Me7o Thread: Hoodie edition

[Handledatruth]

Actually lets really break it down.

You want to go young right? Ron Baker, Frank N, and some D-League PG should be enough. Instead you roll in Ramon Sessions. Why?

To show Frank the ropes and eat up minutes without being real threat to hold the position of starter once Frank is deemed ready. Minimum signings are rarely worth inspecting.

Why go all in on THJ when you have Kuz, Dotson, and Lee as potential wings. Why not just keep Holiday? He embodies the identity you are going for right?

Because THJ is only 25, and flat out better than Holiday. The price tag is questionable, but the player fits the direction.

Beasley? For what? He's the opposite of what you want and has all of Melo's worst qualities.

Because if Melo is unloaded, somebody needs to eat mins and take shots. Even if Beasley is just like Melo, he makes the minimum, and doesn't present the same problem with optics when you bench him. He serves a very specific role for as little money as possible. Plus, he's only 28.

I say all of this just to tell you that the Steve Mills is voicing his intentions while actually doing opposite things. It's very concerning to me and the Melo situation is just ONE of many examples.

I don't there are a really any examples of Mills blatantly violating the vision he laid out.

To show Frank the ropes and eat up minutes without being real threat to hold the position of starter once Frank is deemed ready. Minimum signings are rarely worth inspecting.

Why does he need to be shown the ropes? Does LA have someone showing Lonzo Ball the ropes? Who is showing Fultz? I got people on this thread telling me that we are in lose now mode and a president that is hedging. He should be giving Jeff no choice but to start Frank N.
"I traveled to France to watch Frank Ntilikina. His physical tools were obvious, and I noticed how as point guard he sensed when to defer to his teammates on offense and when to turn on the aggressiveness." What more guidance does Frank need?

Because THJ is only 25, and flat out better than Holiday. The price tag is questionable, but the player fits the direction.

Why does this matter? It doesn't matter that Melo is flat out better than Courtney Lee (as an example). This move is a gamble to find another all star to play with KP while buying low. It could pan out, but let's not mistake the move for what it is. If you wanted to change identity to a scrappy defensive team you would keep a guy like Holiday around and ignore signings such as this. That being said, I really don't mind the signing. Its a ballsy gamble and one for Mills to own regardless of the result. And again what about Kuz and Dotson? If you are going to go Hinkie then go Hinkie. That's what people want right?

Because if Melo is unloaded, somebody needs to eat mins and take shots. Even if Beasley is just like Melo, he makes the minimum, and doesn't present the same problem with optics when you bench him. He serves a very specific role for as little money as possible. Plus, he's only 28.

Oh so we only like volume shooters that don't play defense in small doses. Got it!

Again my stance is the pretty simple. I think Steve Mills is putting Jeff Hornacek in an awkward situation between winning as much as possible and going young. If he wants to win as much as possible he will end up playing guys like Melo and Sessions a higher number of minutes than necessary to compliment KP, THJ, and Hermangomez. Again, it's Mills job to add or remove some of these pieces from the equation and its Jeff Hornacek's job to make it work. I understand that it's a tough situation, but I believe it is being handled somewhat poorly. Then again training camp hasn't started yet so maybe we will be out of the Melo log jam by then. However, if Mills leaves it to Jeff to resolve it, then I don't want to see any more blogs about his "vision" on basketball. Vision without corresponding activity is worthless.

[dakomish23]

I'm happy we have a competent FO guy now who didn't take the emotional "get rid of him at all costs" approach that many Melo haters would of done months ago. Long term thinking is refreshing.

In the meanwhile, we should be looking to offload Lee / LFT / maybe KOQ asap. There are teams that could use these guys.

Shorter contracts / assets / prospects. Let's do this rebuild right.

Yeah agreed. Thus far it looks like Perry and Mills are using their big head instead of little head when making decisions.

ya and they're gonna decide that melo is not going to stunt the development of the young players, yet again.

The FO is not going to stunt their development?

