Posting and Toasting: FanPosts

And with the 24th pick, the New York Knicks select.....

2013-05-19T21:27:53Z

The 2013 NBA Draft is almost upon us and the Knicks have a 1st round pick this year! We haven't had a first round pick since we selected Iman Shumpert back in 2011.

I know that we have many areas that need to be addressed in the off season. The draft is a great way to add a young player to address one of those needs. In my opinion there is no other need greater than the PG position. Felton is our only true starting PG, Prigioni is no lock to return and Kidd is a shell of himself now.

So who would be the best available PG in the late first round? I looked a plenty of mock drafts within the last 2 weeks and I also watch the combine and 1 player has stuck out to me. His name is Shane Larkin out of Miami University. Larkin is listed at 5'11", 175 lbs and was the most athletic PG in the combine this year. He is a true PG in the sense that he is pass first, great in the Pick and Roll and can shoot the 3pt shot. He has been compared to Ty Lawson because of his quickness and his ability to see the floor while moving in and out of pick and roll sets. This kid has a high motor and has carried the Canes in his sophomore year.

I think he would be a very good rookie back up PG to Ray Felton. Knowing that we signed Kidd to a 3 year deal, he and Felton would be great mentors for Larkin. We need a quick PG who can run Pick and Rolls and also push the pace when needed. Fast breaks were one of our missing pieces on offense.

Who knows what Glenn Grunwald and company are thinking for this upcoming draft. The only thing I know is that Glenn has been money so far. Here's hoping he can work his magic and make a sound pick.

Let me know who you guys think we should select in this years draft.

The 2013 NBA Draft is almost upon us and the Knicks have a 1st round pick this year! We haven't had a first round pick since we selected Iman Shumpert back in 2011. I know that we have many areas that need to be addressed in the off season. The draft is a great way to add a young player to address one of those needs. In my opinion there is no other need greater than the PG position. Felton is our only true starting PG, Prigioni is no lock to return and Kidd is a shell of himself now. So who would be the best available PG in the late first round? I looked a plenty of mock drafts within the last 2 weeks and I also watch the combine and 1 player has stuck out to me. His name is Shane Larkin out of Miami University. Larkin is listed at 5'11", 175 lbs and was the most athletic PG in the combine this year. He is a true PG in the sense that he is pass first, great in the Pick and Roll and can shoot the 3pt shot. He has been compared to Ty Lawson because of his quickness and his ability to see the floor while moving in and out of pick and roll sets. This kid has a high motor and has carried the Canes in his sophomore year. I think he would be a very good rookie back up PG to Ray Felton. Knowing that we signed Kidd to a 3 year deal, he and Felton would be great mentors for Larkin. We need a quick PG who can run Pick and Rolls and also push the pace when needed. Fast breaks were one of our missing pieces on offense. Who knows what Glenn Grunwald and company are thinking for this upcoming draft. The only thing I know is that Glenn has been money so far. Here's hoping he can work his magic and make a sound pick. Let me know who you guys think we should select in this years draft.

Knicks best games this season

2013-05-19T04:00:04Z

Hey guys,

So yeah this sucks right now, but I was thinking back on this season and how many great games there have been. I was starting to recall all of them and actually managed to put a smile on my face. Anyway I would love to here what games you guys remember loving. Here is what I could recall off the top of my head:

First game of the season vs. miami

FIrst game against the spurs

last game vs. the OKC

game 2 vs indiana

Hey guys,

First game of the season vs. miami

FIrst game against the spurs

last game vs. the OKC

game 2 vs indiana

The Salt in the Stew

2013-05-18T17:11:44Z

Even though, after finding Posting and Toasting this year and riding through this playoffs with you, I have the lowest regard for the basketball acumen of the denizens of this message board, I am going to post this here to have this completely valid and pretty widely held point of view stated out loud.

If the New York Knicks were a door, he's a doorknob.

If the New York Knicks were a motor, he's a spark plug.

If the New York Knicks were a stew, he's the salt.

And I'm talking about Novakaine, Steve Novak. The completely baseless arguments go out supporting Woodson's complete benching of the league's purest shooter: He can't play defense (really? he maybe gets beat one-on-one once in a while but he is a pretty good weak-side rebounder and gets in the mix, slowing down fast breaks) He can't make his own shot (or maybe he doesn't force them?), on and on.

So forget basketball common sense. Forget the jordan-type championship team precedent of the presence of a pure shooter (Kerr, Armstrong, Paxson) to be a threatening presence to open up driving lanes. Forget the Basketball 101 concepts of spacing and ball movement. Just look at hte Knicks record when they played best all year, and how much Novak was a part of it.

I'm talking about the first month of the year, when they were the best team in basketball, and during the 13 game win streak, when they were one of the best teams I ever watched, period.

Look at novak's minutes, and shots. he contributed to the game, and alot flows out of it.

Kidd flows out of it. (that's another thing - shame on you seth. Gett Kidd off the floor? hOly crap dude. Let's see. the team is bogged down in one-on-one isos, ball movement is stagnant...here's the solution! Take the one guy who doesn't want to shoot the ball, and loves to pass it, off the court! sorry dude but I had to laugh.)

Melo flows out of it, with driving lanes and passing angles for open j's without "making your own shot".

JR flows out of it, with his competitive fire amped up by the site of the swishes.

Chandler LOVES that shit, and gets hyped and does magic out there.

I wrote an article after the first game, stating that Woodson gets low marks for not playingnovak. I now give him the lowest marks ever i gave a coach. HE took a team that was on a roll and completely destroyed existing team chemistry, removing a significant contributor, and adding in a new piece midstride (Amare). These are basic personnel mistakes that have completely destroyed the Knicks sense of self, and has made this the most sickening playoffs I have ever watched.

