nixluva wrote:Who could predict the Bulls playing like TRASH? It's been like teams exhaled when they saw it was the Knicks and took the game for granted. No intensity. The Knicks have players trying to stay in the NBA so they're gonna play HARD!

For the most part your right, but the one think I have notice especially when I saw the unbelievable (#1 in 4th qtr defense)stat..this team can actually defemd with the best of them. just don't understand why they take of so many defensive possessions.

This was a solid roster that needed to be rotated much different form the gate

knicks1248 wrote:

nixluva wrote:Who could predict the Bulls playing like TRASH? It's been like teams exhaled when they saw it was the Knicks and took the game for granted. No intensity. The Knicks have players trying to stay in the NBA so they're gonna play HARD!

For the most part your right, but the one think I have notice especially when I saw the unbelievable (#1 in 4th qtr defense)stat..this team can actually defemd with the best of them. just don't understand why they take of so many defensive possessions.

This was a solid roster that needed to be rotated much different form the gate

When you are down a lot of points--usually your 4th Q D is great. Completely useless stat.

For any folks knocking Baker -- I think you are dead wrong.

I see Baker being a fixture with this club for next 8 years or so and I think he's going to be a key rotation player on some very good teams down the road.
I would rank him as one of the toughest players in the league already and you can see him taking baby steps every night with his confidence. This is a kid who is already a very hard nosed, tough and smart defender. He is someone who came into the league with a reputation as a shooter but he has struggled I believe with his confidence. As he matures (gains confidence) he is going to warrant more playing time.

Depending who we end up drafting -- I could definitely see him sharing back-court time with the likes of Frankie, Monk, Fox...etc next season.

I think he's a legit keeper simply because he is tough, defends, is smart and can pass/shoot the ball.

fishmike wrote:

LivingLegend wrote:We are so used to watching piss-poor defensive effort and ball hogging that we forget what a difference a little team ball, player movement and true defensive effort can accomplish --- particularly when the other team is sleep walking thru the game because we suck so badly.

For any folks knocking Baker -- I think you are dead wrong.

I see Baker being a fixture with this club for next 8 years or so and I think he's going to be a key rotation player on some very good teams down the road.
I would rank him as one of the toughest players in the league already and you can see him taking baby steps every night with his confidence. This is a kid who is already a very hard nosed, tough and smart defender. He is someone who came into the league with a reputation as a shooter but he has struggled I believe with his confidence. As he matures (gains confidence) he is going to warrant more playing time.

Depending who we end up drafting -- I could definitely see him sharing back-court time with the likes of Frankie, Monk, Fox...etc next season.

I think he's a legit keeper simply because he is tough, defends, is smart and can pass/shoot the ball.

I am one who knocks Baker and I really you are right.

Yeah, agreed. He's starting to remind me a little of Charlie Ward.

WaltLongmire wrote:

LivingLegend wrote:We are so used to watching piss-poor defensive effort and ball hogging that we forget what a difference a little team ball, player movement and true defensive effort can accomplish --- particularly when the other team is sleep walking thru the game because we suck so badly.

For any folks knocking Baker -- I think you are dead wrong.

I see Baker being a fixture with this club for next 8 years or so and I think he's going to be a key rotation player on some very good teams down the road.
I would rank him as one of the toughest players in the league already and you can see him taking baby steps every night with his confidence. This is a kid who is already a very hard nosed, tough and smart defender. He is someone who came into the league with a reputation as a shooter but he has struggled I believe with his confidence. As he matures (gains confidence) he is going to warrant more playing time.

Depending who we end up drafting -- I could definitely see him sharing back-court time with the likes of Frankie, Monk, Fox...etc next season.

I think he's a legit keeper simply because he is tough, defends, is smart and can pass/shoot the ball.

Ball handling has improved greatly over the season, and he actually attacks the basket thinking pass first and setting up a teammate.

He really does like to bang on D. Liked seeing him jaw with Thomas the other day after Baker got hit with a foul.

Really needs to get that J to be more consistent. Needs to be at least 38% from the 3, and be willing to take those short pull-up Js.

Plays with a lot of competitive pride, something folks seem to discount in a player's makeup.

I believe that unselfish players struggle early (even if good shooters) because they want to please their teammates/coaches and they sometimes worry "should I be shooting this shot when Melo/KP/Lee/etc are on the court. It takes more time for an unselfish player to be confident in their shot and Baker will get there because he is tough minded and his form is actually very solid.

I have little worry about Baker growing into a solid top 8 rotational player on this team and ultimately being a guy who makes big plays at clutch moments (growing into a garden/fan favorite)

fishmike wrote:What can you do? Basketball players play basketball. Knicks played rookies for 114 minute last night. Many of us think Baker isnt an NBA player. We started a pair of Dleague guys, played them all 30+, Melo gives us his usual 9-25 and we still win. Knicks did everything right.

Yawn. Please mention the 9-25 just one more time. You have only said it on every thread since yestetday. Leave out how with Anthony our defense looked great. Leave out that he shot 62% in first half and we went up by 20. Leave out how you shot your load on the "How well team looked with Willy and KP and no Melo" thread. Yes he forced up way too many shots in 4th when game was well in hand. But sure, let's stick to your agenda and just mention the 9 for 25.