And with my understanding of how the CAA can pulls strings in the NBA, Melo might have kept Shump in NY
4-0 against SA and MIA combined, and then 3 losses against CHI (1 without Melo I believe) 1 loss against Memphis (smackdown) 1 loss against IND (no Melo) 1 loss against the Clippers That's off the top of my head.
The Knicks team that started the year is still there, they're just not playing to that level. These pampered multi millionaires are lazy. They're not going to empty the tank playing in meaningless games. They better be be able to turn it on in April or it's gonna be a long offseason
Yeah, meaningless games while 2.5 games behind MIA (1.5 heading into today) and a 2 game lead on IND. Who would want such a thing as home court advantage in the playoffs?! We really could use HC advantage especially against IND, CHI, BK, etc. 2 seed is very important. Heading into CHI/IND/BK would suck in the second round, especially since I think our first round matchups don't look to enticing right now. I really hope the Knicks aren't coasting because I don't trust anyone but Melo to be able to flip a switch. I think it boils down to Shump getting 100%, then guarding the primary scoring guards/ball handlers, then that limits Kidd's minutes out there. Then getting Sheed/Camby back defensively so on the bench unit Amare can roam and have help when he gets lost on a PnR.
How does it come down to Shump getting 100% when he was nowhere as the Knicks started 8-1 including wins vs Miami, San Antonio, & Brooklyn? They allowed under 88 ppg in that run and now mid season they're not pressing as hard. If Shump could get to 100% it would be great but at this point I'm more interested in Sheed getting back in there to lead the D and seeing how they play in the final weeks
Take away the first 5 games of the season, the Knicks have played very similar onwards then and now. The difference was that Brewer was shooting a career high in 3 pt%, Kidd was shooting a career high and JR was shooting a career high. They all cooled off (Brewer dramatically) and what were after the first 5 games of the season is what we are now. Our defensive rating from the first two months of the season is only .1 better than it is from the first two months onwards. That's why Shumpert is the key. He is the only defender on the team that can consistently stop guards that can score and are quick. That also saves Kidd's legs and stops him from guarding someone like Jamal Crawford or switching onto Chris Paul or Eric Bledsoe. Our first 5 games we gave up: 84,84,88,94,89 Since then: 100,105,76 (IND), 80,111,131,100,96,88,87,99,98,92,93,106,97,107,102,109,86,110,91,100,97,106,105,83,106,102, 81 (IND L), 108, 87,87, 88 (L), 86, 97, 104, 97, 86,81, 85, 106,94,102. Our closest thing to that streak was 3 games recently where we blew the doors off the Kings and beat the Bucks and Pistons. Besides that, we really haven't put together a streak like the first 5 games. Hopefully you are right and it is complacency, but I have to figure it's not actually having an elite defense. Shumpert can make it very good so I think that's why he is the key. He can turn efficient scorers like Kyrie or Harden into inefficient scorers and slow them down, something Kidd/Prig can't do, and Felton inconsistently can do. If he gets to 100% that changes our defense for the better. I also agree Sheed coming back would be great for the bench defense, but I mean Shump is playing now so I think him getting to 100% would come before Sheed, since Sheed who hasn't started practicing yet. Also, you figure first round of the playoffs we are seeing the Celtics, the Hawks, or the Bucks or even Brooklyn. Paul Pierce, Jeff Teague, Brandon Jennings/Monta Eliis, and Deron Williams. Yes I think Shumpert would be the key. I mean right now the key problem has been the primary ball handler breaking down our defense and torching us. What is Shumpert best at, isolation defense and guarding a ballhandler closely. That's why I think if he gets to 100% he is the key. He solves one of our biggest weaknesses right now. Sheed also but as I said before it seems more likely Shump hits 100% before Sheed does.
Over the last 10 games, 480 minutes, we have played 2 lineups over 70 minutes each. J. Kidd T. Chandler C. Anthony J. Smith R. Felton T. Chandler A. Stoudemire C. Anthony J. Smith R. Felton Lineup with Melo at the 4, +/- of +41. Lineup with all 3 together: +/- of +14. Lineup with all 3 that shows promise: J. Kidd T. Chandler A. Stoudemire C. Anthony J. Smith. They are +/- 24 in 48 minutes together and our 4th best lineup over the last 10 games.
They better not be looking to trade Shump. He's the future. If anyone should be on the trading block its JR Smith. I really want to see Kidd having less minutes. Its not sustainable given his age and back issues. Shumpert still hasn't returned to his defensive form from last season. I know I'm going to sound like a broken record here, but I feel our best option after the break, provided Sheed does indeed come back, is to insert amar'e into the starting lineup, and put Kidd or Shumpert on the bench. Everyone made a big deal demanding that Amar'e should come off the bench upon his return, but Shumpert wasn't given nearly the same scrutiny. Bottom line is he isn't quite at starter form yet. Give him a month or so, then consider it. I'm just so tired of small ball. Maybe it's just me. Funny we played our best basketball of the season with Ronnie Brewer starting and now he doesn't even play off the bench. What a decline! What happened to the duke?
Well don't look at Ronnie Brewer's shooting %, it will make you throw up. He's afraid to take open shots now, something that can't happen in our offense. The trade I see on twitter Jared Dudley and 1st for Iman Shumpert. I would say no just because I really like Shump and think he can be more than just a defnesive specialist. Dudley right now is better offensively and can fill that 2-3 void and would probably improve our team. but I can't just let Shump go. As said before, if Amare/Chandler, Melo unit becomes our most effective, I bet we start with them. Until then, I'd rather start Felton, Kidd, Shump, Melo, Chandler and let Shump guard the main ball handler/scorer to start. This stops the opposing one from going off. THen Kidd for Smith is your first sub followed by Amare for Melo/Chandler, whoever is in foul trouble. If you go Amare for Chandler, you keep that going before switching to Amare/Sheed as Melo gets his rest. If you can stagger the lineup so Amare or Melo is on the floor at all times, very beneficial.
Rumors about a trade discussion with Minny. Not sure who we would be looking at/who would we be trading.
Shump looks really good to start this game. Ugly start from both teams, nobody can put the ball in the bucket.
The refs are absolutely brutal. They just gave Lowery his second tech for nothing and nows he gone. The refs are probably more exciting to watch than both these teams. Both teams clearly thinking of the All Star break
WE start the 4th quarter, with two misses, the Raptors with two makes (both Amare's cover but we have Amare,Kidd,Prig out there) and Raptor up 9. 9 points is a HUGE differential in this game. 69-60 Raptors
Woodson goes to Melo, Chandler, kidd, smith, Felton a lot earlier in the 4th than usual. They cut the lead to 4 by the Raptors. You figure we close with this with Shump subbing in for Kidd at some point.
Left wayyyy too many points at the free throw line. Nothing falling I think we are overplaying Kidd in this 4th. Need Shump instead
As I say that, Kidd makes a nice little pass to Melo off a Tyson offensive rebounds (a real one not a tip out) and melo cuts the 6 point lead to 3 with 2:50 left. Both offenses "exploded" this quarter