You mean like signing an aging over the hill veteran to the worst deal in the league to play the position your top prospects should be playing anyway?

Yeah. Let's hope they don't.

We all want to see the kids thrive. Stop trying to turn the appreciation of a common sense decision into another Melo critique.

[battabing10]

Again my stance is the pretty simple. I think Steve Mills is putting Jeff Hornacek in an awkward situation between winning as much as possible and going young. If he wants to win as much as possible he will end up playing guys like Melo and Sessions a higher number of minutes than necessary to compliment KP, THJ, and Hermangomez. Again, it's Mills job to add or remove some of these pieces from the equation and its Jeff Hornacek's job to make it work. I understand that it's a tough situation, but I believe it is being handled somewhat poorly. Then again training camp hasn't started yet so maybe we will be out of the Melo log jam by then. However, if Mills leaves it to Jeff to resolve it, then I don't want to see any more blogs about his "vision" on basketball. Vision without corresponding activity is worthless.

If you watched their press conference it was crystal clear that the coach, the GM, and the President were on the same page as to what to do. The only concern involves how will Melo behave and how to prepare for one or several eventualities. Connected with that is how compliant Melo is and respectful of the coach's wishes.

[blueNorange]

Actually lets really break it down.

You want to go young right? Ron Baker, Frank N, and some D-League PG should be enough. Instead you roll in Ramon Sessions. Why?

To show Frank the ropes and eat up minutes without being real threat to hold the position of starter once Frank is deemed ready. Minimum signings are rarely worth inspecting.

Why go all in on THJ when you have Kuz, Dotson, and Lee as potential wings. Why not just keep Holiday? He embodies the identity you are going for right?

Because THJ is only 25, and flat out better than Holiday. The price tag is questionable, but the player fits the direction.

Beasley? For what? He's the opposite of what you want and has all of Melo's worst qualities.

Because if Melo is unloaded, somebody needs to eat mins and take shots. Even if Beasley is just like Melo, he makes the minimum, and doesn't present the same problem with optics when you bench him. He serves a very specific role for as little money as possible. Plus, he's only 28.

I say all of this just to tell you that the Steve Mills is voicing his intentions while actually doing opposite things. It's very concerning to me and the Melo situation is just ONE of many examples.

I don't there are a really any examples of Mills blatantly violating the vision he laid out.

good thing you responded because i wasn't going to bother.

[blueNorange]

Actually lets really break it down.

You want to go young right? Ron Baker, Frank N, and some D-League PG should be enough. Instead you roll in Ramon Sessions. Why?

To show Frank the ropes and eat up minutes without being real threat to hold the position of starter once Frank is deemed ready. Minimum signings are rarely worth inspecting.

Why go all in on THJ when you have Kuz, Dotson, and Lee as potential wings. Why not just keep Holiday? He embodies the identity you are going for right?

Because THJ is only 25, and flat out better than Holiday. The price tag is questionable, but the player fits the direction.

Beasley? For what? He's the opposite of what you want and has all of Melo's worst qualities.

Because if Melo is unloaded, somebody needs to eat mins and take shots. Even if Beasley is just like Melo, he makes the minimum, and doesn't present the same problem with optics when you bench him. He serves a very specific role for as little money as possible. Plus, he's only 28.

I say all of this just to tell you that the Steve Mills is voicing his intentions while actually doing opposite things. It's very concerning to me and the Melo situation is just ONE of many examples.

I don't there are a really any examples of Mills blatantly violating the vision he laid out.

To show Frank the ropes and eat up minutes without being real threat to hold the position of starter once Frank is deemed ready. Minimum signings are rarely worth inspecting.

Why does he need to be shown the ropes? Does LA have someone showing Lonzo Ball the ropes? Who is showing Fultz? I got people on this thread telling me that we are in lose now mode and a president that is hedging. He should be giving Jeff no choice but to start Frank N.
"I traveled to France to watch Frank Ntilikina. His physical tools were obvious, and I noticed how as point guard he sensed when to defer to his teammates on offense and when to turn on the aggressiveness." What more guidance does Frank need?

