He didn't have a good game. Period. If that's what you'll accept every game as good then you're looking at subpar performances and most likely losses.
I've beat up on STAT a lot, mainly because his defense and on-court iQ has always rubbed me the wrong way.
But he showed improvement in those areas tonight.
STAT showed qualities that transcend whether or not he is getting the 20+ pts at a .600 that we expect and need from him. That's important, and I can respect that.
I can't speak for Ron, but I believe he is assessing that STAT will not be at his best until he is playing a style that lets him play to his absolute best.
Ya, that's a flaw in STAT, but almost every player is flawed to some major degree. Very few players (Lebron, eg) can just absolutely ball and dominate regardless of teammates and setting.
We factually do not have the personal to operate an offense that will allow STAT to be the MVPesque PF he has been during his career. .
And it's the simple truth that a PG is the crux of it. Especially given how a PG would be the single most vital thing in repairing and building up the dynamic between Melo and STAT on offense.
Yes, we could do a total overhaul and implement from ground up some half-court, set-play based system.
But you're fooling yourself if you think Amare will thrive like that like you want him to thrive. Same for Fields. And same for the ability for Amare and Melo to co-exist powerfully together.
2/3 are extremely vital things. The ability for us to contend and every win a title depends upon it.
What you see as MDA being stubborn is him not bending what he knows to be a winning formula, to lock down something that isn't as optimal just so we can look a bit better and more logical on the court in the short-term.
We are getting a PG in Baron soon. And regardless, we will be getting a PG in the off season by some combo of trade and the MLE.
We have a top 10 NBA defense right now. And it will get better as the team gels, and players like Shumpert improve. AND if Amare shows the improved IQ and willingness he showed tonight.
MDA had us as the 5th best offense in the NBA last year. And that was without Melo. And it was our 1st year playing as a legit team with some talent.
If you don't think MDA can't get us back to being at a BARE MINIMUM top 5 offense in the NBA, you're just resistant to and hating the man's style.