Slaughter at the Staples Center

Stick a fork in them. Wave the white flag. It’s over. Last night with the opportunity to inch closer to a playoff spot the Knicks took a massive dump losing to the lowly Lakers. The estranged Mike D’Antoni’s team made the future estranged coach Mike Woodson and friends look incompetent. You would have thought that Kobe Bryant went off for 40 or 50 points after glancing at the 127-96 final score. He wasn't even suited up. Neither was Pau Gasol or Steve Nash. A team with Xavier Henry as their best player on the floor torched the Knicks for 127 points and scored 51 points in the third quarter!

To say it was a disgrace of a performance would be as big as an understatement as saying Mike Woodson will be head coach next season. The leading rebounder for the Knicks was Carmelo Anthony with 9. Where was Tyson Chandler? Where was Amar’e Stoudemire? Why can’t Raymond Felton play a month of good basketball? Is Mike Woodson trying to get fired or has the locker room given him a giant middle finger and started planning vacations? These are questions that Phil Jackson has to answer sooner rather than later.

Last night’s performance was a microcosm of the whole season. Every time it looks like the Knicks are going to wake up they go back to sleep. During their winning streak there was ball movement, defensive pressure, enthusiasm. Last night? There were more open lanes to the basket than I-105. Woodson showed as much leadership as his team did effort. New President of Basketball Operations Phil Jackson had a similar sentiment on the situation. The game left Jackson so disgusted he decided to leave the game with nine minutes left in the fourth quarter, to walk his dog.

Jackson got to see first-hand how much work he has to do in the offseason. That’s all the organization should be focused on. This season is over. Last night was the third or fourth time the Knicks have defecated on a chance to right their wrongs. Jackson and the Knicks need to start looking to the future and if Carmelo Anthony is a part of that future. If anyone on the roster right now is part of the future for that matter. Jackson told the New York Times that the team needs a talent overhaul. Yes lots of talent and a prayer should do the trick. 

New York...We Have a Problem.

In the midst of a four game losing streak it is time for the Knicks to change course. This team is not cut out to compete. The Tin Man has more heart than this team. It is time for the Knicks to realistically look ahead for once. No more pipe dreams please. They need to cut their losses early.  Selling a Rondo, Love and Melo nucleus is a dream, not a reality. To help make that a reality Steve Mills and company need to blow this thing up and go into all out reconstruction mode. There are two routes the Knicks can go at this: with Carmelo Anthony or without him. Let’s map out which ways the Knicks can take this. 

Route 1: Anthony on Board

Let us not forget that the reason the Knicks are in the predicament they are in is because Anthony was hell bent on getting his money sooner rather than later. Instead of waiting to sign in the offseason Anthony told the Knicks now or never. You know the rest of the story. If Anthony is still about his money the Knicks give him the max contract this summer. On the trade front every player not named Iman Shumpert or Tim Hardaway Jr. should be for sale. It was reported last week by Frank Isola of the Daily News that teams have inquired about Chandler, but the Knicks are not interested in dealing him. The team owes it to Chandler that he no longer has to suffer with being the lone defender and deal him to a contender.

A team like the Clippers or Trail Blazers would be nice trade partners for the Knicks. The ideal scenario would be for one of these teams to take Chandler and J.R. Smith’s contract in exchange for a young player or draft picks. However, getting any team to take on J.R.’s contract is as likely as someone taking Amar’e Stoudemire’s. This is where the team would have to part ways with a Shumpert or Hardaway Jr. Teams have already inquired about Shumpert and the Knicks have already shown they are willing to part ways with their best two way player. Shumpert will likely yield the greatest return, but they should make that trade only if there are no takers for Smith (a likely case). Mills can add Felton to any offer with the point guard making a paltry $3 million over 3 years. If Mills can somehow unload Bargnani he should get the key to the city and free up even more cap space to go after Love and maybe entice LeBron James to jump ship. It’s a stretch, but so is saying the Knicks are a playoff team.

Route 2: Anthony Flees

If Carmelo Anthony has finally had enough, which it looks like he has, then the Knicks need to start shopping their star. Anthony is easily their best asset and can flip him to a contender that is willing to roll the dice on him re-signing in the summer. In this scenario the Knicks objective is get young players and draft picks. The building blocks would be Shumpert, Hardaway Jr. and maybe even Jeremy Tyler and Toure’ Murry depending on how they perform down the stretch. The team has treated draft picks with little to no importance and its big reason why they are where they are right now. If the team can turn Melo into a draft pick for this year or next year’s draft (both expected to be deep drafts) then they have to pull the trigger. If Mills can make the team eat Smith’s contract then it’s an even bigger win. Chandler would be the second player traded, if not included in a deal with Anthony. Chandler’s contract is good enough for teams to make a trade with Felton attached. Shedding Bargnani and Stoudemire would likely happen in the summer or next season when they become expiring deals.

