Knicks

[kam]

Chandler looks like a different player with a legit PG on our side. We're playing over the top which is what i envisioned with TC.

If Lin keeps this up, folks are going to wonder what took Mikey so long.

stop it.

Stop it yourself.  Many facts support this. Remember that D'antoni had Shawne Williams glued to the pine early last year too.  He would go exclusively to Billy Walker before Shawne showed a few things in practice and got in a fight before getting in a game.  D'antoni has always even going back to PHX, relied on just 7-8 guys.  He only goes to the Novaks of the world because Jorts is hurt.  He finally goes to Lin when his job is on the line.  The coach is as stubborn as they come.

[theng]

One nerd to another!

from notebook #4 via TKB.

[kam]

Are the asian cliches necessary?  They denigrate Lin. 

He is a baller. Let's look past his skin tone.

[trains1]

To be honest, its what is making him special in the league. There's a reason 60k twitters just went down for him, basketball has an Asian face again - and instead of Goliath, the 7'6 bohemoth, it is an underdog. In basketball he represents 2 minorities. Basketball is bigger and greater in its breath of representation.

We have a guy who everyone said doesn't belong (hmm, sound familar?) and he is working his ass off to prove them wrong. The dude can finish, no joke

[facilitatorn]

Want to see Balkman join Lin's thoroughbred rotation. He's a right place right time guy who thrives on rhythm and motion. We have a finder for him, lets put him to work.

Think We'll need Jordan against the Lakes

[bodiddley]

Are the asian cliches necessary?  They denigrate Lin. 

Well, at least that one was a Chinese reference instead of the other Japanese cliches trotted out for Lin earlier.

But I did cringe a little, especially after that article where some Korean guy said that Asian players used to be called Bruce (for Bruce Lee), then Jackie Chan, and more recently Yao.  He was hoping they'd be called Jeremy next, but was glad when they finally started being called after a real NBA player.

I do miss those jokes about it being a new world when the best rapper was white, the best golfer black and the tallest basketball player was Chinese ...

[bodiddley]

"The biggest thing is, he's got a point guard mentality," D'Antoni said of Lin, who is the first player to have 28 points and eight assists in his first career start since Isiah Thomas did it in 1981.

I doubt Novak does as well without Lin.
Lin's dribble penetration and the attention he draws has gotten defenses to sag, giving Novak and extra second to shoot, and often to have players have to close out in a hurry, with Novak either faking them or one dribble and shooting.
Not having to rush your shot is pretty important for a shooter.
And once you make one or two and have the confidence and rhythm in gear ...

In Lin's early season cameos, he seemed to rush too much and be a bit jittery (like TD) and wait a bit too long to pass out.  Now he's going to the rim and finishing, or keeping his dribble alive underneath, or probing around the perimeter a la Nash.

Yeah, we played 2 cruddy teams, and Utah is a poor road team.  But we also did it with JJ as a starter and a bunch of second rounders (Fields, Bully, Novak, all second round picks ... and Lin undrafted).   Going to need some big dogs such as Amare and Melo to be any real threat to good teams.  Also a bit unclear what we're going to do if Lin has a bad game, or gets in foul trouble, or needs stitches to reattach his head.  That was some attempted charge Lin took on Warped Speed Wall. 

Wall really needs to develop his game.  Wash needs to get a Bibby to mentor the kid (I guess it was supposed to be Arenas?)  As for Wash, Booker is a bit of a tweener but tough and can play.  Seraphim is a guy who we might be able to steal on the cheap in a few years.  Like Austin Daye.  Focus issues?  Singleton looks solid.  Nick Young and J Crawford are trigger happy and erratic.  Wall needs to develop his game ...

[badblkman]

uhm...our PG can dunk. 

[thebizneverloses]

Wall really needs to develop his game.  Wash needs to get a Bibby to mentor the kid (I guess it was supposed to be Arenas?)  As for Wash, Booker is a bit of a tweener but tough and can play.  Seraphim is a guy who we might be able to steal on the cheap in a few years.  Like Austin Daye.  Focus issues?  Singleton looks solid.  Nick Young and J Crawford are trigger happy and erratic.  Wall needs to develop his game ...

Ha. Washington traded for Bibby twelve months ago.

I like Booker and Singleton, but neither should be starting right now and they sure as hell shouldn't be starting next to each other. Too much grit, not enough skill.

Young and Crawford are the types of players who would only play for terrible teams. I wouldn't be surprised to see Marshon Brooks as this type of player eventually, but I need to see more of him.

