Wednesday 14 March 2012

Why Stoudemire Stands In the Way of a Knicks Postseason Run


The Knicks are hoping to surprise some people and make a deep run in the post season. There is just one thing standing in their way. His name is Amare Stoudemire. Amare was most at fault for the Knicks struggles earlier on this season, and the same problems will likely occur in the postseason. Since Mike Woodson's arrival Stoudmire has barely played because of his injury, and when he does return the Knicks are destined for trouble. Here's why. 
The low point of the season for the Knicks came after losing to the Bulls on March 12th. They were 18-24 which was an embarrassing record for a team of such talent. Two days after that loss D'antoni resigned, and since then the Knicks season has been revived. They're winning a lot more under Mike Woodson and are playing with more passion and effort than they were with D'antoni. Even with the success of the Knicks under Woodson, as I look back at the first 42 games of the Knicks season I realized the Knicks struggles were even more Stoudemire's than D'antoni's.
Up to that point the Knicks had been a tale two teams. One team that is 10-23, and one that is 8-1.
The 10-23 team is an unexcited and unenerergized group that is stagnant on offense and plays minimal defense. This is a team with chemistry problems and with guys that just don't play well together. This is a mix of egos, between Amare Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony, Tyson Chandler, and even at times Jeremy Lin.
The second team, the team that went 9-1, is a completely different story. This is a team that is very willing to share the ball, and that plays great team defense. This team features a lot of Jared Jeffries, Billy Walker, Steve Novak and Iman Shumpert, and even with the lack of star power these guys work great together. These guys are easily excited and show emotion after virtually every play.
There was tons of blame going around about why the Knicks weren't able to play to their potential (which they're now doing). Some of the blame was on Carmelo Anthony for not passing enough and some was on D'antoni for poor coaching. Both of these men were at fault for the Knicks struggles, more D'antoni than Carmelo, which has been proved by the success the Knicks have had since D'antoni's resignation. The real blame though should have been on Amare Stoudemire.
This aging superstar has never been a fit in New York. He was the main reason for the stagnant offense which has cursed the Knicks all season. He's also liability on defense. Opponents intentionally target him as a guy to score on, which has been done successfully many times this year. The lack of defense and the stagnant offense he brings to the Knicks are the two things that have killed the Knicks all season. Since Stoudemire's recent injury the Knicks have looked like a new team, just like they seemingly do every time Stoudemire isn't playing. That's why the Knicks made a huge mistake not trading Amare at the trade deadline, and they should trade him in the off season.
You may be asking; But who will become the team's power forward? Jared Jeffries. Jeffries is a very unselfish passer who plays unbelievable defense and always hustles. He's almost the very opposite of Stoudemire. You may also be asking; But you have no proof the team struggles because of Stoudemire!!? Wrong. The Knicks are 5-18 when Stoudemire shoots more than 12 times in a game, and 4-15 when Stoudemire plays more than 35 minutes. On the contrary when Jared Jeffries plays more than 20 minutes in a game the Knicks are 12-6. If the Knicks want to make a run in the postseason, they need to play Jared Jeffries and Steve Novak a lot more than Amare Stoudmire. 

19 comments:

  1. But Amare cannot be traded. How about Anthony for Gasol (Peter Vescey's suggestions)?

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  2. just found this blog... good stuff..

    gotta disagree tho..

    Knicks have 2 problems

    1. Carelo Anthony
    2. Mike D'Antoni

    and as of about 2 hours ago, problem #2 is solved (for now)..

    Melo gotta go... holla at Orlando... lets make a deal for #12..

    somehow someway (c) Jay-Z

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    1. Carmelo has been a problem, but not as big as Amare. He's at least been trying to pass more and play better defense unlike Amare.

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  3. Nice Blog. I like this article. It's true that Stoudemire has been really bad lately. The problem is that he is being treated like a superstar by the coaches due to his salary instead of properly treated as the marginally effective player that he is. What do you think?

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    1. I completely agree. The coaches need to treat him like the player he is, instead of assuming they have to give him lots of playing time. It seems like every game the Knicks go on a run when they play Novak or Jeffries at PF, then start losing once again when Amare comes back.
      I also think that a lot of the blame needs to be on Amare himself because he has the ability to play better defense, and he's just not putting in the effort to do so.

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  4. We need not to forget that this is the same man that was considered an MVP candidate pre melo. Amare has definitely not played up to par this season, but that has everything to do with melo's play style. Even fields production took a dip. Isolation doesn't work, it didn't work in Denver, and it sure won't work in NY. It's funny, until Billups came to Denver, melo couldn't reach the conference finals. It's no mystery to see Denver thrive right now while NY struggles. I really don't care that melo has been trying to change his style by passing more or whatever, the guy hasn't shot the ball at all well enough. Then for the team to go 8-1 or whatever it was without the stars, speaks volumes, and quiet frankly just unacceptable.

