The New York Knicks suffered a disastrous loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. The loss signaled that it’s time for the Knicks to shake things up.
Enough is enough.
As much as I wanted to see this team make a run at the playoffs, it’s time to shake things up.
Prior to the loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, the New York Knicks were 22-30. Despite their record, the Knicks were just 1.5 games back of the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference.
The Lakers were coming into this game with 12 straight road losses and an overall record of 18-35. The Knicks were favored to win this game, but instead came out and stunk it up from the very beginning.
The Knicks led the Lakers 6-4 in the early stages of the game, but never led again.
Brandon Jennings: "We all make millions of dollars playing this game so the least we can do is go out there and play hard every night."
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) February 7, 2017
Throughout the season, Knicks fans have seen a wide array of losses by the Knicks. A buzzer-beater loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, a quadruple overtime loss to the Atlanta Hawks, and an in-and-out 3-point attempt by Carmelo Anthony in the final seconds of the Suns game.
However, last night’s loss wasn’t a competitive game that was lost in the final minutes due to lack of execution. Last night’s loss was a result of minimal effort, and that is unacceptable.
Carmelo: "Pride, effort, however you want to put it, it just wasn't there. My word is effort. Coach's word is pride. It just wasn't there."
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) February 7, 2017
Whether it was a lack of pride or lack of effort, it’s clear the Knicks’ starters have neither.
Anthony, who has been heckled for the past few weeks about potential trade destinations, was the only Knick with over 20 points. He had 26 points on 10-17 shooting, three rebounds, five assists, and a +/- of -9.
Only Willy Hernangomez and Justin Holiday had a +/- over zero.
Derrick Rose made his return and was virtually non-existent. He scored just five points on 2-of-8 shooting and had four rebounds, three assists, and a +/- of -12.
Kristaps Porzingis continued to struggle from the field, scoring 16 points on 5-of-14 shooting, and adding nine rebounds, two blocks and a +/- of -17.
Kristaps said NYK doesn't trust each other often enough: 'It’s kind of everybody for (themselves) a lot of times. Both ends of the floor.'
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) February 7, 2017
This team wears their heart on their sleeve, and the body language last night was atrocious. To come out with that intensity against an inferior team at home, knowing you’re just 1.5 games back of a playoff spot, is embarrassing.
Some fingers will certainly be pointed in Anthony’s direction following a loss like this, considering he’s the leader of this team. Other fingers will be pointed in Jeff Hornacek’s direction for allowing his team to come out and play this lackadaisical.
The remaining fingers will be pointed at Phil Jackson, who has been absolutely silent throughout this circus of a season.
Last night’s performance speaks volumes to the current morale of this team, and it seems like certain players have given up.
If so, the Knicks are in desperate need of change.