New York Knicks: Should The Knicks Tank The Rest Of The NBA Season?

Despite a gutsy quadruple overtime loss against the Hawks, the Knicks are still just 21-28. Should the Knicks tank the rest of the season?

Despite the most valiant of efforts against the Atlanta Hawks, the New York Knicks suffered a devastating quadruple-overtime loss, 142-139. It begs the question: should the Knicks tank the rest of the season?

Prior to this game, most Knicks fans thought this team lacked mental toughness. Against Atlanta, the Knicks proved us wrong.

I’m not one to hand out moral victories or commend losing. However, yesterday’s quadruple-overtime thriller in Atlanta without Derrick Rose is an exception to the rule.

In a game where Carmelo Anthony, Kristaps Porzingis, Joakim Noah, and Kyle O’Quinn all fouled out, the Knicks continued to battle and make plays down the stretch.

If teams need proof of the “next man up” mentality, show them footage of this game.

As trade rumors intensified, it seemed as though Anthony’s time in New York was running out. With his back against the wall, Anthony showed up and showed out.

In 46 minutes of play, Anthony poured in a season-high 45 points on 50 percent shooting, along with six rebounds, four assists, and a block.

Most importantly, he hit tough shot after tough shot, including two clutch shots to send the game into overtime, and double overtime.

Let’s call a spade a spade.

Anthony was blatantly fouled on that play, and should have been awarded a free throw attempt following the made basket. Chances are, the game ends right there.

As soon as he made the basket, the announcer immediately yelled, “And there’s no foul?”

Fast forward to the end of overtime and the Knicks are again down two points. Anthony takes matters into his own hands and ties the game again.

The Knicks were not only battling the Hawks last night, they were also battling the referees. At one point, Dennis Schroder slammed the ball and it went into the crowd.

That, by definition, is a technical foul. Again, not called.

After losing Porzingis, Anthony, and Noah to fouling out, the Knicks were down to their role players. Against all odds, the Knicks continued to make plays in double overtime.

Courtney Lee, who has played some great basketball as of late, proved that offseason contract was worth every single penny.

With the game on the line, Lee took his defender one-on-one and took a deep three pointer. If nothing else, this game has boosted the confidence of many Knicks players.

Notice Anthony after Lee hits this game-tying shot. For a team that was battling identity issues for a majority of this season, it seemed that last night brought them together.

Anthony played for his guys and his guys played for him.

Although there’s no video, Anthony even drew up a play on defense for the team to close out one of the overtime periods. That’s leadership that we haven’t seen from Anthony—ever.

His teammates responded with the grittiest game of the season. Even in a loss, this game may have been enough to stall Jackson’s trade ambitions.

Brandon Jennings seems to think so.

After four hours of basketball, the Knicks fell to 21-28 on the season, 2.5 games behind the eighth place Charlotte Hornets, which New York just beat on Friday night.

Despite the courageous efforts by Anthony and Co., the Knicks fell to seven games below .500 after 49 completed games. The question remains: Should the Knicks tank the rest of the season?

The answer is no. Why?