Novak won't play, I know. Get kidd off the floor. Um, ok. Enjoy watching Ray Felton wave his hands at people telling to go somewhere else rather than where they want to be, JR Smith's astoundiong ability at shooting contested fade away jump shots, Chandler's uninspired play, and Melo's heroic, frustration as he seeks to find a rhythm.

Maybe we'll win, would be awesome. But I don't see us returning to the style of ball that made me excited all year with Novak playing Scrub Time.

You may disagree, it's your right. But this is a valid point of view, and I'm just putting it in writing.

If the New York Knicks were a door, he's a doorknob.

If the New York Knicks were a motor, he's a spark plug.

If the New York Knicks were a stew, he's the salt.

I'm talking about the first month of the year, when they were the best team in basketball, and during the 13 game win streak, when they were one of the best teams I ever watched, period.

Look at novak's minutes, and shots. he contributed to the game, and alot flows out of it.

Melo flows out of it, with driving lanes and passing angles for open j's without "making your own shot".

JR flows out of it, with his competitive fire amped up by the site of the swishes.

Chandler LOVES that shit, and gets hyped and does magic out there.

Maybe we'll win, would be awesome. But I don't see us returning to the style of ball that made me excited all year with Novak playing Scrub Time.

You may disagree, it's your right. But this is a valid point of view, and I'm just putting it in writing.

Poll

do you agree?

Hope: A Fuhry Rebounding AND TURNOVERS Assessment

2013-05-17T16:14:14Z

OK, guys, check out this here chart:

Here are the 9 games the Knicks have played with the Pacers this
year. The Knicks have won 4 and lost 5. Much has been made of the rebounding battle
in these games and, you know me, I love rebounding! And you can see by this chart that the Pacers
have generally outrebounded the Knicks - particularly in the last 7 games
they've played. The Knicks have won 2
and lost 4 of the 6 games in which they've been outrebounded. Meanwhile the Knicks have won 2 and lost 1 of
the games in which they've outrebounded the Pacers. Rebounding matters between these two teams,
but winning the rebounding battle does not mean winning the game necessarily.

The Knicks won game 5, and though the Pacers did have the edge in
offensive rebounding percentage, the difference wasn't as stark as in most of
the games in this series. The Pacers
believe they played like pussies, and they are probably talking about not
dominating the boards as they usually do.
However, if you look at it, if the Pacers had rebounded 3 or 4 more of
their misses, they would have reached their normal 15 percent rebound dominance
level. That would have given them 3 or 4
more possessions and probably 3 or 4 more points.

So let's reiterate that point.
The Pacers usual rebound dominance would have got them about 3 or 4 more
points.

Meanwhile… let's look at turnovers.
In the Knicks 4 wins, they have had a turnover advantage of 9 or
more. Meanwhile in the 5 losses, the Knicks
turnover differential has been +6 or less.

The bottom line is that the Knicks' turnover dominance is more
directly tied to the outcome than any rebounding advantage the Pacers have been
able to achieve. We've been able to
out-turnover them by 9 or more in 4 of these games. They have never been able to out o-bound us
by 9.

Vogel and the Pacers seem to believe that George Hill's absence
shouldn't affect their ability to beat the Knicks. I think they are mistaken. Having to have Augustine and non-point guards
handle the ball for them is a recipe for turnovers. No doubt Vogel will remind his players that
they should win the game if they get their normal share of o-bounds and limit
the turnover differential to under 6. The
boards thing I expect them to correct.
But I think there's two ways the Knicks can win game 6. 1. They can once again force turnovers
despite the Pacers best efforts to the contrary (they must also remember to not
turn over the ball themselves) and 2. They can bust out with a temporary offensive
explosion by doing even more to get Hibbert out of the paint. They've only done that for one quarter this
series, but I think it's possible they can do it again.

So yes, the Pacers could have won game 5 if they simply had not
turned the ball over quite as much. But
can they do that? The data says maybe
they will and maybe they won’t. If Hill
can't play, that tips the scales toward them not limiting the turnover differential.

Even so, if the Knicks can generate an offensive outburst, say a
25-5 run or something, that will probably be enough to win the game against a
Hill-less Indiana team scared to turn the ball over. And I think with less Kidd, more Prig, and
more Cope, and the hope of a J.R. breakout, they are more likely to do that. If Hill can play, it's harder. But I do think the Knicks can do this. And if the Pacers don't respect the Knicks
ability to do this, they gonna get all flustered if we start to do this.

The Pacers' attitude right now kind of reminds me of the Knicks
after game 4 with the Celtics. They were
mad at themselves, kind of felt like they blew it against an inferior team,
almost embarrassed to have lost, still confident they'd destroy the Celtics in
game 5. But they didn't respect the
Celtics enough and got blitzed in game 5..
Luckily we were able to restore order in game 6… but the Knicks were
clearly the better team than the Rondo-less Celtics. Are the Pacers clearly a superior team to the
Knicks? If they think so, they could be
in for a rude awakening.

Now… don't get cocky, Knicks.
This ain't gonna be easy.

OK, guys, check out this here chart:

Here are the 9 games the Knicks have played with the Pacers this year. The Knicks have won 4 and lost 5. Much has been made of the rebounding battle in these games and, you know me, I love rebounding! And you can see by this chart that the Pacers have generally outrebounded the Knicks - particularly in the last 7 games they've played. The Knicks have won 2 and lost 4 of the 6 games in which they've been outrebounded. Meanwhile the Knicks have won 2 and lost 1 of the games in which they've outrebounded the Pacers. Rebounding matters between these two teams, but winning the rebounding battle does not mean winning the game necessarily.

