A Tough Pill to Swallow

If you’re a big believer in omens then the Knicks’ loss to the basement dwelling Milwaukee Bucks says one thing. It’s time to bottom out and start over. Last post we delved into the possible scenarios the Knicks can take to rebuild. The fork in the road is Carmelo Anthony. The team obviously wants him to be that franchise guy and have made that extremely clear. However sometimes you need to lie in the grave you dug. When the Knicks gutted their roster for Anthony they knew they were wagering their future on Anthony. While Anthony has been virtually the only Knick that has played well this year he is also the team’s most valuable asset. I would hate to see Melo go, but there’s not much wiggle room here.

via thesportsquotient.com

The front office has tried to hide this grim path by pitching yet another pipe dream of a big three of Rajon Rondo, Melo and Kevin Love. That’s not happening. Love will probably end up back home in Los Angeles donning Laker purple and gold. Rondo will most likely still be in Boston. That leaves Anthony and the Knicks in the same position they are in right now. With a Knick front office as out of touch with reality as the Grammy committee is with hip hop, holding onto that pipe dream might be what happens at the trade deadline.

The most logical choice for General Manager Steve Mills and company to do is sell. Everyone named Tim Hardaway Jr. and Iman Shumpert are for sale and you can even talk me into keeping Jeremy Tyler around. Everyone else, please exit stage left. We already know that teams have inquired about Tyson Chandler. The center will be a huge shot in the arm for a contender like Portland, Golden State or the Clippers. I doubt there would be a shortage of suitors for Anthony and maybe Mills can convince a team to take on either a J.R. Smith, Ray Felton or Andrea Bargnani in that deal. The focus for the Knicks should be draft picks and young talent.

The great teams in this league have reached that level through the draft and player development. Those two things are Chinese to James Dolan, but if he ever hopes of smelling the NBA Finals he has to learn 

Chinese. The Knicks have two very good backcourt youngsters in Hardaway Jr. and Shumpert. If developed correctly they can be a great platoon for years to come. Jeremy Tyler has shown some promise as a rotation player. It’s never easy to admit that you’re wrong and I never expect the Knicks to say they were wrong about any moves they made. What they could do is for once do the smart thing by bottoming out and rebuild the right way. They owe us that much.

Knicks Got Their Swagger Back...For Now That Is

“I guess I got my swagger back!”

Those are the words of New York’s resident mogul Jay-Z and the phrase the Knicks were saying after a colossal win over the reigning champion, Miami Heat, last night. Carmelo Anthony and his squad passed every test with flying colors. Matched up essentially one-on-one with LeBron James, Melo held his own and put up 29 points on 50 percent shooting from the field in addition to eight boards and five dimes. James outscored Melo by 3 putting up 32-5-6. Without their defensive captain on the floor for a second straight night the Knicks frontline came up huge. Amar’e Stoudemire had his best game of the season putting up 14 points and 11 boards to help out Melo and Kenyon Martin. Even Raymond Felton added 14 assist and continued his success against the Heat.

The most impressive performance of the night belonged to Mike Woodson. I’ve given the coach a lot of (well deserved) criticism the past few weeks. Last night Woodson ruled with an iron fist benching team clown J.R.Smith. The benching caught everyone off guard (even J.R. himself) and was Woodson’s first real stand against Smith. Woodson has had an equator-long leash on the reigning Sixth Man of the Year, but it looks like Smith has finally reached the end of the road. In addition to the Smith benching Woodson gave his young guns those precious minutes we have all been hollering for. Toure’ Murry played well in his ten minutes of action, picking up two nice steals and slowing down those quick Miami guards. Tim Hardaway Jr. played 13 minutes and had the highlight of the night, baptizing Jesus himself: Jesus Shuttlesworth that is. The rook soured for a put-back slam that punctuated a 32-23 quarter for the Knicks.

