Ah, I see.
Portland is actually playing very well lately, on a winning streak.9-2 record. Quite good.
New Album & The Beginning of Basketball Season
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Ah, I see.
Portland is actually playing very well lately, on a winning streak.9-2 record. Quite good.
The Atlantic Division is a woeful sight. Philly leads the pack at 5-7. Boston actually has a better record than both NY and Brooklyn. All teams here have a 2 or 3 games losing streak, currently.
All teams here have a 2 or 3 games losing streak, currently.
steve williams
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Carmelo Anthony Cannot Lead New York Knicks to a Title, NBA Execs Agree
By Sean Hojnacki | Yahoo Contributor Network
COMMENTARY | The New York Knicks have a world-class player in Carmelo Anthony, but they do not have the pieces in place to win a championship.
This pessimistic opinion was bolstered by four nameless NBA executives who were "granted anonymity" to reveal "their true opinions" about Anthony to Chris Broussard of ESPN.
Last season, Carmelo Anthony averaged 28.7 points per game and halted Kevin Durant's quest for four straight scoring titles, which would have put KD in rarefied air with Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan. Anthony also led the Knicks to the No. 2 seed in the East with 54 wins, and they bounced the Boston Celtics from the playoffs in the first round for the franchise's first postseason series victory since 2000. However, in a cruel echo of that season 13 years prior, the Indiana Pacers ended the Knicks' season. In the end, New York's frontcourt, featuring Melo, could not match the physicality of the punishing Pacers.
Among the questions Broussard posed to the longtime executives regarding Anthony was, "Can he lead a team to a championship, or even to the NBA Finals?" The answer came back a resounding "No." Broussard also opined that on Nov. 14 it's "not too early" to say the Knicks have "no chance" of getting past the second round of the playoffs, even if they are at full health.
While one could quibble about the likelihood of the Knicks reaching the conference finals, an NBA title seems an impossible fantasy when watching this year's lineup. Anthony is brimming with talent but he lacks the players around him to adequately supplement his game, and his style does not help elevate his teammates' play.
Championship or Bust?
The Knicks' 2012-13 campaign was still a tremendously successful year by recent standards. During the regular season, the Knicks had the third-most efficient offense in the league based on points per 100 possessions (efficiency stats from NBA.com). In the playoffs, they ranked 12th of 16 teams. The 2013-14 Knicks have gotten off to a markedly worse start with their middling offense and a defense ranking near the bottom of the league.
Worse still, at the start of this season, Knicks owner James Dolan issued an asinine announcement to his staff that set impossible expectations. Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com quoted a source saying, "(Dolan) told them he believes they have enough talent to win it all, and he expects it to happen this year." No pressure, guys.
In his 10 seasons, Anthony's teams have made it past the first round of the playoffs exactly twice, last year and in the Denver Nuggets' 2009 run to the conference finals. Chauncey Billups and current Knick Kenyon Martin were younger and more spry on those Nuggets, while Nene shored up the frontcourt. Another current teammate, J.R. Smith, was also on that roster. For his career, Carmelo owns an uninspiring 23-43 record in playoff games.
With Anthony playing at power forward, he needs a top-flight point guard or an All-Star-caliber swingman to fill out the roster and bolster the starting five's output. Instead, he's got Raymond Felton, Iman Shumpert and the irrational confidence of Smith, certainly a serviceable group but far from fearsome. In stark contrast to last season's hot start, the 'Bockers have dropped six of their first nine games and look like a colander in the paint with Tyson Chandler sidelined.
A Timely Case Study
For a fitting microcosm of Melo's game, look no further than the Knicks' 109-106 loss to the Houston Rockets on Nov. 14. Anthony exploded for 45 points on 17-30 shooting, with 10 rebounds, four assists and a block. He shot 17-of-30 from the foul line and 2-of-4 from three-point land, but the Knicks still lost because Anthony's teammates could not excel alongside him.
Andrea Bargnani looked surprisingly potent up front and finished with 24 points, but the rest of the roster fell flat. J.R. Smith shot 4 of 16 from the field while Felton and Shumpert combined for just 10 points. Metta World Peace shot 1 of 7 on the night. Of course, had the foul-to-give deployed by James Harden been a split-second later, Anthony would have been given continuation and his game-tying three-pointer would have counted. The potential four-point play could have given the Knicks a late lead, but that would not have changed the lackluster output of Melo's teammates.
Being a winner and leading a champion necessitates that you make the players around you better, and it seems inherent in Melo's style that he does not have that effect on his teammates, particularly when he plays at his highest level.
