Knicks Now - Alan Hahn Live Chat

Alan Hahn Live Chat

March 22, 08:05 PM EDT

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11:01

KnicksNow - Max:

Welcome back to KnicksNow.com, at this time we welcome back MSG Network studio analyst, former Knicks beat writer and NBA columnist for Newsday, Alan Hahn.

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11:01

KnicksNow - Max:

Alan, we'll get right into it.

11:02

Alan Hahn:

Still feeling nostalgic today....Are the 90s back?

11:02

Comment From maravilla23

How is Jared Jeffries doing? And when is he expected to play?

11:02

Alan Hahn:

Jared tweaked that right knee, which has been giving him trouble for a few weeks now. It caused him to miss games recently and he'll be out tonight against the Raptors.

11:03

Comment From JBrandman

Hey Alan! I was just wondering if you might know why Fields is losing playing time when he seems to be playing the best he's played all season.

11:04

Alan Hahn:

I wouldn't look at it as Fields losing time as it is that Woodson has several options with JR Smith and Iman Shumpert as well. Landry's shot has really escaped him this season, but his defense has been steadily improving.

11:04

Comment From RuthMak

Who are we rooting for today the 76ers or Celtics???

11:04

Alan Hahn:

A night like this, it doesn't matter. As long as the Knicks win in Toronto, they will gain on someone.

11:04

Comment From Jhune Kuramochi

Will the knicks surge upward to the playoff ladder late in the season?

11:05

Alan Hahn:

That's the plan. It won't be easy, but they have a month to make a charge and see where they can finish. Anywhere from 4th to 8th is open right now.

11:05

Comment From razshizzle

Will Shumpert ever get the start over Fields?

11:06

Alan Hahn:

I don't see why there is a need to change the starting lineup or the rotation when the team is getting off to good starts and Woodson seems to have a good rhythm with the bench. As Charles Oakley once said, "If it ain't broke, don't break it."

11:07

Comment From jbabich

What do you think the chances are that the Knicks will win the division?

11:07

Alan Hahn:

It's going to be tough because the Knicks have two teams to climb over. But they're in the mix so anything can happen. They just have to focus on winning and maintaining this standard of play.

11:07

Comment From Christopher Cowan

Is the old STAT back and better then ever? This defensive effort is amazing. Was it as simple as needing a coaching change? Or was there more to it?

11:09

Alan Hahn:

Amar'e is definitely showing the energy and jump in his legs that he hasn't had consistently all season, but it'll take more than a game or two before we can say for sure. One thing you can never question about Amar'e is work ethic and his conditioning. I think they've been working with him on his defense and if they simplify his role, he can get better. But on sheer athleticism, he should be a better defender than he's been.

11:09

Comment From brad24

No matter what happens this season. Will this nucleus be here for a full season next year?

11:11

Alan Hahn:

Nucleus would be: Melo, Amar'e, Tyson, Lin, Fields, Shumpert, Toney, Josh. Those are the only guys under contract (did I forget someone?). After that, it depends on who re-signs and what kind of money they'd take, because the Knicks won't have much (actually, none) to spend. Novak is no longer a vets min guy, so there's one guy who will be tough to keep.

11:11

Comment From lawrenceseverin

will Woodson become the permanent knicks coach? He seems to be doing a great job as interim.

11:12

Alan Hahn:

I agree he's made a great impact with his stronger voice and demands, but let's discuss this at the end of the season. Impossible to make this kind of a call five games in.

11:13

Comment From dialtone888

what's your take on Melo sudden unselfish play with the team and will he play like this throughout the season?

11:14

Alan Hahn:

I wouldn't say Melo is being "suddenly unselfish" because most of this season he's been sharing the ball and trying to make the right play. Where he has made the noticeable change is in his effort level. He's busting it down the court in transition, filling lanes and getting back on D. That wasn't there most of the season and it's here now. Why? Only he can answer that one.

