yeah yeah... knee jerk reactions, excuses, too early, chemistry, give it time, new players, new system, injuries. all been said and these sentiments are indeed over-reactions to an early season of extremely poor performances.

but the signs are there and regardless of all the truths... THEY SHOULD NOT BE, OR LOOK THIS BAD if in fact our future was brighter.

i hate to say it, but amare's nickname of STAT is starting to explain itself. as great as his NY attitude has been, he's showing himself to be more stat accumulator than winner. his defensive instincts are non-existant and his ability to DO (and not just talk about) the things that lead to winning is in serious question. last night was a perfect example. great STATS... NO win.

loyalty to a high character guy like amare is honorable... and even understandable, but i wonder if any team would trade for him some players of real value.

the question is how long do want to give the melo/amare experiment (and i'm excluding tyson from the experiment because he's a defined and accepting role player who can play with any star of any style)?

there are stars... and there are winners, and early on, there are pretty clear signs that we might have our hands on a couple of stars who lack the versatility to win.

and this is all ignoring the possibility, and apparent reality, that melo and amare's games are in fact too similar with too many shared limitations (ie. deficient team defensive instincts).

i fully expect the "chill son" responses, and i'm not saying much that hasn't been spewed by some or many other pissed and disappointed posters and toasters... but i am really wondering if our collection of very well payed "stars" does in fact have the capacity to evolve into championship caliber... winning players.... because if we think they don't, let's not wait too long.

though i'm sure d'antoni goes first to see if another voice can stir our guys to gel more quickly and absorb new on court defensive habits.

this 2-4 has been excruciating.