Execs Agree Melo Needs More Help
As one of Broussard's respondents, identified as Western Conference executive No. 1, said about Anthony, "If he was really a winner and about winning, he'd have figured it out by now. I mean, this is his 11th season ... Melo doesn't get it done because he doesn't make anybody else better."
Eastern Conference executive No. 1 ran slightly counter to this and qualified the argument, saying, "All these people talking crazy about Carmelo, saying he's not a winner, ask them if they would take him on their team. You wouldn't get many people saying 'No.'"
But that exec also agreed with the thinking that Anthony either needs precisely the right cast around him or he needs to pair up with another top-flight superstar, saying, "He's probably Robin on a championship team instead of Batman. He has Batman talent, but the intangibles are missing."
Anthony exhibited greater leadership last year and appears to be maturing as a player, but time is not on his side with 10 seasons already in the books. Of course, there's no shame in not winning a title. Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, Patrick Ewing, Reggie Miller and Dominique Wilkins never won championships and they are still considered great players. But as with Ewing, Anthony was brought to New York to deliver the city its first title since 1973. And, as with Ewing, the front office has not provided its superstar with another perennial All-Star to make the lineup sufficiently potent for the postseason. This time around, the majority of blame for the team's lack of maneuverability can be laid on the Amar'e Stoudemire contract.
It's hard to saddle much blame on Anthony. He is one of the game's best pure scorers, and he poses a matchup nightmare for opponents as either a huge small forward or a lightning-quick power forward. But with the Knicks' rotation as presently constituted, it's incredibly difficult to envision them beating the Miami Heat, Indiana Pacers or Chicago Bulls.
As Eastern Conference executive No. 2 told Broussard, "He might end up being 33 years old after he matures a little bit and on a team with a guy or two who's better than him, and then he'll win it."
Perhaps that's the best-case scenario for Melo, and he'll have the NBA at his fingertips if he chooses to exercise his early-termination option in 2014. Clearly, the Knicks owner is slightly delusional about what Anthony needs to win a championship, but at just 29 years old he will probably have better opportunities at a title than this year.
Based on the Knicks' front office decisions, the franchise's future could be more dismal than Melo's.
By Sean Hojnacki | Yahoo Contributor Network
COMMENTARY | The New York Knicks have a world-class player in Carmelo Anthony, but they do not have the pieces in place to win a championship.
This pessimistic opinion was bolstered by four nameless NBA executives who were "granted anonymity" to reveal "their true opinions" about Anthony to Chris Broussard of ESPN.
Last season, Carmelo Anthony averaged 28.7 points per game and halted Kevin Durant's quest for four straight scoring titles, which would have put KD in rarefied air with Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan. Anthony also led the Knicks to the No. 2 seed in the East with 54 wins, and they bounced the Boston Celtics from the playoffs in the first round for the franchise's first postseason series victory since 2000. However, in a cruel echo of that season 13 years prior, the Indiana Pacers ended the Knicks' season. In the end, New York's frontcourt, featuring Melo, could not match the physicality of the punishing Pacers.
Among the questions Broussard posed to the longtime executives regarding Anthony was, "Can he lead a team to a championship, or even to the NBA Finals?" The answer came back a resounding "No." Broussard also opined that on Nov. 14 it's "not too early" to say the Knicks have "no chance" of getting past the second round of the playoffs, even if they are at full health.
While one could quibble about the likelihood of the Knicks reaching the conference finals, an NBA title seems an impossible fantasy when watching this year's lineup. Anthony is brimming with talent but he lacks the players around him to adequately supplement his game, and his style does not help elevate his teammates' play.
Championship or Bust?
The Knicks' 2012-13 campaign was still a tremendously successful year by recent standards. During the regular season, the Knicks had the third-most efficient offense in the league based on points per 100 possessions (efficiency stats from NBA.com). In the playoffs, they ranked 12th of 16 teams. The 2013-14 Knicks have gotten off to a markedly worse start with their middling offense and a defense ranking near the bottom of the league.
Worse still, at the start of this season, Knicks owner James Dolan issued an asinine announcement to his staff that set impossible expectations. Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com quoted a source saying, "(Dolan) told them he believes they have enough talent to win it all, and he expects it to happen this year." No pressure, guys.
In his 10 seasons, Anthony's teams have made it past the first round of the playoffs exactly twice, last year and in the Denver Nuggets' 2009 run to the conference finals. Chauncey Billups and current Knick Kenyon Martin were younger and more spry on those Nuggets, while Nene shored up the frontcourt. Another current teammate, J.R. Smith, was also on that roster. For his career, Carmelo owns an uninspiring 23-43 record in playoff games.
