Back to the New York Knicks Newsfeed

Dennis Smith Jr. accepts challenge of being a leader for the Knicks

PHOENIX — The door remained closed for a long time Wednesday night following the Knicks' latest loss before David Fizdale finally emerged. He spoke of the team mentally caving in, with effort being a problem during one game on this trip, and focus waning in the loss to the Suns, the end of the three-game road trip.

There was a player who was willing to take it on his shoulders and claim that it is his responsibility to make sure that he is ready each night and, more importantly, to make sure all of his teammates are playing with full effort.