have those sort of guys. That's the balance we need.

CrushAlot wrote:From a TWolves blog on last nights game. (Link has more info including stuff that I am not able to copy and paste).

Watching Carmelo come down the floor and isolate against his man got me thinking – it wasn’t wrong to be excited to see Towns and Porzingis, two players who going to be big parts of the future of the league, just like it isn’t wrong to wish the Wolves would shoot more threes (12 for the night) or know the mathematical reality that isolation possessions are some of the least efficient in basketball. But the lesson I learned is that the future is still the future, and no matter what anyone thinks of Carmelo Anthony, watching him in the present, when he is locked in, is pretty damn fun, even if (especially when?) he’s sizing up his man and finessing his way into a nylon-tickling jumper or slithering to the hoop.

http://www.awolfamongwolves.com/2016/02/knicks-103-timberwolves-95-smooth-carmelo/

Yeah I was actually pretty happy with MELO last night. He used his old man game which is better for his knee. Just smart footwork and using his strength and skill to score. He used screens well and took very easy jumpers where he created just enough separation.

TAB wrote:That is why people have a problem with Jimmer coming up. Rambis will have about as much impact on this team as Jimmer will by the way. He will never be a good coach. He is a poor man's Alvin Gentry who is a better assistant than head coach.