I have 3 things I'd like to point out about last night's game.
Woodson vs. D'antoni - Where was the perimeter defense (yea shump is gone) that was supposed to be instilled by Woodson as the new coach? They played the same way they used to play when D'antoni was coach. It makes me question if D'antoni was the problem or not.
Amare - I thought it was ridiculous that they did not try to go to Amare more offensively. Clearly the ISO the Knicks were playing wasn't working at all. The Heat didn't even need to double team. They dared Carmelo to shoot and he did it well but Melo himself can't win the game. They should've changed the game plan up. We all know that the Heat's weakness is their 4-5 position. Why didn't they dump the ball into amare, let him work there. once he get's going and dominate the inside. they will have to start double teaming him, which will open things up for the rest of his teammates including Melo. Amare's defense stats was never there so that's a given but he's offensive skills is there and they need to take advantage of that. Why must Melo be the focal point? Why not switch things up like Miami did? Lebron did his thing in Game 1 and in Game 2 you could tell he was deferring to his teammates more a.k.a Wade. That helped keep them unpredictable.
Is Melo built for the playoffs? It looks like he needs to dominate the ball to get going. It's probably ok for the regular season but I don't think it works in the playoffs. He's a great scorer and finisher but in the playoffs you have to play the same team multiple times and teams can shut him down. Great one on one player but his team game is suspect.
Let's be honest here. Game two was a terrible game too. No penetration. Just hold the ball until the shot clock is about to expire either find carmelo or shoot it yourself.
I don't think the Heat are playing that great, I think that the Knicks are just playing bad basketball.
Woodson vs. D'antoni - Where was the perimeter defense (yea shump is gone) that was supposed to be instilled by Woodson as the new coach? They played the same way they used to play when D'antoni was coach. It makes me question if D'antoni was the problem or not.
Amare - I thought it was ridiculous that they did not try to go to Amare more offensively. Clearly the ISO the Knicks were playing wasn't working at all. The Heat didn't even need to double team. They dared Carmelo to shoot and he did it well but Melo himself can't win the game. They should've changed the game plan up. We all know that the Heat's weakness is their 4-5 position. Why didn't they dump the ball into amare, let him work there. once he get's going and dominate the inside. they will have to start double teaming him, which will open things up for the rest of his teammates including Melo. Amare's defense stats was never there so that's a given but he's offensive skills is there and they need to take advantage of that. Why must Melo be the focal point? Why not switch things up like Miami did? Lebron did his thing in Game 1 and in Game 2 you could tell he was deferring to his teammates more a.k.a Wade. That helped keep them unpredictable.
Is Melo built for the playoffs? It looks like he needs to dominate the ball to get going. It's probably ok for the regular season but I don't think it works in the playoffs. He's a great scorer and finisher but in the playoffs you have to play the same team multiple times and teams can shut him down. Great one on one player but his team game is suspect.
Let's be honest here. Game two was a terrible game too. No penetration. Just hold the ball until the shot clock is about to expire either find carmelo or shoot it yourself.
I don't think the Heat are playing that great, I think that the Knicks are just playing bad basketball.