Sorry bro... D'antoni contributed to this loss. IT'S UNDENIABLE.
ORL exploded for 37 4th quarter points. Nelson had 3 points at the half.
Landry Fields entered the game with 10:30 to play in the 4th. A minute later Douglas comes out, and then a minute later Carter is removed. At the same time, Nelson comes back in the game. 8:22 to play. Knicks down by a few points. Billups guarding Nelson.
NBA NTWK announcers were saying how... in DET... coach knew better, and would play Stuckey on Nelson. He was too quick for Billups. Nelson just dominates the next 4:30 minutes and ORL pulls away. Nelson goes out and then comes back in. He drains a 3. Game over.
Coach has got to be aware of this potential matchup BEFORE the game, and should be looking for it... especially come the 4th. As soon as Nelson starts heating up... YANK FIELDS and throw Douglas to D-up Nelson.
For TEN minutes... Landry Fields was basically a waste of space out there. A shooting guard with little offense. Landry played 35 minutes and had 1 assist and 6 poitns (1-5 from downtown). SG is the one position you can't afford to give away offense. HENCE THE NAME SHOOTING GUARD.
If you want rebounds, then find a real center.
Not to rag on Fields. Dude was a steal. He hits big shots (normally), and has high basketball IQ. Will pass, rebound, do the little things. BUT please... let's be real here. Dude should not be handed 35-40 minutes every game regardless.
ALSO, I'm tired of watching Chandler, and now Shawne, guard centers. Let's hope this ends now that Jeffries is back.
SO... it was coach who stuck with Fields the entire 4th. Coach sat and watched Nelson take over the game w/out adjusting. Did it cost us the game? Who knows. But we did lose, and those were HIS choices. He must be responsible.
WE KNOW THE DEAL... Dantoni feels like good offense beats good defense. If we shoot the ball, then nothing else matters. This is why Douglas will enter the game ICE COLD and immediately chuck a 3 pointer with 2 minutes left, down 6... B/C this is what the coach preaches.