38 to 23 and 149 to 115…
The difference in rebounding totals in the team’s last three games.
There was the lopsided effort against the Bucks where they were +26, mainly because the Knicks didn’t make any shots, but, overall, the Knicks are in obvious need of help on the glass.
I say sign Dwayne Jones, although Mike D’Antoni didn’t sound as if that would be an option as he stated that it’s hard for a D-Leaguer to crack the rotation.
Really? A D-Leaguer pulling down 16 rpg and a ridiculous 6 offensive per game? No, he’s not a pick and roll specialist, but I think he can figure that out.
The team should have won the Thunder game for various reasons. McGrady had a chance to basically ice the W from the stripe and came up empty.
But the team gave up 16 offensive rebounds.
16.
That’s, well, 16 more possibilities to score and generally those are easier shots because most of the times they are short put backs, or kick outs to wide open shooters. High percentage shots.
Same with the Bucks game.
They were better against the Celtics, and actually out rebounded them on both sides, which is shocking, but the fact remains the team really needs some size.
Against the Thunder, Russell Westbrook had 9 rebounds (3 offensive) to Wilson Chandler‘s 6 total. Brandon Jennings and Luc Mbah a Moute had 19 boards combined to Chandler and Gallo’s 7.
Opposing guards are out rebounding the Knicks forwards. That, of course, is unacceptable, but in this league you need players with length and who can go get the ball. Those players are 6’11. Boxing out or no boxing out, a 6’11 player is going to get to the ball before 6’8.
It’s really that simple.
I’d sign Jones ASAP.
Go ahead, sign Jones but MD still won’t play him.
Why? Well, that’s MD for you . . .
Heck, I’d even be surprised to see more of Bill Walker this season – I suspect that MD was throwing him a bone by giving him some minutes vs. his former team.
It’s maddening.
I have to laugh when Mike D says a D-Leaguer can’t crack the rotation….Like you, I ask the question, “Really?” Last time I checked we were about 15 games under .500 and just playing out the string. We have the 5th worst record in the league, there is NO ONE on this roster that can’t be replaced..and NOBODY should feel safe, INCLUDING THE COACH. His unfettered loyalty to certain players is proving to be a bit of a detriment to the team. I agree, they need to sign Jones ASAP. They can’t afford to fill out the roster with all stars, they need to start digging in the scrap heap. This is about getting a head start on next year. They have nothing to lose, they’re going NOWHERE. Take the minutes from Harrington, to hell with it. Mike D is pissing me off more and more.
agreed!
there’s just no rhyme nor reason to his approach….
This year his true colors, both basketball and psycologically wise, have been exposed. Not pretty. Remember that Phil Jackson might not be resign with LA. Not saying it’d be what this team needs (too old and lacking energy), but it’s something to consider: if Jackson doesn’t resign, will Kobe? (everyone just assumes he’ll stay). After this summer FAgency, if the Knicks’ record doesn’t have them as a strong 4th-6th seed in no danger of abandoning the top 8 after 20 games, Mike will go out the backdoor with no glory.
Anyway, size’s the goal for the draft. Not sure what DW plans to do with his picks. Use them, trade for a 1st rounder. He’s got to go for size. A center like Solomon Alabi or a long PF like Michael Washington could be useful. This draft is abundant in PF’s and C’s. Personally, I’d trade those 2 picks for a first rounder and buy another 1st rounder. I really hope DW does right in the next draft.
“This year his true colors, both basketball and psycologically wise, have been exposed. Not pretty.”
New York tends to do that. You can’t hide. He’s being exposed for the liar and stubborn donkey he is.
“Anyway, size’s the goal for the draft. Not sure what DW plans to do with his picks. Use them, trade for a 1st rounder. He’s got to go for size. A center like Solomon Alabi or a long PF like Michael Washington could be useful. This draft is abundant in PF’s and C’s.”
This coach has no use for a big man, my money is on them drafting another forward.
Watch the magic happen.
Don’t look now, but Darko is playing 18 mins a game averaging 4 pts, 4 rebounds and check this one out 2.7 blocks a game.
Ridiculous.
That’s nearly 3 blocks a game in 18 minutes.
Nah, we couldn’t use that here. Not when you had JJ (Defensive Player of the Year snub according to TKB) and _avi_ Mr. Double Double playing nearly 40 mins a game.
So keep that in mind when this “coach” says a D-Leaguer can’t crack his precious 6 man “rotation”.
Did I mention I hate this “coach”?
Yes, you mentioned that.
Ok good.
Just want to be clear before you all jump on the bandwagon in a year or so.
