After watching last night's game, I am unsure what to feel about these Knicks. As they have always done, they took fans to the lowest lows, highest of highs, and then abruptly left them disappointed. Not only were they winning by 4 points with less than two minutes to go, but they even had a chance to tie later. Poor execution, overuse of certain players without rest, and a general lack of defense is what really did the Knicks in last night against the Memphis Grizzlies.
And you can definitely transpose that on to the whole season: poor execution, overusing players, lack of defense is what caused the Knicks to stink up this year.
Too often the offensive set breaks down because players are running into each other, throwing ridiculous cross court passes through traffic, no look passes when they should have looked, or general ball hogging. It is discouraging to watch and listen, especially when Clyde is continually nit picking what players should do. Nothing against Clyde, he is probably right, but shouldn't someone be held responsible?
The one to be held responsible is the same man who uses Carmelo Anthony for close to 40 minutes a game, often entirely through the 1st and 4th quarters. Last night in particular, Melo looked exhausted for some reason, absolutely gassed as the announcers called it. Yet, Coach Woodson kept riding him like Secretariat. Rather, like Willy Nilly in the 5th at Aqueduct; Secretariat was a winner. Felton sat the entire 4th quarter and Shumpert was out for most. I can understand wanting offense over defense, but it seems he simply forgot about those two. When Mike Miller hit that open 3 to take the lead, it was as if the team and coach collectively let the fans down in one moment.
The one person not to leave wide open behind the arc was Killer Miller. Yet, Prigioni was double teaming Zach Randolph at 15 feet out with Chandler. It was not like Z-Bo was killing the Knicks all game. Nor was he the one responsible for bringing the Grizz back into it. Whether this falls on Prigioni or Woodson it does not matter. Miller should not have been left alone. Personnel on the floor should have realized that. Coach should have had the right personnel on the floor. And that's what the Knicks have been struggling with all year.
Blow up the Knicks or fire Woodson, you decide. But this collective group is not the ones to win a championship.
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