The Knicks won game 5, and though the Pacers did have the edge in offensive rebounding percentage, the difference wasn't as stark as in most of the games in this series. The Pacers believe they played like pussies, and they are probably talking about not dominating the boards as they usually do. However, if you look at it, if the Pacers had rebounded 3 or 4 more of their misses, they would have reached their normal 15 percent rebound dominance level. That would have given them 3 or 4 more possessions and probably 3 or 4 more points.

So let's reiterate that point. The Pacers usual rebound dominance would have got them about 3 or 4 more points.

Meanwhile… let's look at turnovers. In the Knicks 4 wins, they have had a turnover advantage of 9 or more. Meanwhile in the 5 losses, the Knicks turnover differential has been +6 or less.

The bottom line is that the Knicks' turnover dominance is more directly tied to the outcome than any rebounding advantage the Pacers have been able to achieve. We've been able to out-turnover them by 9 or more in 4 of these games. They have never been able to out o-bound us by 9.

Vogel and the Pacers seem to believe that George Hill's absence shouldn't affect their ability to beat the Knicks. I think they are mistaken. Having to have Augustine and non-point guards handle the ball for them is a recipe for turnovers. No doubt Vogel will remind his players that they should win the game if they get their normal share of o-bounds and limit the turnover differential to under 6. The boards thing I expect them to correct. But I think there's two ways the Knicks can win game 6. 1. They can once again force turnovers despite the Pacers best efforts to the contrary (they must also remember to not turn over the ball themselves) and 2. They can bust out with a temporary offensive explosion by doing even more to get Hibbert out of the paint. They've only done that for one quarter this series, but I think it's possible they can do it again.

So yes, the Pacers could have won game 5 if they simply had not turned the ball over quite as much. But can they do that? The data says maybe they will and maybe they won’t. If Hill can't play, that tips the scales toward them not limiting the turnover differential.

Even so, if the Knicks can generate an offensive outburst, say a 25-5 run or something, that will probably be enough to win the game against a Hill-less Indiana team scared to turn the ball over. And I think with less Kidd, more Prig, and more Cope, and the hope of a J.R. breakout, they are more likely to do that. If Hill can play, it's harder. But I do think the Knicks can do this. And if the Pacers don't respect the Knicks ability to do this, they gonna get all flustered if we start to do this.

The Pacers' attitude right now kind of reminds me of the Knicks after game 4 with the Celtics. They were mad at themselves, kind of felt like they blew it against an inferior team, almost embarrassed to have lost, still confident they'd destroy the Celtics in game 5. But they didn't respect the Celtics enough and got blitzed in game 5.. Luckily we were able to restore order in game 6… but the Knicks were clearly the better team than the Rondo-less Celtics. Are the Pacers clearly a superior team to the Knicks? If they think so, they could be in for a rude awakening.

Now… don't get cocky, Knicks. This ain't gonna be easy.

The Pablo Factor

2013-05-15T18:00:27Z

Woodson's decision to play Pablo for 3 minutes last night was stupid for four reasons.

He had the 4th highest 3pt percentage on the team.

3rd highest assist average (despite playing 10 minutes less a game than Kidd, he trailed the former point god by .3)

He was perfect from the field in game 2.

He won't re-sign if he doesn't get time. That would be a crime, as he is a delight to watch.

Woodson needs to play guys who can score and distribute and move the ball.

Pablo should play. And, basically, every play should start with him or Felton, who has been the most consistent Knick for these playoffs. Woodson needs to get real. We need to play Hibert one on one. It's not like the guy is Kareem. Jeez. And if he beats us, okay. But I'd rather give him 2 pts than these over-performing Indy 3 pt shooters clean looks.

WTF. The numbers may lie, and the eyes may lie. But when they tell the same story, they probably ain't lying.

Woodson's decision to play Pablo for 3 minutes last night was stupid for four reasons.

He had the 4th highest 3pt percentage on the team.

3rd highest assist average (despite playing 10 minutes less a game than Kidd, he trailed the former point god by .3)

He was perfect from the field in game 2.

He won't re-sign if he doesn't get time. That would be a crime, as he is a delight to watch.

Woodson needs to play guys who can score and distribute and move the ball.

WTF. The numbers may lie, and the eyes may lie. But when they tell the same story, they probably ain't lying.

Knicktion: Fireable Offense

2013-05-15T15:57:38Z

A
Flu-ridden KENYON MARTIN ambles into the locker room. He notices TYSON CHANDLER standing next to
the closed door of the utility closet with a puzzled expression on his face.

KMART: (sniff, cough) What, uh, Whatcha doin’ there Tyson Bison
man?

TYSON: Shhh. Listen.

Both men stand still
and quiet, and the voice of Mike Woodson becomes audible from behind the heavy
door.

WOODSON: (frantically) What am I
supposed to do? They got bigger
guys. Now Shump’s
knee is hurt. What am I supposed to
do? Start J.R.? Can’t do that. Can’t do that. Make my eyebrows fall off again. Maybe I was a fool. Power forward gods, getting
back at me. Traditional
bigs.
They’ve found me out! What am I
supposed to do? Can’t
start J.R. Can’t
start J.R. Ha ha
ha ha ha
ha! We’ll just
outshoot ‘em! No Mike D’antoni, that’s not going to work! Coach Knight, please don’t hit me! OW!
OW! OK, OK, OK!!!!

KMART: What the, um, (sniff) hell?

TYSON: He’s been a little on edge… but when he heard the
doctor’s getting on the plane to check out Shump’s
knee, he ran in here and closed the door.
He’s been at it for a half hour.

KMART: Man, dude’s really lost it.

