Happened upon this on a stock photo site. Had to share, as it is awesome.
Photo: John Grech via stock.xchng
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Interesting piece from Art Rondeau regarding Carmelo Anthony and his role in the offense.
If Melo’s going to shoot fewer shots, it should be because he gets the ball less often. Let the point guard (whose position requires more conscious thought anyway), pass to others to balance the load. When Melo gets the ball, he still doesn’t have to jack it up. If he does shoot, the load is being balanced for him. If he doesn’t shoot, it should be because he sees an open teammate, not because he’s taken the time to think about whether he should shoot this time or not.
By all means, read the whole thing here: Melo – Shooting Less w/out Limiting His Shots « Game Time at the Garden of Good and Evil.
I agree with the premise completely… the fact that ‘Melo was forced into a “point forward” role to which he seems ill-suited is a big reason why he was shooting so often.
Running the point means getting the best shot for your team. In Carmelo’s eyes, the “best” shot is whatever shot he can create for himself. And as we saw in the fourth quarter and first overtime of the Denver game, ‘Melo can get a shot off against just about any defender and hit a pretty fair number of them. He’s an excellent passer, but he doesn’t look to pass the same way a LeBron James or Steve Nash does – and at this stage of his career, he’s not going to start.
It’s also worth noting that, for stretches of this season, Anthony’s ball-hoggery was actually warranted. When Landry Fields and Toney Douglas were struggling and Amar’e Stoudemire was nursing a bum ankle, ‘Melo shooting over a double-team was still one of the Knicks’ better options.
I’m not making excuses for Anthony. But I can see how we got here.
I’m sort of rooting for a tighter game tonight, so we can see if Anthony’s new commitment to sharing the ball extends into the fourth quarter of a close one.
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I have been anticipating this news just about as much as the 1981 version of me anticipated the release of The Empire Strikes Back.
Hi Knicks fans! Welcome to my Twitter page-- I'll be updating (as I figure out how to do this!) Thanks for following me! -- Clyde
@WaltFrazier
Walt Clyde Frazier
Of course, that creates tremendous potential for disappointment. I mean, that first tweet doesn’t rhyme, nor does it include any four-syllable words.
Clyde’s second post is more like it:
Sporting my pink and green plaid suit in Cleveland....don't forget the alligator boots..looking very cavalier ...Go Knicks!
@WaltFrazier
Walt Clyde Frazier
If all he does is give us a daily update on his attire, he’ll be a must-follow.
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The Knicks ended a six-game losing streak in impressive fashion, pasting the Bobcats – in Charlotte – by a score of 111-78.
Yeah, you may be thinking… but it was the Bobcats. And I’ll grant you that. Charlotte bears very little resemblance to a good basketball team, and they were playing without starting point guard D.J. Augustin. That said, the Bobcats scored 118 points against the Knicks at MSG on January 4th. And it’s not like the Knicks have been dominant against other second and third-tier clubs of late. A win’s a win, and they needed this one badly.
Some interesting things happened during the game:
- Carmelo Anthony scored just one point – and that came on a technical free throw. His previous career low was five. He was 0-7 from the field and 0-2 from three… the technical foul shot was his only trip to the line. But he still had a big impact on the game, with 11 rebounds and four assists.
- ‘Melo started the game in obvious pass-first mode, as if he was trying to prove that he’s willing to adjust after Saturday night’s debacle. It would have been very interesting to see if that attitude would have survived into the fourth quarter of a tight game.
- Anthony also appeared to tweak his right hand or thumb in the third quarter, which might have had something to do with his poor shooting. And he’s already dealing with a sore left wrist and ankle.
- Amar’e Stoudemire, on the other hand, played like last year’s version of STAT, scoring 10 points in the second quarter alone and 18 in the game. Mike Bibby helped matters; he seemed to be on a mission to get Stoudemire the ball in good scoring position every time down the floor.
- Tyson Chandler just abused Charlotte’s small front line, finishing with 20 points and 17 boards.
- Landry Fields stayed hot, scoring 18 points with four boards, five assists, two steals and two blocks. (Note – he’s available in far too many fantasy leagues – he’s one of my Working the Wire picks this week. He won’t be available for long if he keeps playing like this.)
- Iman Shumpert – another Knick that has been accused of taking too many shots at times – had nine attempts but only one make. He did have five rebounds, helping the Knicks pad their 53-33 edge in that department.
For added fun, the Erie Bayhawks looked pretty good in garbage time. Jeremy Lin scored eight points in just six minutes, and Jerome Jordan displayed some pretty nice footwork on both ends of the floor.
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The NBA trade deadline usually creates some “buy” opportunities for fantasy basketball players. Problem is, this year’s later-than-usual deadline and compressed schedule might make a lot of teams hesitant to deal.
From this week’s Working the Wire on Rotowire.com:
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith created a bit of a stir by suggesting that the Orlando Magic had made inquiries about sending Dwight Howard to the Knicks in exchange for Amar’e Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler. Sounds great – especially to Knicks fans – right? Problem is, Stoudemire has an enormous contract that can’t be insured due to his injury history and Chandler – as a free agent signed this year – can’t be dealt until March 1 at the earliest.
Over on SBNation, Mike Prada has suggested that two of the league’s most-improved teams – the Sixers and Pacers – should capitalize on their fast starts by making moves for Howard or Deron Williams. That’s an interesting concept – I thought the Sixers missed an opportunity by not making a big, splashy trade in the offseason. But after watching both teams this season, I’m of the opinion that continuity has played a major role on those teams’ successes.
