Storyline: I like what I’m seeing from the Knicks. There’s hope, at least. To ensure success keep Rose, trade Anthony. and bring in Ewing as defensive coach.
This week I had the pleasure of watching the NY Knicks play twice on television–on a national broadcast and on MSG. It was a treat watching the young Knicks play and I was especially impressed with the way they played the new-look Triangle offense.
Courtesy: Quora
Yeah, I’m sure that most fans followed the score, seeing the Knicks down by a bunch most of the games, but I focused on ball movement on twelve series in their half-court sets.
The Knicks moved the ball without dribbling. Players were proficient enough to pass the ball and cut through the lane without the ball. Those cuts were crisp and deliberate, too. Off-ball screens made sense. And the shooting percentage not only increased, but it showed a level of team basketball that has been largely missing during other Knicks’ games.
With positives like these, why is everyone so down on the Triangle?
That question can’t be answered without talking about Carmelo Anthony. Melo has good numbers–22.7 ppg, 5.9 rb, and 2.9 ast with a 43.5 FGP and he’s still a high-volume scorer when he’s on his “A” game. The issue is that he’s also a high-volume shooter. Though I’ve been a huge fan of Anthony since his days at SU, he has always been a what I call “a ball-dominate player.”
That’s why it’s difficult for me to believe that Carmelo would want to play in a system that shows constant movement and a team-oriented style of play. I’d trade Anthony for a mid-first to late-first round pick with a future second pick, understanding that James Dolan will have to sell low and clear cap–and possibly swallow his pride.
Courtesy: Daiiley Knicks
The thing about the Triangle offense that Shaq pointed out during Tuesday’s broadcast is that players need dedication and work to play it effectively. That became clear to me as I watched Stanford play a few NCAA games running the Triangle Offense, specifically how the offense moved involving the pick-and-roll inside the Triangle.
I realized then that Derrick Rose (17.8 pts., 3.8 rb, 4.4 ast) may actually be the perfect fit for the Knicks going forward (with Chasson Randle as a backup).
Rose has driving ability to get to the basket at will. And he’s smart enough to learn and settle into that offense. With time I think you’ll see his assist numbers increase as he learns to trust teammates and create without the ball in his hands. He’ll also score more easily off backdoor cuts.
Courtesy: Lush Radio Online
But the Knicks’ biggest problem is not offense, it’s defense. That side of the ball could be helped by getting a fresh face as a defensive assistant–one who understands how to increase perimeter pressure and shutdown the paint.
That’s why I like the idea of bringing in Patrick Ewing as associate head coach. That move would help develop Kristaps Porzingis and Willy Hernangómez.
Imagine having one of the greatest Knicks working with the Future of the Knicks. It would point the Knicks in the right direction.
Those two moves–trading Anthony and bringing in Ewing–might actually cut the Square offense in half. Soon that Triangle might just fit into place.
