and we're done

Slicknick951 said:
kidd on chalmers :{
kidd on wade :x
kidd coming off the bench on cole :rolleyes
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No, you can hide Kidd on Battier.

Felton - Chalmers
Brewer- Wade
Melo - LeBron
Chandler- Bosh

I don't mind going with Melo/Chandler at 4/5 obviously but against Miami it just feels like it plays into their hands. But there's no other options for tonight *shrug*. Guys will have to make shots to win.
 
There's really not much of an other option until you play a team other than Miami and/or Amar'e is back. Don't know what else they could do tonight.
 
Damn I'm legit sorry to hear about the destruction/casualties/and losses suffered.

Glad to hear majority of you all are good though. My prayers and condolences go out to those of you who were seriously affected by this storm.
 
Anthony should embrace the 4

It's not easy to meet adversity and see it as a golden opportunity, but that's what the Miami Heat started doing two years ago. And that's probably what the New York Knicks should do now with Amar'e Stoudemire's knee issues.

Back in 2010, Chris Bosh was away from the team for some time, but the extended absence came with a silver lining for the Heat -- it forced LeBron James to step on and play the 4. Setting screens? Rolling to the hoop? Banging down low with giants among giants? You can see why James, who had won two MVPs designated as a small forward, might have held some reservations about filling that role.

But once Bosh came back and the Heat lost the 2011 Finals, the reluctance dissipated and James diligently worked on playing big. It wasn't ideal and it wasn't familiar, but when Bosh was shelved with an abdominal strain in 2012 postseason, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra had no choice but to put James -- and his 6-foot-8, 250-pound frame -- on the block and trust the All-Star to at least temporarily reinvent his identity.

"Whenever you struggle and go through adversity, if the team has the right perspective, those can be breakthrough moments," Spoelstra said Thursday's practice ahead of Friday's Knicks matchup. "You develop a sense of urgency and other aspects of your game."

It's an understatement to suggest that the Knicks are facing some adversity.

The latest news is that Stoudemire will be out for six to eight weeks with a knee "debridement" and have little in the way of healthy bodies to bolster their front line. Marcus Camby (calf) hasn't played a minute in the preseason, while Rasheed Wallace hasn't played a minute in two years. Tyson Chandler remains iffy with a bone bruise in his knee, which leaves 40-year-old Kurt Thomas as the freshest body on the roster outside of 28-year-old rookie forward Chris Copeland.

"Injuries are a reality, so you learn how to play different combinations and go to a different style play that can be dynamic," Spoelstra said. "We went through that when Chris Bosh went out and we had to find a game that we could go to and we were able to use that game in the playoffs."

Facing a similar situation that the Heat faced last season, the question now becomes whether Carmelo Anthony is willing to initiate his own "breakthrough" in light of his team's injury bug. The 6-8, 230-pounder could push that button if he willingly moves to the block and embraces the 4 like James did last season. For the Knicks, it could be a good thing.

Melo, a monster at the 4

Have you seen the numbers? If not, chew on this: Anthony's player efficiency rating when he played the 4 last season stood at an astronomical 29.5 compared to just 17.4 at the small forward position, according to tracking by 82games.com. At small forward, Anthony averaged 22.1 points and 6.3 rebounds along with a 43.5 percent effective field goal percentage (eFG percentage adds extra weighting for 3-pointers).

At power forward? Try 29.3 points and 7 rebounds per 36 minutes while effectively shooting 55 percent from the floor.

These aren't just empty individual stats either. The Knicks' offense skyrocketed to 103.2 points per 48 minutes when Anthony shifted to the nominal power forward slot last season, up from a stagnant 96.5 points per 48 minutes when he played at the 3. And the team's defense? It actually got slightly better, shaving a little over a point every 48 minutes according to 82games.com. Overall, it's about an eight-point difference over 48 minutes, which is equivalent to the gap between the Heat and the Wizards last season. In other words, the Knicks went from terrible to terrifying when Anthony played the 4.

James saw similar jumps in his stats and the team's numbers last season when he moved to the 4. Yes, James had a 37.1 PER at the power forward slot last season, not to mention won a title along the way.

Having lived through that transition, James has some thoughts on the matter of an Anthony role change. In sum, James thinks his long-time pal is more than capable.

