Room to grow

Well, no not really, I mean, Jeremy Lin is still a really good player, but you had to wonder when those turnovers would catch up with him, and I guess they did on this last 89-85 defeat at the hands of an undermanned New Orleans Hornets squad. I mean, on paper they had everything going in, but still, that glaring turnover number in Lin's stat line was something that we needed to really pay attention to. I haven't had much opportunity to review all of Lin's play, but from what I did see, I can tell what his coach Mike D'Antoni is telling him is completely on the dot:

"But at the same time, I was telling (Lin) he’s trying to make the hardest pass out there; he’s trying to make the home run pass."

Not that the home run pass isn't sweet, but let's face it, Jeremy Lin is no Steve Nash, well, optimistically speaking, not yet. I still stand by my comparison of Lin's game to veteran (and highly underrated) PG Tony Parker, who, while playing in a completely different system, plays a style of basketball very similar to our newly discovered Harvard phenom.

The natural answer to Lin's issues is that he needs to calm down, as great as those little highlight reel passes are, he's not going to get those Steve Nash contortion passes, those Penny Hardaway no-look behind the back, or even those Jason Williams street-ball-where-did-that-come-from fancy pants passes every single time. From the footage I was able to review, Lin's biggest problem more specifically from trying to hit those home run passes, is that he's trying to pass through the defense. I recall listening to Deron Williams during the 2004 Beijing Olympics training talking about Jason Kidd, he said the main reason Kidd had all these great passes wasn't because he saw lanes that weren't there, Williams saw all the same lanes, but Kidd was willing to risk those lanes, Nash is of a similar vein, but the difference is, that they were such mercurial passers that they can get away with it a lot of the time, granted Nash averaged at his worst 4.2 turnovers per 36 minutes and Kidd, 3.9, that's still a lot of turnovers. Lin on the other hand is now up to 5.4 assists per 36 minutes, that's a new level of not good. I completely understand that D'Antoni runs a high PG usage offense and that Lin is young and getting used to playing at the NBA level, but I also recall turnovers being an issue since Harvard for Lin, he's just finally had enough minutes in the NBA to have it start showing. I mean, 5 turnovers in a single game is already pretty bad, but to be averaging more than 5 across the season (granted he's only played really like 8 games), we've got an issue.

I'm no basketball guru, I don't play or understand the game incredibly well, and I'm not going to claim to be able to fix Lin's issues. I think one of the reasons though, that Lin is having this issue is partially because of his emphasis on keeping a live dribble. When you dribble the ball you have to keep it low, however, to come up for the pass, the straight line is through the defenders, where all those arms are swinging and legs are kicking, Lin may see an opening, but you've got to have that quarterback bullet pass in order sneak it in through there, and frankly, NBA players are just too good and react too fast in order for anything short of perfection to slip through. At the end of the day, here's my advice to Lin, stick with the easy passes, run your pick and roll, you've got to be okay with the hockey assist. If I were to take D'Antoni's spot, the last play I would run, would be a basic pick and roll with Amar'e and Lin, then have J.R. Smith and Steve Novak sitting in the corner and wing respectively for the three if it needs to be kicked out. The pick and roll doesn't have to be flashy, it just has to score two points, I know Knicks fans are asking for a show, but at the end of the day, your job is to win basketball games, and I'm sure they'll forgive you the couple of highlights lost for the W. If I were to ask Lin to model his game after someone, it'd definitely now be Tony Parker. He's not going to get the rack as fast, but he's definitely attacking as aggressively, so keep it up.

Finally, I'd say that Lin needs to play over the defense, sometimes, he doesn't need to keep the ball on the floor. Yes, I know, a live dribble, awesome, but that being said, the Knicks are an athletic team, play over the defense. Lin's greatest assists have always been when he has been keeping his passes high over the defenders' heads. I'm not asking for an alley oop every single time, but sometimes you have to trust your teammates to get to the ball, you don't always have to put it into their hands directly. Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady made a lot of their facilitating success looking over the defense, now I know Lin is only 6-3 to Carter's 6-6 and McGrady's 6-8 but still, you need to keep looking up. I'm sure as much as the team is adjusting to playing with Lin, Lin is adjusting to play with the team as well. I'm still very optimistic about Lin's career, he just needs to calm down, and play some sound basketball. If you see the bounce pass, go for it, your bigs are going to roll a lot harder to the rim because they know you can get them the ball, so don't be afraid to throw a lob, trust your guys to get to where they need to be, you don't have to be Steve Nash, and remember, as good as Nash made Amar'e, Amar'e made Nash look good by being ready for the pass and finishing, so keep your head up, but on and off the court.

