Stunts, Blunts & Basketball: The 2013-14 New York Knicks Season Thread

[Prodyson]

First,
22 Points on 24 shots. That's not alright.

And second, the problem wasn't trying too hard to get teammates involved. It was the Luol/Jimmy and Noah - or at least the fear of noah - had him take two shots from around the basket. Of 24. He got pestered into/bullied into long jumpers all night, settling often for quick pulls off a pass or handoff with a hand in his face.

In all fairness to Melo, the spacing wasn't really there last night... which is no fault of Melo's. It was a lack of game planning by the Knicks to try to create more open lanes, and proabably an intentional strategy of the Bulls to keep him out of the paint considering he's their only real post threat.

If Coach isn't gonna game plan it, then Melo's just gonna have to force the issue and try to draw fouls

 

[I.V.]

Melo couldn't drive the basket because the defense would of collapse in on him.

THAT NEVER MEANS YOU SHOULD FIRE UP 20 OF THE HARDEST SHOTS IN BASKETBALL.

 

[The War Report]

THAT NEVER MEANS YOU SHOULD FIRE UP 20 OF THE HARDEST SHOTS IN BASKETBALL.

I ain't condoning that shyt. Stop putting words in my mouth. And I was talking about the last play. I've been getting tired of Melo jacking up a ton of shots when his shyt isn't falling. It's on Woodson for not finding ways to get him easy baskets to get him back in the groove.

 

[I.V.]

In all fairness to Melo, the spacing wasn't really there last night... which is no fault of Melo's. It was a lack of game planning by the Knicks to try to create more open lanes, and proabably an intentional strategy of the Bulls to keep him out of the paint considering he's their only real post threat.

If Coach isn't gonna game plan it, then Melo's just gonna have to force the issue and try to draw fouls

Again. These are nice theories. But it's NOT what happened last night. He shot 5 free throws. And took 17 long jumpers.

 

[The War Report]

I hate this new CBA. The owners can suck my dikk. :scustarod:

 

[Trip]

Been saying all along Melo doesnt want a coach here that's going to challenge him or his game. Its his way or no way.

 

[Boolean]

smh these last few pages are comedy

 

[I.V.]

Been saying all along Melo doesnt want a coach here that's going to challenge him or his game. Its his way or no way.

Ehh, I don't buy that.

He's playing the best defense of his career. He's making some concerted efforts (though they're obvious and laborious) to move the ball.

If you focus on late game situations for your examples, you could make the argument that "LEBRON DOESN'T WANT TO BE CHALLENGED" They run the same iso for him in late games... he just bullies to the hoop more often. and he's much better. Kobe, same. Rose, same. We saw it last night.

 

[Prodyson]

Again. These are nice theories. But it's NOT what happened last night. He shot 5 free throws. And took 17 long jumpers.

Umm... what exactly is it that you want. I agreed with the premise that he took to many jumpshots. I gave my theory on why it's happening. And I gave my solution for the future.

What... do you want to just continue to harp on what he didn't do. We all watched the games. We saw the same thing you did. We're choosing to discuss ways to fix it as oppose to bytching about what already happened.

 

[Trip]

Ehh, I don't buy that.

He's playing the best defense of his career. He's making some concerted efforts (though they're obvious and laborious) to move the ball.

If you focus on late game situations for your examples, you could make the argument that "LEBRON DOESN'T WANT TO BE CHALLENGED" They run the same iso for him in late games... he just bullies to the hoop more often. and he's much better. Kobe, same. Rose, same. We saw it last night.

Melo isnt in that category though either. And what Rose is doing isnt going to last...it's also terrible basketball.

 

[I.V.]

Melo isnt in that category though either. And what Rose is doing isnt going to last...it's also terrible basketball.

Well no. But he's our best player and our best scorer. So that's the kind of play you run for him. Iso, go get us a bucket.

And I don't know what you mean by the Rose piece. It was a bit of a heave, but he's ALWAYS done that, and is always going to do that. Use his speed and strength, try to get to the basket or get separation for a jumper.

This isn't an argument. These are statements of facts.

 

[Trip]

Well no. But he's our best player and our best scorer. So that's the kind of play you run for him. Iso, go get us a bucket.

And I don't know what you mean by the Rose piece. It was a bit of a heave, but he's ALWAYS done that, and is always going to do that. Use his speed and strength, try to get to the basket or get separation for a jumper.

This isn't an argument. These are statements of facts.

Rose hit a lucky ass shot last night. His game was awful....he's either putting his head down recklessly and driving right for a wild layup or makes a risky jump pass....or he's trying to cross and find a crease, which werent there last night.

Melo just enjoys settling too much. And after the game its the same excuses from the coach and the player...."those are shots he usually makes"..."thats a shot I usually make"...No its not! Its a bad shot for anyone.

 

[I.V.]

Rose hit a lucky ass shot last night. His game was awful....he's either putting his head down recklessly and driving right for a wild layup or makes a risky jump pass....or he's trying to cross and find a crease, which werent there last night.


Agreed. Other than the big 3's he hit to maintain the lead when the knicks were sagging off of him - he was out of sync. The difference is: He'll get back in sync, and he'll go back to probing and attacking and exploiting weaknesses. That baseline layup he had in the last few minutes last night, from the left side was the perfect example.



Melo just enjoys settling too much. And after the game its the same excuses from the coach and the player...."those are shots he usually makes"..."thats a shot I usually make"...No its not! Its a bad shot for anyone.

I agree with most of this. But all things being equal - I'd rather my star try and drive to the hoop for the last shot of the game, than just a few idle dribbles and a long pull-up. In fact, the LONGEST non-3 pullup available on the floor.


Not a good precedent to set, and shows me that not much has changed this off season.

That's not a death knell, it's just a "welp."

 

[Prodyson]

Rose hit a lucky ass shot last night. His game was awful....he's either putting his head down recklessly and driving right for a wild layup or makes a risky jump pass....or he's trying to cross and find a crease, which werent there last night.

Melo just enjoys settling too much. And after the game its the same excuses from the coach and the player...."those are shots he usually makes"..."thats a shot I usually make"...No its not! Its a bad shot for anyone.

Actually you're both right and wrong... They are bad shots, but they are also shots he usually makes. And he's been doing it so long, he thinks they're good shots because he can usually make them. That pull-up was as good a decision as the one that put the dagger into Celtics fans hearts last year. He just so happened to make it last time... and HE thinks he's gonna make it the next time

 

[The War Report]

I'm more worried about the turnovers becoming a recurring problem. Low TO's is another reason why they were successful last year.