Oh considering I've ripped Woodson and Amare all year, gotta give credit where it is due. Woodson has the team playing effective basketball in 2014 and Amare's offense while remaining the same, his defense is getting slightly better/slighty hidden because of the team. Also, he's a big plus on the team now instead of consistently racking up -
Its exactly why Im not a GM..and would be a terrible one. I wanted him cut and out of here. If this guy ever got this head on TOTALLY STRAIGHT..he could win you a playoff series or two if he is on. I wanted to cut him.
What Amare did in the second quarter last night? I know he has played much better lately but what he did in that second quarter? Melo was asked after the game about Amare after he had already complimented him and Melo seemed giddy and then caught himself and said...hey..one game at a time. He is right...but what Amare did in that second quarter last night? That is something to be followed. Agreed DP...Im with you. Felt the same way but he did a few things in the second quarter that make me really want to watch him over the course of the next 10 games. That was some special stuff. Rare stuff.
^^ I just don't understand what the switch was for this team. Overall this season, offensive rating 102.2, defensive rating 104.9 (this is the amount of points per 100 possessions) Last season, offensive rating 108.6, defensive rating 103.5 Last 5 games, offensive rating 105.7, defensive rating 98.1 Last 10 games, offensive rating 104.2, defensive rating 105.7 As of right now, I'm considering this a hot/lucky streak like how the beginning of last year was and end of last year. The difference is of course that this is our first hot streak all season so there is time for excitement. I'm just afraid Tyson/Pablo coming back will lower the wrongs people minutes (THJ and Toure in my opinion). Side note, http://espn.go.com/blog/marc-stein/post/_/id/1146/last-trade-dispatch-from-d-league-showcase Nice to here we aren't shopping Tyson or even considering it.
Not a big Murray fan but I hear you. When you look at this roster..and then look at the rosters of every other team besides the Heat and Pacers, I would be really surprised if the Knicks do not make a major run. I mean, regardless, this is a decent team at least. Im a big Pablo fan and think he will be a plus to whatever is going on but I hear what you are saying DP. Only the Nets and their jeckyl and hyde performances can stop the Knicks froom taking the division. I mean again..roster...that team while not be close to what the experts were thinking in the off season, is a really solid team. Losing Lopez though is the saving grace.
I think why everyone, including myself, were down on the Nets/Knicks even with injuries is because they were losing games where it looked like there was no effort. Growing pains happen, injuries happen. But to get blown out, show no effort, just get out hustled is startling. Luckily the East is bad, real bad. Yeah I'm not saying play Murray 20 minutes, but he should get some rotation in there because him and Shump can be really pesky on defense and help stop quick players. If we look at Felton, Pablo, Murray (I think Beno is in Woodson's doghouse) Shump, THJ, JR Melo, MWP? Bargnani, Amare Tyson, KMART I think MWP is not getting any minutes even when healthy and that leaves 12 people. Let's say Murray and Beno get 0 minutes also, that leaves 10 players. Now if Woodson goes back to 35-40 minutes a game for JR we are in trouble. The thing is, I feel like MWP and Murray could help the team defensively on the second unit, but that means limiting Bargs and Amare, something you can't do. Maybe you limit KMART to keep him fresh, but he's been outstanding for us and is a great passer from the horns play and feeding Melo in the post. He understands how to beat a front on Melo.
http://thatnbalotterypick.com/larry-bird-untied-chuck-persons-shoe-during-nba-playoff-game/ Larry bird did it!
Huge coaching test for Woodson. Barbosa and Dragic have been destroying Felton, getting layup after layup on him. PHX just took a 1 point lead, do you stick Felton on Dragic and be stubborn, or finally switch Shump on him or just take Felton out?
So we go Shump on dragic. Play 1: Shump forces offensive foul by going over screen! Play 2: Shump denies Dragic, Barbosa puts Felton/Bargs in PnR, gets switch, scores. Play 3: Shump and KMART have to switch in Dragic PnR, Shump forces turnover. (then offensive foul on fast break but this is about defense)
Melo did get hit on the shot, but the knicks should have run a play instead of Melo iso (how many times have we said that)
ran the same exact play for JR we used last year for him to beat PHX. It was a terribly draw play. Fading away backwards?
This is KMART's overtime right now. Played great D on Dragic, threw an alley oop to Melo, dunked in a missed Felton 3
98-95 Knicks with 3 seconds left. You gotta foul smart here. Hopefully Woodson has them ready for this late game situation...