Can we see Wilcox and Lee?

by Tommy Dee on February 28th, 2009 at 10:55 am

Mike D’Antoni has tried several different combinations since the trades to try and get a handle on who may work best with who, but I’ve noticed that in the several games since the deals he has not  put Chris Wilcox and David Lee together.

And I have no idea why.

Maybe Mike thinks they are identical players whose styles don’t match, but I offer that they’d be a good fit that deserves a look. I would start:

PG: Duhon (short leash)
SG: Chandler
SF: Harrington
PF: Lee
C: Jefferies

and go with a second unit of

PG: Robinson (can you please pass to Dino)
SG: Hughes
SF: Gallinari
PF: Wilcox
C :Lee

There’s your nine man rotation.

Now Nate is not a pick and roll player, he doesn’t and never has, needed a pick to beat his man off the bounce. So this is where you like to see Wilcox sub in for Jefferies early so he can get minutes with Lee so Duhon can have his choice who to run the P&R with.

Both Lee and Wilcox attack the rim.

Last night, and over the past few games, D’Antoni has limited Wilcox’s effectiveness putting him with no other real rebounders, leaving him virtually alone on the glass. They were over matched on the glass and Wilcox only played 3 minutes.

I think Lee and Wilcox would be able to secure more boards on both ends and the coach should give it a look. We need to get more out of Wilcox.
  • George From Scottsdale

    Tommy, there are three significant “issues” at play throughout the remainder of the season! One, find combinations that will work this year and might be available next! Sadly, this is creating a problem with step #2,which is winning games and attempting to make the playoffs. The most “significant” issue however, appears to be MD’s stubborness! As you’ve noted he needs to “shorten” Duhon’s leash significantly, not pulling him early in the 1st quarter last night was stubborn! When asked the other night why he didn’t sub Jeffries at the end of the game against Jack, he noted he didn’t want to remove N8! wrong, Duhon should have come out!!STOP the “lazy” D and aimlessly switching on every play even when there are NO picks. There are times when Lee is covering absolutely NO ONE! why double Dalembert and leave the basket wide open for a dunk! time and time again? Lee’s offensive instincts are exceptional, his defensive instincts couldn’t be worst! Either Herb W needs to give him a crash course in man D or Wilcox plays crunch time! MD needs to show film of Hughes basic D positioning, it’s nearly perfect, and every Knick should start picking up on it soon! All My Best, the ole ball coach!

  • EQ1217

    I would replace Jeffries with Hughes. JJ can’t rebound, finish & his defense is overrated , one good game v. Rondo does not make him Rodman. Hughes can actually play D and provide offense. Duhon & JJ can’t be on the floor together, that are two non-offensive spots on the floor.

    Gallo is still not 100% but he needs to get at least 20-25 minutes, so he can play big minutes next year and Chandler needs to play big minutes now, he plays enough D even when his offense is not working

    Duhon definitely has to be on a short leash, I’m tired of him being unprepared to play at the beginning of games.

    I’m starting to worry about Lee, his defense is so horrible it’s getting scary. He doesn’t even contest shots and I’m tired of him switching off his man every single time.

    D’antoni needs to man up and bench JJ, QRich permanently and Duhon when he starts to play disinterested.

  • George From Scottsdale

    Tommy, I missed an interesting comment you made…” Nate is not a pick and roll player”, is absolutely true, but easily fixable. When N8 turns the corner, his first move is to drop his head, and pick up speed, looking for his own dribble drive. If he would, pick “up” his head, the pick and roll option would become clearer. This is a very common mistake “young” players make, I’m a bit surprised no one has worked with him on this.

  • gmoney45

    The one question that I had about Lee prior to the pick up of Wilcox was whether he was almost saving himself on the defensive end because the Knicks were so weak in terms of having big men that could do anything. When a big man does not even attempt to contest shots, especially from the weak side as second man help defense, it makes you wonder why. Up until this point, it was my feeling that Lee was attempting to avoid foul trouble and stay on the court because of our dearth of big men. Now I think though that he can certainly amp it up a notch. Wilcox can cover if Lee gets into trouble and frankly, someone has to be willing to step up on these unguarded drives to the basket, even if its just to lay someone on their ass like days of old. If there is no fear of being blocked, knocked down, or even touched when you drive, then whats to keep you from attacking the rim over and again, and that is something that is definitely hurting this team right now. In short, please give an attempt to act like you care on the defensive end Mr. Double Double.