Hope for the future?

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport/Jordan-notches-team-high-18-for-Hemofarm_8525426

Frank: I know we hit 21462345 3?s last night which obviously was the key to the win, but I think we were much more focused last night than in any game since the Miami game, and just played a very clean game.- only 10 turnovers committed. Memphis had only 6 steals (they average 10) and they force 17 TOs per game.
- ZERO charges on Amare and Carmelo – and really not even anything that was close to being a charge
- 8:1 TO-assist ratio for Billups after having only 9 assists coupled with 7 TOs the last 2 games.And the one TO was a charge on a good play by Sam Young — ballhandling was much cleaner.And re: the 3 point shooting — we were 20 of 36 — but just to be clear, even if we shot just our average percentage (37.2%), we would have hit somewhere between 13 and 14 for the game – and still won.The back-to-back losses to IND hopefully were a blessing in disguise. Nothing like losing twice to an obviously inferior team to jolt us back to reality.The Dallas loss was easily forgotten – 4th game in 5 nights, Dallas is really good, etc. But no way should a team with this much talent be losing home-and-homes to IND.  

Fully agree. Problem remains for the Knicks and I guess all other teams:
1) How do you stop Nowitzki from taking those high arching fade away shots?
2) How do you defend Howard and Nelson in the pick and roll?
3) How do you defend Garnett, Pierce and Allen?
4) How do you stop Bynum, Gasoll and still defend the perimeter?

Can Walsh not find a big man to sign before the playoffs? Plenty of guys on courts all over the US, Europe and the rest of the continents. There has to be a 7 foot wrestler somewhere. If not, the above stands. So 100% effort and 100% focus (as stated above) can equal 200% strategy while 300% defense is needed.

Frank O.: Knicks played a smart game last night. The intermittenly threw doubles at Zach, either forcing him into a bad shot (it is Zach, after all) or dumping out of the post. They also did a good job keeping him off the boards.Gasol also was a non-factor.Remember, teams with big men and post players usually pound the Knicks, but they dd a good job taking those guys away.That appears to be a result of smart defense.Melo played and efficient game. A very smooth 29 points on 19 shots.It looked as if the Griz tried to take away Amare, packing in and crowding him. With jumpers falling that tactic doesn’t really work. Further, while Amare’s scoring numbers were down, he played a very balanced game: 16 points (6-12), 9 boards, and 3 assists.Now, can they bring the same intensity to a game with the Pistons? Or will they mail it in against another weak team and possibly lose again?  (Quote)

I think I ran my limit on typos. Apologies.

Melo played and efficient game. A very smooth 29 points on 19 shots.
It looked as if the Griz tried to take away Amare, packing in and crowding him. With jumpers falling that tactic doesn’t really work. Further, while Amare’s scoring numbers were down, he played a very balanced game: 16 points (6-12), 9 boards, and 3 assists.

Now, can they bring the same intensity to a game with the Pistons? Or will they mail it in against another weak team and possibly lose again?

- only 10 turnovers committed. Memphis had only 6 steals (they average 10) and they force 17 TOs per game.
- ZERO charges on Amare and Carmelo – and really not even anything that was close to being a charge
- 8:1 TO-assist ratio for Billups after having only 9 assists coupled with 7 TOs the last 2 games. And the one TO was a charge on a good play by Sam Young — ballhandling was much cleaner.

And re: the 3 point shooting — we were 20 of 36 — but just to be clear, even if we shot just our average percentage (37.2%), we would have hit somewhere between 13 and 14 for the game – and still won.

The back-to-back losses to IND hopefully were a blessing in disguise. Nothing like losing twice to an obviously inferior team to jolt us back to reality. The Dallas loss was easily forgotten – 4th game in 5 nights, Dallas is really good, etc. But no way should a team with this much talent be losing home-and-homes to IND.

tenebrous: Observations:1) I haven idea how Anthony got 28 or seems to get 29 every game and seems to be invisible. Guess he’s that good.2) Amare was very calm and subdueded. Great to to see him look forward as opposed to argue on every ref error. He played better defense. Danced more on offense and basically trusted his teammates to make their shots. If there is a blue jersey open and a hand in your face he passed the ball. – his D was great without too much arguing.3) Billups is a monster. He seemed, still, a little bothered by his situation but took big shots made them and played well. The team seems cohesive with him on the court.4) Douglass was incredible. He is a scorer and I guess Anthony, Amare and Billups are encouraging him to, well, score.5) They are talking more and are trusting eachother more.6)7)8)fill in the blanks…  (Quote)

6) Toney Douglas 3!
7) Toney Douglas 3!
8) Toney Douglas 3!
9) Toney Douglas 3!

Caleb:
Shooting 3s is a high-risk high-reward strategy, but that doesn’t make it a bad one – especially when you have a lot of good shooters, like the Knicks do. High-risk high-reward teams are also more likely to pull upsets. (Of course, they’re also more likely to get blown away)
Hey,  

I agree. it lowers the risk when you fill the team with guys that can excel at the 3 point shot. and It aslo lowers the risk if you have an offensive plan that gives those guys open and lower risk 3′s (the corner 3).

cgreene: Most NBA players can hit that shot wide open at 50% or better IMO.  

I think a lot of big men can’t, however.

Have to say – since I wrote around the time of the trade that Toney Douglas was playing himself out of the rotation, he’s been on a tear. Shooting 37.5 percent from 3s for the season. Last year he was over 40 but at this point you have to say – he’s established himself as a pretty good shooter. And defender.

More credit where credit is due; we give Carmelo crap for being a terrible 3-point shooter but he is almost at 36 percent for the season. (and 42 percent with the Knicks!)

Even Roger mason is hitting almost 35 percent now. Balkman, of course, is leading the team at 50 percent.

Shooting 3s is a high-risk high-reward strategy, but that doesn’t make it a bad one – especially when you have a lot of good shooters, like the Knicks do. High-risk high-reward teams are also more likely to pull upsets. (Of course, they’re also more likely to get blown away)
Hey,

I also agree that MDA uses advanced stats more than he is credited for on the blog both on offense and defense. The one area where it seems (and there is no proof here bc we are not in practice) is that he is bad at teaching rotations particularly off double teams. Also his being more satisfied with a 15 ft jumper than a 3, a layup or a foul is one thing, but being satisfied with that shot being as open as the Knicks frequently allow it to be i.e. no real close out makes it a much easier shot. Most NBA players can hit that shot wide open at 50% or better IMO.