Best Route?

Whichever route the Knicks decide if they actually go into reconstruction mode will be dependent on how successful Mills is in the trade market. If Mills can’t wheel and deal then keeping Anthony is unlikely and will have to build with younger guys like Hardaway Jr. and Shumpert. If the Knicks bottom out and get a high pick next year they can run out a nucleus of Jabari Parker or Joel Embiid, two players who have been indecisive of whether they are going to declare for the NBA Draft. This may be another pipe dream, but Parker is more likely to stay at Duke another year giving the Knicks more incentive to bottom out and hope they strike gold.

If Mills is able to wheel and deal, shedding Smith’s contract in a Chandler deal then convincing Melo to stay is the best option. Kevin Love and LeBron James are free agents in 2015 and a core of Melo, Shumpert and Hardaway Jr. doesn’t sound bad. Lakers Nation reported that Love intends to become a free agent and his hometown Lakers and Knicks are two likeliest destinations. Stephen A. Smith said on First Take that if LeBron James leaves Miami the Knicks and Cavs are only places he would consider going. Whatever James Dolan ends up deciding let us pray he lets the basketball people do what he pays them to do.  It’s time he gives the loyal Knick fans a straight answer. We’re tired of dreaming.

Knicks Hold Off Suns, Move Into Playoff Position

Tina informs Melo that he's in the middle of a back-to-back. Melo's reaction is priceless.

You can officially take your hand of the panic button if your heart is still beating after another nail-biter at The Garden. With last night’s win against the Phoenix Suns the Knicks are now 6-1 in 2014. They're on a season-high five game winning streak and have moved into the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference. Carmelo Anthony continued his dominant play putting up 29 points and 16 rebounds in addition to 4 assists and a steal. Outside of Anthony scoring was hard to come by with Raymond Felton being the second leading scorer with 19 points. Felton got to the basket relentlessly and knocked down a huge corner three to give the Knicks a two-point lead late in regulation. The Suns were relentless all night, pulling down board after board and hitting big shots to keep them in the game.

Goran Dragic led the Suns with 28 points and 8 rebounds giving the Knicks all they could handle. Veteran guard Leandro Barbosa torched the Knicks for 21 points, putting up 14 in the fourth quarter alone. The bench did not have the stellar performance it has had of late, but provided some clutch buckets from the likes of Tim Hardaway Jr. and J.R. Smith. Iman Shumpert and Andrea Bargnani shooting woes continued, but also provided some energy plays and big shots. Kenyon Martin did his best to hold down the defensive side of the ball without Tyson Chandler for a fourth straight game. Martin had 8 points and 9 rebounds with some nice tip-in slams. Chandler spoke with reporters yesterday and said he was optimistic that he will be back in the line-up Tuesday against the Charlotte Bobcats.

This hot streak could not have come at a more opportune time. After Tuesday’s game in Charlotte the Knicks will head for Indiana on Thursday to take on rising-star Paul George and the Pacers, seeking revenge for a memorable overtime loss at The Garden back in November.  The team then returns home on the back end of a back-to-back against the Clippers. With Chandler back and every one starting to buy in, these next couples of games will be crucial if the Knicks want to steal back the Atlantic crown from the first place Toronto Raptors.

The biggest difference from the 2013 Knicks to the 2014 Knicks has been their resiliency late in games. When the Suns fought back to take the lead in the fourth quarter, Anthony and company persevered and eked out another victory. The Knicks team from the end of 2013 seemed to always fold the tent and lose a close game (see the Washington Wizards game in December). The 2014 Knicks have more resolve and are finding ways to navigate the storm and get the job done. Maybe the team is tired of the trade rumors, coach firings and being the butt of every of joke. Maybe Coach Woodson and company have righted the ship. Only time will tell. 

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.

An Open Letter to Coach Woodson

Coach Woodson,

We know these are dark times. We know you are without the anchor of your defense. We know the front office didn’t do much to improve the roster this past offseason. What we don’t know is why you don’t play the young bucks more. You were on the bench when Linsanity happened. What more do you have to lose? You’re the best coach this team has had since Jeff Van Gundy fled for Houston, but you are falling off your game. Your message is not getting through to the team. The effort is just not there. On Thursday you and your team can right some of the wrongs by beating that team from Brooklyn. Here are a couple suggestions for that battle.