Because THJ is only 25, and flat out better than Holiday. The price tag is questionable, but the player fits the direction.

Why does this matter? It doesn't matter that Melo is flat out better than Courtney Lee (as an example). This move is a gamble to find another all star to play with KP while buying low. It could pan out, but let's not mistake the move for what it is. If you wanted to change identity to a scrappy defensive team you would keep a guy like Holiday around and ignore signings such as this. That being said, I really don't mind the signing. Its a ballsy gamble and one for Mills to own regardless of the result. And again what about Kuz and Dotson? If you are going to go Hinkie then go Hinkie. That's what people want right?

Because if Melo is unloaded, somebody needs to eat mins and take shots. Even if Beasley is just like Melo, he makes the minimum, and doesn't present the same problem with optics when you bench him. He serves a very specific role for as little money as possible. Plus, he's only 28.

Oh so we only like volume shooters that don't play defense in small doses. Got it!

Again my stance is the pretty simple. I think Steve Mills is putting Jeff Hornacek in an awkward situation between winning as much as possible and going young. If he wants to win as much as possible he will end up playing guys like Melo and Sessions a higher number of minutes than necessary to compliment KP, THJ, and Hermangomez. Again, it's Mills job to add or remove some of these pieces from the equation and its Jeff Hornacek's job to make it work. I understand that it's a tough situation, but I believe it is being handled somewhat poorly. Then again training camp hasn't started yet so maybe we will be out of the Melo log jam by then. However, if Mills leaves it to Jeff to resolve it, then I don't want to see any more blogs about his "vision" on basketball. Vision without corresponding activity is worthless.

the only stance you have is wanting carmelo anthony to be the focal point if he's still a knick.

just say it, no need for long winded responses.

[Handledatruth]

To show Frank the ropes and eat up minutes without being real threat to hold the position of starter once Frank is deemed ready. Minimum signings are rarely worth inspecting.


Because THJ is only 25, and flat out better than Holiday. The price tag is questionable, but the player fits the direction.



Because if Melo is unloaded, somebody needs to eat mins and take shots. Even if Beasley is just like Melo, he makes the minimum, and doesn't present the same problem with optics when you bench him. He serves a very specific role for as little money as possible. Plus, he's only 28.



I don't there are a really any examples of Mills blatantly violating the vision he laid out.

To show Frank the ropes and eat up minutes without being real threat to hold the position of starter once Frank is deemed ready. Minimum signings are rarely worth inspecting.

Why does he need to be shown the ropes? Does LA have someone showing Lonzo Ball the ropes? Who is showing Fultz? I got people on this thread telling me that we are in lose now mode and a president that is hedging. He should be giving Jeff no choice but to start Frank N.
"I traveled to France to watch Frank Ntilikina. His physical tools were obvious, and I noticed how as point guard he sensed when to defer to his teammates on offense and when to turn on the aggressiveness." What more guidance does Frank need?

Because THJ is only 25, and flat out better than Holiday. The price tag is questionable, but the player fits the direction.

Why does this matter? It doesn't matter that Melo is flat out better than Courtney Lee (as an example). This move is a gamble to find another all star to play with KP while buying low. It could pan out, but let's not mistake the move for what it is. If you wanted to change identity to a scrappy defensive team you would keep a guy like Holiday around and ignore signings such as this. That being said, I really don't mind the signing. Its a ballsy gamble and one for Mills to own regardless of the result. And again what about Kuz and Dotson? If you are going to go Hinkie then go Hinkie. That's what people want right?

Because if Melo is unloaded, somebody needs to eat mins and take shots. Even if Beasley is just like Melo, he makes the minimum, and doesn't present the same problem with optics when you bench him. He serves a very specific role for as little money as possible. Plus, he's only 28.

Oh so we only like volume shooters that don't play defense in small doses. Got it!

