Amare will miss tonight's game

[Capt. Factorial]

From Howard Beck:

Amare Stoudemire will sit out tonight's game in Sacto to rest his sprained ankle.

That means that the Knicks will be really thin behind Chandler and rookie Harrelson. With options like Balkman and Jared Jeffries, that could be good news.

Of course, it also may mean we see a lot of Carmelo at the 4 like Team USA did in the Olympics which could create more matchup problems for us. I'm not quite sure we match up well with Carmelo with any defender but if he's at the 4, unless JJ/JT can do it we may have to go to a small lineup to counter. Should be interesting.

 

[MassachusettsKingsFan]

With Amare out, look for Melo to put up 30 shots.

I want to see Donte guarding him most of the time. If nothing else, he should be getting all of Outlaws minutes tonight.

 

[gunks]

Knicks are as bad as pre Chandler...Even with all the talent. I have high hopes.



(Melo is going off for 40+ though)

 

[Capt. Factorial]

I want to see Donte guarding him most of the time. If nothing else, he should be getting all of Outlaws minutes tonight.

I agree with that. Melo is just too big/too strong for Salmons/Outlaw - and with him pretty much the only offensive option, we've got to find a way to stop him getting to the rim.

 

[Telemachus]

From Howard Beck:



That means that the Knicks will be really thin behind Chandler and rookie Harrelson. With options like Balkman and Jared Jeffries, that could be good news.

Of course, it also may mean we see a lot of Carmelo at the 4 like Team USA did in the Olympics which could create more matchup problems for us. I'm not quite sure we match up well with Carmelo with any defender but if he's at the 4, unless JJ/JT can do it we may have to go to a small lineup to counter. Should be interesting.

The only thing that scares me about this is that it might encourage Westphal to go with the small lineup even more (which would be a mistake IMO). I would almost be intested to see JT get a lot of time guarding Melo tonight. He has always been a better defensive player out on the perimeter than in the post, and his length might give Melo some problems. I'm don't think that Salmons has the size to guard him, and Outlaw doesn't have the strength. Of couse, if the Kings can keep the rest of the team in check (GET BACK ON DEFENSE), I don't think Melo can beat them by himself.

 

[AL/kfan]

New York will be another good test for us as they are rated in the upper bracket of the Eastern conference. Two strong point guards in Baron Davis and the return of Mike Bibby. There ain't no way to stop Carmelo but you might be able to tire him by rotating fresh legs every few minutes in the likes of Solomons, Greene, Garcia, and Outlaw. With Amare out DeMarcus will have his hands full against the crafty Chandler which just might give a scoring advantage for Chuck and Thompson. For the first time this season it looks like our guards will be quicker. Experience versus speed. I'm looking for a win.

 

[MassachusettsKingsFan]

Just a few more comments on my 'Play Donte tonight' post before ...

I think we can afford to play him over outlaw and even grab some of Salmons minutes if it means slowing down Melo.

He is the only one that can match up with Melo's length/size/speed. Plus he knows his game extremely well. (Both Cuse guys and Donte has been playing in Melos offseason league for forever).

Also, coming off two games were our transition D was just awful, I think it makes sense to 'punish' players for that .. in a sense. Even if it isn't a direct punishment, at least you are making some sort of a point that says 'hey, if you don't get back on D you won't play' and on the other end of that you play Donte, one of our most athletic players who hasn't had much playing time this season. You just have to think that he will try and make a good impression out there and spring back on D whenever possible. I also wouldn't mind seeing a bit more of Isaiah ( like we did in the Lakers game ) because I'm willing to bet he'd get back on D every single time as well if it meant more PT.

Transition defense is almost 100% hustle and energy. Maybe the guys who know they will get 30 mins a night feel like they can afford to take plays off and take their time getting back .. but when you inject guys into the lineup who don't play often, and ask that they do something as simple as getting back on defense, they would be stupid to pass up that opportunity.

 

[TehSwimGuy]

Yeah, I'm extremely worried about Melo. Also, is Bibby their starting point guard this game? I thought I remembered something in Fantasy about him getting some starting minutes with Baron Davis injured?