11:14

Comment From RuthMak

If the Knicks don't win the Atlantic division, who would you rather see them up against in the playoffs Miami or Chicago? Both really tough teams

11:17

Alan Hahn:

There's no "rather" here because either team will be, like you said, a tough challenge. I think the Knicks have enough depth to compete with both and they have played both teams to the wire, even during the worst of times this season. So could they win a series? They have the ability. Either way, it'll be fun to watch.

11:17

Comment From arka13

Hi Alan. Will the team look at signing Nocioni? He seems like a Woodson type of player and can give some depth up front.

11:17

Alan Hahn:

I don't foresee any roster moves from here on out.

11:18

Comment From jphandal

is Td completely done? what has happened to him? seemed promising last year

11:19

Alan Hahn:

His shooting touch really escaped him this year, maybe a result of the shoulder surgery? And then his confidence really plummeted. Maybe the offense was too complicated for him as a point guard and perhaps he'll find more comfort in a traditional system. But right now it's about numbers and, as an off-guard, he's behind three players.

11:19

Comment From Jacob_Passick

Hey Allan, Why do You think J.R. Is in the game in the fourth and not Laundry?

11:20

Alan Hahn:

J.R. is a shot-maker who can also defend.

11:20

Comment From El Fr3sCo

I like the Knicks starting lineup but do you think we would have a better impact starting Novak instead of Fields?

11:20

Alan Hahn:

No, because Steve is 6'9 so he really isn't a shooting guard and shouldn't be defending that position.

11:20

Comment From bnr1986

Hi Alan - if Jeffries is out for any extended period of time, can Jorts properly take his place? I feel like he attempts too many 3's and if he moved in a few feet to where jeffries hits that 18 footer, he'd be so much more effective. more importantly, can Jorts play JJ quality defense?

11:22

Alan Hahn:

Josh will likely get the minutes in Jared's absence and his post defense is good. He is out in the corner beyond the three-point line because his job is to stretch the floor. He's a good shooter, but I'm sure the wrist injury has some impact on it. I agree, he doesn't need to always take it and i'm sure the coaching staff has told him that. Josh is a different defender than Jared -- not nearly as quick and agile -- but he can be effective.

11:22

Comment From Kurt Huggins

What's going on w/Bill Walker? He was playing well b4 the "supposed" elbow injury... Any news?

11:23

Alan Hahn:

Nothing "supposed" about the elbow injury, Kurt. He had a "debridement" procedure done 2 weeks ago to remove damaged tissue.

11:23

Comment From Jacob_Passick

Do you agree with the Substitution System Coach Woodson uses? Do you think Melo and Amare should be play 35 Minutes?

11:24

Alan Hahn:

When you get to this point of the season, your stars have to get conditioned to play big minutes because when the playoffs come, they're going to be in there almost the entire game. So yes, this is the right move.

11:24

Comment From Christopher Cowan

Sitting Tyson for the entire 4th Q was a risky play that worked out. Woodson run a tradtional system but with unconventional ideas like this. Will we see similar "small ball" line ups against teams like Toronto?

11:25

Alan Hahn:

Agree. Was wondering when he would go back to Tyson to close it out defensively, but Woodson showed faith in his small ball group and faith in Amar'e at the 5 with Melo at the four. They got the rebounds they needed and Amar'e came up with a huge defensive play. It worked out. That's the beauty of having depth and versatility. Will it work every night? No. But it did on this night.

11:26

Comment From jbabich

is the knicks defense here to stay, or do you think this is a temporary surge due to a coaching change?

11:27

Alan Hahn:

I'll say this: what we're seeing now is what this team SHOULD be.

11:27

Comment From Tukandu

JLin seems to have good 4th quarters is that because woodson goes to him or is it his own doing

11:28

Alan Hahn:

Tough kid. Period. That kind of toughness shows in crunch time. No matter how bad of a game he was having, when it was winning time, he emerged.

