Carmelo who

[Italy61587]

I agree with all of u guys that defense is very important and w/o def team will never win the title. But if I remember correctly I think Suns def had gotten a lot better by the end of D'Antoni's yrs (top 12 in the league I think).

U can criticize Melo but because of his star power, NY had become top FA destination.
Also, you have to understand, when a team makes a trade this big by changing half a team, it takes many games for them to jell (look at Miami early this season).

It is all about the playoffs and any team would not want to face Amare, Melo, Billups trio.

rather face the Hawks imo.

Give NY some time. it's too early to decide and even argue this way.

I agree with you that they probably do need a little more time to gel but at the same time, this teams loses because they don't play defense. New York is fine offensively, they've been putting up big numbers, but their opponents are putting up huge numbers against them. I think New York's problem is gonna be coaching. If the coach doesn't buy into defense then the players definitely aren't either, especially when you're dealing with Melo and Amare to boot. Look at the Bulls, compare their defense from last year to this year. It has a lot to do with coaching (you definitely can't say boozer has brought defense to the table lol).

[gladdyontherise]

I agree with you that they probably do need a little more time to gel but at the same time, this teams loses because they don't play defense. New York is fine offensively, they've been putting up big numbers, but their opponents are putting up huge numbers against them. I think New York's problem is gonna be coaching. If the coach doesn't buy into defense then the players definitely aren't either, especially when you're dealing with Melo and Amare to boot. Look at the Bulls, compare their defense from last year to this year. It has a lot to do with coaching (you definitely can't say boozer has brought defense to the table lol).

I agree in that if the coach bought into playing defense, that team could play defense, and probably be pretty good, and it'd all start at the point guard position, say what you want about Chauncey but he's a leader, if he has a coach to back him up, no doubt he can help get the Knicks to play team defense

[kobe080]

I agree with you that they probably do need a little more time to gel but at the same time, this teams loses because they don't play defense. New York is fine offensively, they've been putting up big numbers, but their opponents are putting up huge numbers against them. I think New York's problem is gonna be coaching. If the coach doesn't buy into defense then the players definitely aren't either, especially when you're dealing with Melo and Amare to boot. Look at the Bulls, compare their defense from last year to this year. It has a lot to do with coaching (you definitely can't say boozer has brought defense to the table lol).

oh yea no question about it.
The biggest reason Bulls is on top of the east is bc of their coaching & defense.

But what I'm trying to reiterate is that D'Antoni actually emphasized defense towards later yrs at the Suns. But it's true, the team was built offensive minded in the 1st place that transitioning to defensive team did not happen while D'Antoni was there.

With NY, it's different story. While both Amare & Melo are offensive minded and played that way all their careers, when Melo arrived, they started to realize the importance of playing def. At least they said so.

It will take maybe 1 yr or 2yrs or more than that to transform into a def minded team (Look at the lakers since 07-08 to current team). But I think it is still doable, and by the time, NY will have talents to surround Amare & Melo.

Both players are going to in their prime in 2, 3 yrs. Before then, I expect Knicks to make the playoffs every yr and that's it. And that should be their ceilings for now.

[The_Answer_3]

well espn did post a fact.

The Denver Nuggetts are 10-4 since trading Carmelo, while the Knicks are 7-9 since.

[MatthewLee]

well espn did post a fact.

The Denver Nuggetts are 10-4 since trading Carmelo, while the Knicks are 7-9 since.

Yep, and after last nights win/loss you can add 1 to both those stats : 11-4 & 7-10.