The Knicks look to keep the momentum going Saturday in Philadelphia against a Sixers team that’s looking forward to the lottery more than a division crown. If Anthony and the Knicks continue to play like an actual team there is no way in hell they should lose in Philly. Anthony has taken a full leadership role and is navigating hiss team out of the abyss that they drove themselves into with a nonexistent end to 2013. Since coming back from injury the Knick captain has averaged 26.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists while shooting 47.7 percent from the field and a whopping 53.8 percent from downtown. With the supporting cast starting to find their roles watch out...the Knicks may in fact be back (fingers crossed). 

Heat will Prove to be Melo's Biggest Test Thus Far

via USA Today

Late Oakland Raiders Owner, Al Davis, said it best, “just win baby”. Last night the Knicks did just that, getting a much needed home win against the Pistons. It wasn’t the prettiest win in the world, but it got the job done. 

You aren’t awarded style points in this league, just wins and losses. Carmelo Anthony proved for a fourth straight game that he is the leader of this team. Without the Knicks only real rebounder, Tyson Chandler, they were able to hold off the big front line of the Pistons. When those tough minutes reared their ugly head late in the fourth Anthony kept his team’s head above water. He hit the big shot, made the big stop and grabbed the game sealing rebound. That’s what Melo was brought here to do. When Dolan gutted his nucleus to get him from Denver it was with the expectation that he could be the man that leads New York out of basketball irrelevancy. Last night was a reminder of that potential.

Tomorrow night is the ultimate litmus test for Anthony and his squad. LeBron James and the Miami Heat come to town and all bets are off when someone with James’ stature comes to the Mecca. If the Knicks do not come out crisp, James and the Heat will laugh their way to a blowout victory. Melo has quietly played well against James throughout his career going 10-7 against the King in the regular season. If Chandler is a no go once again Kenyon Martin and Anthony will have to pick up the slack on the interior. On the perimeter J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert have to get going in The Garden. The duo shot a combined 4-14 last night. Shumpert, coming off a hot streak in Texas was unable to recreate a similar shooting performance, but still managed to make an impact in the game. J.R. on the other side is still struggling shooting the rock, but has also taken notice of his slump and reduced his shot attempts.

The recipe for a Knicks victory is simple, hit threes and control the glass. The Knicks will not win if Anthony is the only person scoring. The second leading scorer last night was Andrea Bargnani with 13 points. That’s not going to cut it against the defending champs. Coach Woodson is going to have to mix it up (FOR ONCE) and will need to go back to the rotation he used in Texas. giving Torre Murry and Tim Hardaway Jr. at least 15 minutes. Murry only played five minutes on Tuesday comared to Raymond Felton's 30. Felton played well last night, but the only thing he can stay in front of is a refrigerator. Quick-footed guards blow by Felton with such ease it’s a joke. Woodson needs to give Murry those minutes, let him slow down those quick Miami guards and force them to beat you shooting jump shots. The Knicks have given us a reason to believe in 2014 and tomorrow night will show us if this turn around is real or just a smoke screen. 

And the Bone Head Plays Don't Stop...

“Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” 

To say that quote summarizes the Knicks season would be a bigger understatement than saying Raymond Felton is a tad out of shape. Last night following their biggest win of the season against the defending Western Conference champs the Knicks had a chance to win two in a row in Houston. That was until the Knicks started acting like the Knicks of 2013. After a Beno Udrih misfire from three Tyson Chandler grabbed a huge board setting the Knicks up to hold for the last shot. Sound familiar? Just like his teammate Andrea Bargnani a few weeks ago, J.R. Smith was in no mood to hold the ball instead launching a three that rimmed out and the Rockets got the board and ultimately the game.