JASON KIDD wanders up

KIDD: What’s going on, fellows?

KMART: (laughing) Coach lost his marbles man!

KIDD: (listening) Guy’s pulling a Byron Scott in there.

CHANDLER: This is not good.

AMAR’E STOUDEMIRE wanders up.

AMAR’E: What’s going on fellows, you guys ready to be
phenomenal tonight?

CHANDLER: Yeah, bud. Whassup. (they clasp hands)

KMART: Hey Amar’e, Go see Sheed. He said he’s
got something phenomenal for you.

AMAR’E: No shit? Great. See you guys
on the court.

AMAR’E STOUDEMIRE walks off.

KMART: Hey guys, remember when the NBA was the real shit,
back in the day? When power forwards
were power forwards?

KIDD: Yeah, man. Before all the whippersnappers.

KMART: When men, were, you know, men and shit (coughs).

KIDD: Yeah, like when we were

KMART: Nets?

KIDD: Oh, man those were the days. Back when you got the flu, and we wore the
old Dr. J uniforms in the finals, yeah man.

CHANDLER: didn’t you guys lose that game, though?

KMART: Yeah, but uh, fugazi
man. Byron Scott, you know. (sniff). Scott.

KIDD giggles like a schoolgirl

CHANDLER: Jkidd, you’re the man,
but dude, hit some shots before you start giggling like that.

KMART: Oh snap!

KIDD: That was cold, man.

CHANDLER: Guys, we need to focus. What are we going to do about coach?

KMART: Hey, we can use this, man, we can use it.

CHANDLER: What do you mean?

KMART: Let me in there.
I can calm him down. I’m a
veteran. He’ll be putty in my
hands. When we get out of there, coach
will be coach again, and I’ll be starting.
At the 4.
OLD SCHOOL men, old school.

KIDD:(snickering quietly) Nets
baby! (high fives Kenyon).

CHANDLER: I don’t
know. If it wasn’t for the Parkinsons, Cancer, Lyme Disease,
Mono, Valley Fever, HIV, Lupus, and Shingles I’m going through right now, I’d
probably think this was a bad idea. But
as it is… What was I saying?

KMART: Go get ready to play, Tyson. (sniff, cough) I’ll
handle this.

ONE HOUR LATER

WOODSON: Hey, Pablo, can I talk with you a sec?

PABLO: Yes, my coach, of course!

WOODSON: No, Coach Knight, No!!!!

PABLO: I’m sorreee?

WOODSON: Uh, nice night bro, huh? Nice weather here in Indiana.

PABLO: Yes I suppose, yes, I don’t know, I have not been out
of the arena, I cannot say (smiles).

WOODSON: Uh, Pablo, I, uh, I gotta
start Kenyon tonight. We need more
rebounding.

PABLO: I’m sorreeee?

WOODSON: You’re gonna come off the
bench tonight. Need more rebounding in
there. Nothing
personal.

PABLO: Excuse, me, my English, still not so good. You say you’re starting Kenyon Marteeen? At the 4?

WOODSON: Yep. I was
going to start him instead of Shump, now Shump can play, so I still want to start him.

PABLO: Coach, uh, Kenyon, he’s not even that good
rebounder. No shot from outside. Plus he, he’s very sick now. Also, I start, we win, since Kurt Thomas
game, remember?

WOODSON: Who what game?

PABLO: Kurt Thomas game?
Utah?

WOODSON: Kurt Thomas?
I think you mean Sheed. Coach Knight!
No!

PABLO: Listen, coach, I have better idea. Start me as always, like normal. 1st quarter, bring in Amar’e
for Chandler. Keep Tyson around 20
minutes for game. 2nd
quarter, bring in Cope at 5, like in April.
We make Hibbert cry like a baby take away from
his mama. Rebounds… eehhhh,
we get enough. We score the points we
win the game, Pacers cry like babies from mama.
OK?

WOODSON: I don’t know Pablo, my Spanish isn’t that
good. You’re coming off the bench
tonight.

PABLO: Coach, uhh, ees really bad idea.
I play lots of games, high pressure games, you know, you do what you do,
put pressure on other team, no try to be like other tea-

WOODSON: Shut up you – you Argentinian guy. Coach Knight says to throw a chair. You want me to throw a chair?

PABLO: Sorree? I no want chair, I want to win game.

WOODSON: Sorry yourself.
I’m the coach. Got
to man up, Pablo.

PABLO: You’re an eeediot, coach.

WOODSON: Excuse me?

PABLO: You’re a fucking idiot.

WOODSON: You better come to play tonight. Be a pro. (walks
off)

PABLO: I come to play for Spanish team next year, has coach
with brain.

AMAR’E STOUDEMIRE
walks up.

AMAR’E: What’s wrong, Pablo?

PABLO: Coach… he bench me, ahhh-- start
Kenyon, screw up offense, screw up team.

AMAR’E: Huh? Whoa. Not
phenomenal.

MELO: (removing headphones) What
happened now?

KMART (from around corner) snicker. Nets 2000 baby!

KIDD:(giggling like schoolgirl) Who
needs shooters? Old
school baby.

KMART: (cough) Yeah! (high fives
KIDD with booger hand).

A Flu-ridden KENYON MARTIN ambles into the locker room. He notices TYSON CHANDLER standing next to the closed door of the utility closet with a puzzled expression on his face.

KMART: (sniff, cough) What, uh, Whatcha doin’ there Tyson Bison man?

TYSON: Shhh. Listen.

Both men stand still and quiet, and the voice of Mike Woodson becomes audible from behind the heavy door.