As you saw last night and throughout his limited minutes this season, Tim Hardaway Jr. is a baller and not afraid to take that big shot. We get that you and J.R. are tight and that you think highly of him, but facts are facts; he’s coming off an injury and playing like it. We know how shaky J.R. can be and you can lose his attention as fast as you can get it, but he has not shown that he should be getting those crunch time minutes. Hardaway Jr. on the other hand has shown that he should at least get an opportunity to take those minutes. What do you have to lose? You can’t dip any lower than where we are right now.

Another young buck that hasn’t sniffed the court has been rookie Toure' Murry. Murry was impressive in the preseason, but has not been given an opportunity in the regular season. Instead you have opted for Beno Udrih, Pablo Prigioni and Raymond Felton to defend quick guards like John Wall, Damian Lillard and so on. This is eerily similar to Lin in 2011 and Copeland in 2012. Why not see if history repeats itself again? I have little doubt Murry can do as bad as the older guys have been on defense. Murry is a long lanky guard who can actually stay in front of these quick point guards. Again I ask, what do you really have to lose?

Finally let's get back to small ball. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Last year’s team finished with 54 wins; the most since 1995 when Pat Riley and Patrick Ewing still occupied the building. This team is at its best when Melo is at the four, Shump at the three and either Hardaway or J.R. at the two. Without Tyson, Martin can play the five with Amar’e or Bargnani backing him up.

In the end Coach, everyone's suggestions mean nothing. You’re the head coach. On Thursday you face the rival team from Brooklyn. A win against them will help to right this quickly sinking ship. The only thing that is certain is that some type of change needs to be made and you’re the only one in position to do so. It’s time to put all the cards on the table Thursday. We’ll be watching.

Sincerely,

Knickstape

Amar'e Frustrated as Melo and Knicks Make Their Way to the Mile-High

via Giphy.com

You find out the mettle of a team in its darkest hours. The Knicks don’t seem to have much of that. After their seventh straight loss the Knicks’ locker room is as united as the 2011 Red Sox. Their $100 million dollar Amar’e Stoudemire has had enough of losing and according to New York Daily News’ Frank Isola STAT’s frustration with the team is at an “all-time high”. That’s great Amar’e. This hasn’t been the first time Stoudemire has voiced his frustration with the team’s play. In his first year with the team starting out 2-8 when Stoudemire voiced his displeasure with the team’s effort. The team responded with a west coast winning streak. 

We can only hope history repeats it self. Going into tonight’s tilt with Denver the Knicks will have their chance to get back on track. Winning fixes everything. In order to win the Knicks will have to show effort, something that comes naturally to every team except the Knicks apparently. The lack of leadership in the locker room is growing more and more obvious. Last year veterans like Jason Kidd, Rasheed Wallace and Kurt Thomas kept order through thick and thin. This year it seems like no one in the locker room has that leadership ability. This is not a reflection of Mike Woodson. Woodson isn’t out on the court, on the front lines. Every team needs that on the court coach, a role Melo has tried to take on, but has come up unsuccessful. J.R. Smith continues to prove his doubters right, Shumpert has clearly been affected by the trade rumors and Tyson Chandler won’t be back for another two weeks. 

Amar’e Stoudemire is not the player he once was, but maybe he can be the leader he never was. The Knicks aren’t going to get their money’s worth from Stoudemire on the court. Stoudemire can earn his money another way; he can be that veteran leader and get that locker room in order. He’s been in the game long enough, played with vets like Kidd, Steve Nash and Grant Hill. The first step for Stoudemire will be practicing what he is preaching. Stoudemire said the ball movement needs to be better when asked about Shumpert’s and others Knicks’ struggles; in order for the ball to move you have to kick it back out of the post Amar’e! I have faith in Amar’e and I believe his leadership can turn the ship around like it did a couple seasons back. For once Knicks fans hope history repeats it self.

Time To Freak Out: Knicks Weekly Panic Meter

via NBC Sports

At 3-6 and sitting at 12^th place in the Eastern Conference and third place in the Atlantic Division the Knicks are experiencing serious early season struggles. This can be attributed to the loss of their defensive anchor Tyson Chandler or the minutes limit on both Amar’e Stoudemire and Kenyon Martin. On Sunday the Knicks were thrashed by 20 by the same Atlanta Hawks team they beat a couple nights ago. Tempers are starting to run high. Fans are starting to panic. Let’s break it down.

Orange Is the New Black

For the fourth time this season the Knicks sported their orange alternate jerseys and for the fourth time they lost. The Knicks are 0-4 wearing their alternates and have been competitive in only one of those four (at Chicago). It may be time to hang the orange unis up and go back to the traditional home whites and road blues. Unfortunately that is some wishful thinking as they plan to wear the alternates at least 6 more times this season. Honestly they should be winning no matter what jerseys they wear, even if it's those ugly Christmas pajamas. 

