From the East, the Knicks is the team that really concerns me, and if there's one series I'll really miss Rondo, it'll be against the Knicks. For some reason, against the Knicks Rondo always seemed to do a good job pushing the ball and attacking them in transition.
The Bulls scare me more.
Until I see Carmelo win a series with NY (which he hasn't), I'll never be scared of him or that Knick team. You live by the three, you die by the three.
I've yet to see a team that relies on 3 pt shooting win the NBA title.
DALLAS MAVERICKS
They had much more than 3 pt shooting. Dirk in the post was huge, Terry off mid range jumpers was huge, Kidd's ball handling and Marion's transition game wee huge...
So do the Knicks...
Not at all. Their coaching staff is all in on the 3pt strategy. They should be starting Stoudamire with Melo and Chandler and pounding the ball inside. Then run off defensive stops. Use the 3pt shooters to open up the paint for Amare and Melo.
Melo is a monster anywhere on the court
Stoudemire is OK with back-to-basket or face-up
Chandler is unstoppable near the hoop
Felton/Shump can penetrate well enough
Kidd/Novak and anyone can shoot threes
And JR Smith can shoot ill-advised jumpers from anywhere!