5 things the Knicks should address before packing thy bags to Indiana

With the series even at once a piece, the New York Knicks will venture to troubled waters once more. This is the first time for the Knicks this playoffs to be on the road and not enjoying the lead on the series. We all remember how they went to Boston with an emotionally charged up crowd yet they still managed to take a commanding 3-0 lead on the series until the Celtics refused to give up and forced the series to game 6.  It is important to remember when Indiana nabbed game 1 in MSG with a dominant performance limiting 'Melo and JR to take the home court advantage out of the hands of the second seeded Knicks, they weren't the same team we saw on game 2, however, when the Knicks, behind Carmelo Anthony, trounced them with an outstanding spurt starting from the 3 minute mark of the 3rd Q down to the end of regulation resulting to a 105-79 blowout. Should we still expect another see-saw type battle now that Indiana will have to dress white jersey, will Knicks get fired up and pull an upset in front of 24,000 fans or, will the Pacers take the comfort of playing at Bankers Life Fieldhouse and protect their home turf?

With the season series split 2-2, we could hardly predict who will the series and proceed to the Eastern Conference Finals. For the Knicks to proceed they need to look at this blog post and insert it on there game plan.

1. Losing Composure

They say, an angry mind is an empty mind and anger reduces IQ making you act foolishly without the thought of regretting it afterwards. Certainly true! The inability to control one's emotion could result to a technical foul, 2 shots and a ball possession, worse comes to worst when Paul George sinks in a triple or David West mauls you deep in the paint and gets a bucket and-1, then you get a five point swing. Now the Pacers' fans gets involved energizing the home team and your rhythm  has gone discombobulated causing Coach Woodson calling a 20 sec timeout, if not a full, then you just cost an untimely timeout. Imagine how costly it would be to go out uncontrollably addressing your feelings during Playoffs; it could cause you the lead, the momentum, and even the series. So the next time you get a 'no call', keep your head up and dash back to other side of the court to defend because the last thing you want is you not getting the right call, causing a 4 against 5 defensive possession, and getting a technical foul for excessive complaining. You will have all the time talking to the official on the next dead ball. 

Known to have hot heads on their revamped roster, NYK has the reputation to end a game with at least one player with a technical foul. 'Melo, JR, Chandler, and even coach Mike; now that Stat is said to suit up this game 3, add another man on the list. 

Expect the Pacers to come out more than the expected physicality now that they're back on their home floor, expect questionable calls, expect big runs if not blowouts, and please New York, show us you now have matured. 

"The best fighter is never angry," says Lao Tzu so it is imperative to stay on the floor poised, emotionally stable, and mentally prepared. This is the reason why staying composed is number 1 on the list.

2. 'Melo on 2!

The first one was to contain themselves, outdoing there perceived limitations, and stay focused to come away victorious. Second thing to address is the team's most valuable player. 

Two is the magic number for Carmelo Anthony. The league's scoring champion has got to play the type of basketball the way he did on game 2 and not like the 'Melo on the past two years. Typical 'Melo stats  would give us 29.3 points per game, roughly a 39% shooting, 20% beyond the arch, 1 assist, 7 rebounds, and  3 turnovers.  Anthony adjusted with accuracy on game 2, delivering a statement... 50% shooting, went 40% beyond the arc, 3 assists, 9 rebounds and zero turnovers. Did I forgot to mention he chipped in 32?

Melo has got to be involved in 2 man games too, whether be it on and off the ball because with his ability to shoot when open or bully his way inside on the open floor could create problems for the defensive team. It would be interesting to see if the Knicks would run 1-4 pick-and-roll with 'Melo and Felton specially when the slower David West is guarding Anthony. And if Indiana opts to put George on Carmelo, 'Melo should run a pick-and-roll with whoever Hibbert is guarding; exposing a hole in the paint is when Hibbert needs to help and when the 7'3 center will be more concern of the paint than Anthony's shooting touch and decides not to help on the screen, 'Melo would most likely hit jumpers that are uncontested. More importantly, 'Melo must never forget that there are more ways to win the game than just plain individual scoring. He is the man where his team mates draw their will to win, he has to show leadership by example especially on the road against a very determined team. Two departments where he needs to shine for them to have a better chance of winning: rebounding and assists. 

That explains it, 'Melo on 2!

3. BIG numbers

Whoever gets an edge on rebounds wins the game that is the story so far. On a heartbreaking home loss on game 1 Indiana were +14 and on the bounce back victory on game 2 Knicks were +2 on the same department. It is obvious that how you clear the glass and providing your team extra possessions could clearly affect the flow of the ball game. Furthermore, the Knicks' so called 'anchor in the defense’ Tyson Chandler has got to match Roy Hibbert's activity on the floor for he has been outplayed by Hibbert for two consecutive games already. Last year’s defensive player of the year awardee had a terrible series thus far, only averaging 3.5 rebounds per game and has been plagued with foul troubles on battling Roy Hibbert.  Good thing K-Mart picked up the slack providing solid numbers off the bench despite the fact of being clearly undersized over the taller Hibbert with an impressive 11.0 points per game and 2.0 blocks per game.

Now the Amar'e is back, he would surely bring upheaval for the Knicks in the battle of big men but it should be emphasized that Lance Stephenson was a guard yet monster on the boards so rebounding has got to be everybody's concern. 

4. The back courts

Statistically and schematically the Knicks plays better when they have two point guards on the floor that means on this part Felton, Prigioni, and Kidd are to be scrutinized on their effectiveness.  

