Atlantic Division Previews

[Fafnir]

I don't get where this is coming from that he isn't getting on the court?  He averaged 22 minutes per game in the preseason. 

I hated it when it was the argument for Marcus Banks, and I hate it now.  20 minutes per game is more than enough time to prove you belong and to develop. 

And "productivity" (in other words, numbers) does not equal quality play.  If he was giving them what they needed, he would be playing much more. 

I guess it depends on the mode your franchise is in. If you're a contender you can live with "quality play" (Scal I guess) over "production".

I know he played 22 mins in the preseason, though I'd imagine that'll be be cut down in the regular season (we'll see what happens with D'Antoni's rotation). I just think that if the Knicks want to contend in the future they need to find out if Randolph can ever get the mental portion of the game.

[Chris]

I don't get where this is coming from that he isn't getting on the court?  He averaged 22 minutes per game in the preseason. 

I hated it when it was the argument for Marcus Banks, and I hate it now.  20 minutes per game is more than enough time to prove you belong and to develop. 

And "productivity" (in other words, numbers) does not equal quality play.  If he was giving them what they needed, he would be playing much more. 

I guess it depends on the mode your franchise is in. If you're a contender you can live with "quality play" (Scal I guess) over "production".

I know he played 22 mins in the preseason, though I'd imagine that'll be be cut down in the regular season (we'll see what happens with D'Antoni's rotation). I just think that if the Knicks want to contend in the future they need to find out if Randolph can ever get the mental portion of the game.

Well, I guess we just need to wait and see.  I don't think the minutes will go down in the regular season, but that's just a guess.

I agree that they do need to see if he is going to get the mental part of the game, but I would argue that force feeding him minutes is not going to help.  He is going to have to do that in practice, and then prove it in the minutes he gets.  Playing big minutes in games, when he is not doing things the right way will just reinforce the bad habits, rather than turn them around. 

[Fafnir]

I don't get where this is coming from that he isn't getting on the court?  He averaged 22 minutes per game in the preseason.  

I hated it when it was the argument for Marcus Banks, and I hate it now.  20 minutes per game is more than enough time to prove you belong and to develop.  

And "productivity" (in other words, numbers) does not equal quality play.  If he was giving them what they needed, he would be playing much more.  

I guess it depends on the mode your franchise is in. If you're a contender you can live with "quality play" (Scal I guess) over "production".

I know he played 22 mins in the preseason, though I'd imagine that'll be be cut down in the regular season (we'll see what happens with D'Antoni's rotation). I just think that if the Knicks want to contend in the future they need to find out if Randolph can ever get the mental portion of the game.

Well, I guess we just need to wait and see.  I don't think the minutes will go down in the regular season, but that's just a guess.

I agree that they do need to see if he is going to get the mental part of the game, but I would argue that force feeding him minutes is not going to help.  He is going to have to do that in practice, and then prove it in the minutes he gets.  Playing big minutes in games, when he is not doing things the right way will just reinforce the bad habits, rather than turn them around.  

Yeah, I think D'Antoni will certainly be a better coach than Don Nelson was for him.

[Chris]

I don't get where this is coming from that he isn't getting on the court?  He averaged 22 minutes per game in the preseason.  

I hated it when it was the argument for Marcus Banks, and I hate it now.  20 minutes per game is more than enough time to prove you belong and to develop.  

And "productivity" (in other words, numbers) does not equal quality play.  If he was giving them what they needed, he would be playing much more.  

I guess it depends on the mode your franchise is in. If you're a contender you can live with "quality play" (Scal I guess) over "production".

I know he played 22 mins in the preseason, though I'd imagine that'll be be cut down in the regular season (we'll see what happens with D'Antoni's rotation). I just think that if the Knicks want to contend in the future they need to find out if Randolph can ever get the mental portion of the game.

Well, I guess we just need to wait and see.  I don't think the minutes will go down in the regular season, but that's just a guess.

I agree that they do need to see if he is going to get the mental part of the game, but I would argue that force feeding him minutes is not going to help.  He is going to have to do that in practice, and then prove it in the minutes he gets.  Playing big minutes in games, when he is not doing things the right way will just reinforce the bad habits, rather than turn them around.  

Yeah, I think D'Antoni will certainly be a better coach than Don Nelson was for him.

Me too.  D'Antoni is a arrogant jerk, but Nelson had checked out years ago, and stopped even trying to coach.  If a guy didn't come in with a "how high should I jump" attitude, Nelson had no time for them.  D'Antoni on the other hand will likely take it as a challenge to turn him into a player, simply because it would make him look good.  It is just up to Randolph to take advantage of the opportunity.  

