You’ve heard me talk about back court play and how certain skills are simply essential for success and winning basketball games moving forward in the playoffs. Round one is generally about match ups, staying healthy and executing. It is also about home court advantage early in the series.

To me, round 2 is far more about adjustments and that’s where it’s essential that role players make shots. I call it “catch and make” opportunities and these become far more critical moving forward towards the Finals. Catch and makes are defined as shots made off of passes that require no dribble and are often just ahead of defensive rotation. Think about Derek Fisher’s career role and the shots John Paxon and Steve Kerr made for the Bulls at any point in the game, not just game-winners.

Stats are great during the regular season and I look towards total offense and total defense as a great barometers, but come playoff time I think stats reset, particularly from deep range. Derek Fisher is a career 37% three point shooter in the regular season, and 40% in the playoffs.

When I look at the Spurs/Clippers series the biggest difference in the two teams is the Spurs ability to make shots. Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green and the great Manu Ginobili combined for 9 three pointers many on catch/make opportunity. I think this is going to be a longer series because the Clippers do have their own catch and makers in Mo Williams, Randy Foye and Nick Young so buckle up.

The Sixers, who do a great job of playing complete basketball on defense and in transition , struggle offensively. But Jrue Holiday has been outstanding, particularly from behind the arc, some in catch and make situations. His 4 three pointers in Game 2 is why the Sixers have taken home court advantage away. That said, the Celtics have one of the all-time great catch and makers in Ray Allen, a player the Knicks are still looking for although he is battling through injuries.

Obviously, the heat are struggling without Chris Bosh. Bosh brings them a balance up front that they are clearly missing. He’s also a catch/make forward who does it down the stretch or to kill opposing teams’ runs. The heat were just 1-16 from deep including the Chalmers miss at the end. Obviously, Lebron’s free throws were huge as was the overall play from Wade, but when the heat lost to the Knicks their catch and makers, namely Chalmers, Battier and Mike Miller, were dreadful.

Which finally brings us to the Lakers and the Thunder. Fisher is now in OKC and the Lakers haven’t replaced his catch and make ability from the perimeter. Ramon Sessions is a very good point guard who has shot better, but isn’t proven in the half court of big games. Steve Blake can, but it’s a lot to ask. I like Goudelock, but he’s a rookie and Matt Barnes and World Peace are forwards, which is fine, but you need it from the 1 and 2 positions for balance. Kobe can’t do everything and catch and make situations result from him being doubled.

As far as the Thunder, Westbrook and Harden are above average, but not great, and Fisher certainly helps, but I love what Daequan Cook gives them. Dude has the green light to come in the game and knock them down, but you can expect D-Fish to make one or more big ones…Can’t forget how good Sefolosha has been as well.

If the Lakers are to make it a series, heck if all these series are going to be competitive, keep an eye on the team that has knock down catch and make opportunities and who takes advantage. They are usually the players who benefit from slight openings when the stars are double teamed or draw attention with teams hoping that the shots don’t fall from the perimeter.

It’s a huge need for the Knicks moving forward.

Thankfully, there are a lot of great minds on the internet that deal with basketball who have distinct legal backgrounds besides TKBtv’s own Andrew Smith and Moke Hamilton. There have been a lot of back and forth in the Knicks internet world since the story came out yesterday from the NY Times. 

Jon from Knicksfanblog, who, along with Dan, provide critical Knicks information and option often seen here, broke things down incredibly even so much as including players’ that could be available if the mediator rules in favor of the Knicks, I mean the union.

Our friend Mike at Knicks Bricks has his legal interpretation on what it all means and what to expect. It makes a ton of sense from me, who got his legal training from Night Court, Matlock and, of course, Law and Order.  I’m no expert as I chose to journalism and new media as my area of post graduate studies.

Law school was way too expensive and already had one in the family.

Thanks for your expertise and for the knowledge fellas.

Via Road to London

Though the select squad has yet to be announced, there is media speculation that the Americans are planning to include New York Knicks sensation Jeremy Lin and others with stardom in their future.

If reports are true, Gordon Hayward and Derrick Favors (both Utah), DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento), Klay Thompson (Golden State), Kyrie Irving (Cleveland), John Wall (Washington), DeMar DeRozan (Toronto), Paul George (Indiana), Kawhi Leonard and DeJuan Blair (San Antonio), Ryan Anderson (Orlando) and Taj Gibson (Chicago) will also be invited.