Again my stance is the pretty simple. I think Steve Mills is putting Jeff Hornacek in an awkward situation between winning as much as possible and going young. If he wants to win as much as possible he will end up playing guys like Melo and Sessions a higher number of minutes than necessary to compliment KP, THJ, and Hermangomez. Again, it's Mills job to add or remove some of these pieces from the equation and its Jeff Hornacek's job to make it work. I understand that it's a tough situation, but I believe it is being handled somewhat poorly. Then again training camp hasn't started yet so maybe we will be out of the Melo log jam by then. However, if Mills leaves it to Jeff to resolve it, then I don't want to see any more blogs about his "vision" on basketball. Vision without corresponding activity is worthless.

the only stance you have is wanting carmelo anthony to be the focal point if he's still a knick.

just say it, no need for long winded responses.

I take the time to read counter arguments and respond to them without misrepresenting people's positions. I guess I should not expect you to bother with these things. I will look forward to your tank memes in the game thread.

[Handledatruth]

Again my stance is the pretty simple. I think Steve Mills is putting Jeff Hornacek in an awkward situation between winning as much as possible and going young. If he wants to win as much as possible he will end up playing guys like Melo and Sessions a higher number of minutes than necessary to compliment KP, THJ, and Hermangomez. Again, it's Mills job to add or remove some of these pieces from the equation and its Jeff Hornacek's job to make it work. I understand that it's a tough situation, but I believe it is being handled somewhat poorly. Then again training camp hasn't started yet so maybe we will be out of the Melo log jam by then. However, if Mills leaves it to Jeff to resolve it, then I don't want to see any more blogs about his "vision" on basketball. Vision without corresponding activity is worthless.

If you watched their press conference it was crystal clear that the coach, the GM, and the President were on the same page as to what to do. The only concern involves how will Melo behave and how to prepare for one or several eventualities. Connected with that is how compliant Melo is and respectful of the coach's wishes.

Melo is not the wildcard here. He'll either fall in line, be traded, or get less minutes. Mills is the wild card. He's entirely capable of going off script.

And yes, I watched the press conference and was encouraged. If you actually see my posts in the press conference thread they are pretty optimistic. I am not so encouraged by some of the actions afterwards though. But again all this makes sense if Mills executes on some final moves. Otherwise he is leaving Hornacek with a roster and some potential locker room issues. Preventable things...

[blueNorange]

Why does he need to be shown the ropes? Does LA have someone showing Lonzo Ball the ropes? Who is showing Fultz? I got people on this thread telling me that we are in lose now mode and a president that is hedging. He should be giving Jeff no choice but to start Frank N.
"I traveled to France to watch Frank Ntilikina. His physical tools were obvious, and I noticed how as point guard he sensed when to defer to his teammates on offense and when to turn on the aggressiveness." What more guidance does Frank need?



Why does this matter? It doesn't matter that Melo is flat out better than Courtney Lee (as an example). This move is a gamble to find another all star to play with KP while buying low. It could pan out, but let's not mistake the move for what it is. If you wanted to change identity to a scrappy defensive team you would keep a guy like Holiday around and ignore signings such as this. That being said, I really don't mind the signing. Its a ballsy gamble and one for Mills to own regardless of the result. And again what about Kuz and Dotson? If you are going to go Hinkie then go Hinkie. That's what people want right?


Oh so we only like volume shooters that don't play defense in small doses. Got it!

Again my stance is the pretty simple. I think Steve Mills is putting Jeff Hornacek in an awkward situation between winning as much as possible and going young. If he wants to win as much as possible he will end up playing guys like Melo and Sessions a higher number of minutes than necessary to compliment KP, THJ, and Hermangomez. Again, it's Mills job to add or remove some of these pieces from the equation and its Jeff Hornacek's job to make it work. I understand that it's a tough situation, but I believe it is being handled somewhat poorly. Then again training camp hasn't started yet so maybe we will be out of the Melo log jam by then. However, if Mills leaves it to Jeff to resolve it, then I don't want to see any more blogs about his "vision" on basketball. Vision without corresponding activity is worthless.

the only stance you have is wanting carmelo anthony to be the focal point if he's still a knick.

just say it, no need for long winded responses.

