Honestly, we could still quite easily win the Atlantic. I still don't think D'antoni was a horrible coach it was just always the wrong matchup of personell and talent. This is a half-court defensive team, Woodson isn't exactly a genius of a coach but the slight change in philosophy makes that much of a difference.
I'm not worried about Melo in the slightest. The guy has a different gear come playoff time. I saw in Boston last year, when he turns it up a notch, he can grab 10 rebounds and drop 30 without flinching. I always knew he could be a good defender cause with him it was just about effort. Paul Pierce was never considered a top defender until those other guys joined him as well. Melo can be good simply because he has the size to really be effective agains the elite swingman. He can physically stand up to the Bron's of the world.
I think the thing that impresses me most about Lin is his composure and confidence. Dude has the confidence of one of those hood cats who believes he is the nicest one on the court every time. There is never fear in him and he always wants the rock in the clutch but not in a way where he won't give it up to Melo when the time calls. The kid is our PG for the future, he still has a lot to work on no doubt but he is young and he has already shown a will to improve. You watch him interract with the guys and he knows he belongs out there, he's not afraid to direct people, or say things to Melo/Amar'e/ Shump.
In terms of playoffs, we just need to find a way to avoid Miami until the conference Finals. Don't want any parts of them before than. Especially with the way we are playing D now though, I think we match up very well with Chicago. I mean, even earlier in this season when we sucked we gave them good games. And unlike Miami or I think us potentially, they don't have that extra gear come playoff time. They are still the same flawed team as the last year no matter how great they are defensively. Rose dribbling 20 times a possession is stoppable at the end of the day.