The fool in this matter is not Bargnani, Smith or Coach Woodson. It’s the whole team. J.R.’s excuse for launching the three was that he thought the team was down by two. That sounds like something that would be covered in the huddle. To be fair no one besides the Knicks know what was said in that huddle. Did Woodson clearly explain the scenario and no one was pay attention? Was it just J.R. just wanting to be the hero? The only thing that is certain is that this team needs a wake-up call. Someone needs to be exiled from The Garden. Late game management is something all the great teams thrive in and this Knicks team is far from great at the moment. Aside from Chandler, Iman Shumpert and Tim Hardaway Jr. no other Knick seems as engaged in the game. 

The question that no one wants to hear the answer to is ‘has this team given up?’ I say the team hasn't, but wouldn't be surprised if certain players have checked out. With trade rumors now rumbling of Melo to one of the Clippers it is not farfetched to think the white towel is close to being thrown into the ring. If this road trip ends with more losses than wins it will be hard to imagine Melo in blue and orange come next year. Let us pray that last night’s blunder can be chalked up as low basketball IQ and not as something bigger.

YOU'RE FIRED: Knicks Edition

The Boardroom

It's Donald Trump time...we're bringing it back 'Apprentice Style' because it’s time to make some changes. Not just A change but NUMEROUS changes before it’s too late. At 5-15 the Knicks are following the steps to successfully tanking. Except there’s one problem; they have no draft pick to tank for...typical Dolan move, always keeping us on our toes.  With that said let's all pretend we are in a dream world where guaranteed contracts are no more. Let’s go through the roster and staff to see who should remain hired or who should be fired. 

James Dolan, Owner: If only you can fire owners.

Verdict: HIRED BY DEFAULT, but go touring with your band for a few months and leave the team to your wife. I'm sure even she could do a better job. 

Steve Mills, GM: Mills has done as much work as the Knicks City Dancers this season. Dolan replaced Glen Grunwald right before the season because Grunwald was too ‘classical’ in his thinking and didn’t embrace the analytical side. Seems like Mills doesn’t embrace winning in his thinking. However let's give him until mid-December to see if he can get creative.

Verdict: TENTATIVELY-HIRED

Mike Woodson, Head Coach: I would not have imagined myself questioning if Woodson could coach this team last year. He was a Coach of the Year candidate. He got the Knicks the two seed and got them out of the first round. Sadly this is a ‘what have you done for me lately’ league and Woodson has done close to nothing. Coaches are hired to be fired and fe refuses to give younger guys more play. He is hell-bent on ruining Shumpert’s development in favor of J.R. Every coach has ‘their guy’ and Woodson’s is Smith. Not a wise choice, Woody. We know you’re not the chief problem, but you didn’t do much to help.

Verdict: FIRED

Raymond Felton, Point Guard: Rip City Raymond is back and it looks like he isn’t going anywhere. Felton has been borderline unwatchable this year and is in the top five worst starting point guards in the league. Any point guard with a decent first step is good for 20 against him. To be fair he has been banged up and said he pulled a hammy last night chasing Kyrie around. Why don’t you take the rest of the year off Raymond, seriously think about it.

Verdict: FIRED

Iman Shumpert, Shooting Guard: I have never seen a team’s only young asset get treated like this. The Knicks should be thankful Shumpert doesn’t have J.R.’s “f**k this” switch and stop trying. Woodson has been benching him late in games for reasons unclear to everyone. It’s known that Melo thinks highly of Shump as does everyone in New York not named James Dolan and Mike Woodson. If the Knicks have any hope of being good in the future they need to hold onto their young assets.

Verdict: HIRED

Carmelo Anthony, Small Forward: Do I really have to go through this? He is the best player the team has by a mile. But he also needs to ignite this team from the inside. He proclaims to be the leader now let's show that you can lead this bunch of misfits out of the fire. 

Verdict: HIRED, but may fire himself at season's end.

Andrea Bargnani, Power Forward: Despite all the bad that has happened, Bargnani has been a pleasant surprise. He’s the second best scorer this year and has a nice mean streak in him. If Bargnani can play like “Bargnani Sabonis” as Shaq calls him, he can be a really nice bench piece. If he can figure out how to consistently play defense the Knicks can get some return on that trade.

