D'ant has been stressing defense all year. You know this because I have pointed it out. You even went so far as to make a distinction between preaching and coaching defense as if that distinction isn't obvious. I countered with articles, videos and quotes showing how D'ant coached, not just preached defense. Now you want to pretend that he just started stressing defense...it's absurd!
YES the distinction is paramount as it reduces your assertion of coach yelling, speaking, saying, preaching as synonymous with a lesson on team defense, individual skills,and most importantly effectiveness of a strategic concept. Only a positive improvement on Stats will gauge this. But again its moot, because you and I both know his abilities are avg at best at doing so. Better players will mask and overcome that, but that by no means equates to prowess on MDA's part. It actually underscores the observations every creditable source has reached.
Further, not a single credible source is suggesting that Melo and Billiups are somehow running the show. The only story close to that is regarding the need to slow down the offense because both Melo and Billiups are better in a halfcourt offense. So D'ant adapts and is attacked as a figurehead and had he acted "stubborn" you would attack him for not being able to adapt! Damned if he does, damned if doesn't.
Incorrect and short sighted.
I have not only communicated my hope and support for coach to change and adapt but have given him props when he has demonstrated such. But a spade is a spade, and in this case as was with others, circumstance has forced him to do so. You see that as a knock on him. I see this not only as the truth and a blessing in disguise, but a referendum on what's been argued here. A change was needed, a humbling experience was needed to cut through the stubborn unproven approach he used.
And yes, that source you mentioned is your eyes and inference. Do you think its a coincidence we beat MIA with a slowed down offense whule holding them to 86 points with a brand new (semi new) team? Don't be naive.
See your problem is two fold:
1. You have formed an opinion on our coach during a rebuilding process and have not updated your thinking as new information becomes available. You look at every action or decision made through those tainted glasses. If we lose it's D'ants fault if we win it's the players fault! :barf:
I formed an opinion while maintaining openmindedness, I can't say the same about you; after researching and evaluating him in many situations on & off court. As of now I haven't seen anything to the contrary. Unlike others I have the ability to be objective and true without my fandum clouding my judgement. And again I held out hope as a true Knic fan should.
2. You listen to the national media and their historic bias against the Knicks and pick out what you agree with as truth. You discount their assertions on Amare being a "Robin" and not a Batman but run with the D'ant hate. You discount all the hate thrown at the Knicks by the national media unless it suites your own bias and agenda.
Huh? First I'm wondering how you mention creditable sources, have a propensity to quote the media, but claim I listen to national media...smh
Next, needless to say I listen and read many things,that's called being openminded. What you may not realize is an ability to form a valid opinion requires observing all angles, and as self absorbed asit sounds; I form my opinions BEFORE I read or hear most writers/reporters. They just echo my sentiments, because I like them am a student of the game.
BTW, you called the season over when we were 3-5 so D'ant having us in the 6th seed with a winning record should have made you happy but of course you moved the goal post in order to retain your bias. It's so obvious...
Let me remind you, there is no satisfaction in me seeing this team in the 6th spot in the East and get bounced. That's coming from my reluctance to settle, something you and others took offense too. I won't be completely satisfed until I see a gold ball and some rings.
But to delve deeper, not only were those limitating issues still on display but being a forward thinker I suspected a falsesenseof security that prevents us from achieving the concept of continuous improvement, a modo I live by, hence your outlook. Again I wasn't convinced nor satisfied
And apparently the fans and front office weren't either. As I saw it we were headed for a higher level of mediocrity. Without an ability to compete and overachieve on both sides of the court consistently signing 2 maxs won't matter.
Until I see what I know works, I will never settle. The changes we will see when we achieve more will reflect
What I and some knowledgable posters have been asserting. You'll see. MDA needed change and maybe its happening.