Raymond Felton: Being the second man next to Carmelo on scoring is the Raymond Felton we expect. The veteran guard who could score, convert himself into a playmaker, and sometimes a defensive hasn't been a problem for the Knicks since the start of the playoffs. If the same Felton would show up in their game against Indiana, win or lose, we could live with that.

Jason Kidd: This crafty very experienced guard is currently not a big factor in the game. With zero contribution on scoring and not finding his range, JKidd could only provide his leadership to the team. Not forgetting his ability to find open team mates and some nifty stops on the floor, New York still needs him on the floor, and what my friend once told me, JKidd rises up in the occasion when you least expect. With all being said, this 40 year old athlete might be the X-factor of the series.

Pablo Prigioni: Make no mistake on this Argentinian for he had displayed a very eye catching old school type of basketball on game 2. After being cold on game 1, Pablo Prigioni showed why he belonged to the league of the stars; providing 10 points on a perfect shooting night, 4 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, and no turnover all that on a productive 21 minute exposure. Not only he captured Mike Woodson's attention but of the vigilant sports writers on his style of play to come along with his unique basketball journey being the oldest rookie ever to play the league. Pair him with either Felton or Kidd, you get a double dose of lethal guards.

Now we shift our attention to the 2's. Disregarding Quentin Richardson since only played five minutes for this series, JR Smith and Iman Shumpert we go.

JR Smith: The sixth man of the year has yet to find his old self, not the brawny version, since suffering a one-day suspension on the first round of the playoffs. Shooting with a mind blowing 23% on the floor on the series, JR Swish hasn't been a problem on this series but to his team mates. With the reputation of shooting 'what the f**k' kind of shot selections Smith has given the Knicks another problem adding to Carmelo Anthony's shooting drought. If only Smith could read my blog and focus on reading the #1 on the list, he might be enlightened and thank me afterwards. If he could manage the hump and keep his focus aligned to the team’s mission, good things might roll.

Iman Shumpert: Iman Shumpert has been superb. While the inconsistent Smith is still looking for answers Shumpert on the other hand is enjoying his first trip to the second round of the playoffs. His numbers have increased on the series, with regards to his performance scoring above his average and passing the ball well, just like K-Mart, we're thankful to have him around while Smith is more of an enemy than of a friend to us. With his unquestionable defensive skills, as of the moment, Shumpert is better choice for the modified 3 spot for the Knicks. 

Looking at how the back court affects the series.

Game 1: New York had 10 turnovers while Indiana had 16. New York had 4 steals while Indiana had 3. Knicks lost the game.

Game 2: New York had 7 turnovers, Indiana had 21. New York had 11 steals, Indiana had 4. Knicks won the game.

It is obvious if the Knicks' back court could keep the pressure they could reclaim the series. On my special note, the full court press of the Knicks flattens the Pacers offensive scheme. Most of the time, they forced turnovers like 8 second violation, steals, and even if they crossed the half court line, offensive flow would most likely evaporate when guards are pressured because the bigs would have to play outside the comfort zone just to save possession.

5. Stick to your identity!

Last but not probably the least, sticking with the team's identity with an exclamation point. It is conceivably difficult to play with a difference face heading to the upper ladder of the Playoffs. This isn't the Knicks we were used to see during their dramatic 82 game campaign with due respect. I understand Thomas, Brewer, and Wallace are already ghosts of the past but they were only with the Knicks for a short span. I don't care if the real identity is being branded as one of the teams that produced vast technical fouls, what we are missing is the winning ways this NYK team showed us throughout the season.

Stat-wise, all shooting statistics are down coming in with 8 games in the post season. The team's scoring average has decreased by 14 going in the playoffs, though retaining one of the lowest turnovers per game the assists per ball game has decreased on the other hand making us conclude that this Knicks are still taking good care of the ball though they aren't sharing the load as much as they've done all season long. 

Solution to revive the lethal offense: Inside-outside game. Felton is good on this, JR Smith needs this whether be it he driving to the rack or he waiting on the corner then shoot, and 'Melo same as JR's. Put 'Melo on a high post at the elbow. Said to be the toughest spot to defend for a post up player, the elbow area is the position where 'Melo could exploit almost any defender in the league and could easily spot up who's open or where the double is coming. Both suggested plays could warm those cold shooters on the roster and when they do that they're almost impossible to stop.

Defense: Double, Switch, and Swarm NYK signature defensive setup. This one's tough to explain, but here it is anyway. With two point guards in it's no surprise that this Knicks line-up is small. It is tempting to post up a point guard matched up to a natural shooting guard or even bigger so opposing teams would think of doing so. NYK would then double team the post up player forcing that guy to pass the ball, Knicks so good on reading the passing lane would most likely steal the ball or if not, they force shooters to drive and then they swarm and  collapse too making it look very easy. Before they know it, shot clock has already neared zero or worse, already sounded.

On my special note to coach Woodson: Use all weapons, I mean players. To keep the defense adjusting and guessing give time to all your players. Chris Copeland for example, he could play multiple positions for your team, could play as the small forward, as a power forward, and could be a center at some point. The boy could run, he could shoot long bombs, he's got length, and more importantly he is a student of the game. Steve Novak, hot or cold he is a shooter. He is partly the reason why NYK was branded one of the best shooting teams. Now back on the line-up after being bothered an injury, I know he's ready to put on a fireworks display. Quentin Richardson, we hired him for no reason - experience and expertise. a deadly shooter who has been to the playoffs for so many times with different teams sure could a difference on the floor.

Go get 'em, New York!