WOODSON: (frantically) What am I supposed to do? They got bigger guys. Now Shump’s knee is hurt. What am I supposed to do? Start J.R.? Can’t do that. Can’t do that. Make my eyebrows fall off again. Maybe I was a fool. Power forward gods, getting back at me. Traditional bigs. They’ve found me out! What am I supposed to do? Can’t start J.R. Can’t start J.R. Ha ha ha ha ha ha! We’ll just outshoot ‘em! No Mike D’antoni, that’s not going to work! Coach Knight, please don’t hit me! OW! OW! OK, OK, OK!!!!

KMART: What the, um, (sniff) hell?

TYSON: He’s been a little on edge… but when he heard the doctor’s getting on the plane to check out Shump’s knee, he ran in here and closed the door. He’s been at it for a half hour.

KMART: Man, dude’s really lost it.

JASON KIDD wanders up

KIDD: What’s going on, fellows?

KMART: (laughing) Coach lost his marbles man!

KIDD: (listening) Guy’s pulling a Byron Scott in there.

CHANDLER: This is not good.

AMAR’E STOUDEMIRE wanders up.

AMAR’E: What’s going on fellows, you guys ready to be phenomenal tonight?

CHANDLER: Yeah, bud. Whassup. (they clasp hands)

KMART: Hey Amar’e, Go see Sheed. He said he’s got something phenomenal for you.

AMAR’E: No shit? Great. See you guys on the court.

AMAR’E STOUDEMIRE walks off.

KMART: Hey guys, remember when the NBA was the real shit, back in the day? When power forwards were power forwards?

KIDD: Yeah, man. Before all the whippersnappers.

KMART: When men, were, you know, men and shit (coughs).

KIDD: Yeah, like when we were

KMART: Nets?

KIDD: Oh, man those were the days. Back when you got the flu, and we wore the old Dr. J uniforms in the finals, yeah man.

CHANDLER: didn’t you guys lose that game, though?

KMART: Yeah, but uh, fugazi man. Byron Scott, you know. (sniff). Scott.

KIDD giggles like a schoolgirl

CHANDLER: Jkidd, you’re the man, but dude, hit some shots before you start giggling like that.

KMART: Oh snap!

KIDD: That was cold, man.

CHANDLER: Guys, we need to focus. What are we going to do about coach?

KMART: Hey, we can use this, man, we can use it.

CHANDLER: What do you mean?

KMART: Let me in there. I can calm him down. I’m a veteran. He’ll be putty in my hands. When we get out of there, coach will be coach again, and I’ll be starting. At the 4. OLD SCHOOL men, old school.

KIDD:(snickering quietly) Nets baby! (high fives Kenyon).

CHANDLER: I don’t know. If it wasn’t for the Parkinsons, Cancer, Lyme Disease, Mono, Valley Fever, HIV, Lupus, and Shingles I’m going through right now, I’d probably think this was a bad idea. But as it is… What was I saying?

KMART: Go get ready to play, Tyson. (sniff, cough) I’ll handle this.

ONE HOUR LATER

WOODSON: Hey, Pablo, can I talk with you a sec?

PABLO: Yes, my coach, of course!

WOODSON: No, Coach Knight, No!!!!

PABLO: I’m sorreee?

WOODSON: Uh, nice night bro, huh? Nice weather here in Indiana.

PABLO: Yes I suppose, yes, I don’t know, I have not been out of the arena, I cannot say (smiles).

WOODSON: Uh, Pablo, I, uh, I gotta start Kenyon tonight. We need more rebounding.

PABLO: I’m sorreeee?

WOODSON: You’re gonna come off the bench tonight. Need more rebounding in there. Nothing personal.

PABLO: Excuse, me, my English, still not so good. You say you’re starting Kenyon Marteeen? At the 4?

WOODSON: Yep. I was going to start him instead of Shump, now Shump can play, so I still want to start him.

PABLO: Coach, uh, Kenyon, he’s not even that good rebounder. No shot from outside. Plus he, he’s very sick now. Also, I start, we win, since Kurt Thomas game, remember?

WOODSON: Who what game?

PABLO: Kurt Thomas game? Utah?

WOODSON: Kurt Thomas? I think you mean Sheed. Coach Knight! No!

PABLO: Listen, coach, I have better idea. Start me as always, like normal. 1st quarter, bring in Amar’e for Chandler. Keep Tyson around 20 minutes for game. 2nd quarter, bring in Cope at 5, like in April. We make Hibbert cry like a baby take away from his mama. Rebounds… eehhhh, we get enough. We score the points we win the game, Pacers cry like babies from mama. OK?

WOODSON: I don’t know Pablo, my Spanish isn’t that good. You’re coming off the bench tonight.

PABLO: Coach, uhh, ees really bad idea. I play lots of games, high pressure games, you know, you do what you do, put pressure on other team, no try to be like other tea-

WOODSON: Shut up you – you Argentinian guy. Coach Knight says to throw a chair. You want me to throw a chair?

PABLO: Sorree? I no want chair, I want to win game.

WOODSON: Sorry yourself. I’m the coach. Got to man up, Pablo.

PABLO: You’re an eeediot, coach.

WOODSON: Excuse me?

PABLO: You’re a fucking idiot.

WOODSON: You better come to play tonight. Be a pro. (walks off)

PABLO: I come to play for Spanish team next year, has coach with brain.

AMAR’E STOUDEMIRE walks up.

AMAR’E: What’s wrong, Pablo?

PABLO: Coach… he bench me, ahhh-- start Kenyon, screw up offense, screw up team.

AMAR’E: Huh? Whoa. Not phenomenal.

MELO: (removing headphones) What happened now?

KMART (from around corner) snicker. Nets 2000 baby!

KIDD:(giggling like schoolgirl) Who needs shooters? Old school baby.

