They took away the Knicks' top offensive options: the pick-and-roll and one-on-one plays through star scorer Carmelo Anthony.
At 6-foot-7, Brewer ranks in the 73rd and 88th percentile, respectively, when defending the pick-and-roll and isolation plays, according to Synergy Sports.
For instance, against Boston earlier this month in the last game before Linsanity began, the Knicks ran nine pick-and-roll plays, according to Synergy.
He'll use Anthony to initiate more pick-and-roll sets in hopes of forcing the Pacers to momentarily abandon their man-to-man defense and free up shooters.
Beyond that, Stoudemire didn't play particularly well with center Tyson Chandler, who thrived off the same pick-and-roll plays that helped make Stoudemire a six-time All-Star.
Before Lin's emergence, the Knicks abandoned the pick-and-roll, only running it nine times earlier this month against the Boston Celtics, the night before Lin's star turn.
According to Synergy Sports, the Knicks have run the pick-and-roll play, which tends to induce fluid ball movement, just 24% of the time in February, down from 28% in December.
Stoudemire, presumably, can fit well into Lin's pick-and-roll offense.
Without them, the Knicks don't appear to have enough of a defensive post presence to compensate for what have often been lead-footed guards who struggle to defend pick-and-roll plays or get out to open wing scorers.
Stoudemire's overhauled offensive game has done two things: allow Anthony to float and remain the offense's dominant, one-on-one force, and enable Chandler to continue serving as the Knicks' primary roll man when they run pick-and-roll plays.
Ryan set a beautiful, just beautiful pick and roll for Colton to give a shout-out to the big guy upstairs.
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