Dr. Detfink wrote:I blame the coach, Jeff Hornacek. This Phoenix product has no spine. He sells Phil on this idea that he's going to incorporate faster plays into the triangle and it goes colossally wrong. After 3 games, the Knicks look shockingly worse than they did under Fisher with better talent. They look a lot like the Francis and Marbury team under Larry Brown.
1. ISO-ball, Pick'n'Roll, Triangle..a mess of a play calls, NOT a system. Lee and Porzingis can only guess. When you are playing 3 systems, you don't have one. I think Hornacek just gives in his star players, going along with what makes them happy as opposed to Thibs who molds them together by playing HIS way. Personal numbers do not equal success and that was the fallacy of all the Marbury defenders. Yeah, "ME" guys have nice numbers but they don't get other players involved, meaning the opposition can just keep pace without spreading the D, and ultimately wait till they run tired. The Rockets actually expanded the lead with Harden on the bench.
2. Porzingis is NOT a 5. This is why I ultimately see Jeff Hornacek as the next Phoenix coach to screw up and get fired. Porzingis is not a pounder. His body is not ready for that kind of abuse. Jeff using him like the next Omar Asik because he is tall, will diminish his development. His effectiveness is drawing the opposition away from the basket. Ok, Ryan Anderson got a couple 3-pointers THREE steps away beyond the three point line. Let him take those shots, he won't do it all night. That leads to long rebounds and fast break the other way. But there's a reason why DJ Jazzy Jeff was convinced he had to force KP into that role...
3. Joakim Noah can't jump: Is it me or does Noah no longer looks like the guy who can block shots, defend the paint? Guys 2 inches shorter were taking him out of the play. For $18M a season, he reminds me of Mcdyess' tenure as a Knick. NO RIM PROTECTION. He can pass but that's it.
We'll see if the Knicks can straighten this out but damn, there is A LOT of work to do.
I agree with all your points except for point number 2. Porzingis should be a center. He is 7'2". A 7'2" guy should not be trying to guard all these smaller, quicker PF that the league is pumping out these days. I think it was pretty obvious Hornacek was using him as a PF, exactly like a Ryan Anderson. I don't care how skinny he is, he is 7'2" and especially with today's officiating where they don't allow guys to continue to bump or extend the arms inside, Porzingis should be effective with his quick feet and soft touch. He can still draw the opposition to the 3 point line as a center which is a much bigger mismatch than against a PF.
He's also going to be much more effective affecting shots in the paint rather than on the perimeter. He's the best rebounder and shot blocker this team has by far and his defensive impact would be felt much more often as a center.
The problem is the Knicks signed Noah so they wouldn't be able to abuse the opposition with Porzingis as a 5. As an outsider looking in, that is the biggest mistake the team has made. They need to pair him up with guys like Millsap, Favors, Griffin, Aldridge, Pau, Randolph etc. that can help him rebound inside but is an offensive threat.
