We lost Robin Lopez, but Joakim Noah is arguably a better defender if not around the same level.

Melo has done a complete 180. Despite coming off what I thought was one of his better defensive seasons, he seems to be following up with one of his worst...

Lee was recruited in part for his defensive prowess and is for sure a step up from Affalo.

Lance Thomas has been a huge disappointment this season, once an impactful defensive player now a shell of his former self (likely due to injury). But we have gotten some unexpected production out of Holiday defensively.

DRose can't be worse than Calderon defensively.

I really don't think the personnel seems to be the issue. What has changed dramatically is the offense. We are running the floor and pushing the ball on a lot of the plays. This style expends much more energy than the slow paced, half court sets of the triangle. I can easily see this style of play gassing older players like Melo. I honestly feel Melo doesn't have the same energy and is struggling to adapt his game to these new limitations. While we were all frustrated with the lack of production offensively from the triangle, the style of play resulted in more defensive energy. This is why it might seem like there is a lack of effort, but might have to deal with the conditioning of the personnel. Anyone else got another take?

nixluva wrote:

Caseloads wrote:Because we replaced RLopez with Noah

I think Phil thought it would be somewhat of a wash! Noah isn't the rim protector RoLo is but he figured his defense would be close enough. I thought Noah would be fine filling in on D. What I don't understand is WHY no Plumlee??? Dude is the most active big we have. WTF JEFF?

Plumlee is the most enthusiastic rebounder on our team, and considering Noah is yet to take a jump shot this season, I really don't see why Plumlee wouldn't play more mins. Plumlee is not a passer out of the paint though...low IQ there I think.

They go under screens almost every time in order to protect the drive/paint, they never trap, have low IQ defenders, and the communication comes every 8 plays.

I understand Rambis Philospohy, and it's not a bad one if you had the talent. Melo does not communicate on defense at all, he rushes to help someone and leaves his man wide open. Rose, Lee and Holiday, they are going under the screen 8 out of 10 times (fear of contact).

IMO once you go under the screen your in trouble if the ball handler doesn't penetrate, jennings tries more than anyone on the team, but he's not strong or quick enough, and his man penetrates enough to suck in in the defense and 3 guy become wide open for a 3.

Like i said in the game thread, the knicks prepare for game like they look at a stat sheet.If it's a low% 3 point team, there's no emphasis on perimeter defense, if't the other way around, then it becomes lay-up-city. The coaching staff has to take ownership as well as the players.

One of the reason woodson/mda was like switch on everything was because it's easier that way, but that also requires players who can guard multiple position.

Another thing is the unfamiliarity when you open up your rotation, thats where communication comes in. These guys have not played together long enough to know what your teammates likely going to do, or capable of doing, thats why the blank stairs come after they give up another wide open 3.