Depth, not chemistry to be the issue with the Knicks

A lot of people have been asking whether or not Jeremy Lin can sustain his stellar performance or if it will be dampened by the return of the Knicks' two stars, Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony, to the lineup, because, let's face it, they use up possessions, quite a few of them, and each possession used up is one less possession for Lin to excel. While this may not be great for Jeremy Lin fantasy owners, the fact of the matter is, that Lin's emergence is a boon not necessarily in spite of Melo and STAT but rather, because of them.

First off, I've already said at my other blog, Fundamentally Sound that to me, Jeremy Lin's game most reminds me of Tony Parker. Now in this situation, you may be better suited with a pass first type guard such as Rajon Rondo or Ricky Rubio, however, I believe that Lin, like Tony Parker, will surprise us all in his ability to man the point. While Lin may not be the pass-first, high percentage shooter that Steve Nash was, D'Antoni has to be excited that Lin can see the floor and recognize the options given him. Sure, he's turnover prone, he's trying to make the fancy passes, but I think, as he learns the angles given him, he'll settle down, and hopefully get his turnovers down to a reasonable rate.

Lin's ability to run the pick-and-roll, as well as just involve his teammates make him the ideal floor general for the team. Amar'e Stoudemire got a lot of attention from his physicality and overall game, but his success came mostly from the pick-and-roll game he had with Steve Nash. This season, it was a struggle to get Amar'e involved in the offense because of how it stagnated without someone to facilitate the ball movement around the floor on the offensive end. With Lin getting the likes of even an offensive dud like Jared Jeffries involved, we can see that an Lin-Amar'e pick-and-roll combination will only bring good things to the Knicks in the future. Simply put, Amar'e will start looking like the Amar'e we expected, because he can expect those passes and those looks that he wasn't getting before.

On the flip side, we have to wonder about Melo, sure the ball gets stuck in his hands a lot, but quite frankly sometimes you need a player like that. Regardless of what people say about Melo and whether he deserves his contract or not, the fact of the matter is that he can put the ball in the bucket. Melo is probably one of the best, if not the best, pure scorers in the league. I would argue that with Lin manning the point guard position, Melo can focus on doing what he does best, scoring, rather than trying to do something he's not comfortable doing, facilitating. While Melo may be the most popular and well-paid (though it's arguable now with all the Linsanity stuff), and he may ultimately be the face of the franchise (again, caveat with the Linsanity), he's not really the natural leader of the group. I believe that, at least on the floor, deference to Lin will be a good thing for him, because Lin will try to energize the rest of the guys (i.e. Imam Shumpert and Landry Fields) to get into it. Melo is one of those high efficiency scorers when he's on, remember, he averaged about 26 points per game playing NEXT to Allen Iverson, who averaged I think 23 (I'm too lazy to look it up), helping a relatively successful Nuggets make the playoffs. With Lin getting all the other role players involved, I think this situation is much better than that.

The main "chemistry" issue I sense is the possibility of discontentment from Baron Davis when (if) he gets back. However, I don't find that to be a major issue, because, provided he's healthy, figuring out how to split time between Jeremy Lin and a healthy and motivated Baron Davis is a luxurious problem I'm sure Mike D'Antoni wouldn't mind having. What does concern me though is the frontcourt rotation. While Stoudemire and Chandler look to eat up most of the time on the floor, I don't know that Novak and Jeffries necessarily are going to take them the distance. I like how they are getting involved, and Novak really to me has taken the sort of Matt Bonner of the Eastern Conference kind of role. That being said, I still think the Knicks need to figure out a way to add some size. I don't know who would be a good center for the Knicks, maybe it involves cutting Mike Bibby, maybe it involves trading Toney Douglas, I don't know, but I think that, way more so than any chemistry issues on the court with Melo, STAT, and Lin should be the primary concern of the Knicks.

An open letter to Jeremy Lin

Dear Jeremy,

I hope you don't mind if I call you Jeremy.

First things first. Congratulations, because you made it.

This will probably be a drop in the bucket compared to all the stuff being written about you by Knicks bloggers, by Warriors bloggers, and just by surprised sports bloggers in general. You've had two big games, and hey, you don't have to listen to me, because frankly, you make almost 20x more than I do a year in salary (which I believe you will be getting guaranteed soon). Regardless of all that hype, regardless of the cheers or jeers of the fickle fans in Madison Square Garden, know that at the very least, you're the hero of every Asian-American male under 35 who used to pretend he was [insert favorite NBA player here] on his 8 (maybe 7) foot rim in his driveway. You are someone we can point to and say, "See, you don't have to be a doctor or computer programmer to make money." That's a lot of pressure, but you made it. You've shown that you don't have to be a 7-6 freak of nature from China to make it. Despite all the adversity, you made it, and we're proud of you.

