Just when it looked like Jeremy Lin may provide the spark the Knicks needed to rescue their disappointing season, they have reverted back to their old ways. Mike D’Antoni’s squad has been a model of inconsistency this year. Earlier this season, New York had a stretch where it lost six straight games and 11 out of 13. Once Lin came along, the Knicks ripped off seven straight wins. Yet once again, they find themselves in the midst of a six-game losing streak. Amar’e Stoudemire has one theory as to why things are spiraling downward all over again.
“We got to be in early, got to get ourselves mentally prepared, in the weight room, getting our bodies ready, watching film,’’ Stoudemire said when discussing Monday night’s loss to the Bulls, according to the NY Post. “Joking around has to stop at some point, especially at a time when we’re the eighth seed and not playing well. The time is now. There’s no time for fun and games.’’
Unlike the Wizards, a team that John Wall says has struggled because of a similar mentality, the Knicks are in a position to make the playoffs. However, they are a mere 2-8 since Carmelo Anthony returned to the lineup. On top of that, Anthony reportedly either wants D’Antoni fired or wants New York to trade him. As L.B. mentioned on Tuesday, the Knicks were winning with D’Antoni at the helm, J.R. Smith still in China, and Melo riding the bench. With the trade deadline looming, perhaps the best move for New York would be figuring out what type of return they could get for the man who was supposed to rescue their franchise.
