The Honorable Cock Jowles: I think the data suggest that players with good jumpers don’t lose their shooting with age. The problem is whether Amar’e really ever had a good jumper. I don’t know.

lazy or stupid?

ephus:
Given his recent shooting display in the Olympics, I think it is more than reasonable to expect Carmelo Anthony to be at least average on his open jumpers this year.In fact, I would wager a coke that he is more likely to end up in the top-third of shooters than the bottom-third.

I also have high hopes that Amar’e will once again be able to hit the elbow jump shot.Although I have not seen numbers, anecdotally jump shooting has always been considered an older-player skill.

I think the data suggest that players with good jumpers don’t lose their shooting with age. The problem is whether Amar’e really ever had a good jumper. I don’t know.

I also have high hopes that Amar’e will once again be able to hit the elbow jump shot. Although I have not seen numbers, anecdotally jump shooting has always been considered an older-player skill.

Robtachi: Then there’s no right side of 30, considering Amar’e is 29 at the start of the season.

Turns 30 on November 16. C’mon, mang.

Also, I think the only person on this site who disagrees (at least sometimes) on writing quality is jon abbey, who asked that Jim and Bob make fewer jokes in their write-ups, to which I say, “No thank you,” and request a harumph from each individual in the gallery.

ruruland: ESPN Stats and Info showed he had something like the third worst percentage on open jumps shots in the league. Melo was fifth or sixth….both guys in the mid 20s…It wasn’t these guys inability to finish, or any other abstract issue, it was two guys— the highest usage guys in the team by far— each having career worst jump shooting seasons….

I’m not going to push forth a gamblers fallacy, but we can at least expect both guys to return to career norms…all the other roster improvements aside, that alone could be a, what? 3,5,7,10 game difference, the high end if both guys have really good shooting years after recommitting themselves with full time/ overtime off season?

It was insane how poor Melo and Amar’e shot on open jumpers last season. I hadn’t looked at the specific numbers, but it was obvious that for long stretches of the season Amar’e and Melo weren’t making shots they were historically at least decent at. Seriously, everything went wrong last season (except for Linsanity) and this team had a 50+ win point differential. Not at all hard to picture this team winning 53-55 games, although everything would have to go perfect for them to win 56+. The Knicks also have some legitimate matchup advantages against Miami (you can’t go small against Chandler and Melo can defend Lebron as well as anyone) Even though I’m not sure if the Knicks make the ECF, I think they have the best chance of beating Miami in the East

ephus:
I am really humbled.Thanks for the kind words.I never expect Ruruland and THCJ to agree on anything, let alone praise for me.

I will be posting during this year.I expect that my next column will be on the interplay between the luxury tax, revenue sharing and the Lakers new media contract with Time-Warner Cable.

It seems we can all agree on what qualifies as good writing haha. Seriously though, having our own mini-Larry Coon is pretty great. I don’t have to go read over that FAQ myself!

I will be posting during this year. I expect that my next column will be on the interplay between the luxury tax, revenue sharing and the Lakers new media contract with Time-Warner Cable.

Robtachi: I’m not rushing to the guy’s defense. For the past year and change he’s been far from ideal fitness. But he’s 29 and still has the juice in him to recalibrate his body for a few more good years.Will it happen?Dunno.But we’re not talking about a 33-year-old vet who’s body is going to fall off a cliff any moment.

It’s not about his usage, it’s just his shooting touch.Outside of Fields, I can’t think of anyone else on the Knicks who more baffled me with his inability to knock down a reasonably open look. If STAT can simply manage to lay fewer bricks than required to build a modern outdoor shithouse, there’s your missing ~2 pp/36 right there.

ESPN Stats and Info showed he had something like the third worst percentage on open jumps shots in the league. Melo was fifth or sixth….both guys in the mid 20s…It wasn’t these guys inability to finish, or any other abstract issue, it was two guys— the highest usage guys in the team by far— each having career worst jump shooting seasons….

I’m not going to push forth a gamblers fallacy, but we can at least expect both guys to return to career norms…all the other roster improvements aside, that alone could be a, what? 3,5,7,10 game difference, the high end if both guys have really good shooting years after recommitting themselves with full time/ overtime off season?

flossy: Indeed.Also, post all-star break last year (a.k.a. during Woodsanity) he averaged 18 and 8 per 36 on .597 TS% so 20 and 8 per 36 on .575 is not a ridiculous expectation if he actually does get featured a little more in the offense.

I’m not rushing to the guy’s defense. For the past year and change he’s been far from ideal fitness. But he’s 29 and still has the juice in him to recalibrate his body for a few more good years. Will it happen? Dunno. But we’re not talking about a 33-year-old vet who’s body is going to fall off a cliff any moment.

It’s not about his usage, it’s just his shooting touch. Outside of Fields, I can’t think of anyone else on the Knicks who more baffled me with his inability to knock down a reasonably open look. If STAT can simply manage to lay fewer bricks than required to build a modern outdoor shithouse, there’s your missing ~2 pp/36 right there.