Woodson’s Hot Seat

The fire under Coach Woodson’s behind might be bigger than MSG at this point. The team has looked like they don't care at times. Opposing teams have been getting to the basket like they have E-ZPass. While it is far from Woodson’s fault that his team has given as much effort as Andrew Bynum did in Philadelphia someone has to answer. With no viable back-up for Chandler signed in the offseason Woodson has been left to scramble for anybody willing to defend the basket. Andrea Bargnani has surprised a lot of people this past week as he finally seems to be fitting in on offense and turned in a superb effort against Dwight Howard on Thursday. As great as Bargs has been playing the Knicks need a legitimate center that can guard the post and grab rebounds. Frank Isola reported earlier today that Woodson is thinking about inserting Kenyon Martin into the starting lineup to help fill this void.

So Long Shump?

Iman Shumpert for whatever reason seems to be the Fall Guy of the Knicks early season struggles. The team tried to deal Shumpert away to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for high-energy guy Kenneth Faried but was denied. ESPN New York’s Ian Begley reported that the Knicks have now reached out to the Boston Celtics in hopes of forming a deal centered around Shumpert and Rajon Rondo. While this is the only deal that makes sense short and long term for the team the thought of the rivals doing business is hard to imagine. Hell if the Nets could heist the Celtics why not the Knicks? Anything outside of a Rondo deal, or for a big that can provide some size and rebounding in Chandler's absence, would not be a wise move by GM Steve Mills.

Courting Melo

Melo is not a happy camper. He was quoted by Marc Berman of the New York Daily Post saying “We got to play harder. We're not playing worth a [expletive] right now.” The team’s effort or lack of is starting to irritate Anthony as he continues to be a one man show on offense and watching opponents come into his house and wipe the floor with his team. Raymond Felton has been getting shredded by any point guard with a good first step, J.R. is regressing to the old J.R. and Tyson Chandler is out for at least five more weeks. The front office isn’t doing much better shopping Shumpert who Anthony thinks can be a great player in a couple years. If Shumpert is dealt for anyone not named Rajon Rondo or Gasol be afraid Knicks fans, be very afraid.

Panic Meter: 6

The lack of effort is getting to the point where you wonder if the team actually cares anymore. They have not defended their home court at all starting 1-5 at The Garden this year. They lost 10 games at The Garden all year last year. The Knicks have a difficult upcoming week with matchups against a big Detroit team, the Indiana Pacers, the best team in the conference not named Miami, and Washington on Saturday. This stretch will put the team’s heart to the test and by Saturday night we will see how much pride this unit has.

Knicks look for Bargnani to Step Up Big to Stop the Slide

via Fansided.com

The Knicks wrap up their home and home series with the Charlotte Bobcats Friday looking to snap a three game losing streak. The first half of the series took place on Tuesday, a game most Knicks fans hope to quickly forget. For the second straight game the team came out lethargic and let their opponent score at ease. Even more disastrous was the news that came out Wednesday, defensive anchor Tyson Chandler will be out at least a month with what the team is calling a fractured right fibula. Chandler is the Knicks best defender and only real defensive presence down low. Going into Charlotte it will be interesting to see who is going to fill that void at center for Coach Mike Woodson. Jeremy Tyler is reportedly close to joining the team, but has yet to begin rehab. Amar’e Stoudemire had a rough game Tuesday, but what a time it would be for STAT to shut up naysayers and come up big. Kenyon Martin played decent on Tuesday, but with a minutes limit on both him and Stoudemire it’s hard for either to get in rhythm. Seven-Footer Cole Aldrich would make the most sense to at least get a couple minutes at center as Aldrich has yet to take off his warm-ups.

For the Knicks to snap this losing streak the perimeter defense has to be exceptional so expect a lot of Pablo Prigioni and Iman Shumpert on Kemba Walker and Gerald Henderson respectively. Woodson has opted to go with Andrea Bargnani at the five (UHH OH), so Carmelo Anthony will have to be a monster on the boards which he has shown he can do. On the offensive end the Knicks are still a work in progress and waiting for J.R. Smith to return from suspension. For Friday expect Tim Hardaway Jr. to get a lot more minutes as he has proven that he can score when given the opportunity. Raymond Felton will have to get the offense moving early in the game and keep the pace high so they cannot get exposed in the half court with no real center. Bobcats marquee free agent signing and low post monster Al Jefferson didn’t play Tuesday and didn’t play on Wednesday against the Raptors. If he ends up sitting out again it gives the Knicks the upper hand. In the end the key for the Knicks will be effort. If they come out firing they will be in good shape, but if they come out dragging their feet and letting people in the paint like EZ-Pass it’s going to be a long night.