Things are not looking up in the Big Apple.
The New York Knicks dropped Game 4 to the Indiana Pacers, falling behind 3-1 in their best-of-seven series. Now facing elimination from the NBA playoffs in Game 5, the Knicks’ backs are up against the wall and most of the general populous is doubting they’re ability to pull off a comeback.
And I don’t blame them. And I certainly don’t blame you if you’re one of them. The Knicks have been horrid since Game 3 against the Boston Celtics, going 2-5 in their last seven games. It’s been ugly.
That said, I’ve watched enough of this team to know what we’re currently bearing witness to isn’t them. Some will maintain that the Knicks have regressed to the mean or finally begun to show their age, and to some extent, they may be right. But not entirely.
So much of New York’s struggles come down to a failure to execute. Whether it be missing shots on offense or rotations on defense, the Knicks just aren’t playing up to snuff. And it’s showed.
Almost needless to say, the Twitter sphere was abuzz following New York’s Game 4 loss. Like really loud and obnoxious. And in Metta World Peace’s case, confusing.
The Knicks burger is not complete. Once they find the ketchup and put it on the burger , they will eat. Food chemistry equals team chemistry
— Metta World Peace (@MettaWorldPeace) May 15, 2013
I could say I know what that means, but I’d be lying. He seems to be saying the Knicks aren’t a finished product, which isn’t entirely accurate, but isn’t completely wrong either. They are missing components, but those are voids that (for the most part) should be able to be filled in house.
Admittedly, World Peace’s assessment makes more sense than anyone who’s blaming New York’s demise on a Amar’e Stoudemire.
Knicks were 16-13 in reg season when Amare Stoudemire played & 38-15 when didn’t Now about to be 0-2 in playoffs when plays and 5-3 when not
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) May 15, 2013
Stoudemire has logged just 20 minutes over the last two games combined, so placing the blame upon his shoulders is absurd. Though I will admit him committing four fouls in 11 minutes in Game 4 didn’t help the Knicks’ cause.
To be fair, neither did Mike Woodson, who played right into Frank Vogel’s hands.
The story of Game 4: Mike Woodson adjusted into Frank Vogel’s hands. He didn’t trust what he built all year with a small lineup.
— Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor) May 15, 2013
This perception that the Knicks need to go big surprises me. They are where they are because they played small and embraced the presences of shooters like Steve Novak and Chris Copeland. It seems ridiculous that they should stray away from it now. But they have. And look where it has gotten them.
Moving into Game 5, Novak and Copeland need to see more minutes. They’re a combined 4-of-6 from downtown this series and we all know the Knicks need shooting at the moment, Jason Kidd included.
“We’ve had a lot of good looks, they just haven’t gone down” @realjasonkidd #Knicks
— NBA New York Knicks (@nyknicks) May 15, 2013
Kidd, who hasn’t scored in eight games, makes a good point.
The Knicks have gotten open shots, but they’re not hitting them. With the exception of Carmelo Anthony—who hasn’t been all that great in terms of efficiency either—they seem to be in a collective offensive rut. None more so than J.R. Smith, who has put the outcome of this series on his own shoulders.
J.R. Smith: “I take the blame for this whole series.”
— Frank Isola (@FisolaNYDN) May 15, 2013
The Sixth Man of the Year scored 19 points in Game 4, but shot 7-of-22 from the floor. He’s been visibly out of sync since he was ejected in Game 3.
But ‘Melo doesn’t care. He still has faith in J.R. and wants him to keep shooting.
Carmelo also says he wants J.R. Smith to “keep shooting.” So there’s that.
— Frank Isola (@FisolaNYDN) May 15, 2013
Anthony’s support of Smith should probably make us all warm and fuzzy inside. Knowing how badly that suspension messed with J.R.’s offensive mojo, you can’t help but wonder what would have happened had he not elbowed Jason Terry across the jaw.
You’re also probably wondering how the Knicks are doing internally.
Not only are they down 3-1, but Tyson Chandler seemed to ruffle some feathers when he called out New York’s offense following Game 3. His words were so pointed that rumors of a rift between him and ‘Melo began to spread like wildfire. Chandler himself ultimately put such speculation to bed.
Tyson: “I wasn’t directing my comment at Carmelo Anthony, I was directing my comment at the New York Knicks.” #Knicks
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) May 15, 2013
Even if Chandler hadn’t decided to clarify his comments, it wouldn’t have mattered. Anthony accepted the criticism; he believed it was justified.
On Tyson’s comments, Carmelo Anthony says, “He has the right to say that. Our offense has been sh****y.” #Knicks
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) May 15, 2013
You know ‘Melo’s serious when he starts cussing.
You also know New York’s troubles are serious when Amar’e, who typically avoids controversy of any kind, weighs in on them as well.
Amar’e: “We’re not getting into our offense fast enough, no pace. … Those guys are great in half-court sets defensively.” #Knicks
— Jared Zwerling (@JaredZwerling) May 15, 2013
Stoudemire isn’t known for his defense, but he’s right here. The Pacers are a great half-court team on the defensive end and have been able to stifle New York’s offense when the Knicks don’t push the tempo. And now, they find themselves one victory away from pulling off the upset.
Anthony isn’t ready to write his team off just yet, though. He still believes they have the chance to do something “special.”
Carmelo says “I believe we can do something special here. I’m very confident that we can do something special here.”
— Frank Isola (@FisolaNYDN) May 15, 2013
For what it’s worth, so does Shaquille O’Neal.
I’m just thrilled Shaq knows my name. RT @willharahan: @shaq predicts Knicks-Pacers goes 7 &mentions @fisolanydn vine.co/v/bEZA1ApQrZi
— Frank Isola (@FisolaNYDN) May 15, 2013
Garnering the support of their star player and a future Hall of Famer is encouraging, but it won’t mean anything if the Knicks aren’t prepared to make the necessary adjustments. And I’m of course referring to their need to give their shooters (Novak, Copeland, etc.) more minutes and their willingness to a do a better job on the glass.
Like I said, the Knicks we’re seeing aren’t the real Knicks. This isn’t them. Should they be able to return to their roots, they’re still capable of turning this around and forcing a Game 7 like Shaq predicted.
Time is running out, though, so hopefully the Knicks are ready in Game 5 for the first time this series. Otherwise, they might as well set their sights on next season.
Dan Favale is a firm believer in the three-pointer as well as the notion that defense doesn’t always win championships. His musings can be found at Bleacherreport.com in addition to TheHoopDoctors.com. Follow @danfavale on Twitter for his latest posts and all things NBA.