[Fafnir]

I don't get where this is coming from that he isn't getting on the court?  He averaged 22 minutes per game in the preseason.  

I hated it when it was the argument for Marcus Banks, and I hate it now.  20 minutes per game is more than enough time to prove you belong and to develop.  

And "productivity" (in other words, numbers) does not equal quality play.  If he was giving them what they needed, he would be playing much more.  

I guess it depends on the mode your franchise is in. If you're a contender you can live with "quality play" (Scal I guess) over "production".

I know he played 22 mins in the preseason, though I'd imagine that'll be be cut down in the regular season (we'll see what happens with D'Antoni's rotation). I just think that if the Knicks want to contend in the future they need to find out if Randolph can ever get the mental portion of the game.

Well, I guess we just need to wait and see.  I don't think the minutes will go down in the regular season, but that's just a guess.

I agree that they do need to see if he is going to get the mental part of the game, but I would argue that force feeding him minutes is not going to help.  He is going to have to do that in practice, and then prove it in the minutes he gets.  Playing big minutes in games, when he is not doing things the right way will just reinforce the bad habits, rather than turn them around.  

Yeah, I think D'Antoni will certainly be a better coach than Don Nelson was for him.

Me too.  D'Antoni is a arrogant jerk, but Nelson had checked out years ago, and stopped even trying to coach.  If a guy didn't come in with a "how high should I jump" attitude, Nelson had no time for them.  D'Antoni on the other hand will likely take it as a challenge to turn him into a player, simply because it would make him look good.  It is just up to Randolph to take advantage of the opportunity.  

If he was able to live with Diaw's frustrating play I can't imagine he won't give Randolph a shot.

[Who]

Option A: If the Knicks start Turiaf or Mosgov and give Randolph 16-24 minutes a night as reserve.

Option B: The Knicks start Randolph and give him 28-34 minutes a night and use Turiaf/Mosgov as reserves.

Option A is a better team today (only slightly better) but I firmly believe that by the end of the regular season the Knicks would be a superior team if they choose option B.

The Knicks will be a better team come playoff time if they bring Randolph along quickly + they'll be hugely better off for their long term future.

Also, nothing could help them more in the Carmelo Anthony trade negotiations than watching Randolph put up 14/15 points and 9/10 boards (plus 3 blocks/steals) while showing flashes of potentially being a 20/10 player someday.

[Who]

I don't get where this is coming from that he isn't getting on the court?  He averaged 22 minutes per game in the preseason. 

I hated it when it was the argument for Marcus Banks, and I hate it now.  20 minutes per game is more than enough time to prove you belong and to develop. 

And "productivity" (in other words, numbers) does not equal quality play.  If he was giving them what they needed, he would be playing much more. 

I guess it depends on the mode your franchise is in. If you're a contender you can live with "quality play" (Scal I guess) over "production".

I know he played 22 mins in the preseason, though I'd imagine that'll be be cut down in the regular season (we'll see what happens with D'Antoni's rotation). I just think that if the Knicks want to contend in the future they need to find out if Randolph can ever get the mental portion of the game.

Well, I guess we just need to wait and see.  I don't think the minutes will go down in the regular season, but that's just a guess.

I agree that they do need to see if he is going to get the mental part of the game, but I would argue that force feeding him minutes is not going to help.  He is going to have to do that in practice, and then prove it in the minutes he gets.  Playing big minutes in games, when he is not doing things the right way will just reinforce the bad habits, rather than turn them around. 

Yeah, I think D'Antoni will certainly be a better coach than Don Nelson was for him.

Coming into the season I thought D'Antoni would have been too but after watching how he's handled Randolph in training camp + pre-season ... I think that is far from a sure thing.

It's a 50-50 situation. Might be good, might be bad. Could go either way.

D'Antoni is having a very difficult time living with Randolph's poor decisions on the court.

[Fafnir]

Also, nothing could help them more in the Carmelo Anthony trade negotiations than watching Randolph put up 14/15 points and 9/10 boards (plus 3 blocks/steals) while showing flashes of potentially being a 20/10 player someday.

For this reason alone I figure they'll have Gallanari and Randolph out there for a bunch of minutes.

[JSD]

1. Boston Celtics

Who else could possibly win this division?

2. Toronto, New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey.......

They are all equally bad it would not surprise me if the only representative in this division was the Boston Celtics.

