NoLayupRule wrote:we are not soft
we are not mentally weak
what we are is at the next level talent-wise which is why teams that are lesser than us use thug tactics
fans of the knicks should know this. we used these tactics all through the 90s. we were often vastly less skilled than our competition but we played tougher, harder and intimidated our opponents as often as not.
the Celtics are a sub-500 team missing their best player. They countered with strong D and overly physical play. We tried to counter with shooting and speed. We failed. Just like against Chi.
There are few teams that have a combo of talent and physicality. Typically one or the other. Mem has both. Min too. Utah sorta.
Anyway what matters is that when we play small the physically play works against us because Melo has to over play bigger guys on D and gives up a lot on offense. If they bang him with a C or PF he doesnt flail and fall like LBJ and he doesnt get the calls so he lets it get under his skin.
We need to meet opponents Physicality with a combo of our own - Melo, Tyson, Thomas, Amare and Wallace are all very tough inside - and skill - we need penetration and dishing not post up play against thugs
despite the early record, do you honestly think that the celts and bulls are less than us? which is why they use "thug" tactics? not sure if that is a fair assesment, both the bulls and celts play this way vs everyone.. it is what they are and why they have been so successful over the past few years...
fans of the knicks should know this. we used these tactics all through the 90s. we were often vastly less skilled than our competition but we played tougher, harder and intimidated our opponents as often as not.
not sure I agree with that, we played that way because it suited the players we had, Ewing was always a top player in the league, oakley a top rebounder, we had talent, we played that way because we could, it suited a lot of those guys personality....