KMART: (cough) Yeah! (high fives KIDD with booger hand).

The Beauty of Melo at the 4

2013-05-15T14:07:02Z

Last off-season, Mike Woodson had a wonderful epiphany. He took a long, hard look at his best player in order to gain a deeper understanding about what it is that makes him special. He realized that the player is big and athletic, with a deadly jumper, and that could abuse his counterparts in the post.

The beauty of Melo is not his dripping wet, lighting quick one-dribble pull-up jumper. What makes him special is his dominating post-game. Melo's size, quickness and athleticism traditionally would dictate that he should play small forward. But small forwards can guard Melo on the perimeter. Small forwards cannot guard Melo in the post. No small forward in the league can. No one. Mike Woodson smartly recognized this and brilliantly devised a scheme to play Melo at power forward. Melo at power forward uniquely capitalizes on his entire skill set.

The best way to defend Melo is to have an athletic small forward harass him on the perimeter, and then pack the paint with bigs to bother him on the inside should he venture down there. But by playing Melo at power forward and surrounding him with perimeter shooters, you leave opponents in the quandary of either trying to defend Melo with a true power forward on the perimeter or a true small forward on him in the post. Neither predicament being very appetizing.

The Indiana Pacers have caught on, and they said eff it, we're keeping David West on the floor and we're gonna put him on Iman Shumpert. Beat us with Shumpert. Shump can't iso West and abuse him, and the Pacers can just load their defense to stop Melo. Woody has made no adjustment to force them to guard us the way we want them to. You HAVE to start JR.

Don't get me wrong, no one is a bigger fan of Shump than me. But right now, Shump just doesn't have the offensive arsenal to go into take over mode. Even if his jumper is working, he's only going to get you 15 or so points. Even if you're a JR hater, you can't deny that he can take a game over if he heats up. And the best way to get a player going is to get him a few easy opportunities. Let JR start. Give him the West match up. Let him know it beforehand. And tell him to attack. If West sags off him, shoot the three. If West gets up on him, blow by him to the rim. Force the Pacers to adjust. We have to force them to worry about covering up for West and put their defense into scramble mode.

The Pacers are beating us because they're playing these games on their terms. They are comfortable and relaxed. They know exactly how what we're trying to do on offense and they know exactly what we're trying to do on defense. So they can set up how they want to and let the possessions play out. They know where the jumpers are going to be, so they can get mentally prepared and step into them. They know exactly where Melo is going to be, and they can structure their defense to force him into a tough shot.

Make them pay for West. And EVERYTHING changes.

Pick and Roll Not Isolation Problem for Knicks on Offense

2013-05-14T15:56:28Z

The Knicks flat out stunk offensively game in game three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals versus the Indiana Pacers. They scored a mere 71 points and shot 34% from the field.

While Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith did not play well for the Knicks, they were not the reason why the Knicks lost game three and looked so dreadful on offense.

The Knicks ran isolation plays only 14% of the time and were 4/10 on those shots and scored on 50% of those possessions, gathering one offensive rebound and putting the rebound in. Iso-ball was not the reason why the lost, though more production from Melo and J.R. would not hurt.

The real reason why the Knicks scored a mere 71 points was there inability and ineptitude to score as a result of the pick and roll.

The Knicks pick and roll ball handler is mostly Raymond Felton. Occasionally J.R. Smith, Jason Kidd and Pablo Prigioni would be on ball for the pick and roll but it was almost exclusively run by Felton and either Tyson Chandler and Kenyon Martin as the roll man.

The pick and roll ball handler shot only 5/19 from the field in Sunday’s game, a mere 26% and not once did a single Knick gather even one of those fourteen misses. The roll man in the screen in roll only took one shot, missing it, and the Knicks lacked any presence upfront to put any of the misses in.

Clearly Tyson Chandler is hurt and not 100% and Kenyon Martin is also sick, but there is no excuse for taking only one shot off of a screen, and there is no excuse for not gathering one rebound off of a missed screen and roll jumper. They need to be more involved on offense, setting harder better screens, in turn freeing up more space for Prigioni and Felton.

Chandler and Martin are not post up threats but they are screen and roll threats and need to be more involved on screen and roll plays.

If the Knicks want to steal a game in Indiana and even up the series 2-2 going back to New York, Felton and Chandler need to perform better in the pick and roll on offense.

The Knicks flat out stunk offensively game in game three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals versus the Indiana Pacers. They scored a mere 71 points and shot 34% from the field.

While Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith did not play well for the Knicks, they were not the reason why the Knicks lost game three and looked so dreadful on offense.

The real reason why the Knicks scored a mere 71 points was there inability and ineptitude to score as a result of the pick and roll.

Chandler and Martin are not post up threats but they are screen and roll threats and need to be more involved on screen and roll plays.

If the Knicks want to steal a game in Indiana and even up the series 2-2 going back to New York, Felton and Chandler need to perform better in the pick and roll on offense.

A ridiculous lineup idea (That just might work)

2013-05-14T04:54:16Z

So i'll get right to it: i think Melo should play the 5. No, i'm not high, just creative.

Why Melo at the 5? 'Cuz Roy 'Effing Hibbert, that's why; seriously, dude is messing with my head. All his goddamn fundamentals, his pain in the ass insistence, on going straight up on his contests. I mean just look at that guy! such a hard worker, such a professional; don't you just want to slap his annoyingly, stupidly, happy face? so frieking happy! Ugh, just ugh.