"You could put Melo anywhere," James said Thursday. "Just put Melo on the floor and he'll make it happen. It doesn't matter, he's that type of player. He does a little bit of everything."

Though James certainly meant the last part as glowing praise, it's that "little bit" that distinguishes between James and Anthony. When it comes to passing (among other things), Anthony tends to do a "little bit" whereas James does, well, more than a little bit.

In those 82games.com profiles, we find that James' assist numbers are double that of Anthony's when they go to the 4, though the scoring numbers are almost identical. Sliding Anthony to the 4 makes all the sense in the world for the Knicks because it spaces the floor and allows Steve Novak and J.R. Smith to rain from the perimeter. That is, if Anthony is a willing passer.

Imagine if Anthony became the wheeling and dealing post presence that we witnessed from James in the 2012 Finals? It's possible if he embraces how much pressure that dynamic could put on the defense. Shane Battier, who's well-versed in the Knicks' efficiency numbers without Stoudemire, sees the Knicks as more demanding with Anthony sliding to the block.

"They were very effective last year when Carmelo moved to the 4, very effective," Battier said. "Obviously, no one wants to see players get hurt, but they present a whole new set of challenges when Carmelo moves to the 4."

What's interesting, though, is that Anthony really doesn't want to play the 4. In early October, he told ESPNNewYork.com that he would rather play his "natural position" than "go down there and play the 4, the 5 and things that I don't really want to do."

This stubbornness could be expected from a young player coming into his own, but not for a 10-year veteran who won gold by thriving at the 4 this summer and also emphasized a win-at-all-costs attitude in the preseason.

Chris Bosh understands

You know who can sympathize?

Bosh, the guy who was drafted right after Anthony in the 2003 draft. Bosh was a franchise cornerstone in Toronto, a multiple All-Star who never made it out of the first round of the playoffs before coming to the Heat. But he wanted to win even if it meant moving positions to the 5, which he did reluctantly last season.

What's Bosh's advice to stars who face a position switch?

"Let go of your ego," Bosh said. "You just have to let it go and play basketball. If somebody thinks you might be better, you have to be open-minded. You have to let that go."

Bosh then framed Anthony's predicament as an identity crisis.

"He could say, 'I'm a 3 and that's that,' but that would be his ego talking," Bosh said. "I know that from experience. Ever since high school, I said, 'Hey, this is me. I have branded myself as [a power forward] and I have established myself as this and that's that.' You just have to let it go and play basketball. It's all the same anyway."

So what's it going to be? Is Anthony going to follow James and embrace the 4 with Stoudemire out? Or will Anthony cling to his "natural position"? If the trends hold from last season, it could have long-lasting benefits, even if it means Stoudemire coming off the bench.

But in the end, it's all up to Anthony.

"It doesn't matter if someone's in or out of the lineup, he'll always do what he needs to do," James said of Anthony.

Over the next two months, we'll see about that.
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I aint even looking forward to us playing any games anymore.

Just keep postponing games :lol I enjoy watching the mini LAL turmoil since they're 0-2.
 
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According to those "stats", STAT should be coming off the bench, and Melo should start at PF.
 
I thought I'd be in the building tonight. Catching this game on the Sofa. If you're in queens and don't have power, come on over. Please bring beer.
 
large_mediaday_0008_Copeland.jpg


yall better get familiar , 15 and 6 for Cope tonight
pimp.gif

 
 
gonna drink chocolate milk during the game in honor of Melo...albeit it isnt his his brand 8)

swiss miss ftw
 
THE MADISON SQUARE GARDEN COMPANY DONATES $500K AND HOSTS TELETHON TO BENEFIT HURRICANE SANDY RELIEF EFFORTS

Recipient Organizations are The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City and American Red Cross

New York, NY (November 2, 2012) – The Madison Square Garden Company will donate $500,000 and host a telethon on MSG Network to support the relief and rebuilding efforts for those affected by Hurricane Sandy. The Company will divide its donation equally between The Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City and the American Red Cross, to assist in the purchase and distribution of food, water and hygiene supplies, as well as long-term relief and restoration efforts in affected areas. Next Friday, November 9 during the New York Knicks game against the Dallas Mavericks, MSG Network will host a telethon to benefit both organizations. Additional details regarding the telethon will be forthcoming.
 
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