I take the time to read counter arguments and respond to them without misrepresenting people's positions. I guess I should not expect you to bother with these things. I will look forward to your tank memes in the game thread.

i don't lower myself with tank memes, i simply say the knicks suck.

[Jalen Bluntson]

How is Mills putting Jeff in an awkward situation? Phil gave Melo the NTC and Melo only wants a team that is trying to get us to trade him for a loss. Mills probably would have too... If Perry hadn't stopped him.

Jeff is a smart man. He'll do what's best for all parties. That would be running the offense through KP. Keeping Melo in game shape but not major minutes that risk injury. Saying the right things in the media. Holding players accountable.

Hopefully something breaks sooner than later.

[blueNorange]

Again my stance is the pretty simple. I think Steve Mills is putting Jeff Hornacek in an awkward situation between winning as much as possible and going young. If he wants to win as much as possible he will end up playing guys like Melo and Sessions a higher number of minutes than necessary to compliment KP, THJ, and Hermangomez. Again, it's Mills job to add or remove some of these pieces from the equation and its Jeff Hornacek's job to make it work. I understand that it's a tough situation, but I believe it is being handled somewhat poorly. Then again training camp hasn't started yet so maybe we will be out of the Melo log jam by then. However, if Mills leaves it to Jeff to resolve it, then I don't want to see any more blogs about his "vision" on basketball. Vision without corresponding activity is worthless.

If you watched their press conference it was crystal clear that the coach, the GM, and the President were on the same page as to what to do. The only concern involves how will Melo behave and how to prepare for one or several eventualities. Connected with that is how compliant Melo is and respectful of the coach's wishes.

Melo is not the wildcard here. He'll either fall in line, be traded, or get less minutes. Mills is the wild card. He's entirely capable of going off script.

And yes, I watched the press conference and was encouraged. If you actually see my posts in the press conference thread they are pretty optimistic. I am not so encouraged by some of the actions afterwards though. But again all this makes sense if Mills executes on some final moves. Otherwise he is leaving Hornacek with a roster and some potential locker room issues. Preventable things...

mills isn't the wildcard. mills, perry, AND hornacek are on the same page of the direction they all want this team to go in. mills first thing was communication and getting on the same page. knicks are ready to move on with carmelo anthony, this isn't a mills or perry decision ... it's a collective decision that all 3 agreed to.

if jeff hornacek didn't, he would've been fired and perry would've hired his coach.

[NYKAL]

Someone posted that Timmy was way better than Holiday. He must have significantly improved because Holiday is a better defender, better at cutting to the rim and was more reliable offensively. I hope Hardaway has improved to the point that he is better.

heck, I nicknamed Timmy O'fer before he left because he'd go 0 for whatever he shot or, so it seemed.

[Handledatruth]

How is Mills putting Jeff in an awkward situation? Phil gave Melo the NTC and Melo only wants a team that is trying to get us to trade him for a loss. Mills probably would have too... If Perry hadn't stopped him.

Jeff is a smart man. He'll do what's best for all parties. That would be running the offense through KP. Keeping Melo in game shape but not major minutes that risk injury. Saying the right things in the media. Holding players accountable.

Hopefully something breaks sooner than later.

You don't think Mills blatantly dictating who he should play makes his job a little harder? Remember when our president blatantly dictated what offense to use?

Just so you guys know. I want to see Jeff Hornacek succeed. I think he does a great job of motivating the young guys and I like his focus on ball movement.

When Mills gave a clear "no" to waiving Melo he left himself with two choices:
a) a garbage trade with Houston
b) to continue on with Melo on the team

So with that choice comes the highest probability that Melo will be on the team. However, Mills is going about business as if Melo is not on the team. If you want to play avoidance that is fine, but now you leave it up to Jeff Hornacek to handle it. This is unfair in my opinion. Especially when this could have ended easily with a Melo opt out at the end of the season without any of this discussion. In the end, if Jeff Hornacek gets fired at any point this season, it will be on Mills not Melo.