I think Keven Seraphin is the worst player I've seen play this year. Just always seems to make the wrong decision and brings very little to the table. I think Jerome Jordan is a stiff with limited upside (given his age); I'd take him over Seraphin. I've only seen Seraphin twice so I'm probably missing something.

I had expected to see a bit more polish from Jan Vesely, who looked lost.

We didn't have our starting 3 and 4 or our normal first big off the bench; neither did Washington. (Dray, Shard, Turiaf)

[jpdtez]

Chip - happy birthday man - until 120!

These games are a joy to behold - Lin makes everyone more alive.  Lin is transformative for the likes of TC, Novak and even LFG - who admittedly was playing much better of late - before Lin arrived on the scene.  Hope Novak keeps it up and can claim a role once everyone is back.

This will be a real challenge for Melo - can he morph just a bit for the good of the team - time will tell.  

[exmachina]

I'm glad Melo and STAAT are not returning at the same time, and that Amare is coming back first. He should thrive on Lin's set ups and set the tone for when Anthony is back.

I'll be traveling for the T-Wolves game, but I'll record it - the match up between Lin and Rubio should be interesting.

[nagel100]

Biz

"Tyson looked fantastic before the deal. It was the rest of the team that was the problem.

Also, it was easier to replace a 35 year old point than a 29 year old centre."


check with Rem about that.  you won't be in agreement.

No Kam you stop it.  Mike gets to his 4th string pickup and you are complaining he did not get there fast enough.  

perhaps the fact that he was recalled from the D league on Jan 23 ( 15 games into the season)  may have something to do with it. we have played 9 games since and he has obviously played the last 3. it took all of 6 games to get him in the lineup.  he has said the D league made a world of difference for him.  This was written 2 days before his recall.  I guess that is what a triple double can do for you.

http://www.csnbayarea.com/blog/warriors-talk/post/Lin-records-D-League-triple-double?blockID=635466

I'm sure you knew lin was this guy before then . right?

What i know is no one knew he is this guy except perhaps his high school coach and his coach (Ammaker) at Harvard.  They knew.


I cannot see  blaming Mike for not getting to Lin earlier but there lies our differences.

one quote i loved was from our MVP.  it also shows what a surprise Linsanity is.

“I didn’t know he could dunk,’’ said Tyson Chandler,

[nagel100]

If Steve Novak does not see playing time the rest of the season now that we have someone whom can see the open man then Kam can fire mike himself.

Steve Novak, who played for the Spurs last season, compared Lin to Tony Parker.

Novak said, “Getting the defense on its heels and at a disadvantage is what he does best. I played with Tony Parker last year and he had the same skill, creating chaos on defense. It’s where all the open shots come from.”

Tony Parker?

gulp!


“I knew he could play basketball,” Wall said, “and if you are a guard that can run the pick-and-roll in their coach’s offense, you have a very good chance to excel.”

as EX said.  Amare coming back first is a big advantage for us.  first he can pick and roll/pop and he replaces JJ and puts him on the bench playing back-up minutes for Tyson and Amare.  

Carmelo will be forced to play the team concept if the ball is in Lin's hands .  that will play to our advantage as well.

"Landry Fields was selected to play in the N.B.A.’s “rising stars” game, featuring a mix of rookies and second-year players, at All-Star weekend. Iman Shumpert, however, was not, which upset Mike D’Antoni. “I was shocked that he didn’t make it,” D’Antoni said. Shumpert is sixth among rookies in scoring and among the leaders in steals and assists, but he could not crack the group of guards selected: Kyrie Irving, Ricky Rubio, MarShon Brooks, Brandon Knight and Kemba Walker. “I don’t really mind it,” Shumpert said. “It would have been fun. It would have been a nice accomplishment and everything, but I’m more worried about turning this season around.” ...

Baron Davis, who has not practiced in two weeks, is expected to work out on the court individually on Thursday. "

not as big an issue right now is it?

[nagel100]

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/218893/Wilson_Chandler_Plans_To_Re_Sign_With_Nuggets

Gallo and Wilson will shine in Denver for years to come.

I will always root for both of them.

[jpdtez]

Carmelo will be forced to play the team concept if the ball is in Lin's hands .  that will play to our advantage as well.

I hope you're right Nagel, it will be a real challenge to Melo and it will be interesting to see how he deals with it.  The more success the Knicks have with Lin, esp. when Amar'e returns,  the harder it will be for Melo to not be "communal."