After starting off the season with a nice win at home versus the rival Celtics, the Knicks' weaknesses were exposed during their three game California road trip. First up was the Golden State Warriors where the Knicks played one of the worst games I've ever seen. The offense was stagnant as 90% of the time the possession ended with one pass and a contested jump shot. Next up were the Lakers. The Knicks didn't play much better as Kobe led a second half charge that left the Knicks baffled. Finally, the road trip ended with a convincing win in Sacramento. The Knicks were without Amare but that didn't hamper them one bit. The ball movement, energy, and cohesion was fantastic as they were up 20 before you could blink.
Most recently, the Knicks returned home to face the Raptors. You would think the Knicks would carry that momentum into a home game against an inferior opponent, but this is the Knicks we're talking about, remember. Amare was absent again and instead of moving the ball around like in Sacramento, the Knicks turned to Melo who had 35 points to go along with 11 rebounds. That should have been enough to win on most nights but not that one as Melo received absolutely no help from his teammates. Toney Douglas did chip in with 22 points but Landry Fields finished with 7 points on 1 of 7 shooting. Bibby, Novak, Harrellson, and Walker combined for 12 points on 3 of 16 shooting. As a team the Knicks shot 36% from the field while allowing the Raptors to shoot 44%.
With all that being said, the Knicks HAVE to pick up the energy. It's so frustrating, aggravating, and disheartening to watch this team play on a game to game basis. They tease you with their potential, as shown in the Celtics and Kings games, and then make you want to smash your television in the next game. I think I can speak for most Knicks fans and most New York fans in general when I say that all we want is for our teams to care! To play hard, with enthusiasm, with energy, and with a will to do anything to get a win. If the Knicks give 100% from here on out then I have no doubt they will make some noise in the Eastern Conference. But that's easier said than done, especially with this Knicks team, and especially while playing under this head coach.