There is no hard and fast template on how to win an NBA title. But every single champion in recent memory has one thing in common: a great system of unheralded understudies, a strong bench. Most have followed one of two schools of carpentry: assembling a wealth of above average talent that complements the team’s strength, or a super sub or two to carry the second unit.
Detroit won a championship with one of the better (and deeper) overall benches in recent memory. San Antonio brought in battle-tested veterans Robert Horry and Michael Finley. Boston’s stingy defense was bolstered by lockdown subs Tony Allen, Leon Powe, and James Posey. Dallas stored packets of instant offense on their bench with JJ Barea, Shawn Marion, and Peja Stojakovic.
The spokesmen for the super sub method are Lamar Odom, Manu Ginobili, and Jason Terry. All three started less than half of the games during every championship run their respective teams made, but they were capable of carrying a subpar second unit with their outstanding individual talents.
By this logic, the ideal Knicks bench would have either a bevy of outside shooters to keep the offensive juice flowing, or one exceptional scorer with an ability to shoulder the load in the event that Carmelo and Stoudemire both have to come out of the game. Instead, the bench has an identity crisis, with seemingly no continuity between the pieces assembled. One way past his prime veteran, an offensive abomination, and a great shooter except when he isn’t (0-11, really?!) coming right up.
Mike Bibby:
I keep trying to convince myself into the Bibby signing. He’s a cheap former all-star with playoff experience. But there are just so many questions with signing a 13-year veteran who was an average distributor and a bad defender IN HIS PRIME. At this point in his career, Bibby has one trick (shooting the three), and plenty of red flags.
FUN FACT: In the past 5 seasons, Mike Bibby’s average rank AMONG POINT GUARDS in assists per game is 23rd.
MORE FUN FACT: Bibby’s average rank amongst his peers in Assist to Turnover ratio is 20th.
If this were an Eddie House in Boston situation where Bibby was being asked to come off the bench and nuke the offense while the starters rested, I’d be a lot more optimistic. But he’s being brought in as the legitimate back up point guard for this team, even though the skills that made him an effective point guard (his ability to run the fast break with the Kings, and outstanding free throw shooting) disappeared a long time ago.
One of the things that makes a great point guard is the ability to make the right decision after penetrating. Bibby hasn’t gotten close enough to the basket to prove he can be a good passer in years. He would be an OK pick up for a few teams as a spot up shooter, not as a point guard (care to comment, Miami fans?). If he’s the backup point guard this season, there will be even more pressure on Toney Douglas to keep the old shell of Mike Bibby on the bench more than on the floor.
Jared Jeffries:
It amazes me that Jeffries shows up on the bench at some point every year, despite being the antithesis of everything Mike D’Antoni wants in a player. Maybe Mike keeps thinking it’s Channing Frye and he’s waiting for the MonStars to give his talent back.
Jeffries’ offense is so inconceivably putrid that I’ve had a tough time coming up with a good way to relate it to non-Knick and non-basketball fans alike. Bringing him into a game is like the bizarro version of pulling the goalie in hockey. When Jared Jeffries comes into a game, you are hoping to improve your defense while completely sacrificing whatever spot he is playing on offense. It’s an upside-down power play, or a designated fielder.
I think Mike Woodson might have the good sense to place him in his natural habitat this year: the press. Jeffries is PERFECT for the press: an extremely agile long-limbed player who can guard almost every position on the floor unless he gets pushed around. A Jeffries-Shumpert press would be like trying to bring the ball up against Mr. Fantastic and Dhalsim from Street Fighter. It would provide a whole new dimension to the Knicks defense. Otherwise, Jeffries is about a useful as a three-legged chair (without a jump shot).
Bill Walker:
When I watched ABC Camp highlight tapes, Bill Walker was an athletic freak of nature. I would say those days are long gone, but they aren’t. Walker’s 24, meaning those tapes are from only about 6 years ago. Nevertheless, Billy’s knees have been hacked up like a Thanksgiving turkey at this point, which has left him with an incomplete puzzle of the talent he used to possess.
Walker’s career is now a cruel trick. He’s a phenomenal in game dunker with no way of getting to the basket, because his movement is as poor laterally as it is great vertically. On the other end, he can get up to block some shots, but is a revolving door on the perimeter. The secret on Walker is that he’s developed a sneaky great touch from the outside (of players that took at least 100 3’s in 2009, he had the 9th best 3 point percentage).
Really what walker represents to me is a poor man’s Shawne Williams (somebody the Knicks really need to resign).
The rest of the bench isn’t really worth dedicating a full page to. Former first round pick Renaldo Balkman (see Isiah’s not a great drafter all the time) is accurately described as a possible 10th man by John Hollinger. I don’t know who Chris Hunter is. I know Devin Green better for having a documentary about him than being a 29 year-old undrafted journeyman. Josh Harrelson will make more of an impact modeling Wrangler’s new “cut-off” line than on the court. In case you were wondering, THIS IS FAR FROM A PLAYOFF CALIBER BENCH.
Best-case scenario: nobody gets hurt and the starters manage to stay out of foul trouble. Worst-case scenario: one of the big three does get hurt (Stoudemire would probably be the most unfortunate) and this team takes a nosedive.
The Knicks would be wise to deal with Williams & Williams (Shawne and Reggie). Both were long range-gunners last season (30th and 9th in 3 point percentage respectively), which would help prevent teams from packing the paint against the daunting duo of Stoudemire and Chandler. Shawne brings the added ability to guard 3’s and 4’s effectively. Also, I’d like to wake up Christmas morning with a backup point guard who can perform point guard-ly duties. I’ll get back to the Knicks great starting 5 tomorrow, but know this: The Knicks will make the playoffs because of their starters, but they’ll lose because of their bench.
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