It seems as if the New York Knicks only like to be consistent at one thing: inconsistency.
Knicks Inconsistency Leads to Consistent Underperformance
Just when the Knicks seem to have turned a corner, they find a way to lose two or three games in a row. Lately, these losses have been heartbreaking, like Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks which they would eventually lose in the fourth overtime.
This franchise wants to sell. Trade rumors about Carmelo Anthony are swirling. One day, it seems Anthony is headed to the Los Angeles Clippers, and the next day it’s the Cleveland Cavaliers.
And yet, even with a bad month of January, the Knicks are still only a couple of games out of a playoff spot. Therefore, it begs the question: should they even sell? They are still in this and the trade deadline is still weeks away.
There are times this team looks like they are going to reel off a string of wins. They won despite being down double-digits against Milwaukee, Indiana, and Brooklyn. But in typical Knicks fashion, they lose the next few games in a row. They lost many games in the final seconds against Milwaukee, Atlanta (twice), Philadelphia, Washington, and Phoenix.
Just imagine where the Knicks can be if they win even a fraction of these close games. But this inconsistency is what is consistent about the Knicks. They have amassed a good amount of talent in the offseason. The starting five should’ve been one of the better starting lineups in the Eastern Conference.
Unfortunately, in February this team is still trying to find its identity. The Knicks clearly struggle on defense. All too frequently, Knicks allow opponents to get to the rim as if were a layup line, or shoot from the perimeter like it’s the Three-Point Shootout at All-Star weekend.
However, it is really concerning on the offensive end; they seem to struggle for long stretches in a game. If you examine any of their close loses, you can point to a single stretch of time where they could not score. For a team where offense should not be a problem, they make it seem as they never played basketball together.
This inconsistency isn’t restricted to the players and the court. The front office is just as bad. In the offseason, it was all about making this team a contender. Phil Jackson acquired the talent. He put together a formidable roster.
On the other hand, when it came to hiring a coach, he chose a coach that does not use the triangle. On top of that, it seems the organization is trying hard to trade Anthony so that can blow up this attempt of getting to the playoffs.
The Knicks are a model franchise for inconsistency. While every fan wishes they would be a model franchise for what counts in sports: winning.
Main Photo
Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks, during the New York Knicks vs Milwaukee Bucks, NBA Basketball game at Madison Square Garden, New York. USA. 15th March 2014. Photo Tim Clayton (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