For being complete, I will give out the rosters:

New York

Point Guard Raymond Felton Toney Douglas   
Shooting Guard Kelenna Azubuike Roger Mason Andy Rautins   
Small Forward Danilo Gallinari Wilson Chandler Bill Walker Landry Fields Patrick Ewing Jr.
Power Forward Amare Stoudemire Anthony Randolph   
Center Ronny Turiaf Timofey Mozgov Eddy Curry   

Amare Stoudemire and Anthony Randolph soldify the PF spot. Is Ray Felton a fast break PF. Interesting to note Eddy Curry is 3rd string center. The Melo-drama is the headlines in the New York Post this season.

Philly

Point Guard Jrue Holiday Lou Williams Chris Quinn   
Shooting Guard Andre Iguodala Evan Turner Jodie Meeks   
Small Forward Thaddeus Young Andres Nocioni Jason Kapono   
Power Forward Elton Brand Darius Songaila Craig Brackins   
Center Spencer Hawes Marreese Speights

Can Spencer Hawes and Elton Brand anchor the middle? Is Jrue Holiday for real? I like Marreese Speights though. Nocioni ended up here? Songalia is an unsung player too. I have like his game.

New Jersey

Point Guard Devin Harris Jordan Farmar Ben Uzoh   
Shooting Guard Terrence Williams Anthony Morrow   
Small Forward Travis Outlaw Stephen Graham Quinton Ross Damion James 
Power Forward Troy Murphy Derrick Favors Kris Humphries   
Center Brook Lopez Joe Smith Johan Petro Brian Zoubek

I like the addition of Travis Outlaw but that is not enough to make me take this team seriously.

Toronto

Point Guard Jose Calderon Jarrett Jack Marcus Banks   
Shooting Guard DeMar DeRozan Leandro Barbosa   
Small Forward Linas Kleiza Sonny Weems   
Power Forward Amir Johnson Reggie Evans Ed Davis Julian Wright Joey Dorsey
Center Andrea Bargnani David Andersen

How much did they pay Amir Johnson? 5 years 34 million??? See Toronto needs to stick to hockey and the Canadien Football league. If Amir Johnson is worth 34 million, then Glen Davis should be paid 60 million. Will somebody please contract this franchise?

Philly has got some good talent on that team and now a solid coach. I think they're the clear cut #2.

[Donoghus]

1. Boston
2. Philadelphia
3. New York
4. New Jersey
5. Toronto

I think Toronto is going to put up one of those epic bad seasons.  I mean really bad.  That roster is a joke for the most part. 

I can see the Atlantic pumping out 2 playoff teams but I'd be hard-pressed to see anymore in the post-season. 

[Fafnir]

Philly has got some good talent on that team and now a solid coach. I think they're the clear cut #2.

I don't think their talent has improved enough to jump to the number 2 spot in the division. They only won 27 games last year and I don't think Turner and the improvement of the young guys will make a 10+ game difference.

[Who]

I love Phily's backcourt (Iggy, Jrue, Turner, Lou Will) but their frontcourt is dreadful. That is going to kill them all season along especially on the defensive end of the floor.

I think they'll be doing well in to stay in the same win range that they were in last season (27 wins).

[fairweatherfan]

I can see the Atlantic pumping out 2 playoff teams but I'd be hard-pressed to see anymore in the post-season. 

I think it's possible - not likely, but possible - that we might see both the Atlantic and Pacific each send only one team to the playoffs. 

I think the Knicks will squeak in to the 7/8 spot, though:

1. Boston
2. NYK
3. Philly
4. NJ
5. Toronto

[Donoghus]

I can see the Atlantic pumping out 2 playoff teams but I'd be hard-pressed to see anymore in the post-season. 

I think it's possible - not likely, but possible - that we might see both the Atlantic and Pacific each send only one team to the playoffs. 

I think the Knicks will squeak in to the 7/8 spot, though:

1. Boston
2. NYK
3. Philly
4. NJ
5. Toronto

Yeah, I certainly wouldn't be shocked if the Atlantic only placed the Celtics, either.  I'm just trying to think who might come out of the other two divisions and come up with 8 teams. 

[Who]

I have the Knicks in 8th spot in the East. Charlotte 7th.

I think NJ and Indiana are the two most likely teams to push them for one of those final playoff spots.

Detroit, unfortunately, look like they're in trouble again this season. Phily are too weak defensively to challenge. Cleveland, led by Varejao, could spring a surprise (start Sessions and Hikcson! Mo Will + Jamison as change of game subs!) if everything goes right but that is unlikely. Possible though. Then the Raps and Wizards rounding out the bottom of the conference.