D’Antoni is trying his best to get Lee, Gallinari and Chandler to play team ball and defend. This is his rotation. Why bring in a D-leaguer to take minutes away from his players. Does anyone expect him to say “yeah this team is terrible, a D-leaguer can certainly crack this lineup” I don’t think so.
Gallo and Chandler have a lot to learn. They need to learn to be a part of the defense and that means going to the hoop for rebounds, boxing out, taking charges. Lee appears to be the only player who has the interest and the ability to do some of that. I did not mention “no defense Harrington” as he is clearly a rental who will not be back next season. D’Antoni can yell all night but the players on the floor need to get the message.
And therein lies the rub.
If MD is trying his best, then his best is clearly not good enough.
Wouldn’t you agree that you’ve seen little or no progress on that front from Gallo or Chandler? If anything, things seem to be getting worse.
How much time do you really think D’antoni’s takes in tutoring Gallo or Chandler? His job’s to grab players already in their best moments (or closing into) and push to “have fun with the system”. But younger ones, like Gallo? Nope, he doesn’t grab’em. Not worth it for him. Real smart. We haven’t seen improvement from Gallo. We’ve gotten a glimpse at some of the things he has and can be exploited (rebounding, assists, smart D, blocks, penetration… hell, he’s probably the smartest player we have and he’s 21!). None of those has shown growth. Danilo has to be developed. Young players with talent have to be brought along, which doesn’t exist in D’antoni’s coaching mind (if there is one). Gallo’s evolution’s gonna be slow because he’s got no help and he’s gonna have to do it himself, which is a shame if you see how much players like Evans, Curry, Collison, Harden have grown. I could go on to see the rest of that class, except for Hill.
i higggghly disagree w/ u guys on this one….first off you all must take into considerations, both had surgery this off-season, and spent the whole off season rehabbing, THUS THE REASON WHY THERE ISN’T MUCH IMPROVEMENT OR DEVELOPMENT FROM LAST YR….but idk what knicks you’ve been watching, but to me Chandler has been getting better and better every single game this season…..half the moves he’s making this yr, he couldn’t make last yr….he doesn’t shoot a 3rd of the 3′s he did last season…his mid-range game is almost automatic right now….and he has gotten a lot more crafty getting to the rim….he looks a lot to me like joe johnson…..
TRUST THIS OFF-SEASON, W/ THE CHANCE TO WORK ON ALLL ASPECTS OF THEIR GAME THEY WILL BOTH BE MUCH IMPROVED NEXT SEASON….
I agree that both will keep improving. Don’t forget Will was well under way in his development and D’antoni’s system preferences made it easier. For Gallo, his injury, this being sort of his sophmore/rookie year could make for a type of excuse. Like I said at the end of my last post, he’ll continue to develop, but slowly, and not at Chandler’s pace (who’s still lacking a bunch bball IQ, which is brough on by a coach who teaches).
Gallo really needs some help and a gym. I’ve no doubt in his future improvement, but it’s never bad to have your coach making way for your development. See Lee’s process. His offense has been great this season (except in clutch moments), but where has his D been? Could that be the influence of “the system”? I’d be inclined to think so.
99% of defense is effort……Lee doesn’t show any effort on defense, unless it’s a defensive rebound……Mike D can’t teach him effort….if he wants to step aside to let earl boykins make a layup, that’s on david lee not Mike D….lee has improved on his one on one defense, but doesn’t know how to help at alllll, i’ve seen many of practices, where mike d emphasized on help D, but Lee doesn’t switch or step out on shooters, nor can do anything against a 7ft 280+pounder….sooo it’s also about putting ppl in the right position to win…in this aspect MIKE D’ANTONI FAILS MISERABLE……..
“TRUST THIS OFF-SEASON, W/ THE CHANCE TO WORK ON ALLL ASPECTS OF THEIR GAME THEY WILL BOTH BE MUCH IMPROVED NEXT SEASON….”
Now that you’ve said this WITH THE CAPS LOCK BUTTON ON I’M 100% CONVINCED!
At least with Jeffries in the line-up there was someone who could motivate the other players to “try” to play defense by setting an example (well… at least for a month). Right now, the attempt to play team defense is hurting all the players development as individual defenders. On any given night Gallo and Chandler will lockdown on their man if for no reason other than not getting embarrassed. But they know they are guarding “the man” that night, so team defense is out the window for them. When you’re always worried about four other men, you can’t focus on your own.