    I'm sure if you give me the same stats you did but for melo, it would look a helluva lot worse. Melo reminds me a lot of Tracey Mcgrady, he's a nice offensive talent, but thats pretty much how far it goes. That's it.

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    1. Tracy McGrady just an offenseive talent? The man got drafted for his defense, and surprised the NBA with his scoring.

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  5. worst blog ever. amare is a pioneer

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    1. a pioneer that doesn't play defense

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    2. knicks are 10th in defense this year. that's not the problem

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    3. the knicks are 10th in defense because they played #1 in the nba defense while carmelo and stoudemire were hurt
      also there's no denying that stoudemire plays no defense

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  6. terrible idea

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    1. if you want the knicks to make it to the playoffs its a great idea. Also if you have any other better ideas than lets here them.

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  7. I'm rather partial to the theory that Amare was being shoehorned into a system that doesn't work for him (and for this reason was performing poorly and dragging the team down when he played a lot) rather than the theory that he is somehow suddenly terrible. Without some more in-depth analysis or statistical breakdown, the argument of "The Knicks lose when Amare plays a lot" seems lazy. Has the manner of his usage changed significantly from more productive days? If so, I expect that is a more significant factor; a good system is built around utilizing the available resources.

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    1. I agree with you to an extent. Stoudemire isn't just suddenly an awful player. All I'm saying is that for this Knicks team with the players they have they would do better with a guy like Jeffries at PF, who hustles and plays great defense, instead of a guy like stoudemire with a big ego and who barely plays defense. I don't agree though, that the system was at fault because stoudemire was amazing in D'Antoni's system in Pheonix.

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  8. Bad back, Girlfriend broke up with him, recent weight gain, plus the loss of a family member. Give the guy a break. He also put the Knicks on his back last season and they worked him like a mule. Then Princess Melo comes in and everyone forgets about STAT. Has he ever had a bad year?

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  9. Agreed - to an extent. Stat is obviously having an awful season but that could be for various reasons.

    1. His main weapon, the p&r was not in effect until Lin joined the starters.
    2. Chandler has been the weapon of choice in p&r which takes away from STAT's well, stats.
    3. An extreme shooting slump. Use to be automatic with 15 footers.
    4. It is obvious his back/knees are not 100%. His movement is sub-par at best.
    5. The spacing he had last year is gone. Melo and Chandler both need space in the paint in order to operate which has left STAT about 15-20 ft away from the basket.

    Now I don't think a simple trade will solve all these issues but it is clear that Amar'e has to get his act together. Dolan rolled the dice on his health and as of this year, I don't think it will hold for another 3 years. NYC has been extremely loyal to STAT b/c he was the first one to make the jump over but I can see that changing if his game doesn't.

    In terms of 'melo being the issue - everyone has to relax. The guy is a superstar. Stop listening to the media and these moron Knick fans and realize what 'melo can do for our team. At his best, he is right up there with Durant in terms of scoring. Unfortunately, we are witnessing him at his worst. He will get out of this slump and eventually be a tremendous player for the 'bockers. And this is coming from someone who was against "the trade." I still feel we gave one player too much for 'melo (should have kept either Gallo or Wilson) but given the opportunity, very few GM's wouldn't have done the same.

    OK since I've gone this long, I might as well continue. In regards to Lin, he is having a fabulous "first" season in the NBA. The media over hyped him and whoever fell for the "this guy is our savior" routine is an idiot and shouldn't be watching the NBA. The guy is pretty much a rookie. He doesn't need to average 20-10 throughout the season. All he needs to focus on is the "10." His job is to distribute the ball and that's it. Having the ability to score 20 is great but with the personnel he has around him, it shouldn't be necessary. He will solidify himself as a legit starter in this league and will come good to which ever franchise he decides to go with this summer if the Knicks don't match any offer.

    -another knick fan name Lucas :)

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  10. I agree that Stoudemire is a horrible defender, but Melo is even worse. Not only that, but he's also worse on offense. He has about 4 more PPG, but his shooting percentage (.402) is lower than Stoudemire's (.469). Also, before the Knicks gutted virtually their entire team to acquire Melo, Stoudemire fit perfectly. Stoudemire thrives on the pick and roll, Melo in isolation.

    The fact of the matter is that they both, along with D'Antoni, are responsible for the Knicks' stuggles but he shouldn't take most of the blame. When he re-entered the lineup during "Linsanity," it lived on only to die off when Melo returned. I think they all need to take equal responsibility and find a way to make it work.

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  11. remember when everyone thought your jeffries idea was terrible?

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