The continuity factor could become a big issue as the trade deadline approaches. With compressed schedules and extremely limited practice time, getting new players integrated into teams will be even more difficult than usual. Last year’s Knicks are a pretty good example of how a mid-season roster makeover can hurt a team’s performance in the short term. And bear in mind, with the deadline pushed back to mid-March, teams will have even less time to integrate new pieces before the end of the regular season.
The entire article and this week’s waiver picks are at Working the Wire: Things Could Be Quiet at the Deadline – RotoWire.com. (Rotowire subscription required)
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UConn coach Jim Calhoun is sponsoring “CardioRaisers” for Autism Speaks in Manchester and Southington, Connecticut on February 26th.
Join Coach Jim Calhoun on Sunday, February 26, 2012 for the inaugural Jim Calhoun CardioRaiser – and workout for Autism Speaks. Test your endurance at Cardio Express in Manchester or Southington as we raise money for this important cause. The registration breakfast begins at 8am and the cardio activities begin at 9am.
The dollars raised will be used to fund global biomedical research into the causes, prevention, treatments, and cure for autism; to raise public awareness about autism and its effects on individuals, families, and society; and to bring hope to all who deal with the hardships of this disorder.
You can choose from a variety of cardio activities including Zumba, Spinning or spend time on any of their cardio machines. No matter what your fitness level – we have something for everyone – join us and be part of the “Calhoun Team” and make a difference in your community!
Join if you can – this is a great cause.
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The Knicks 6-10 on the season – a worse record than the lowly Cleveland Cavaliers. They are in the the midst of a six-game losing streak. They dropped all four games on last week’s homestand – three of them coming against teams that seem destined for the lottery. Carmelo Anthony is shooting way too much. Amar’e Stoudemire isn’t shooting enough. Baron Davis should be back soon – but is reportedly rusty, needs work on his conditioning, and will be brought along slowly. The Sixers could be the most-improved team in the league, and the Celtics are showing signs of life after an impossibly poor start.
As Andy’s pal Woody might say, “This is the perfect time to panic.”
Tom Hanks’ voice isn’t the only one calling for panic moves. Fans at Madison Square Garden are calling for Mike D’Antoni’s job. Stephen A. Smith is suggesting they trade Amar’e Stoudemire for Dwight Howard… others have pushed a Carmelo Anthony for Deron Williams deal (as if either of those trades have a snowball’s chance in hell of happening).
With all due respect, I have to side with Mr. Lightyear. This is no time to panic. Here’s why:
Panic moves created this situation
James Dolan panicked at the trade deadline and gave up too much to get Carmelo Anthony. Glen Grunwald panicked when he realized Chris Paul wasn’t going to be an option and spent a bunch of money on Tyson Chandler, even though doing so left him without a point guard. Another panic move gave the point guard job to Baron Davis – even though Davis wouldn’t be available for the first month of the season.
Panic moves are rarely ideal. The last thing the Knicks need is another stopgap solution.
You can’t make a good decision without more information
This team’s most obvious problem is the lack of a true point guard. Well… that problem could be partially solved as soon as Wednesday, when Davis will reportedly make his Knick debut. It’s probably a mistake to cast Davis in the role of savior; he’ll be rusty, and he won’t be able to play big minutes right away. But as Alan Hahn pointed out on his blog today, the last time Stoudemire and Anthony were healthy and playing with a real point guard, the Knicks reeled off a seven-game winning streak.
Before making any major changes, the Knicks really need to see how Davis impacts the team.
Options are limited
Say the Knicks fire Mike D’Antoni. Who are they getting to take over? Maybe they can convince Phil Jackson to coach the team some day – but I don’t see the Zen Master as a mid-season replacement. And I don’t think Jeff Van Gundy is coming back… well… ever. So firing D’Antoni probably means having Mike Woodson or Herb Williams call the shots for the rest of this season, and then a full-on coaching search (read: going to Jackson’s cabin in Montana and begging) this summer.
Same goes for the trade market. Who can the Knicks deal and get anything approaching a decent return? Stoudemire’s contract, health issues and poor play to this point would make him a very tough sell. Anthony’s contract is equally massive, and his play raises a very different set of doubts as to whether or not he’s the lead dog on a good team. Chandler? Stuck here until March. Shumpert? Might generate some interest, but why deal the least expensive, most promising guy on the roster? And what are you going to get for Toney Douglas or Landry Fields?
Continuity Matters
Every year, it seems, the Knicks attempt to re-make their roster on the fly at mid-season… and every year it sends them into a tail spin. I don’t know if it’s a Mike D’Antoni issue or an NBA fact of life, but it seems clear that major personnel shake-ups during a season do not lend themselves to winning basketball. (We’re considering the 2011 Denver Nuggets as the exception to that rule.)
The Knicks will have enough trouble getting Davis comfortable with Stoudemire, Anthony, Chandler and the rest. Other major changes will just complicate that process.
Changes I would make
That doesn’t necessarily mean I’d stand pat for the rest of the season, as this team does have some fairly obvious holes that need filling. The biggest is still point guard.
One of the best things about having multiple superstars on a team is the ability to have one take over while the other is on the bench. I’d love to see the Knicks run more plays specifically for Stoudemire when Anthony gets a breather. The problem is, Davis can’t play 48 minutes, and when Anthony is out, Davis may be too. I’d like to see the Knicks add a solid backup point guard capable of running the pick and roll with STAT and the second unit, whether that’s a Jamaal Tinsley or an Anthony Carter or similar.
And overall depth will continue to be a worry, especially with Josh Harrellson out for six weeks. Kenyon Martin’s name has come up quite a few times, and he’d make a lot of sense when he’s freed of his Chinese League obligations. (I’m not as big a fan of the J.R. Smith idea, mostly because I think Landry Fields has been playing better of late and Iman Shumpert will be getting minutes at the two once Davis is healthy.)
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