As far as a big man, they don’t have one right now… at least one that plays big. They need to sign Jones just to make sure that they have a big man in camp next summer, with a chance to learn the system in practice to help his learning curve. And give him some play now along with the other young guys to see how they work. He won’t take anything away from anyone else if he’s playing center. And they need to let someone else play center so they can see how Lee works as a PF. Before they sign Lee or let him go they better really be sure what he will look like in the revised system. I’m not as concerned with their horrible rebounding as I am with the horrible instruction in overall fundamentals for the young players. As for Al, either make him play center and use his weight for something, or keep him on the bench.
No leadership by the coach = no leadership ON court
YEA I SAID THE SAME THING ALLLLL OVA THE KNICKS BLOGOSPHERE…lol…pretty funny, but our whole fkn team is made up of d-leaguers at this point….lol…..we should defff take a chance on him….he’s played for pop in sa, and has played behind duncan for a cpl yrs….I LOVE HOW PLAYERS ARE GOOD ENOUGH FOR CONTENDERS N PLAYOFF TEAMS, BUT THEIR NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR US…….lol, fkn hilarious man…
reel talk he’d prb dominate david lee in practice……d’antoni can’t have that happen to his pet….haha
Our offense actually looks much better with the new additions, apart from that odd bucks loss.
The problem, as i’ve been saying, is length and size. I don’t know if an unskilled D-Leager who can beast the boards in the d-league will make a difference, and unless they’re taking a serious look at him for the future (like s-rod, walker, and house) there’s no reason to take him.
But regardless, when we restructure our team next year, you better bank on the fact we’ll be looking for some size. It is by far our biggest problem. (it’s fun saying something is our biggest problem and not talking about the PG).
On another note, eddie house is awesome and i am very happy he is on our team, and i hope they sign him for cheap. great complementary piece.
A defense as a whole cannot be considered as better if our big guys can’t really defend their own paint or rebound in their own court. We lost important size, and it’s shown. Yeah, between House, S-Rod, T Mac and Walker the backcourt looks better, no doubt (the comparison is Duhon, Hughes and Nate).
If you’re at our frontcourt you can see that it isn’t working fluidly. On D it doesn’t function, period.
Looking into the D-League isn’t a bad idea at all. Size and stregth are a necessity. Our coach can’t be that stupid to NOT see that (I could be wrong). But, if anything should come out of this, Gallo will get a lot of games to get into a rebounding groove and learn to use the ways of a PF, which should be his true position in the future. Maybe get a taste to getting into a Dirk state of mind.
My biggest worry is not for this year but next year. If D’Antoni wants Gallo and Chandler at the 3/4 a new center isn’t going to solve all the problems. The whole Lee thing is intriguing because we can’t possibly keep lee at the 5 but he isn’t a 4 in D’Antoni system. All I keep hearing is how the organization loves him but where do they put him?
“All I keep hearing is how the organization loves him but where do they put him?”
Send him to China with Marbury.
Sign and trade him to the Nets for Devin Harris (if they get Wall), Boone and Courtney Lee/CDR.
I don’t know the numbers, just talking ish.
Throw in some more of those “worthless” draft picks of ours maybe?
Not a big fan of Harris
He’s a better option than anything we have or that will be on the market this offseason, when healthy.
Good question. Lee ain’t a 4 for Mike because of his skill set, but under no circumstance is he a C in any system in this league. It’s tough love. It looks like if DW gets away with his evil plan, Lee will grab the first limo to New Jersey. There’s small chance that, should things go south and Walsh turns to his plan C or D (to get a Camby, Ray Ray, Manu, Felton or Boozer), Walsh will give Lee the chance to stay, should he be smart enough to sign at a discount.
Many keep saying that it’s not an obligation to spend those 31 mil that’ll be available, but you need to make all your trades and picks given away show their worth. There’s money to sign 2 max or to actually build a complete squad. Decisions, decisions. Let’s not forget all the cash coming off after Free Willy’s contract runs out.
The rebounding has been absolutely pathetic for several reasons.
1) David Lee has no idea what boxing out is, his effort is embarrassing. Several times I have seen his idea of boxing out his just standing to his man with his back on him, but letting his man completely push him under the basket, instead of pushing back against him which would require some effort and probably take away from Lee’s scoring and rebounding numbers on the other end of the floor so its not happening
2) We have a combination of Chucketts/Chandler as our power forward, which is just not going to work there. Neither one is a good defensive rebounder, with Chucketts not wanting to put energy into anything other than chucking.
3) Many times guys like Sergio have begun to break to the other end as we are trying to run more, so long rebounds tend to be picked up by the opposing guards more than ours.