500 @ Mecca Post Game Thread

[Knicker23]

I agree Kane, basketball is much more fun to talk about. Not sure how or why that other stuff was brought up.

And Camby better get some time, he may have needed a few games to get his head in and the dust off.. but he's a great rebounder and shot alterer - both of which this team needs.. Can't have him rotting on the bench.

This game makes me question the 'team RBing' stat and what it actually means about a team.. Like Breen said about shot blocking during the game.... Pacers were #2 in RBs and they certainly didn't look like anything special compared to us... It's probably a combination of allowing teams a lot of shots, missing a lot yourself, etc etc..... Which makes sense with teams like Miami and OKC not great in RB rankings

[Pharmcat]

marvelous win

[Capn'O]

They still absolutely controlled the game. Here's how, they took 19 more FGA's than their opponents thanks in large part to 9 steals and 19 forced TO's. They still had 19 assists on their 33 makes which tells you it wasn't a question of execution or team play...it was just an off shooting night and that wasn't even close to enough to stop this team.

Yeah - this is the "possession" argument I've been making. I think Memphis was the first game where we didn't win the possessions/shots battle outright and it was our only loss. I'm really coming around to the Felton signing. He's not the best floor general - both Kidd and Prigs are better, and I also think Lin is better in this regard - but he takes care of the ball really well (better than Lin) and is an excellent passer.

There are very few times when we don't have two of Him, Kidd, Prigs, or Smith out on the floor. When Shump comes back that will make 5. You can't press this team because we can just pass it to another player with excellent handles who knows how to move the ball. That is an incredible luxury.

As bad as the Pacers were, they actually outshot us percentagewise - and we still won big!

Yep, we got outshot in terms of FG and 3 point FG% and still beat them handily...and it's not just possessions for possessions sake like the D'antoni years, these are controlled offensive attacks. Almost every time down there's a focal point on either a post up or high pick and roll. Felton thrives where Lin struggled in his ability to throw an entry pass to the post and his ability to maintain a high speed through the picks, Lin would often slow down to survey and this allowed defenders to recover at times...Lin was better at a number of things, but I think Felton is better protecting the ball out of the high pick and roll which is a big centerpiece of our offense.

It would appear that Woodson and the management staff work very well together as well as this strategy was clearly orchestrated through Woodson's vision in the offseason. I can live with this. Having coach and management on the same page is so crucial - certainly more important than having Capn'O and management on the same page.

[Pharmcat]

Didn't like the energy, but it is what it is.


Camby is by far the best big on the team right now

its really hard for guys to get going for a 12 noon game when they are used to playing games at 7pm

[Pharmcat]

this team still needs amare tho to take the scoring load and pressure off melo
cant wait to get him back

[AllanHoustonFan]

this team still needs amare tho to take the scoring load and pressure off melo
cant wait to get him back

Absolutely. His interior scoring is something we are lacking right now. Good win though.

[Capn'O]

Didn't like the energy, but it is what it is.


Camby is by far the best big on the team right now

its really hard for guys to get going for a 12 noon game when they are used to playing games at 7pm

Yeah - Felton said at halftime that the team had just gotten in at 5am Friday night from Memphis. Exhausting! And after a back to back. Why not fly the next day?

this team still needs amare tho to take the scoring load and pressure off melo
cant wait to get him back

No doubt. And hope that he's The Real Amar'e. People forget who Amar'e is.

[kane2021]

I agree Kane, basketball is much more fun to talk about. Not sure how or why that other stuff was brought up.

And Camby better get some time, he may have needed a few games to get his head in and the dust off.. but he's a great rebounder and shot alterer - both of which this team needs.. Can't have him rotting on the bench.

This game makes me question the 'team RBing' stat and what it actually means about a team.. Like Breen said about shot blocking during the game.... Pacers were #2 in RBs and they certainly didn't look like anything special compared to us... It's probably a combination of allowing teams a lot of shots, missing a lot yourself, etc etc..... Which makes sense with teams like Miami and OKC not great in RB rankings

I mean,.... everyone was pissed. Now they want to do to him what they didnt like him for doing. I said this the other day. If one is seeking satisfaction from that situation, it is being received. In the most powerful form. Silence.

We still not perfect. But I think its safe to say most of us did not envision this type of play. Let alone start. This is not some ssol fluke. This is execution of game plan and attitude. This is our identity. Its one thing to put a hand in a shooters face. Its another to try and take away someones identity. Thats hard. And if that person or team has the heart to back it, then my guess is it wont be taken. So far this team has shown the heart. I am beyond pleased.

[boomann21]

this team still needs amare tho to take the scoring load and pressure off melo
cant wait to get him back

Absolutely. His interior scoring is something we are lacking right now. Good win though.

Also his passion for the game of basketball. At first I was all like "let's get rid of him, he's injury prone." Now I want to see the guy in action that started the "Knicks Are Back" movement. Now that we have a legit team and a legit coach. I want to see if our $100 million dollar man might be able to mesh better with these vets rather than with Toney Douglas, Landry Fields, Bill Walker, and the misfits.

[kane2021]

If amare is on the floor it changes the way you must defend carmelo and this whole team. Amare can shoot, create for himself, and finish off a pass. If you send 2 forwards at melo, amare is going to score the ball until you go back to defending him. That alone is valuable I feel.

[StutterStep]

Great post J4Remi!

I missed the beginning and end...#wreck_it_ralph!

Will catch it later!

[StutterStep]

I wonder what's up with Novakaine? Is his timing off or something. His missing a lot of shots that are automatic for him.

I just read a blogger talking about Novak and his regression...He mentioned that Novak's 3 point percentage on the season is only like 1.5% shy of Reggie Miller's career average. Maybe we're all just spoiled because of how dominant he was from three last year, it kinda makes sense that he would fall back to Earth...though it's true that he's missing shots I'd expect him to make.

He's rushing his shot so I think Landry Fields's shooting coach got a hold of him!

[TheBigBoss]

I am just really anxious to see how Amare's work with Hakeem went. I also can't wait to see how he does being with competent guards again. I am also dying to see how Sheed/Stat/Melo frontcourt is going to look together as I have a feeling that they will have good chemistry together. I am still stunned at how good Sheed still is though, it even looks like his legs are coming back with that throw down he had. I want to see him post up more though like he was doing in the Memphis game, he looked unstoppable in the post.

[Knicks_Fan2]

If amare is on the floor it changes the way you must defend carmelo and this whole team. Amare can shoot, create for himself, and finish off a pass. If you send 2 forwards at melo, amare is going to score the ball until you go back to defending him. That alone is valuable I feel.

But will our defense remain as elite? That's mainly what I care about. Btw when you double Melo, he immediately finds an open man, the ball rips around the arc, andwe get open shots...That is just as valuable to me as hitting Amare for his inconsistent J.

[sol537]

A few things about Amare...

1. He started all this. Sure we paid him when no one else would, but he came here and he was awesome in that first year and got us back to the playoffs. He got the ball rolling and now we're reaping the rewards.

2. The man puts in work. He's in awesome shape. If anyone can come back stronger than before, it's Amare.

3. Imagine if we can add a 2010 Amare back to the team? Remember how great he was for us in that 1st season? Even if he's not as explosive, he can still be very good. The upside potential as a team is greater with Amare IMO. Him being out and coming back to join a "hot" team can be a huge blessing in disguise because he may then accept a smaller, more focused role. ie less scoring, and more of the other stuff.