Verdict: HIRED

Tyson Chandler, Center: If there is one Knick who assured himself a job in this disaster it’s Chandler. Since he got injured on November 5^th the team defense has reached Dallas Cowboys level. Opponents are getting to the paint like they have EZ-Pass and rebounds have come at a premium. The sooner Tyson is back, the better. 

Verdict: HIRED

J.R. Smith, Sixth Man: J.R. has proved his haters correct time after time this season. Since he chin checked Jason Terry in Game 3 of round 1 in last year’s playoffs he hasn’t been the same. He has gone backwards. He’s back to shooting fade-away midrange shots. He’s shooting 20-percent from the field. With the emergence of Tim Hardaway Jr. Smith has become replaceable. If the Knicks can find a team to take J.R. and his brother Chris the Knicks should not even hesitate.

Verdict: FIRED

Amar’e Stoudemire, Power Forward: Standing Tall And Talented. What used to be. His body has betrayed him. Stoudemire’s significance cannot be overlooked. He helped bring the Knicks back and that should never be forgotten. There is no Melo without Amar’e. Unfortunately like with Woodson this is a “what have you done for me lately” business and Stoudemire has looked like a grandpa. He looks like Uncle Drew in the opening minutes of his video. I wish Stoudemire the best.

Verdict: FIRED

Kenyon Martin, Power Forward: Martin has done a good job in his minutes. He’s brought toughness and overall energy. He rarely takes a play off. The problem with Martin is his health. He’s on the wrong side of 35. It’s a tough decision, but don’t expect Martin back after this year.

Verdict: FIRED

Tim Hardaway Jr., Shooting Guard: Hardaway Jr. has joined Shum in the young asset department. He’s shot the ball well and has provided a spark for the team when he’s been given minutes. I get confused when reports come out saying Hardaway Jr.’s emergence spells death for Shumpert. How? His game more resembles J.R., good scorer and not so good on defense. Moving forward if Hardaway Jr. can work on his defense he looks like he can be the sixth man of the future.

Verdict: HIRED

Pablo Prigioni, Point Guard: Let’s get this out of the way, he should be starting. Kyrie did make him look just as silly as Felton, but Prigioni has played better than Felton. He’s in the top five of three-point shooting percentage and is always good for a couple of steals. The team just resigned him in the offseason for three years, give him a shot. Platooning him and Murry might be the move the Knicks have to make.

Verdict: HIRED

Metta World Peace, Small Forward: It’s always good to have a guy like Metta. He never takes a play off. He plays tough defense and knocks down shots on occasion. He’s a world champion and someone you want on your side in the playoffs when things start getting physical. When Kobe says your one of the few players he will go to war with, that’s saying something.

Verdict: HIRED

Beno Udrih, Point Guard: He’s not bad, but he’s not good. He’s just kind of there. He did have a superb effort against the Pacers, but has done nothing since. No disrespect to Udrih, but he can be replaced with relative ease.

Verdict: FIRED

Toure Murry, Combo Guard: I’ve been saying Murry should get a shot since the regular season started. What can he do that will hurt the team any more than Felton and company already have? He can stay in front of these quick guards better than any other point guard on the team. If history says anything, then Murry can be part of the Knicks 14^th guy trend that has worked out lovely the past two years with Lin and Copeland. Give the young buck a shot damn it!

Verdict: HIRED

Cole Aldrich, Center: When Tyson Chandler went down some thought Aldrich would get a look. Wrong. Woodson has used the seven-footer in garbage time only. In fairness to Woodson, Aldrich didn’t exactly bound and astound in the preseason, but why not put him in for at least six fouls? When Jeremy Tyler begins to improve in the D-league, expect the Knicks to bring him on board and send Aldrich packing.

Verdict: FIRED

Chris Smith, Point Guard: One unnamed member of the Knicks staff said Smith might be the worst player in the league. Enough said.

