Schmeelk's Stance: A New Culture
By John Schmeelk
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The Knicks are 1-2, and there are plenty of areas for concern. Danilo Gallinari apparently didn't realize the season was starting last week. He's been a no-show, and has physical problems and mental problems. Amar'e Stoudemire has been inefficient in the half court, turning the ball over, missing the mid-range jumper and forcing his shot in one on one situations. The Felton-Stoudemire pick and roll hasn't developed. Three point shooting has been abysmal.
The good news is that all those issues are correctable. The better news is that the 2010-2011 version of the Knicks have intangibles that can't be taught and a Knicks team hasn't had in a very long time. There's a grittiness and toughness that keeps the team in games that they would have tapped out of in past years. If someone didn't know any better they would think that the Knicks had a new head coach this year, the culture and feeling around the team is so different. It comes down to the players, and it starts with Amar'e Stoudemire and Raymond Felton.
Both have won on the NBA or the college level and understand the type of mental and physical toughness required to be a winning team. Against Boston, Kevin Garnett tried his usual tricks to intimidate the Knicks. Stoudemire answered with bluster and strong play, driving right past Garnett and dunking with one hand. Then he let Garnett know about it with a scowl and a few words. There was no one on the Knicks that could set that type of tone and back it up since Patrick Ewing.
Felton plays with an edge, especially on the defensive end, and it's rubbing off on his teammates. Along with Toney Douglas, he's supplying ball pressure and perimeter defense that's keeping opponents out of the lane. There's a physicality and attitude that's great to see. When opposing guards do get in the lane, Knicks big men are protecting the rim like it's the 90's. There's a pride in a defense that's been absent for the better part of a decade.
These are all things that are either a part of a team, or not. Once it becomes part of the culture, it sticks around for a while. They are the types of things that win games when shots aren't falling and the offense isn't working. Talent put aside, the reason the Knicks had to clean house this past offseason was to change the culture. The group from the past couple years, including All-Star David Lee, had become used to losing. This group expects to win, and they'll fight, scratch, and claw for every victory. It has been a long time since a Knicks team had that type of culture.
Up and Under
Up: Props must be given to Wilson Chandler. His offense off the bench has been instrumental in the Knicks early season success. Unfortunately he is still taking way too many three pointers. He is so much more effective from mid-range, and closer to the basket. His defense has also been great, blocking shots and grabbing important defensive rebounds.
Under: Paging Danilo Gallinari. Has anyone seen Danilo Gallinari? It's pretty obvious the wrist has hurt shooting, but it shouldn't put his entire game into disarray like it has. His confidence is shot, and he is pressing on offense. If the Knicks are going to score enough to win, he has to get it going.
Going Around the World
Synergy on offense is one problem for the Heat, but a bigger issue is going to be interior defense. Chris Bosh, Joel Anthony, Udonis Haslem, and Zyndrunas Illguaskas will get it done. The Celtics big men will dominate that group every time out. Speaking of Bosh, he is really more like Option 5 for the Heat, with LeBron and Wade being options 1-4. He seems content flying under the radar.
The Fadeaway
I like the new LeBron James commercial. It's clever and it helps you recognize the inner frustration that LeBron must be feeling. It does seem like he is starting to realize how he went about his summer circus wasn't a good idea. Self-awareness is a good thing. I never faulted him for going to win a championship with a couple of friends, just the way he went about it. He did take the easy way out, and that decision will affect how people will reflect on his career. He gets that, and if he doesn't care, all the more power to him. All he should be worrying about now is figuring out how to beat the Celtics.
