The difference between MIA's "slow start" and NYK's slump

How many big men who focus primarily inside the paint rather than on the wings are great playmakers, in terms of setting up teammates, compared to Wade/James? Probably none. Maybe Tim Duncan for a few years in his prime. Unfair to put that label on Amare because that's simply not his role.

 

Fair enough about play making not Stoudemire's role. What about Anthony? He plays the same position as James. Also, as supposedly elite big man, Amare should do the big man things a lot better than the Miami duo. Look at their combined numbers:

Stoudemire + Anthony
Career: 46.6 ppg; 15.2 rpg; 4.6 apg; 2.0 spg; 2.0 bpg
10-11: 50.8 ppg; 15.6 rpg; 5.4 apg; 1.8 spg; 2.4 bpg
(Anthony did worse in rebounding in NY. All other stats are about the same as in Denver.)

James + Wade
Career: 53.1 ppg; 12.2 rpg; 13.3 apg; 3.5 spg; 1.8 bpg
10-11: 52.2 ppg; 14.1 rpg; 11.2 apg; 2.9 spg; 1.7 bpg

In the two "big man" stats, rebounds and blocks, Amare and Melo have an edge but not by much. And LeBron and Wade blow them away in assists and steals, and are slightly better in scoring this year (much better in career).

The Miami Duo is simply much more talented than the New York Duo.

 

Not a lot of small forwards could pass like Lebron, even elite players. I mean look at Durant, great scorer like Anthony, but lacks the passing ability of Lebron. The forward to pass like Lebron was Tmac, in fact Lebron has better court vision than a lot of pg's.

 

Actually, the Knicks won yesterday because the Magic were stuck with Gilbert "Flat Tire, Broken Wheel" Arenas playing 43 minutes at PG. The Magic were missing 3 rotation players due to injury. Even with all of that, it took two incredibly bone-headed decisions by Howard and J-Rich very late in the game for the Knicks to win.

Maybe the psychological effect will be profound because they broke the losing streak, but last night's win was not impressive to me. But winning a game may lift a burden and help the Knicks start playing better.

I'm still looking forward to them getting flattened by the Heat or Celts in the 1st round.

 

lebron and wade are 2 of the top 3 players in this league. it's unfair to compare anybody with those 2. no one will argue they are much more talented than amare/melo.

 

That's my point. The OP tries to compare the two teams' "slumps". To compare the Knicks with the Heat is to compare their respective top players, and there really is no comparison. Miami is better hands down.