Verdict: ALREADY FIRED...enjoy taking up $1 mil in cap space in the D-League. Good move again Jimmy D. Nepotism at it's finest. 

It remains to be seen which moves the Knicks will make to help turn things around, but something needs to be done. New Yorkers, not known for their patience have already voiced their displeasure. It’s time for a change to be made.

KNICKS RANT VIDEO: So absurd, yet so on-point.

T

Via Deadspin. There's not many good things about a Knicks losing streak, however the passion that us Knicks fans display is great and hilarious. This guy makes some great points and how can you blame him after the way we've been playing. 
Some great quotes: 

"I'm naming veterans. I'm not naming garbage. We lost by 31 f**king points." - So true. Where's the leadership from these guys those.
"Patrick Ewing. They go ahead and offer you a job, pull your dick out and piss on em'" - no words, just truth. HAHAHAHA. 

"I just skip motherf***king church. I just skipped church to come home on Sunday and watch these raggedy bastards play." - Even god can't save this team.

"I'ma put the Wire as my [screensaver]" - Great choice of a new screensaver, best show on TV.

You know it was bad when he buries about $170 worth of Knicks apparel, including those ill ass orange & blue kicks in the snow and puts on some Lebron slippers. Can you blame him though?? He's fed up. He deserves a free Knickstape tee though.  

The quote to sum up the season:
"Melo on down, no heart! 'Why Melo?' Bitch, you the leader? Blame starts with your ass. Make somebody else better with your sorry ass." - Can't put all the blame on Melo, but he's totally right. You're the leader of this team. Get in on everyone and make sure your teammates are playing their asses off. 

Kyrie-Bynum Offer Tough Task for Confused Knicks

via the Daily News

Just when you thought they turned the corner, following back-to-back wins, the Knicks got blown out of their building by their bitter foes the Boston Celtics. So much for them being an easy win this year. Maybe the Knicks can’t perform in those hideous orange alternates. Maybe the Knicks just haven’t figured it out. Maybe Boston is not as bad as we thought. Whatever the reason was for that disgrace of a performance doesn’t matter. Let’s move forward.

The Knicks try to add one to the win column tonight against an equally disappointing Cleveland team. The Cavs are coming off an impressive home victory against the Clippers. Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson both had bounce back games after scoring a combined 9 points in a blowout loss to Atlanta. Andrew Bynum has been quietly playing well for Cleveland this year and has scored 20 points in back-to-back games.

The Knicks are coming off yet another dud of a performance. Boston shellacked the Knicks 34-11 in the first period and never looked back. Raymond Felton has lost a step. J.R. and Iman are too streaky and Mike Woodson seems hell-bent on not giving Toure Murry a legitimate shot.  The lone bright spot was Amar’e Stoudemire’s 17 points on 7-10 shooting. Against Cleveland the Knicks need to come out and punch the Cavs in the face like what they did to the Nets on Thursday. This game won’t be won in the first period, but it sure as hell can be lost.

For the Knicks to win the backcourt has to play great defense and knock down some shots. Last game the backcourt combined for 5-25 (20%). Coach Woodson really needs to find out if Felton is slumping or has he regressed back to his old Rip City self. You know the overweight and overmatched point guard who Portland fans hated in his one year there? I’ve been saying this for weeks, but with Kyrie Irving on the other side Coach Woodson has to look at another option. If he doesn’t want to put Toure' Murry in for whatever reason at least shift Shumpert to the point and platoon Smith and Hardaway Jr. at the two.

Up front Melo and Bargnani should be able to hold their own as long as they’re physical. We know Bynum can quit when the going gets tough and Thompson cannot carry the frontcourt load especially while defending Melo or Bargnani. This is an extremely winnable game if the Knicks show up. Everyone needs to show up, from Coach Woodson all the way down to Cole Aldrich. If they do that the Knicks will get a much needed win and if they don’t? May Jim Dolan have mercy on their souls.