[moocow007]

And there's no way we can work something out with Melo where we can buy him out for this season without the option year counting against our cap. Do I have that right? Even if Melo agrees now not to exercise his option clause?

The ETO is an option to terminate a 5 year contract after the 4th year. While the ETO can't be used to terminate a contract before the end of the 4th year I don't believe that there's any limits on when it can be exercised. Meaning Anthony can exercise the option before the end of the 4th year at any point. Players usually wait for the last minute but IF Antony wants out badly enough and the Knicks insist that the only way it'll happen is if he exercises his ETO so they don't have to pay him for the 5th year, then he can exercise his ETO contractually as part of the buyout.

Then that option year for the 2018-19 would NOT count against the cap under that scenario?

If he exercises the option it means the 5th year is void. At which point there'd be no contractual obligation left to count against the cap. So, yes, if he exercises it there be no salary to count against the cap for the summer of 2018.

Now I'd be a monkey's uncle if he actually did exercise that ETO since he's always shown that money is very important in the grand scheme of things (not that there's anything wrong with that, most folks would feel the same) so it'll likely all be moot.

[moocow007]

And there's no way we can work something out with Melo where we can buy him out for this season without the option year counting against our cap. Do I have that right? Even if Melo agrees now not to exercise his option clause?

The ETO is an option to terminate a 5 year contract after the 4th year. While the ETO can't be used to terminate a contract before the end of the 4th year I don't believe that there's any limits on when it can be exercised. Meaning Anthony can exercise the option before the end of the 4th year at any point. Players usually wait for the last minute but IF Antony wants out badly enough and the Knicks insist that the only way it'll happen is if he exercises his ETO so they don't have to pay him for the 5th year, then he can exercise his ETO contractually as part of the buyout.

I was under the impression he couldn't opt out until after the season.

Not sure. It's not 100% clear in the CBA. The contract itself cannot be opted out of until after the 4th year (meaning he can't decide he wants out after the 3rd year) but the wording isn't specific in terms of when he can actually exercise it. Maybe it is after the 4th but I'm sure they can include wording in the buyout that says the agreement is based on the condition that he exercises the ETO.

[battabing10]

Again my stance is the pretty simple. I think Steve Mills is putting Jeff Hornacek in an awkward situation between winning as much as possible and going young. If he wants to win as much as possible he will end up playing guys like Melo and Sessions a higher number of minutes than necessary to compliment KP, THJ, and Hermangomez. Again, it's Mills job to add or remove some of these pieces from the equation and its Jeff Hornacek's job to make it work. I understand that it's a tough situation, but I believe it is being handled somewhat poorly. Then again training camp hasn't started yet so maybe we will be out of the Melo log jam by then. However, if Mills leaves it to Jeff to resolve it, then I don't want to see any more blogs about his "vision" on basketball. Vision without corresponding activity is worthless.

If you watched their press conference it was crystal clear that the coach, the GM, and the President were on the same page as to what to do. The only concern involves how will Melo behave and how to prepare for one or several eventualities. Connected with that is how compliant Melo is and respectful of the coach's wishes.

Melo is not the wildcard here. He'll either fall in line, be traded, or get less minutes. Mills is the wild card. He's entirely capable of going off script.

And yes, I watched the press conference and was encouraged. If you actually see my posts in the press conference thread they are pretty optimistic. I am not so encouraged by some of the actions afterwards though. But again all this makes sense if Mills executes on some final moves. Otherwise he is leaving Hornacek with a roster and some potential locker room issues. Preventable things...

You have every right to say he's a wildcard, especially given his long and tortured history with the Dolan-era Knicks. I hate Dolan so much it isn't funny. He is an offensive cockroach. I hate his incompetence, his meddling, his malignant influence. In fact I blame him for bringing Melo here and I think he was behind the NTC as well. Even so, I would stick with your feelings of optimism and encouragement. He seemed like someone intent on cleaning up someone else's mess, and Perry looks like a good wingman to that end. I mean, just pulling the plug on a Houston trade has changed the dynamics completely!