With Anthony playing at power forward, he needs a top-flight point guard or an All-Star-caliber swingman to fill out the roster and bolster the starting five's output. Instead, he's got Raymond Felton, Iman Shumpert and the irrational confidence of Smith, certainly a serviceable group but far from fearsome. In stark contrast to last season's hot start, the 'Bockers have dropped six of their first nine games and look like a colander in the paint with Tyson Chandler sidelined.
A Timely Case Study
For a fitting microcosm of Melo's game, look no further than the Knicks' 109-106 loss to the Houston Rockets on Nov. 14. Anthony exploded for 45 points on 17-30 shooting, with 10 rebounds, four assists and a block. He shot 17-of-30 from the foul line and 2-of-4 from three-point land, but the Knicks still lost because Anthony's teammates could not excel alongside him.
Andrea Bargnani looked surprisingly potent up front and finished with 24 points, but the rest of the roster fell flat. J.R. Smith shot 4 of 16 from the field while Felton and Shumpert combined for just 10 points. Metta World Peace shot 1 of 7 on the night. Of course, had the foul-to-give deployed by James Harden been a split-second later, Anthony would have been given continuation and his game-tying three-pointer would have counted. The potential four-point play could have given the Knicks a late lead, but that would not have changed the lackluster output of Melo's teammates.
Being a winner and leading a champion necessitates that you make the players around you better, and it seems inherent in Melo's style that he does not have that effect on his teammates, particularly when he plays at his highest level.
Execs Agree Melo Needs More Help
As one of Broussard's respondents, identified as Western Conference executive No. 1, said about Anthony, "If he was really a winner and about winning, he'd have figured it out by now. I mean, this is his 11th season ... Melo doesn't get it done because he doesn't make anybody else better."
Eastern Conference executive No. 1 ran slightly counter to this and qualified the argument, saying, "All these people talking crazy about Carmelo, saying he's not a winner, ask them if they would take him on their team. You wouldn't get many people saying 'No.'"
But that exec also agreed with the thinking that Anthony either needs precisely the right cast around him or he needs to pair up with another top-flight superstar, saying, "He's probably Robin on a championship team instead of Batman. He has Batman talent, but the intangibles are missing."
Anthony exhibited greater leadership last year and appears to be maturing as a player, but time is not on his side with 10 seasons already in the books. Of course, there's no shame in not winning a title. Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, Patrick Ewing, Reggie Miller and Dominique Wilkins never won championships and they are still considered great players. But as with Ewing, Anthony was brought to New York to deliver the city its first title since 1973. And, as with Ewing, the front office has not provided its superstar with another perennial All-Star to make the lineup sufficiently potent for the postseason. This time around, the majority of blame for the team's lack of maneuverability can be laid on the Amar'e Stoudemire contract.
It's hard to saddle much blame on Anthony. He is one of the game's best pure scorers, and he poses a matchup nightmare for opponents as either a huge small forward or a lightning-quick power forward. But with the Knicks' rotation as presently constituted, it's incredibly difficult to envision them beating the Miami Heat, Indiana Pacers or Chicago Bulls.
As Eastern Conference executive No. 2 told Broussard, "He might end up being 33 years old after he matures a little bit and on a team with a guy or two who's better than him, and then he'll win it."
Perhaps that's the best-case scenario for Melo, and he'll have the NBA at his fingertips if he chooses to exercise his early-termination option in 2014. Clearly, the Knicks owner is slightly delusional about what Anthony needs to win a championship, but at just 29 years old he will probably have better opportunities at a title than this year.
Based on the Knicks' front office decisions, the franchise's future could be more dismal than Melo's.
The problem with the Knicks is quite simple: James Dolan. Our version of the paper clips Sterling. Man is a moron.
These are 2 very good observations. Maybe Melo needs to watch more of James' tapes and see home James is looking around to pass when he is dribbling and acting as 'point forward'. Imo, that's where he is deadly, as in when he gets into the open court.
Does Patrick Ewing never winning a championship take away from his being a great player? How many years did it take Wilt to get past Russell and the Celts?
I like Melo, from his Denver days. I once watched a playoff game in 2007 when he was with Denver and he played an incredible game, almost unstoppable. Since then I was hoping he could win a title and it was last year when I thought the Knicks had the best chance when they would have him, Tyson Chandler, JR, Felton, Shumpert, Amare, Kidd, Novak, Shumpert, I mean these good players. But they got eliminated in the 2nd round. On paper, Amare and Tyson would be what Gasol and Bynum was in the title years they had, and Melo would be the scoring guy ala Kobe. And they also had some good players around the three. Why this still failed is baffling, and now I'm hearing it's because of Dolan.
Amare isn't even a ghost of his PHX self
Exactly right, Jack. He's only 'on paper', which is why he got a fat and incredible contract given him by the Knicks.
