I see a bunch of things that may be the problem.
Melo doesn?t know how to get his teammates heart into the game. He tries to lead by example but doesn?t really know how to get his team involved. He is the franchise player and he?s suppose to used that to his advantage. Draw the double and triple teams, create/design plays where Melo is not only the benefactor of the pick and roll but the decoy/initiator and distributor (he?s a good passer). Draw the double and have another big play the backdoor and/or cutting the lane for an inside shot/foul/kick out.
The 3 ball barrage only works when you have momentum, if you?re down you?ll have a daunting task of shooting yourself back into the game from the 3point line?in most cases you?ll be digging a deeper hole because every previous missed shot saps the teams energy and confidence. Amare has been a problem for us. His injuries have hindered the team by way of salary and lack of on court productivity. Inserting him into the playoffs where his own team doesn?t really know what to expect from him is a recipe for disaster because he throws off the rhythm due to his rust and unfamiliarity with teammates, his presence was more of a ?lets see what you can do? instead of a ?lets see what you can do for the team?.
Kid seems lost, his shot is nonexistent but his experience is valuable, perhaps he needs to be in a suit and tie sitting next to Woody, all he?s done thus far is create a little chaos on the defensive end because of his experience in creating turnovers. JR is defeating himself, he thinks too hard and puts way too much pressure on himself. He has to let the game come to him and help his teammates gain confidence by creating shots for them. The Jason Terry incident threw off his rhythm tremendously; his issue is more of a mental one.
Novak has been a bust this year, he had plenty of open looks and missed most of them, teams are not even playing defense on him. When he?s in the game the opponents leave him roaming around the 3line so they can double Melo and smith. No one respects his shot anymore and that?s why he lost his min?s, he can?t do anything else but hit the long ball. He hurts the team when he can?t do that because we can?t use him for anything else?not even as a decoy. If Felton expands his vision he can put himself in a great position. There is just too much scoring talent on the team, get more in shape, play more aggressive, set up your teammates by tricking/confusing the opposition. Stop taking so many 3 balls?only let it rain when the momentum is picking up, not before.
Chandler as a big man needs to be more assertive, don?t just expect to play defense, bang the boards and fvcking learn how to bully a shot/layup in the basket?at least you?ll get a higher chance at getting some free throws. If you are not putting up big points don?t bicker about others not putting up big points?be the example and let your game do the talking because everyone hears and understands that action speaks louder than words. Woodson showed me signs of panicking; he was too reluctant in changing up his tactics?as if he only came to the playoffs with a grab bag of tricks instead of a briefcase. He has to trust all of his players and only used certain players for certain instances. It baffles me when he takes out Copeland and Shump when they start getting hot? thinking the substitutes will feed off that momentum, a few times the coach killed potential momentum benching his hot hands for a cold one. There are a few other minor issues but these stick out the most. Remedy those issues and the rest will work themselves out.