Once again, the New York Knicks were run out of the building by a severely limited basketball team. But with the way the Knicks have been playing as of late, they should be the ones we're describing as severely lacking.
The Charlotte Bobcats are the second-lowest scoring team in the NBA. They average 92.8 points-per-game. But tonight, against the Knicks, these Knicks who are starting to redefine what a bad defensive basketball team is, the Bobcats put up 114 points. They beat the Knicks 114-106, and handed the Knicks their sixth straight loss, sending them down a path that can only lead to the eventual replacing of head coach Mike D'Antoni. D'Antoni has simply lost this team. They are going to make the playoffs, but that's only because a team like the Bobcats actually can qualify as a playoff team in a pathetic second-tier of the conference. The Knicks will not win a round, and it's becoming ever so apparent that they won't win a game, either.
How long does D'Antoni have? At what point is a change made? We're now at the point where it has to be discussed. The Knicks could lose out and probably still make the playoffs. But what kind of message is being sent to the fans when you hold on to a coach who clearly has no grip on his basketball team, especially heading into the playoffs?
If the Knicks make the playoffs, and don't advance, D'Antoni should be fired. That's if he makes it that far. But it's clear that the acquisitions of Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups do not fit with D'Antoni. The idea that they need time together to gel is purely an excuse; the team has gotten significantly worse over the past few weeks. D'Antoni is purely reaching, and doesn't really know where to go. Eventually, he'll have no more decisions to make around this Knicks team.