The clock is about to strike midnight on D'Antoni's time in New York. (AP Image)
With a 104-99 loss to Chicago, being out rebounded 56-38, the New York Knicks have now effectively lost 6 games in a row. The only question now, is how many more losses til D’Antoni is officially fired? A home loss on Wednesday to Portland, will most likely do it. The Knicks have had a tough schedule, as of late, and it hasn’t been easy getting Melo back into the offense since Linsanity took off. But there’s no excuse for dropping every singe game whether it be to a tough team or a tough road game, the Knicks should have won at least a couple of them. However, coming up, their scheduled gets much, much easier than the last six games, and based on last night’s performance, the Knicks could get on a roll. Either that, or D’Antoni is gone.
With two back to back winnable home games (kinda hard though to define winnable when the Knicks get blown out by Milwaukee) against Portland and Indiana. Then a streak that includes Toronto twice, Milwaukee, Detroit, and ending with Cleveland on March 31st, the Knicks could easily climb back into things. All they need to do is beat a few teams like Atlanta and Indiana, that are above .500, and they’ll be right back in the thick of things.
However, let’s reflect on why the Knicks are on a 6 game losing streak, and why they are 2-8 since Carmelo returned:
Strength of Schedule
Without question, the Knicks schedule has been much, much tougher since Melo returned. In fact, you could make a very good argument that the last couple of weeks has been by far the toughest part of the Knicks schedule. From February 19th, to March 12th, in the weak Eastern Conference these are the teams the Knicks have faced:
Dallas (twice)
San Antonio
Atlanta
Miami
Chicago
Boston
Philadelphia
So going into Melo’s return, you could have easily forecasted a storm coming. Just not this big of a storm.
"Hey it's not my fault!" As Carmelo claims his innocence. (AP Image)
Mediocre Coaching
What do you want me to say? The reality is the coaching hasn’t been great. I mean, I know it has been tough trying integrate Melo back in the offense, a struggling Baron Davis, and the high flying big shot J.R. Smith. But the reality is, you’re paid $6 million a year to work in this kind of environment and succeed, and you’re players have given little to no effort in half the losses in this recent streak. In the Boston game, Pierce doesn’t hit that shot if you foul him and don’t give him the opportunity. It was a tough shot, but it also was from a great shooter that hits those types of shots on a daily basis. The lineup has changed, injuries to Chandler and Jeffries have hurt, but still, you gotta find a way to motivate players and bring it all together. No excuses.
Injuries…Again
Jared Jeffries may not exactly be an NBA MVP candidate or literally any kind of offensive threat, but what he brings to the Knicks is undeniable, it’s the one thing they lack: Hustle, rebounding, and defense. So with Jeffries injured for 4 of the 6 games, and Chandler not suiting up for 2 of the 6 games, yeah the injury bug has definitely played a part in the losses. Especially last Friday night vs Milwaukee, where the Knicks played literally no-defense against a mediocre Milwaukee squad.
Melo Lost
This is the biggest reason D’Antoni is gone with another loss, or definitely gone at the end of the season. Carmelo Anthony does not fit or function well at all in D’Antoni’s offense. D’Antoni and Melo, do not mix, do not gel, and right now, do not like each (or have ever liked each other). D’Antoni didn’t want the Melo trade, Jim Dolan did, and gave up every single thing that D’Antoni had worked for and had going good for him with the Knicks roster at the time. Jim Dolan has essentially sabotaged the Knicks, time, and time, and time again. None of that is D’Antoni’s fault, but at the same time, he knew what he was signing up for. He believed things could go right, but how can you believe in anything when you have the worst owner in sports: James Dolan.
To Summarize: James Dolan is to Blame for Everything
For over ten years now, James Dolan has made the Knicks the laughingstock of the NBA. (AP Image)
He traded away a winning Knicks team last year, and he refuses to let D’Antoni, or any coach run the system they believe is best for winning. D’Antoni’s roster moves aren’t even entirely his decision. Who he plays or who he doesn’t play is directly dictated by Dolan and GM Grunwald. The last 10 years of horrible decisions, and mounting losses is all to blame on Dolan’s shoulders. If Carmelo couldn’t wait til the summer to sign with the Knicks…let him go to New Jersey. Don’t trade half the team away to bring in a player who lacks effort and can’t seem to play any defense at all. Then tell your head coach to make a super-ego fit in with his “Team First” offense where no superstar thrives, only good point guards like say Steve Nash, or Raymond Felton. James Dolan is responsible for everything, and will eventually be responsible for firing D’Antoni in a couple days.