Now you don't have to listen to a single thing I say, in fact, you probably won't even read this, but I'd like to give you a little bit of perspective (from where I'm sitting). You're going to continue to be scrutinized to a high degree, because well, NBA bloggers are diligent about what they do, and Knicks fans are well, generally crazy. People are going to continue to draw Steve Nash comparisons because well, you play for Mike D'Antoni, and you're breaking the "Asian man can't ball" stereotype like Nash broke the "white man can't ball" stereotype. Now I'll be the first to admit that I suck at basketball, and honestly, I don't watch it enough either to call myself anything more than a slightly-less-than-casual fan. So I don't have great credibility when I talk about technical basketball things. I could say how I think you've got a great feel for running the pick-and-roll, and I can talk about how a guy like Tyson Chandler must be a nice big target for you. At the end of the day though, people more credible and knowledgeable than I will be talking about your explosive first step, your creativity at getting to the rim while questioning your iffy jumper and athleticism. You probably hear enough of this stuff from your coaches and trainers. I know you've worked hard to get to where you are, and I'm glad you've taken a hold of this opportunity to shine.

I'd like to give you some more practical, personal advice. Now, I don't know a whole lot about being an NBA player, in fact I know absolutely nothing. Frankly, because I don't trust 2K Sports or EA Sports to make a game with any semblance of reality built in, and well, because at the end of the day, the people with the most experience, like Charles Barkley, are really just paid to say funny things that sound like they're related to basketball. I applaud your passion for the game, but also, I applaud your passion for Christ. People might (especially New Yorkers) get annoyed or offended that you try to glorify God in every interview that you have, but I appreciate your faith and your trust in how God has provided for you. Never lose that. Whether you become the next Steve Nash or the next Steve Blake, I hope that you never lose your passion for your faith. While I think you know better than I whose game you should emulate (maybe Jason Kidd?) on the court, I would ask that as you take a step back and consider, that you would emulate your career after the likes of David Robinson (Tim Tebow is also I believe someone whom you could look up to, though it is football). Now that you've made it, lots of doors open up for you, I hope then that you take the opportunity to meet with said people and get perspective. I know you're basketball game will keep growing, but it's how you grow with that game that's going to make the biggest impact of all.

Again, I'm glad you made it. I don't know that you'll read this, I don't know that you don't already know everything I've just said. That being said, I've had a blast watching you and hope to see much more. Great job Jeremy.

Sincerely,

A fan

An end to all this Melodrama

The Knicks did it.  They finally got Carmelo Anthony.  And Chauncey Billups and Anthony Carter and Shelden Williams and Corey Brewer.  Oh, and they get Renaldo Balkman back too.  Who'd they get rid of?  Well, finally Eddy Curry's fat contract, but also Anthony Randolph, Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, Timofey Mozgov, and Raymond Felton.  Curry and Randolph go to Minnesota while the balance of the players end up in the Mile High City.  On paper, it looks okay... I guess.  Why then do I still have this bad taste in my mouth?  Growing up in upstate New York sort of makes me a de facto Knicks fan, and frankly, I can't really say I like this trade, any of it.

Do I think Melo is a bad player?  No.  Do I think Melo won't help the Knicks?  No.  But to be honest, I don't see Melo making a big difference.  Sure I can make this team on my Playstation, average 36 and 28 ppg respectively with Amar'e and Melo and then go undefeated and win championships, but this isn't a video game.  The Knicks didn't really need Melo and Melo honestly didn't need the Knicks, from a pure basketball perspective (I know there are other factors).  I could be proven wrong, maybe Melo will learn to pass, Billups and Amar'e run a super effective pick and roll, but instinctively, I want to flinch at this trigger happy trade.  Yes, we've been talking about this the whole year, but I can't help but think the Knicks gunned it a little too fast on the green light.  First, let's consider the pre-Melo Knicks:

PG - Raymond Felton, Toney Douglas
SG - Landry Fields, Bill Walker
SF - Danilo Gallinari, Shawne Williams
PF - Amar'e Stoudemire, Wilson Chandler
C - Ronny Turiaf, Timofey Mozgov

With Kelenna Azubuike still out with a bum knee, players like Bill Walker and Shawne Williams have stepped up admirably, so they've been getting by admirably.  The Knicks were a decent team, but not one that could get over the top, so here's what happens after the trade:

PG - Chauncey Billups, Anthony Carter
SG - Landry Fields, Corey Brewer
SF - Carmelo Anthony, Shawne Williams
PF - Amar'e Stoudemire, Renaldo Balkman
C - Ronny Turiaf, Shelden Williams

While Melo is the obvious upgrade over Gallo, but Billups and Balkman are both steps down from Felton and Chandler respectively.  Additionally, there's no guarantee that Brewer will be a more positive contributor than either Walker or Williams (who are both still on the team) or if he'll even play if/when Azubuike gets back.  Furthermore, as productive as Shelden Williams has been, he's no center, and he won't compensate for the lack of defense provided by Melo and Amar'e.