Second, you mention the deals that Mills has struck. He justified the Hardaway contract adequately-- essentially taking the "investment" angle rather than "reward" angle. He justified the Frank pick too, although that was Jax's last act. He still has Clarence Gaines on the payroll who is as sharp and shrewd as they come and who I imagine is far more influential than his title suggests, and he has maintained contact with KP.

[moocow007]

I'm happy we have a competent FO guy now who didn't take the emotional "get rid of him at all costs" approach that many Melo haters would of done months ago. Long term thinking is refreshing.

In the meanwhile, we should be looking to offload Lee / LFT / maybe KOQ asap. There are teams that could use these guys.

Shorter contracts / assets / prospects. Let's do this rebuild right.

Yeah agreed. Thus far it looks like Perry and Mills are using their big head instead of little head when making decisions.

ya and they're gonna decide that melo is not going to stunt the development of the young players, yet again.

And yet apparently none of the players on the team nor players in the NBA think that Anthony stunts anyone's growth. But yes, screw all of them because you obviously know better. You yourself is thinking with the smaller head honestly.

[Jalen Bluntson]

How is Mills putting Jeff in an awkward situation? Phil gave Melo the NTC and Melo only wants a team that is trying to get us to trade him for a loss. Mills probably would have too... If Perry hadn't stopped him.

Jeff is a smart man. He'll do what's best for all parties. That would be running the offense through KP. Keeping Melo in game shape but not major minutes that risk injury. Saying the right things in the media. Holding players accountable.

Hopefully something breaks sooner than later.

You don't think Mills blatantly dictating who he should play makes his job a little harder? Remember when our president blatantly dictated what offense to use?

Just so you guys know. I want to see Jeff Hornacek succeed. I think he does a great job of motivating the young guys and I like his focus on ball movement.

When Mills gave a clear "no" to waiving Melo he left himself with two choices:
a) a garbage trade with Houston
b) to continue on with Melo on the team

So with that choice comes the highest probability that Melo will be on the team. However, Mills is going about business as if Melo is not on the team. If you want to play avoidance that is fine, but now you leave it up to Jeff Hornacek to handle it. This is unfair in my opinion. Especially when this could have ended easily with a Melo opt out at the end of the season without any of this discussion. In the end, if Jeff Hornacek gets fired at any point this season, it will be on Mills not Melo.

When did Mills dictate who to play? Where did anything say that Mills has anything to do with who played where? This never happened. It has never been insinuated either. You are discussing something that never happened.

No wonder I was confused. You're crazy!

[NewYorkPride85]

How is Mills putting Jeff in an awkward situation? Phil gave Melo the NTC and Melo only wants a team that is trying to get us to trade him for a loss. Mills probably would have too... If Perry hadn't stopped him.

Jeff is a smart man. He'll do what's best for all parties. That would be running the offense through KP. Keeping Melo in game shape but not major minutes that risk injury. Saying the right things in the media. Holding players accountable.

Hopefully something breaks sooner than later.

You don't think Mills blatantly dictating who he should play makes his job a little harder? Remember when our president blatantly dictated what offense to use?

Just so you guys know. I want to see Jeff Hornacek succeed. I think he does a great job of motivating the young guys and I like his focus on ball movement.

When Mills gave a clear "no" to waiving Melo he left himself with two choices:
a) a garbage trade with Houston
b) to continue on with Melo on the team

So with that choice comes the highest probability that Melo will be on the team. However, Mills is going about business as if Melo is not on the team. If you want to play avoidance that is fine, but now you leave it up to Jeff Hornacek to handle it. This is unfair in my opinion. Especially when this could have ended easily with a Melo opt out at the end of the season without any of this discussion. In the end, if Jeff Hornacek gets fired at any point this season, it will be on Mills not Melo.

