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New York Knicks: The State Of The Knicks After The All-Star Break

By Shawn Farhadian

December 11, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6), guard Derrick Rose (25), forward Carmelo Anthony (7) and guard Courtney Lee (5) react during the 118-112 victory against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
December 11, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6), guard Derrick Rose (25), forward Carmelo Anthony (7) and guard Courtney Lee (5) react during the 118-112 victory against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 12, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) reacts during the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 12, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) reacts during the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

After Christmas To The All-Star Break

Christmas Day was the start of a disastrous six-game losing streak, and the New YorkKnicks went 7-21 since the “most wonderful time of the year.” At All-Star weekend, the team had a record of 23-34—and are now 23-35.

This puts them at No. 12 in the Eastern Conference and 5.0 games behind Detroit for the No. 8 seed. Although this number appears to be more than surpassable, one must keep in mind that the Knicks are also behind Milwaukee, Miami, and Charlotte.

Things are obviously not bright from a basketball standpoint. But that’s not even the full picture.

Drama, trade rumors, locker room attitudes, front office talk, postgame interviews, the New York media, and a lack of cohesive team play in itself have distracted the team from the ultimate and simple goal of winning games.

The Drama

It started with Jeff Hornacek’s words after the Knicks’ blowout loss in January to the Orlando Magic:

"“I don’t think our guys aren’t trying, maybe they’re not capable, I don’t know. That’s what we have to figure out.”"

In the Knicks’ next game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Carmelo Anthony called an isolation play, and one could easily see a frustrated Hornacek turn his back and walk towards the bench.

Then the revival of the Anthony trade talks began to surface. Fans were quick to turn on Anthony, as they demanded he waive his no-trade clause to any team that would take him.

For Anthony, this decision was a much more personal one. Moving to a different team meant moving to a different location, and ‘Melo felt as if a move wasn’t even worth it from a family perspective.

Anthony reportedly told Phil Jackson that he doesn’t want to waive his no-trade clause.

Trade rumors regarding Kevin Love arose, and the Cavaliers reportedly rejected the Knicks’ offer of Anthony for Love. Jackson was supposedly determined to force Anthony to waive his no-trade clause.

Somehow, that wasn’t even the ugliest drama of the season.

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