Because...
Needless to say the SSOL offensive strategy is flawed, fundamentally and otherwise. It's based on taking an inordinate amount of LOW percentage shots.
If we have the lead WHY WOULD I WANT TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF POSSESSIONS MY OPPONENT HAS BY HOISTING UP MORE SHOTS?
When behind shouldn't a team DRIVE the ball to try and draw fouls, get to the line and score without time taken off the clock?
SSOL IGNORES or at best makes little use of the clock strategically.
Isn't use of the clock fundamentally a strategy.
What coach preaches ignorance of the clock and is successful?
What coach preaches taking LOW % shots and is successful?
What coach doesn't emphasize Defense and is successful?
What coach needs 2 years to figure out who his best players are/were on a bum team?
WIDE OPEN OR NOT...
Mathematically speaking if Team A cannot score at the rate TEAM B is scoring given that Team A is shooting a lower fg% than Team B (say 36% vs 54%) team A can still SCORE the same amount of points as Team B by taking less time off the shot clock therefore increasing # of attempts, thus increasing scoring opportunities and using the three point shot to make for this deficiency.
BTW, when in-bounding and bringing the ball up court players are open all the time, should we just hoist up shots from beyond half court because we are open? I mean why not, at least we can be back on D!
BUT...
By doing so a certain player or tandem isn't always as clear as anyone can be left open or get hot. Normally this is ok but during times of need i.e. to stop/gain momentum or at the end of games there is no clear go to guy.
Since the pace is increased and the scoring differential is higher than normal, more hustle and energy expended is the result. Normally this is ok IF your players are better conditioned than the opponent, but over time most players including your own will subside to fatigue and therefor LOWER their already low fg% during crunch time.
The above is exacerbated by the use of a 9 man rotation- which leads to further fatigue and burn out.
Now mentioning Defense is as quick as saying... there is none. And when there is some, either finishing off the break is inconsistent or once again players are tired and too exhausted to sustain pace.
About the pick and roll, it's one of the oldest plays in BB, should we give Mike D credit for bringing it to NY?
Collectively the above leads to INCONSISTENCY. Some nights, the ones which all factors go right, wins will come, on most, mathematically speaking
losses will mount.
Its only a matter of time. Mike D'Antoni's style while historically has produced playoff teams and all-stars lost in the end due to a myriad of factors. His teams lost, and him losing his job means he lost.
Now being in a different org. with different players it is not reasonable to expect such team to GIVE YOU EACH AND EVERY PLAYER YOU CLAIM YOU NEED TO SUCEED. You MAY be given player TYPES but certain players as an excuse cannot be used as YOU (D'Antoni) were fully aware of the players we had to offer and our cap situation.
All in all, like I said I cant blame Mike D for our ineptitude past or present but from what I see he isn't promoting a winning, formidable brand of basketball that I like.
So I can't wait til' they fire this dude! Not for anyone specific...