SU actually watched a good part of last night’s Knick games. Truth be told, the TV was on during that time but I slept through a good portion of the 1st half. I mean it’s not that compelling. But in the first 5 minutes of the 3rd quarter, the ball was moving all over the place, Melo was actually driving and dishing (repeat: Melo was actually driving and dishing) and they had 8 assists in 5 minutes! The lead ballooned to 15 points and they were in control until early in the 4th quarter.
Then, the offense switched back to isolation play. And for the final 4 minutes, it stuck in Melo’s hands. Even Clyde Frazier took time out from his “swishing and dishing” nonsense to comment on how the ball was no longer moving. It was back to isolation offense similar to what we have seen for the past 5 years since Anthony was traded to the Knicks. SU kept looking for Mike Woodson – surely he must have left the LA Clippers bench for a game and wanted to see his isolation offense in all its glory again in NY. The Knicks hung on in the last couple of minutes as Calderon made a couple of plays with and without the ball.
SU asks these questions:
- Did Melo decide to no longer share the ball on his own?
- Did Derek Fisher decide to revert to an isolation type offense?
- Do questions 1 and 2 even matter?
While it’s a players’ league, you need the coach to have his players carry out what he wants. Either Fisher can’t control Anthony in those situations or he is exercising poor judgment and moving away from what got him the lead. Either way, it’s wrong.
SU is a simple guy and asks this question: Aren’t there analytics that show offensive efficiency when the ball moves on offense vs. isolation style of play? Isn’t this a no-brainer? I know isolation play makes coaching offense so much easier but it cannot be the most productive and efficient style of play. In a world of data analytics, what is the answer?
Sports Update Intergalactic 
Love the title and I completely agree as with your points. I think the Knicks are winning some of these games despite Fisher. His rotations vary from game to game, and he never seems to actually speak to anyone throughout the game.
I did enjoy seeing the team stick up for Porzingis during the scuffle. It doesn’t seem like something that would have happened in years’ past. They do seem to have strong chemistry.
Always good to hear from SU Jr. I agree with Melo sticking up for Porzingis in that scuffle under the basket. That was great and he showed some leadership there. I agree on the rotations – especially in a back-to-back situation with a game tonight. It’s hard to know what he’s doing. This team could make the playoffs with a more experienced coach at the helm (and not Mike Woodson). Certainly, the starting 5 is competitive.
I watched the game too. It was refreshing to see Melo passing, playing D, rebounding, etc.
In the post game interview with Fisher I believe he said something like…”at the end of the game, in crunch time, we get the ball to Melo.”
Who knows Fisher’s motivation?
I think you need to be a bit more positive and appreciative of the new and improving Melo. Finally, he sees the value in teamwork, defense, rebounding.
I suspect it will take some additional time for him to trust his guys even more. Lets see how he progresses and evaluate him at the end of the season.
What do you think?
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Jon, fair points. I do need to be kinder to Melo this year. But it will take some conscious effort on my part – I just do not like his style. But he deserves a full season for evaluation purposes and I will keep your comments in mind.
What Fisher should be saying is ”at the end of the game, in crunch time, we get the ball to THE OPEN MAN.” At the NBA level any open player should be able to make an uncovered jump shot at a high efficiency level. For example Rick Fox has 3 championship rings by playing that open man role. I don’t think he is headed for the Hall of Fame anytime soon.
Haha. I post this and then the Knicks end up losing to the Spurs by 1 because Melo passes the ball to Calderon and he misses the 3 pointer.