This would be very exciting. I think this style fits Lin’s game perfectly and his cache would   translate well on the global stage for sure.  It would add to his value for sure.

Finger point to Andrzej Nowak for the link…

Via NY Times

In general, a player retains his Bird rights in a trade, because his contract transfers with him. The union contends that the same principle should apply when a player is claimed off waivers, because the contract is still in effect and — similar to a trade — the player did not choose his new team.

In the union’s view, Bird rights should expire only when a player clears waivers, because he is a free agent at that point who can choose a new team and sign a new contract.

The union contends that the entire rationale for allowing Bird rights to transfer was to protect players who changed teams against their will, a principle that could apply to both trades and waiver claims. (The section of the uniform player contract that deals with waiver claims, in fact, cross references the rules governing trades.)

So union officials believe the spirit of the rule favors them. But if the arbitrator goes by the letter of the law, the union will probably lose the case and the Knicks will probably lose some key players.

Have Novak and Lin earned Bird Right’s is the issue. Since the season technically started in December, when the players were waved, did they earn them? According to the letter of the law it would seem no.

The Knicks are going to need some magic… Paging Judge Harry Stone.

I think I'm going to build my house in #NJ this summer! #random

May 14, 2012 8:05 pm via EchofonReplyRetweetFavorite

@TheRealJRSmith

JR Smith

I’m not sure this is a good thing or a bad thing for Knicks fans. JR is from Jersey, but this may be a possible indication that he is thinking of picking up his player option.

After his struggles in the game 5, do you even want JR back? Let me know on Twitter @Brad_Wolff

Great stuff here from ESPN-NY

Currently, the Knicks are about $6 million above the salary cap, which means they’re about $9 million under the apron. If Smith opts out and the Knicks don’t re-sign him, they’ll be about $11.5 million under the apron. If they re-sign Lin for about $5 million, they’ll be about $7.5 million under the apron, which would then create the hard cap.

Then, if Fields re-signs for about $5 million as well, the team will only have about $3 million under the apron to spend on three players. Think about that. About $3 million, three players. Veteran minimum’s deals could suck that right up.

That mid-level exception is more critical than you ever thought. From the season to the offseason, Lin still remains right at the top of the Knicks’ discussion. If you’re a fan of the team, you should be rooting for him to sign for $3 million or less.

This is a must read on the entire math heading into the off season under the new CBA. Lin aside, decisions on Landry Fields and J.R. Smith’s player option sit a top the list in terms of being able to improve the roster.

Great read here by Ken Berger who gives a sneak peek into the apparent thought process behind the Knicks front office and their relationship with CAA and how both are impacting any possible discussions with Phil Jackson.

Let’s not be naïve about what the Garden is running now. It isn’t a basketball team, but a movie production. If you want Tom Cruise, you have to take Cameron Diaz, too. And while we’re at it, we’ve got the director and production company lined up. One-stop shopping. It’ll be a great show, a smash hit, and everybody will make lots of money. Everyone will “win,” without actually winning anything.

Championships? Who needs championships when you have this much power and money all flowing in the same direction? After landing CAA client Carmelo Anthony last season, the team’s gate receipts went right through the Garden’s iconic, pinwheel roof this past season, thanks in part to the emergence of Jeremy Lin, and oh yeah, a 49 percent increase in average ticket prices. The most expensive seats in the NBA — more than double the league average — will cost a comparatively modest 4.9 percent more next season. And if you don’t think Woodson roaming the sidelines with his bemused scowl, immaculate goatee and Tone Loc voice will prevent people from paying those prices, think again.

Again, Phil who?

In September 2010, the Knicks signed a 10-year, $300 million marketing and sponsorship deal with JP Morgan Chase. Annually, that’s more money than each of the 30 NBA teams reaps from the NBA’s national broadcast rights agreements with ABC/ESPN and Turner. Revenue sharing, shmevenue sharing. The revenues from a couple of concert dates with CAA client Bruce Springsteen would just about cover Jackson’s salary, if only the Knicks would call — and if only the Zen Master would listen.

