Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis have early chemistry
Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks hugs teammate Kristaps Porzingis #6 after defeating the Charlotte Hornets at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Carmelo Anthony already appears to have better chemistry with Kristaps Porzingis than he had with Amar'e Stoudemire. It's probably because their games are so different.
Anthony and Stoudemire were both good in pick-and-rolls and the post, and needed the ball to be effective. Porzingis a stretch power forward who can spread the floor with his shooting and capitalizes on the attention Anthony receives.
"I don't think we thought that the jelling and chemistry that we have so far would be there," Anthony said. "I think we all thought that all of this would take some time to figure out. Anytime you play with a stretch four it makes the game a little easier and it's easier to figure that out."
Stoudemire, now with the Heat, said Monday that past Knicks coaches didn't use him and Anthony properly, and they should have played more pick-and-roll.
Anthony agreed with Stoudemire that one reason they didn't meet expectations was they didn't play together much. Stoudemire often was hurt and came off the bench his last 21/2 seasons with the Knicks.
"The system was a lot different than what we in now," Anthony said. "Now it's made for KP to trail and be that spread four. Back then it was more throw it to Amar'e in the post. It wasn't more pick-and-rolls when me and him was playing. Plus it was a whole lot of other factors.
"I don't think we really had that much time together when you look at the big scheme of things. We really didn't have a chance to see if we could make it work."
Grant still looking for role
Rookie point guard Jerian Grant is unhappy with his play and decision making. 'I'm definitely frustrated," he said. "I think I'm missing shots, not reading things the right way. I feel like I'm still in the mode where, 'Do I play my game or do I kind of run the offense or do I push the pace?' I'm still trying to figure each of those things. That's me overthinking."
It's affecting Grant's performance and playing time. After averaging nearly 23 minutes in his first six games, Grant played roughly 15 per in the previous six games and played only six minutes while scoreless Wednesday night. Jose Calderon's improved play has been a factor, but Grant hasn't helped himself. He shot 5-for-26 with six assists and four turnovers in the previous six games, including 0-for-8 with six points in the previous two.
"I'm still adjusting," Grant said. "I'm just trying to figure out my role, my minutes, things like that."
Carmelo Anthony already appears to have better chemistry with Kristaps Porzingis than he had with Amar'e Stoudemire. It's probably because their games are so different.
Anthony and Stoudemire both were good in pick-and-rolls and the post, and needed the ball to be effective. Porzingis is a stretch power forward who can spread the floor with his shooting and capitalizes on the attention Anthony receives.
"I don't think we thought that jelling and chemistry that we have so far would be there," Anthony said. "I think we all thought that all of this would take some time to figure out. Anytime you play with a stretch four it makes the game a little easier and it's easier to figure that out."
Stoudemire, now with the Heat, said Monday that past Knicks coaches didn't use him and Anthony properly, and they should have played more pick-and-roll.
Anthony agreed with Stoudemire that one reason they didn't meet expectations was they didn't play together much. Stoudemire was often hurt and came off the bench his last 2 1/2 seasons as a Knick.
"The system was a lot different than what we are in now," Anthony said. "Now it's made for KP to trail and be that spread four. Back then it was more throw to it Amar'e in the post. It wasn't more pick-and-rolls when me and him were playing. Plus it was a whole lot of other factors.
"I don't think we really had that much time together when you look at the big scheme of things. We really didn't have a chance to see if would could make it work."
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
