NYCLakerfan
Rotation player
I hate to sound cruel, but when the Knicks were losing, Amare was a big liability on defense and on the boards, and Melo lacked motivation under D'Antoni........ Now Amare did make some key defensive plays in the Sixers game, but since he's been gone, rebounding and defense have not been an issue with this club........
I do think aside from Fields and Amare, all Knicks players are above average defenders. And I think this is why we've had some unexpectedly one-sided blowout victories.
I'm also getting the impression that Coach Woodson might be the best thing to happen to Melo- He is focused at both ends of the floor like I've haven't seen in a long time. When not playing, he's no longer pouting either. He's instead on the stationary bike.
If nothing else, Jeremy Lin now knows he doesn't have to be Superman in order for the Knicks to win....... Just keep up his defense (the most underrated part of his game), take whatever the opposing defense gives, and feed Melo, Chandler, and Novak whenever any are open. If Lin scores 6 points on 4 shots, and gets at least 8 assists, the Knicks can beat anyone.
Rebounding and defense haven't been an issue when since MDA left STAT was playing prob some of the best ALL around ball of his career before his injury.
But it is a blessing in disguise have Amare and more so Lin injured because Melo can go to work. I still believe Lin was one of the main thing holding Melo back he simply does not feed Melo enough like Baron does.