This style has now finally come to fruition and we are starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel. We have been tanking seasons to get to this point so to make fundamental changes would be counter productive; you make subtle changes and complimentary additions. Every interview with Walsh that I have heard or read has had the same message; backup point guard and a much needed big..... As well as Melo if we can work out a fair deal and not a fleecing of the Knicks to get him. I've also read from the rumor mills that everything points to the Knicks getting Iggy by the trade deadline if Melo falls through... Of course there are the locally driven sports writer created rumors like the Knicks are in trade talks with Orlando to send Turiaf for Duhon.... I might believe that if Isiah was GM but Walsh contemplating that trade?????? Please!!!
So Legend33, I think the Knicks brass does want to sure up the defense, especially getting better on the boards and getting "longer" in the paint. They want to make sure that they address this with out affecting the current format.
Please tell me what about this don't you understand:
Moz & AR aren't anymore liabilities than Turriaf or Williams.
In MDA's system sure they may look lost but that's more of a reflection of this system than their talents.
Face it, these are players that MANY other coaches can find a use for ala Nate & Jordan.
Its a simple issue... This coach does not value fundamentals. All phases of the game must be played well to compete, not just offense. Without value on bigs, defense and the like, you will be limited which we are.
If the bigs we acquire(d) are liabilities, then this is a direct reflection on the coach. And for some reason the majority of bigs we have (had) could not warrant playing time. This forces me to conclude that its not the players but the coach and system. And if that's the case, then we can also conclude that any big player that "fits" this system will not have the fundamental skills (defense, low post presence) needed to make it to the next level.
If MDA thinks we can get by with 7-8 rotations, again we will lack the players, skills needed to go to the next level. Either way, sure while I'm happy we have improved, the writing is on the wall.
It says: Without the proper valuation and implementation of size and defense, scoring will take you only so far. And that's what we've witnessed to this point right? Yeah exciting, yeah improved, and yeah come playoff time, worn down, undersized and a 1st-2nd round victim.
A good coach implements strategy in all phases of the game. He has multiple strategies to attack the opposition in any situation. He learns and adapts to beat teams in multiple ways in multiple phases. He makes players better and puts them in a pos. to win. Along with more intangibles.
MDA is limited. If things don't fall perfectly into place, he has no options. If the players aren't perfectly suited to his flawed system, he has no options. The players available to fit his system... are already on our team, and we've succeeded to improve yet still have flaws easily exposed.
There is only one answer (to those who already see what the future brings based on our stats and performace)... learn to value and implement bigs or you will develop a false sense of security and false hope only to be mauled by more fundamentally sound teams and coaches.
*and we lead the NBA in blocks because we let everyone into the paint.