When did Mills dictate who to play? Where did anything say that Mills has anything to do with who played where? This never happened. It has never been insinuated either. You are discussing something that never happened.

No wonder I was confused. You're crazy!

Gonna have to agree with Are We Ther Yet. Your assuming it to be the same because Jackson dictated Triangle above all else. The point you are missing is that Jackson was/still thinks he is, a coach. That's is the reason he dictated what he did. Mills is not a coach and can not dictate what to play let alone who. In other words....your reaching at something that was never there.

[Handledatruth]

How is Mills putting Jeff in an awkward situation? Phil gave Melo the NTC and Melo only wants a team that is trying to get us to trade him for a loss. Mills probably would have too... If Perry hadn't stopped him.

Jeff is a smart man. He'll do what's best for all parties. That would be running the offense through KP. Keeping Melo in game shape but not major minutes that risk injury. Saying the right things in the media. Holding players accountable.

Hopefully something breaks sooner than later.

You don't think Mills blatantly dictating who he should play makes his job a little harder? Remember when our president blatantly dictated what offense to use?

Just so you guys know. I want to see Jeff Hornacek succeed. I think he does a great job of motivating the young guys and I like his focus on ball movement.

When Mills gave a clear "no" to waiving Melo he left himself with two choices:
a) a garbage trade with Houston
b) to continue on with Melo on the team

So with that choice comes the highest probability that Melo will be on the team. However, Mills is going about business as if Melo is not on the team. If you want to play avoidance that is fine, but now you leave it up to Jeff Hornacek to handle it. This is unfair in my opinion. Especially when this could have ended easily with a Melo opt out at the end of the season without any of this discussion. In the end, if Jeff Hornacek gets fired at any point this season, it will be on Mills not Melo.

When did Mills dictate who to play? Where did anything say that Mills has anything to do with who played where? This never happened. It has never been insinuated either. You are discussing something that never happened.

No wonder I was confused. You're crazy!

Interesting you would say that when other posters that have disagreed with my previous statements have said otherwise. Some have gone far enough to say that Melo will definitely be a 6th man subbing in for Courtney Lee . Anyway, outside of speculation, Mills actions and statements lean towards excluding certain players from the team moving forward, without actually doing it from a front office perspective. Thus he's relying on Jeff Hornacek to do it, and therein lies my problem.

You think Melo is going to hurt the culture of the team moving forward? Then do something to get rid of him, otherwise play nice and wait for the opt out. The latter being the more acceptable option.

[Handledatruth]

You don't think Mills blatantly dictating who he should play makes his job a little harder? Remember when our president blatantly dictated what offense to use?

Just so you guys know. I want to see Jeff Hornacek succeed. I think he does a great job of motivating the young guys and I like his focus on ball movement.

When Mills gave a clear "no" to waiving Melo he left himself with two choices:
a) a garbage trade with Houston
b) to continue on with Melo on the team

So with that choice comes the highest probability that Melo will be on the team. However, Mills is going about business as if Melo is not on the team. If you want to play avoidance that is fine, but now you leave it up to Jeff Hornacek to handle it. This is unfair in my opinion. Especially when this could have ended easily with a Melo opt out at the end of the season without any of this discussion. In the end, if Jeff Hornacek gets fired at any point this season, it will be on Mills not Melo.

When did Mills dictate who to play? Where did anything say that Mills has anything to do with who played where? This never happened. It has never been insinuated either. You are discussing something that never happened.

No wonder I was confused. You're crazy!

Gonna have to agree with Are We Ther Yet. Your assuming it to be the same because Jackson dictated Triangle above all else. The point you are missing is that Jackson was/still thinks he is, a coach. That's is the reason he dictated what he did. Mills is not a coach and can not dictate what to play let alone who. In other words....your reaching at something that was never there.

"He (Frank N), Porzingis and Hardaway, along with Hernangómez and Ron Baker, will exemplify a new defensive mindset that puts a premium on making stops. Only from there can a productive offense flow. "