11:28

Comment From TJ

Alan, another 20 10 from Amare tonight? Where'd these legs come from?

11:30

Alan Hahn:

Legs were always there, just lacked the pop we're used to seeing. 20-10 for Amar'e depends on situation. Raptors will probably be a lot more mentally prepared for this game after just seeing the Knicks the other day.

11:30

Comment From Kappasheno

Alan, what are your thought regarding Tony D. Do you think he will see some playing time as a defensive guard?

11:31

Alan Hahn:

Like I said earlier, I don't know how he fits in with the numbers game in the backcourt. Too many players ahead of him right now.

11:31

Comment From Kurt Huggins

I had low expectations as far as winning a ship this yr, but w/the renewed dedication 2 d, unselfish harmony on the o, n the obvious depth off the bench, what would b a successful season in your eyes?

11:32

Alan Hahn:

Success, to me, is improving from the season before. So a winning record and a playoff berth is the standard, that means both of those plus advancing in the playoffs would be an improvement, which, to me, is success.

11:32

Comment From Kenneth

Do you think the Knicks got what it takes to win a championship this year ?

11:33

Alan Hahn:

They have the talent and depth to make a strong case, but I'd like to see this regular season play out first. Ask me after April 15. Check the schedule to know why that date is significant.

11:33

Comment From Sammy Sung

whats the deal next year? If they keep lin, do they have to give someone up? If so who is likely?

11:36

Alan Hahn:

No they don't have to give anyone up. They have so many players on one-year deals -- Novak, Davis, Jeffries -- that it is unlikely they will have the ability to bring everyone back. Jeremy Lin will be a restricted free agent so they can re-sign him using some or all of their $5M mid-level exception. J.R. has a player option for next season which he could waive to become a free agent if he wants to get more money. This might be a one-shot deal with this group as we know them.

11:36

Comment From carlo

Hi Alan, please exscuse me for my english. I'm italian and write from Sardinia. However, Jeremy Lin can assume the role of team leader until the end of the tournament or the coach will entrust everything to carmelo antony?

11:38

Alan Hahn:

Prego, Carlo. Prego! Woodson has showed great trust in Jeremy Lin, as we saw in the fourth quarter of the win in Philadelphia. Carmelo is considered a leader because of his scoring, but right now his shooting touch is just not there. Woodson has the ability of several options late in games and in the playoffs. But the Knicks do need Melo to emerge and find his shot because it will be needed in the playoffs.

11:38

Comment From Wenwen Chien

Woodson emphasize the importance of defense on the court. Why the former coach didnt focus on it? Woodson was his assis. coach b4, how come they didnt communicate it well?

11:40

Alan Hahn:

D'Antoni did place more of an emphasis on defense this season and it was evident in the fact that the team was in the top half of the NBA on several defensive categories and were top 10 in defensive efficiency. Woodson has changed a few things and he has demanded a more aggressive mentality. He has made it their identity.

11:40

Comment From RuthMak

So I checked the schedule on my Knicks app! And April 15th is when they play against Miami for the last time before Playoffs! that will be exciting!

11:40

Comment From sonay b

Alan, when comparing success to Miami, y the excuse "they struggled last year, started out 9-9 , and are finally clicking 1.5 years later', did we forget they were in game 6 of finals in year 1?! Fans and Knicks should expect more from this level of talent.

11:42

Alan Hahn:

Yes RuthMak....that will be an interesting game.

Sonay, I said they started the season slow and got it right by the end of LAST SEASON. And I've said all along that this Knicks team should focus on a strong finish in similar fashion. Are we seeing it now? Time will tell.

11:42

Comment From Kurt Huggins

What kind of adjustments do you see the Raps making 2nite? Think they'll post Andrea a lil more n b more conscious about rebounds... Thoughts?

11:43

KnicksNow - Max:

We still have time for just a few more questions. Keep sending them in.

11:44

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