Knicks lose, Carmelo nets 30 and grabs 18 boards (9 offensive). How long can Woodson last with Dolan's itchy trigger finger and Isiah still out there?
Nets, not to be outdone, drop another one to the Bobbies, not being in the game at all.
Nets, not to be outdone, drop another one to the Bobbies, not being in the game at all.
Well, both NY teams are in the bottom of the Atlantic, and tightening the lottery cast, which nobody would have ever guessed. Nets, at almost $200m annual salary, candidates for the lottery, how incredible can that be. I'm counting on the days of Jason Kidd. They have their share of injuries too.
Neither team has any chemistry. The Knicks sadly lack talent and any defense, highlighted by the absence of Chandler while the Nets just are a fantasy team.
Amare not only looks lost, he plays lost. I cringe when I hear rumors of the C's trading for him to come to Boston. $19m a year. I'm beginning to think when players sign such huge contracts, they suddenly lost their 'magic' after the ink dries.
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-b...erally-turns-around-stare-164600343--nba.html
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-b...erally-turns-around-stare-164600343--nba.html
No way Ainge is taking on Amare and his contract. That's a typical internet press rumor (aka totally made up bs) -- it's diametrically opposed to Ainge's rebuilding plan. Any why take minutes away from Sullinger and other young talent so they can grow? Don't think Amare lost his magic so much as his knees. If healthy, he'd be a good player for another team.
The difference between Dolan and Sterling is that Dolan isn't cheap. No shock though that dumb money doesn't produce a winner any more than tight money.
I'd point the finger as much at the Knick GMs for either/or signing Melo, Amare, et. al. and not standing up to Dolan and saying win now by spending recklessly doesn't work. Hard to believe to that NBA execs, some apparently, are only now coming around to Melo not being a winner. Have they seen him on the floor the last few years or listened to a single press conference where he points the finger at other players?
Makes me fantasize (aka as press rumor) though that the Bulls should give up their forthcoming Charlotte pick (who unfortunately from the Bulls perspective might have a real coach now), Deng and their own picks, etc. for Carmelo to team with Rose. $$ don't work but Bulls need another guy who can get and make his own shot to go all the way.
Melo should try some traveling moves, and some 2 or 3 hop over head drives to see if he gets any respect, but, no, don't do flying elbows tackles.
Knicks coach Mike Woodson fined $25K for criticizing officiating of Carmelo Anthony during interview
New York Knicks head coach Mike Woodson has been fined $25,000 for publicly criticizing NBA officiating, the NBA announced Friday.
Woodson's comments came Thursday during his weekly interview on 98.7 FM ESPN Radio in New York. According to ESPN New York's Ian Begley, Woodson said that Knicks All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony does not receive the same brand of respect and treatment offered to other top-flight NBA stars when it comes to foul calls:
"Absolutely. And I'm not going to shy away from that, either. I think Melo gets hit more than ever," Woodson said in his weekly radio spot.
"I've been at this thing 30 years, and sometimes I'm starting to wonder what's a foul and what's not a foul."
Woodson specifically mentioned a play late in the Knicks' overtime loss to the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday in which he felt Anthony was fouled. No call was made.
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-b...-fined-25-000-criticizing-201352752--nba.html
Knicks coach Mike Woodson fined $25K for criticizing officiating of Carmelo Anthony during interview
New York Knicks head coach Mike Woodson has been fined $25,000 for publicly criticizing NBA officiating, the NBA announced Friday.
Woodson's comments came Thursday during his weekly interview on 98.7 FM ESPN Radio in New York. According to ESPN New York's Ian Begley, Woodson said that Knicks All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony does not receive the same brand of respect and treatment offered to other top-flight NBA stars when it comes to foul calls:
"Absolutely. And I'm not going to shy away from that, either. I think Melo gets hit more than ever," Woodson said in his weekly radio spot.
"I've been at this thing 30 years, and sometimes I'm starting to wonder what's a foul and what's not a foul."
Woodson specifically mentioned a play late in the Knicks' overtime loss to the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday in which he felt Anthony was fouled. No call was made.
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-b...-fined-25-000-criticizing-201352752--nba.html
Not good news for Bulls fans.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...pad&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=teamstream
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...pad&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=teamstream
saw the replay. seems like rose twisted his knee without too much contact. it's not good news at all.
steve williams
Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
K. Love and the T-Wolves light up the Nets by 30 last night and they remain 2 1/2 games out of first in the East with a 3-9 record
Lakers played well against an injury ridden Warriors team and came away with the win. Nick Young looked really good
Lakers played well against an injury ridden Warriors team and came away with the win. Nick Young looked really good
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