Scout: Knicks' second unit 'scares no one'

[29$JerZ]

After defeating the Warriors on Wednesday night, Tyson Chandler, who played 42 minutes -- the most he's played since Nov. 26 against the Nets -- knew how important it was for him to be on the floor for his team.

"I really wanted to be out there," Chandler said. "It was necessary, especially this time of year. We've got to get these wins."

But Chandler's overloaded playing time represents a recent fundamental issue with the Knicks. Coach Mike Woodson has shortened his rotation from 12 -- at the start of the season -- to usually nine players these days. And that has affected the Knicks' defensive balance. While the starting five has looked sharper making stops -- outscoring the Warriors 27-18 in the first quarter, thanks to Chandler and Iman Shumpert's defense -- the bench has been exposed.

"Their second unit scares no one," a veteran NBA scout told ESPNNewYork.com. "I'm not sure why they didn't make a trade."

The Knicks' worst five-man defensive lineup -- with a minimum of 40 minutes played together -- is Pablo Prigioni, J.R. Smith, Steve Novak, Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire. The main problems have been Novak getting beat off the dribble by wing slashers and Stoudemire switching poorly and leaving the paint open. Both are not strong defenders, and they need support around them.

Recently, Paul George, Rudy Gay and Evan Turner took advantage of the Knicks' subs and had big games. On Wednesday night in the second quarter, with some of the starters resting, Stephen Curry went off for 23 points. Not only have the Knicks struggled defending pick-and-rolls, but they have also been out of sync getting back in transition and setting up quickly.

Who knows how much worse it will get? The Knicks next face explosive point guard John Wall on Friday in Washington and then All-Stars LeBron James and Dwyane Wade on Sunday at the Garden.

Even with Marcus Camby and Rasheed Wallace sidelined due to injuries, James White, Kenyon Martin and Kurt Thomas are available and serviceable. In addition, Woodson could balance out the point guards' minutes more to alleviate some of the pressure on Jason Kidd. While he starts off well, Kidd loses steam in the second half and opponents purposely look to attack him.

While the scout said Woodson may feel the pressure of winning in New York, he has to face this fact: Managing older players who have wear and tear means preserving them for the latter part of the season.

"He is stubborn, and that could get him the ax," the scout said. "He definitely needs to play more guys. It would be beneficial to them. It can't hurt."

A seasoned NBA agent agreed and brought up another possible reason for Woodson's shrinking substitutions. He said politics are likely involved.

"The NBA is always political in that the Knicks are not going to want to play a 30-year-old journeyman [White] over a second-year first-round pick [Shumpert] who they see as developing into part of their future," he said.

No matter how Woodson feels about things, he needs to realize what he's working with: an older roster that needs care.

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/kni...medium=twitter

Makes you wonder if Woodson is aware of this or he has that much faith in his rotations.

[D-Leethal]

What are we supposed to play 12 guys?

The potent offense of our second unit has definitely taken a backseat to the atrocious defense. Its painful to watch guys go at Novak every single possession and make STAT guard pick and roll after pick and roll. Our 14 pt lead went into the gutter with those guys. Can't continue playing STAT at C next to Novak at PF.

[bootleg42]

I was just about to post this.

I don't see how we don't make a trade. I don't like Woodson getting stubborn, but we still don't have that one sparkplug on the bench.

[D-Leethal]

I was just about to post this.

I don't see how we don't make a trade. I don't like Woodson getting stubborn, but we still don't have that one sparkplug on the bench.

That is basically the definition of JR Smith. And than we also have Amare.

Offense off the bench is not a problem at all, our bench dropped 82 points earlier for christ sakes. The D is atrocious though. Teams just bully Novak and STAT defensively.

[Jagged QT]

That's mainly why our backup bigs are important to provide some defense.

[cssdmark]

What backup bigs, Wallace is done and Camby is never healthy. Novak and Kidds minutes need to be drastically reduced. Play White and Copeland, at least they can contribute. Novak and Kidd are murder. Woodson is a *** , I mean stubborn like a *** even to his and the teans detriment

[knickerbockerny]

Yet Brewer is traded for nothing!

[yankeesown69]

A healthy Camby would certainly help plus Novak is atrocious at least Stoudemire has some athleticism which can occasionally allow for a block or 2. Although hes always missing rotations. Novak just has 0 footspeed and strength

[KnickFanSince91]

You gotta give guys some protection. You can't have a frontcourt of Amare-Novak-Melo and expect to protect the paint.

I understand that you can't start Amare because of the minutes limitation but Kidd has to be benched. Let him be out there to run the 2nd unit because he at least defends better than Pablo. JR is playing starters minutes anyway so might as well put him in the starting 5.

We have Kenyon now so there's no reason for Novak and Amare' to be on the floor without one of Chandler/Kenyon out there with them. We could then use White to bring some energy on the perimeter for the 10 -13 minutes JR and Shump are off the floor.

[Tysons_Beard]

Yet Brewer is traded for nothing!

mind boggling...

[YashBoone]

I like how the article makes a big deal at Tyson chandler having to play 42 mins for us to win, yet completely ignores that in the very same game, the warriors needed curry to play all 48 and ball out of his mind to even have any kind of chance.

[Jesse2272]

That is basically the definition of JR Smith. And than we also have Amare.

Offense off the bench is not a problem at all, our bench dropped 82 points earlier for christ sakes. The D is atrocious though. Teams just bully Novak and STAT defensively.

Im not seeing issues with our bench either other than rotations and how they are integrated with the starters

Potato head problems

glad I dont have them

[BK-TY]

Why isn't Woodson playing Copeland?

[thenyknicks]

its a problem if they aren't playing well. otherwise, there are no problems. a 7 game win streak would solve all the worries.

[Jagged QT]

How is the bench not scaring anyone, but the scout believed they were tradeable?