Mr. J
Triple Up
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I came up with a similar thread like this, but getting blown out by the Hawks solidified for me that Larry Brown is the league’s most overrated coach. Yes, I know this roster is far from being a championship contender, but I know it’s better than 14-29.
Slot Machine Starting Lineups: Larry Brown’s slot machine starting lineups are a big reason for the Knicks being inconsistent and piling up turnover after turnover. Guys aren’t used to playing with each other because the lineups change so frequently. When the Knicks were on the winning streak, the lineup was consistent. The lineup changed because of injuries and suspensions, but it didn’t go back. At least he changed his policy of starting players in their hometown. What a joke.
Playing Wrong Players at the Wrong Time: Okay let’s take the Atlanta game as an example. Quentin Richardson was playing awful defense, awful offense, wasn’t rebounding, and was turning the ball over. Malik Rose had a few solid defensive plays, but overall Harrington had his way with him as did Josh Childress. So, what does Larry Brown decide to do? Keep them in instead while Lee was rebounding well, creating on offense well, and was playing good basketball overall.
That Golden State game always comes to my mind. The Knicks took the lead with their rookies in the game. Since they’re playing so well and Golden State clearly cannot counter their energy, why not keep them in? No, Brown decides to put in the likes of Malik Rose and the rest of them. Of course, that lead to our downfall that game.
Where’s Trevor? Against Atlanta the Knicks were massacred from the perimeter. Where is their best perimeter defender, Trevor Ariza? On the inactive list despite the fact two forwards, Qyntel Woods and Antonio Davis were injured. What makes the situation even worse is the fact the Knicks only played 10 players that game meaning there were two available spots open for Ariza, our BEST perimeter defender. Last year he was ranked 4th overall among small forwards in effective defense by 82games. Why keep him on the bench?
Poor Utilization of Players: Marbury came off a career year averaging 22 points and 8 assists on 46% shooting from the field and 35% from downtown. Now Marbury is being poorly utilized. He isn’t attacking the basket where he usually finishes with and1 layups. This worked better for the Knicks.
Although brief, remember Trevor Ariza playing point guard when Marbury was injured? Ariza’s handle is bad enough as a small forward, so how the hell do you expect him to play point guard? Crawford, Nate, Woods, and even David Lee would be better suited at point guard. Why the player whom you referred to as delusional?
Cannot Run an Effective Offense: The Knicks look so terrible on offense. At least last year they were alright on offense. The Knicks try to force their way downlow to Curry and if that doesn’t work, someone takes a contest shot. The offense is almost as terrible as watching the defense. This leads me to my next point:
Detroit Pistons: As soon as Brown leaves Detroit, the Pistons are not only great defensively, but a great offensive team, too. It’s not like they gradually became offensive threats – it was as soon as he left! Now, the Pistons are challenging the Bulls for the league’s best record and although they might not break it, they are miles ahead of everyone else in the league, especially the Knicks. The players themselves said Brown got too much credit for what he did and they’re right, he did.
Now, what if Don Chaney was throwing out 20+ lineups by midseason? Or if Lenny Wilkens or Herb Williams did that? Everyone would be screaming for their heads, but because of Brown’s track record, no one dares acknowledges it? I’ll be the first one to admit (or maybe the second; Brown admitted it himself) that Brown has to do a better job coaching. Right now he’s getting paid $50 million to do all of this. I’m 100% sure if we had a different coach we would have a few more wins, which, to our benefit, would put us in a tight battle for the 8th seed.
Anyway, I’m unsatisfied with Brown and think Isiah Thomas should be fired.
Slot Machine Starting Lineups: Larry Brown’s slot machine starting lineups are a big reason for the Knicks being inconsistent and piling up turnover after turnover. Guys aren’t used to playing with each other because the lineups change so frequently. When the Knicks were on the winning streak, the lineup was consistent. The lineup changed because of injuries and suspensions, but it didn’t go back. At least he changed his policy of starting players in their hometown. What a joke.
Playing Wrong Players at the Wrong Time: Okay let’s take the Atlanta game as an example. Quentin Richardson was playing awful defense, awful offense, wasn’t rebounding, and was turning the ball over. Malik Rose had a few solid defensive plays, but overall Harrington had his way with him as did Josh Childress. So, what does Larry Brown decide to do? Keep them in instead while Lee was rebounding well, creating on offense well, and was playing good basketball overall.
That Golden State game always comes to my mind. The Knicks took the lead with their rookies in the game. Since they’re playing so well and Golden State clearly cannot counter their energy, why not keep them in? No, Brown decides to put in the likes of Malik Rose and the rest of them. Of course, that lead to our downfall that game.
Where’s Trevor? Against Atlanta the Knicks were massacred from the perimeter. Where is their best perimeter defender, Trevor Ariza? On the inactive list despite the fact two forwards, Qyntel Woods and Antonio Davis were injured. What makes the situation even worse is the fact the Knicks only played 10 players that game meaning there were two available spots open for Ariza, our BEST perimeter defender. Last year he was ranked 4th overall among small forwards in effective defense by 82games. Why keep him on the bench?
Poor Utilization of Players: Marbury came off a career year averaging 22 points and 8 assists on 46% shooting from the field and 35% from downtown. Now Marbury is being poorly utilized. He isn’t attacking the basket where he usually finishes with and1 layups. This worked better for the Knicks.
Although brief, remember Trevor Ariza playing point guard when Marbury was injured? Ariza’s handle is bad enough as a small forward, so how the hell do you expect him to play point guard? Crawford, Nate, Woods, and even David Lee would be better suited at point guard. Why the player whom you referred to as delusional?
Cannot Run an Effective Offense: The Knicks look so terrible on offense. At least last year they were alright on offense. The Knicks try to force their way downlow to Curry and if that doesn’t work, someone takes a contest shot. The offense is almost as terrible as watching the defense. This leads me to my next point:
Detroit Pistons: As soon as Brown leaves Detroit, the Pistons are not only great defensively, but a great offensive team, too. It’s not like they gradually became offensive threats – it was as soon as he left! Now, the Pistons are challenging the Bulls for the league’s best record and although they might not break it, they are miles ahead of everyone else in the league, especially the Knicks. The players themselves said Brown got too much credit for what he did and they’re right, he did.
Now, what if Don Chaney was throwing out 20+ lineups by midseason? Or if Lenny Wilkens or Herb Williams did that? Everyone would be screaming for their heads, but because of Brown’s track record, no one dares acknowledges it? I’ll be the first one to admit (or maybe the second; Brown admitted it himself) that Brown has to do a better job coaching. Right now he’s getting paid $50 million to do all of this. I’m 100% sure if we had a different coach we would have a few more wins, which, to our benefit, would put us in a tight battle for the 8th seed.
Anyway, I’m unsatisfied with Brown and think Isiah Thomas should be fired.