Anyways, Melo at the 5. I think this move renders Roy Hibbert neutral, and i'm sure you can see where i'm going with this. With Melo at center and any combination of 3 point shooters around him, (Say, Felton, Prigs, Shump, and Cope) Hibbert is completely exposed. He cannot credibly guard the 3 point line, owing too his complete lack of quickness. (Ha! stupid happy slowpoke)

The flip side of this is, obviously, now Melo has to guard Hibbert, which you would think would be just as big a mismatch. Melo is after all only 6-8, Hibbert is a legit 7-footer, so you would think that Big Roy would eat his lunch on the other end. However, when looking over Melo's individual stats one notices a funny thing. Know what the single best part of his defensive game is? individual post defense! According to Synergy, Melo gave up just 35.3% shooting in the post. That's right, Melo is downright decent when it comes to defending the big boys one-on-one.

Now, this lineup couldn't work for extended minutes, for obvious reasons. Melo getting worn out, the Knicks getting further embarrassed on the boards etc. But as a limited minutes curve-ball, i think it would be really effective.

PS. Dear Woody: No more Jason Kidd! at least not till he gets his stroke back. I really don't think i can handle seeing him go into the fetal position when he catches behind the arc again.

PPS. This is my first fanpost! all comments and criticisms on both writing and content are appreciated.

So i'll get right to it: i think Melo should play the 5. No, i'm not high, just creative.

PS. Dear Woody: No more Jason Kidd! at least not till he gets his stroke back. I really don't think i can handle seeing him go into the fetal position when he catches behind the arc again.

PPS. This is my first fanpost! all comments and criticisms on both writing and content are appreciated.

Chandler - Let's Have It Out

2013-05-13T22:22:25Z

Hey. So. Damn. Well.

The esteem with which one Tyson Chandler is held within this here community has taken quite the nose dive lately. Sure there were always one or two of us that thought he wasn't nearly as good as Robin Lopez or Batman Howard, but for the most part, the guy was universally beloved.

Then the playoffs started, and we kept saying 'once Tyson gets up to speed'.... then game followed mediocre game.... and then Hibbert came to town, and whoa... suddenly there seems to be a near consensus that the guy sucks because he doesn't try.

First off, I'm going to say to those that say 'He always sucked', well, maybe so, but he would still get like, 10 rebounds. Remember when he was shooting 70 percent for the year and would consistently score 10 or 15 points? I mean, stats aren't everything, but his stats are down. Something's changed.

Some people have said, 'he has always sucked in the playoffs'. C'mon. Dude has a ring. He was messed up with the flu in that first heat game last year, but he played better than this after that, right?

Look, let us not forget what this fellow has done for us. He's playing in the playoffs - what's his motivation for dogging it? I mean, that's just a weird line of thought.

I think that either Tyson's neck is bothering him, or he has some kind of Lyme Disease or Valley fever or some sort of affliction that he doesn't know about or doesn't want to talk about.

I also think that Roy Hibbert has developed into kind of a good player. And that Tyson's lack of range is particularly a problem when matched up with Mr. Hibbert, or Roy as he's sometimes known.

I don't know. Maybe Tyson is really annoyed with Melo and J.R. and how they get a free pass to do non-teamy things by the coach. Could be. I have a feeling we will find out more when the season's over.

But for now, people, can we give the dude the benefit of the doubt? He's not the perfect player but he's been good for us.

By all means, cut his minutes in favor of Amar'e or Cope tomorrow night. But let's not demean the man until we know more about what's going on with him.

Please Help Out China Joe, New York Folk

2013-05-13T16:03:41Z

Hey all! Remember me?

I recently came back to America with my wife, and I'm looking to take her to NYC for a few days. I've been there a million times back in the day, but I haven't been there in a long time, and I've never been there for a vacation-type deal. The only thing I can think of is pizza and that park in Brooklyn that they just named after MCA...neither of which appeal to her. Any ideas, my friends? What do normal folk do when visiting New York for a few days?

Hey all! Remember me? I recently came back to America with my wife, and I'm looking to take her to NYC for a few days. I've been there a million times back in the day, but I haven't been there in a long time, and I've never been there for a vacation-type deal. The only thing I can think of is pizza and that park in Brooklyn that they just named after MCA...neither of which appeal to her. Any ideas, my friends? What do normal folk do when visiting New York for a few days?

It's Time to Start JR

2013-05-12T22:06:14Z

I know I know... but hear me out. One of the things that seems to go unmentioned, but is driving me insane, is that Iman Shumpert (I say his full name when I'm angry with him) is being guarded by David West... and they're getting away with that!!! Listen, I love me some Shump. But they have to be made to pay for that bull shit. Start JR in place of Shump and attack the shit out of that match-up.

Let JR push it up the floor and attack West early, before the defense gets set. Put them in scramble mode immediately and back on their heels. JR needs to get going, so lets match him up with someone who has no business trying to defend him. Let JR handle the rock, push it up the floor, and force West to guard a perimeter ball handler. If he can't find anything on the initial attack he can kick it out to reset, and then we can run him off baseline screens. Again, I love me some Shump, but running JR off baseline screens brings a whole 'nother threat level to the situation that the Pacers have to account for. With West guarding him, JR will much better looks on his jumpers and he will be able to blow by him at will.

If they try to hide West on Melo, well... even better. If they try to hide him on Pablo, cool. Good luck with that. And if Pablo refuses to shoot it, then just send JR over to set a screen and force a switch.

We're letting them get away with this David West on Shump nonsense. It has to stop. We should be killing them for it. Instead, we're just letting them set their defense exactly like they want to. Start JR and give him the full green light. Full on attack mode, and hit the nitro button for good measure.

MISSING KNICKS SHOOTING GUARD J.R. SMITH, Major Reward Given if Found

2013-05-12T15:16:22Z

Calling all people of New York, there has been a major disappearance in the Big Apple. J.R. Smith, a 6 foot 6 inch, tattooed African American man has not been seen since Game three of the Boston Celtics series, April 26.