You’ve heard me talk about the impact of the agency and, in particular, how that deal with JP Morgan opened the door for CAA and moved Scott O’Neil above the ranks. It was O’Neil’s relationship that allowed for the Carmelo deal to happen and eventually pushed Donnie Walsh aside. O’Neil was promoted and praised internally thanks to his connections with the agency. I guess this is no longer a secret.

What I keep hearing is how aloof Dolan has been throughout this whole thing and why shouldn’t he be? People keep paying and he keeps making money. I’m still very much under the impression that they will “reach out” to Jackson, as basic a basketball decision that you can make. But this doesn’t seem to be about basketball. This doesn’t seem to be a quest for the Atlantic Division let along championships. This team is headed for another sub 4 seed and possible 1st round exit. I’m sorry, but that’s how I feel.

Wait, what the hell am I apologizing for?

Thanks Andrew Sharp...really was a crazy, crazy season.

Now that the season has been over and the method of finding a coaching solution is in apparent swing, let’s take a look at the roster. There are many questions and here are some thoughts.

Dan at KnicksFanBlog (check the TL) had a lot of key information as it relates to Landry Fields and his contract situation, who many have assumed will be back because of his relationship with Jeremy Lin. That would require another year of Fields at shooting guard, and that’s not gonna fly. Fields is a 3 who is a solid rebounder when in the right situation. He’s a good option to Melo as a back up but the two have zero synergy on the floor together. Mainly it’s because of Fields’ inability to catch and make. He does cut to the basket well, particularly flex cuts on the baseline, but those opportunities are few and far between. Fields paired well with Lin in the small sample size but struggles with Melo.

Be that as it may they need a serious upgrade in shot makers in the backcourt. They are also looking for a veteran PG. For that, I go after Jannero Pargo. He’s 33 with a 35% 3-point shooting percentage for his career but in a controlled roll this year with the hawks he made nearly one 3 per game and shot near 40%. Not ideal, no, and I’d love to see more sample size that he can make shots, but when you factor in 40 (where he’s made 109 triples) career playoff games, most with the Lakers and Bulls, he’s a good all-around fit.

Shooting guard? That’s another story in itself. Is Fields your best option? Look, I’m on record in saying this but I want Lamar Odom. He’s a long shot, but I think he comes to NY with Phil Jackson. He’s not a great fit at the 2, but he does everything. He’s a perfect role player. Can he be had for the vet minimum? Doubtful, but I can hope.

Another key position for me is frontline depth. I don’t see how Jared Jeffries and his knee can hold up another year. And there’s no bigger Jeffries fan than me. Is Jerome Jordan the answer? Is Josh Harrelson? I go to Europe or the D-League to find someone as desperate as Lin was for an NBA contract.

Anyway, those are a few thoughts. For a list of free agents and more thoughts, check out this well-constructed piece from Knicks Bricks.

Let the off season begin.

Via Alex Kennedy

“He’s got his energy back,” Buss said. “As a matter of fact, I overheard him making plans to play tennis when he’s back in Montana with one of his friends. He hasn’t played tennis, I don’t think, in 8 years. The knee replacement really is one of those operations that has such a high success rate. It gets people back to riding their bikes or playing golf or playing tennis. It really is a miracle. It’s one of those things that because of Phil’s schedule he wasn’t able to take the time to get the surgery and do the rehab. Now he’s done it, and I do think he has his energy back.  Now he’s going to spend his time? I don’t know. I’m happy for him, that he’s out of pain, after watching him suffer for the last few years.”

League sources say that the Knicks haven’t contacted Jackson as of yet, but they’re expected to reach out to him in the coming weeks. While the team was impressed with Mike Woodson and the success he had in an interim role, they’ll still explore the possibility of hiring Jackson.

There is a lot of buzz about the Knicks and Jackson that I’ve picked up on over the past 24 hours. Sounds as if they will attempt to reach out.

The whole thing just doesn’t make sense to me. Watching the Rangers celebrate and the Garden go bananas had to move the owner into understanding that they need Game 7 opportunities. That means they must win the Atlantic. Hiring Phil Jackson can attract more veteran minimum deals, critical to the team’s death.

This isn’t a knock on Mike Woodson, who still has yet to be extended.

They have to reach out at the very least. Sounds like fans agree.