Honestly, it's not that I don't think Amar'e and Melo won't work, but rather that it won't work as effectively as people might surmise.  Both can score, but both require more isolation sets to do so.  However, that being said, these are two of the most respected players offensively in the entire world.  They have a decent core, but any core with Chauncey Billups as a major cog leaves the window very short, and frankly, even in his prime, I don't know Billups could've made up the difference that is between a Melo/Amar'e combination and the remaining elite teams of the league.  Of course, Billups did say earlier that if he got traded he may retire, which may be a good thing for New York, not in the short term, but perhaps it means they can go after something they need in free agency.  Frankly, all in all, New York got its big name, but is it going to put them over the top?  Not really.  Seriously though, Melo, prove me wrong.  Please.

It finally happened...

New York got Melo.  It looked like this.

I'm still iffy, I'll give you my personal take a bit later.

Who needs Melo? Who does Melo need?

Amidst all the trade talk circling the player that is Carmelo Anthony, and regardless of what you have to say about the pundits who are circulating these stories, how you think Melo is handling the situation, how you think Masai Ujiri is handling the situation, if you think he will leave, if you think he will stay, regardless of all that, we've kind of been overlooking a pretty major question.  There's not much doubt to me that Melo will ultimately get what he wants, or at the very least go into free agency and sign where he wants to play.  So maybe this question is moot, but it's a legitimate question all the same: which team needs a player like Melo? or in converse, what kind of team does Melo need around him?

The Massive Melo Speculation Post: Part 6

Trade #1
Nuggets get: Stephen Jackson, Boris Diaw, Nazr Mohammed, Danilo Gallinari, and Eddy Curry's expiring contract
Knicks get: Carmelo Anthony, Al Harrington, Shaun Livingston
Grizzlies get: J.R. Smith, Wilson Chandler
Bobcats get: O.J. Mayo, Hamed Haddadi, Xavier Henry, Anthony Randolph, Kelenna Azubuike, and Kenyon Martin's expiring contract

Post-trade lineups:

Denver Nuggets:
PG - Chauncey Billups, Ty Lawson
SG - Stephen Jackson, Arron Afflalo
SF - Danilo Gallinari, Gary Forbes
PF - Boris Diaw, Shelden Williams, Renaldo Balkman
C - Nene Hilario, Chris Andersen, Nazr Mohammed

New York Knicks:
PG - Raymond Felton, Shaun Livingston, Toney Douglas
SG - Landry Fields, Bill Walker, Roger Mason
SF - Carmelo Anthony, Shawne Williams
PF - Al Harrington, Ronny Turiaf
C - Amar'e Stoudemire, Timofey Mozgov

Memphis Grizzlies:
PG - Mike Conley, Greivis Vasquez
SG - Wilson Chandler, J.R. Smith, Sam Young
SF - Rudy Gay, Tony Allen
PF - Zach Randolph, Darrell Arthur
C - Marc Gasol, Hasheem Thabeet

Charlotte Bobcats:
PG - D.J. Augustin, Sherron Collins
SG - O.J. Mayo, Gerald Henderson, Xavier Henry
SF - Gerald Wallace, Kelenna Azubuike
PF - Tyrus Thomas, Anthony Randolph
C - DeSagana Diop, Hamed Haddadi, Kwame Brown

Trade #2
Nuggets get: Derrick Favors, Troy Murphy, and Gerald Wallace
Nets get: Carmelo Anthony, Beno Udrih, and Jason Thompson
Bobcats get: Devin Harris, Al Harrington, and J.R. Smith
Kings get: Boris Diaw

Post-trade lineups:

Denver Nuggets:
PG - Chauncey Billups, Ty Lawson
SG - Arron Afflalo, Gary Forbes
SF - Gerald Wallace, Renaldo Balkman
PF - Troy Murphy, Derrick Favors, Kenyon Martin, Shelden Williams
C - Nene Hilario, Chris Andersen

New Jersey Nets:
PG - Beno Udrih, Jordan Farmar
SG - Anthony Morrow, Sasha Vujacic, Ben Uzoh
SF - Carmelo Anthony, Travis Outlaw, Stephen Graham
PF - Jason Thompson, Kris Humphries
C - Brook Lopez, Johan Petro

Charlotte Bobcats:
PG - Devin Harris, D.J. Augustin, Shaun Livingston
SG - J.R. Smith, Gerald Henderson
SF - Stephen Jackson, Dominic McGuire
PF - Al Harrington, Tyrus Thomas
C - Nazr Mohammed, Kwame Brown, DeSagana Diop

Sacramento Kings:
PG - Tyreke Evans, Pooh Jeter
SG - Francisco Garcia, Luther Head
SF - Omri Casspi, Donte Green
PF - Boris Diaw, Carl Landry, Hassan Whiteside, Darnell Jackson
C - DeMarcus Cousins, Samuel Dalembert