2nd Round(2013): KNICKS(2) vs PACERS(3)

[benji]

It was going to be a tough series even if they were healthy, the Knicks are too streaky (because Melo and JR Smith are their go-to scorers) against a defense like Indiana's. That's why they nearly blew it against Boston. (RAYMOND FELTON! FELTON! bailed them out of that collapse pretty much by suddenly giving them another 20 point scorer.)

They don't have the defense to plug the gaps inbetween their streaks. Especially if Chandler isn't 100%. (And they even got lucky in that regard since both Indy and Boston were in the bottom third of the league offensively! The Knicks will probably finish with the best DRtg of the playoffs because of this lol)

[shadowgrin]

Kidd...brought to NY to teach that Lin kid

lol no. He was brought in as one of the replacements for Lin.
Kidd and then Felton was signed earlier by the Knicks without even giving a contract offer to Lin the entire time.
Sign two starting calibre PGs without giving your resident famous PG an offer, yeah that's a sign of good faith from the team. Then came Houston...

[NovU]

the Knicks are too streaky (because Melo and JR Smith are their go-to scorers) against a defense like Indiana's.

Yeah. I heard from somewhere that Melo ripped apart mediocre to bad defensive teams this season. But the struggle came very heavily against good defensive teams and the Knicks were just lost against good D. Of courese most players do carry similar trend but especailly for the Knicks and Melo, there was a quite noticeable difference.

[benji]

It's always been Melo's primary skill set. He might be the best shot creator in the league and might be the best since maybe Iverson but like Iverson that doesn't mean he creates great or efficient shots. One-on-one they create more good than bad, but when defenses can basically key in on them, make teams waste 15 seconds to get them the ball, cut off second options, etc.

And JR is just streaky for whatever reason, which makes him a great sixth man, but the Knicks needed him as a primary option.

I suppose it doesn't need to be said that having pre-Melo Amare is a different proposition to try and defend against.

The one thing about "good D" is more that those teams tend to be good at controlling the pace and style of the game, the Knicks were heavily dependent on a certain style. Slowing down and cutting off their offense doesn't really give them many options if their threes aren't falling. Indy and Boston both knew they could basically hold serve until the Knicks went cold which their D could contribute to. (The Spurs did something similar to the Warriors.) And then all the Knicks really had as a fallback plan was to give it to Melo who teams know how to isolate. Felton sorta caught the Celtics by surprise, Indy was prepared for him. (Look at his FGA's.)

I mentioned the Knicks' playoff DRtg. Their ORtg is 12th for the playoffs. Three points below the average. This team was killing people offensively during the season.

[Jeffx]

Knicks need more beef up front, youth & speed on the bench and a consistent, RELIABLE number 2 scorer. J.R Smith showed he's not ready for prime time.

[shadowgrin]

Melo...might be the best shot creator in the league and might be the best since maybe Iverson.

[Andrew]

I'm not sure if Kidd will return next season. Usually brought to NY to teach that Lin kid, he is just an aging body now. I really liked him in Dallas and I loved him even more with the Nets, but I don't think he should play again...

He had his moments, but with his jumpshot he's a poor fit at shooting guard. As a backup point guard, he could probably remain a serviceable player for another year or two, though at 40 it wouldn't surprise me if he does hang it up.

[benji]

Who is this man?

[Jeffx]

I'm not sure if Kidd will return next season. Usually brought to NY to teach that Lin kid, he is just an aging body now. I really liked him in Dallas and I loved him even more with the Nets, but I don't think he should play again...

He had his moments, but with his jumpshot he's a poor fit at shooting guard. As a backup point guard, he could probably remain a serviceable player for another year or two, though at 40 it wouldn't surprise me if he does hang it up.

Knicks could a young, quick backup PG - someone who'll push the pace.

And enough of the typical Knick crap of signing old cats in the hope of catching lightning in a bottle. Can we please keep and develop our young players like other teams do?

I love Amar'e's comments about wanting to meet with Woodson to have his role 'defined'. Please. How about you staying healthy for more than a week?