The Knicks Thread....

[Andrew]

I wouldn't call Melo overrated because by and large, most people don't seem to rate him as being any better than he is; a talented scorer who can fill it up, adequate defensively and a good rebounder for a small forward. He's considered a star in the league but not the best at his position or anything, nor necessarily a player who can lead a team to a championship. On the whole, I think that's rating him pretty fairly.

It's worth noting that he did reach the Western Conference Finals in 2009 with the Nuggets so I think he can be a big part of a successful team, but so far he's not proving to be a good fit with Amar'e.

[NovU]

The Knicks are playing Jeremy Lin now at PG.

[shadowgrin]

He's considered a star in the league but not the best at his position or anything

Still close though.
Best SF in the league (imo):
1. LeBron
2. Carmelo

[Jeffx]

I would've preferred to see them keep to the course with the core of Amar'e, Wilson Chandler & Gallo then add pieces through free agency, draft & trades. Without the Melo trade, they could've signed Tyson Chandler or somebody else through free agency.

They would be a better team than now with more flexibility. But I guess not title worthy.

Knicks are hot garbage - no point guard, no chemistry between our stars, top-heavy roster, shitty coach.

I was in favor of the Carmelo trade, so I can't go back now. You need at least two stars to have a chance in this league. But maybe Donnie Walsh was right. Maybe Dolan should have waited and not given up so much. Who knows?

I'm just sick of watching ex-Knicks have good games against this team. Even friggin' Jordan Hill played well last night. The Knicks bench is woeful, and Landry Fields is totally lost.

Six games under .500 with the Pistons and Bulls coming up. And we're waiting on a dude with a bad back to save the season...(sigh)....

[NovU]

Most people in this forum(Except Lamrock) thought the Knicks were better off with Melo than bunch of OK players. But now I am sorta convinced Melo was always overrated as his advanced stats also suggest so. But Amare's definitely been worse this season. Seems like only good signing was Chandler in recent years. It'd be the worst scenario for the Knicks if Melo-Amare duo don't improve together vastly. But come the playoffs time, I don't think any top teams want to face the Knicks in the first round.

[Andrew]

Who's overrating him though? The line on him is that he's a player who can score in bunches, which is true (his one point effort the other day not withstanding). He's not considered an all-time great and few comparisons are made to the pantheon of players considered to be among the best we've ever seen. He's looking like a bad fit with the Knicks and it remains to be seen if he's truly someone that a team can build around, but he's not really rated as being a better player than he can fairly be called.

[NovU]

Depends on your perspective I guess. He had carried around a tag "Franchise Player" and yet his PER and W/S columns were a disappointment, which actually depicts him as an average good player and nowhere near superstar. As for the basic stats(PTS), I think that's where things got overblown despite his lack of productivity/efficiency on the court. In many senses, I think people have rights to say he was overrated untill he proves otherwise.

[Andrew]

Do that many people consider him a bonafide franchise player, or anything more than a player capable of being an explosive scorer?

[NovU]

I know where you are coming from, Andrew. But I am just saying that many of us overrated him as well, thinking that he could make the Knicks a better team instantly or to change the fate of the franchise with his scoring ability, his presence, or with whatever he brings to the team. But the result has shown otherwise so far. As a scorer, he may be adequately rated but as a player I don't think there's anything wrong to say he was overrated with what's been given so far.

[Andrew]

That's true, I thought they'd fare better than they have done so far. All might not be lost though if they can bring in a better coach, someone who can run the club out on the floor and have a proper training camp to figure things out. Unless a deal for Dwight Howard falls into their laps, I think they've basically got to commit to making this work and with better vision on the sidelines and at the point, they could be a competitive 50+ win team that at least makes a little noise in the Playoffs. They have some decent pieces, individually speaking, but they're not working together well right now and they're a couple of other pieces away from really being able to make it work.

A couple of good moves could have a really good payoff in the coming years. That's the rub though; do those moves get made or does Dolan stand in the way?

[NovU]

Indeed. I am thinking this is the type of season where the seeding won't reflect true quality of teams entering the playoffs. It's perhaps me being bit optimistic about these superstars led teams like NYK and BOS, but they might be the prime examples of teams that could come together and find grooves just at the right time and possibly provide upsets.

[The X]

Knicks need a good point guard who can make the scorer's lives easier. Even Andre Miller type player.

[Andrew]

With or without D'Antoni, I'm guessing they'd pursue Nash at the end of the year. Assuming there's mutual interest, that could work out (it certainly couldn't be any worse than their current makeshift rotation at point guard), but if Nash remains in Phoenix or chooses to go elsewhere then Miller may be a feasible option as he'll also be a free agent.

[Jeffx]

Here's a long, but great read on fixing the Knicks;

http://www.basketballprospectus.com/art ... cleid=2039

[shadowgrin]

Can we just fire James Dolan? I'd prefer that.

I'm guessing that sums it all up.

[Lamrock]

He's considered a star in the league but not the best at his position or anything

Still close though.
Best SF in the league (imo):
1. LeBron
2. Carmelo

I can't tell if this is a joke or not.

[shadowgrin]

[Jeffx]

Great game by Lin last night. I know it was the Nets, so we have to see how he does against better teams. If he keeps it up, he'll be the backup point guard.

I'm still burned up about those close losses to Chicago and Boston. My question is, WHY do these cats confused and disinterested on the court at times? Does Pringles not hold these fools accountable? What goes on during practice? Maybe he needs to go Pat Riley on them.

It amazes me how lost the Knicks are without a legit PG. I know the talent level drops off after the big three, but is crazy.

[shadowgrin]

What goes on during practice?

D'Antoni does hold practices for only 30 minutes...

[[Q]]

He's the best PG on the Knicks:

phpBB [video]

He's got Douglas who's too much of a scorer to be effective in D'Antoni's system. Shumpert is decent but has been up and down all year. and an aging Bibby & injured Baron who both are better off coaching the young guys than actually playing. He should be the starter.

[kibaxx7]

Now 20 points against the Jazz and seven minutes left in the game. Time to put him in the fantasy league?

[NovU]

Point guard problem solved? The NYK won w/o 2 of the highest paid players.

[kevC]

Jeremy Lin is my best friend from high school's girlfriend's ex. True story. Harvard kids. Can you imagine? That's a hell of an ex to compete with. Although my buddy is in Harvard medical school and will probably cure cancer.

[[Q]]

I did find it irritating Breen & Clyde would say stuff like "oh he has a surprising quick first step" or "he's surprisingly strong" it's like wtf he's an NBA player, 6'3" 200 lbs, not a small guy to begin with. those damn Asian American stereotypes at work again.

but when i watch him play, it's insipiring. and i dont even like the knicks.

[Fluke32]

OMG, I knew Lin was good back in his rookie year last season in Golden State, but I never expected him to do this well! However, the true test comes on the road. But not Washington, coz I doubt they could put up the fight needed to challenge Lin's ability as a floor general for the Knicks.