He was reportedly with Rihanna a few nights ago, and in Indiana last night, but there is no evidence he was ever there.

Between November and April, Smith averaged 18 points per game on 42% shooting but he has shot only 33% since mid April but only 27% since the beginning of May. The 2013 Sixth Man of the Year might as well be the twelfth man with how he has played recently. He is 1-10 from three in the past two games, and shooting 50% from the free throw line.

Smith has not scored in double digits in consecutive playoff games, something he did twice all regular season and has not done since January. Last night he had only nine points and one rebound, tallying zero assists, blocks, and steals.

Smith is missing and the Knicks and Knicks fans need him to return if they want to beat the Indiana Pacers If he does a possible reward could be a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals or even the NBA finals.

If he does not appear soon then the Knicks season will be ending soon as well.

He was reportedly with Rihanna a few nights ago, and in Indiana last night, but there is no evidence he was ever there.

If he does not appear soon then the Knicks season will be ending soon as well.

Knicks/Pacers Game 3 Review...UGH

2013-05-12T05:13:45Z

I'm beyond upset with the Knicks performance tonight, just embarrassing.

-Tyson Chandler played like a complete pile of sh!t, absolutely miserable in every way. Completely no effort, got outhustled for rebounds, zero offensive contributions, just abused by roy hibbert and looked like he had no reason to be in that game.
-Jason Kidd played like a complete pile of sh!t, hesitant to EVER shoot (bc he can't make anything). He contributed to zero steals/turnovers/smart plays, instead he just committed a bunch of turnovers himself and looked old, real old.
-J.R. Smith played like a complete pile of sh!t (noticing a trend?), completely looked lifeless out there without any energy due to the flu, and couldn't get any shooting rhythm or really anything going.

But guess what?! they combined for SEVENTY FIVE (75!) minutes

The knicks shot 27% from 3, only got up 11 3's all game, and scored only 71! points. They really could've used a player whose 6'8 225 lbs, who shot 42% from three all year who can create his own shot (Chris Copeland), or even a guy who shot 43% from three this year, who can only shoot if standing still and open but still 43% from three (Steve Novak). One would think in a game where your team scores 71 points you give those players a chance right? Or at least play at the end of the game when its all but over to see if there's any chance, right?! RIGHT?! Nope, 1 minute each...cool Mike Woodson.

And Pablo Priginio, you know, the guy the garden was chanting his name during game 2, the guy who drove and kicked passed into the two easiest knick buckets all night. The guy who played like the Knicks best point guard tonight (Felton also didn't play well) would play at least ONE minute during the 4th quarter, right?!

MIKE WOODSON WTF WERE U DOING?!?!?!!?!?!?

Ok let me end this on a positive note, IMAN SHUMPERT, i cannot wait to watch you for years to come, love the intensity, the passion, hustling for loose balls, causing turnovers, giving it your all, pretty much doing everything that the rest of the team didn't. Even though he didn't shoot the best, and probably did have his worst game of the series, he at least showed that he knew he was playing a playoff game. At least i was able to watch Shump during the rest of this teams (and mike woodson, actually especially mike woodson) shitfest.

I'm just too upset to keep going right now, I will speak to some thoughts I had on Stat's return and Melo's game tomorrow.

I'm beyond upset with the Knicks performance tonight, just embarrassing.

I'm just too upset to keep going right now, I will speak to some thoughts I had on Stat's return and Melo's game tomorrow.

Breaking Down Iman Shumpert and His Quantitative Defensive Impact

2013-05-11T15:41:44Z

Defense is tough to quantify. But Knicks second year guard Iman Shumpert made a quantitative impact against the Boston Celtics in the first round of the postseason and is now struggling to make the same kind of impact against Indiana. Against Boston, Shumpert was faced with the challenge of guarding both Paul Pierce and Jeff Green, the Celtics two best offense players and played extremely well in the six game series.

One year ago at this time, Shump was withered up on the floor in Miami, needing help to leave the floor because of his torn ACL. But in the 2013 postseason, Shumpert emerged as a major difference maker for the Knicks.
The Knicks were far more productive with Shumpert on the floor against the Celtics. The team forced four more turnovers with him on the floor and two more blocks with him on the floor than with him off.

The Celts shot only 27.5% from midrange with him on the floor and 35.5% off. The team scored an average of 107.3 points per 100 possessions and 82.6 with him off. Per 100 possessions the Knicks gave up only 87 points with him on the floor and 95.5% off. Offensively the Knicks shot 55% with Shumpert on the court but only 43.0 percent off. Shumpert is a capable three point shooter, which leads to better floor spacing, freeing up Carmelo Anthony and Raymond Felton to attack the basket.

Shumpert and the Knicks play much better defense with him on the floor, because Shumpert seldom requires help defense and Coach Woodson is comfortable putting him on an island defensively and letting the rest of the team worry about their assignments.

Shumpert is also long and capable of guarding point guards, two guards, and small forwards. But against the Pacers, Shump has been far less successful. His overall net rating is -7.3, or in other words the Knicks give up 7 more points than they score with him on the court. Both defensively and offensively Shumpert has been far less successful against the Pacers. Shumpert only has one steal in two games and has no blocks. He is averaging 13.5 points but also has not been as active on the glass, gathering only 10 boards in two games.

Shumpert is the one of the main keys for the Knicks defensively and if the Knicks want to advance to the Conference Finals then Shump has to lock down any and all offensive players across from him. And with J.R. Smith questionable for game three due to illness, game three would be a perfect opportunity for Shump to excel due to an increase in minutes.