No one can ever call these New York Knicks inconsistent, because they have consistently followed strong launching-pad wins with absolutely repulsive efforts that embody quitting and a lack of heart. This recent trend has done nothing but disgrace the franchise, the coach, the players themselves, and especially the fans that actually follow the box scores, turn on the television during the game, or more importantly, care about their beloved Knicks.
What is it like to lose three times to the worst team in the NBA that managed to lose a franchise record 18 consecutive games? Ask the Knicks. What is it like when the worst team in the NBA is running up and down the court with a permanent smile on their face because of how much fun they are having by absolutely destroying the opposition? Ask the Knicks. What is it like to see Brian Scalabrine pour on points, jack up 3-pointers with utmost confidence, and even hammer down dunks in the face of the opponent? Ask the Knicks.
Some may point to the recent injuries to Jamal Crawford, David Lee, and Steve Francis, along with the flu-bug that recently infected Nate Robinson as the culprit for their continued inconsistency. However, they are still equipped with athletes who are capable of accepting ludicrous amounts of money, which the common fan can only dream about, into their direct deposit box. And who pays their salaries? The fans who leave work early to get a seat in front of the television, seeking a two- to three-hour sanctuary away from the hardships and problems that mangle their daily lives.
This team was outplayed from the opening tip, minus the ?patented run? to bring the Knicks back juuuust enough to grab a miniscule lead and start giving the fans that haven?t A) changed the channel, B) smashed the television, or C) committed suicide some hope. And then what do they do? Rip the faith out of the hearts of the fans with a violence that can only rival the meteor that smashed into the Earth causing the Ice Age.
This trend of allowing the worst teams in the league to treat you like the freshmen practice squad has continued for the past ten games. First, they beat a tough Magic team on the road followed by a home win over a healthy Clippers team at back in early February. Did they run to the locker room, full of excitement, vowing to continue this winning streak into the playoffs? No. Instead, they follow it up by squandering a 10-point lead at Utah with less than four minutes to play in the game.
Then they had a solid comeback win in Los Angeles versus the Lakers, only to respond by getting annihilated by the shorthanded, last-place Warriors. Then they came back from the All Star break, only to toil with false hope again. They defeated the playoff-hopeful Magic again, only to follow it up by losing by 20 at lowly Philadelphia.
They were then granted a victory by the officials against Milwaukee, when two mysterious foul shots were awarded to Channing Frye with 0.8 seconds left in a tied game, only to throw away another potential spark-plug victory with an 11-point blown lead in an extremely important game in the Meadowlands versus the rival Nets. Now, they pull out a huge win at home versus a Heat team they are chasing for the final playoff spot, only to embarrass themselves once again here in pitiful Boston.
This type of streak is unprecedented. Never has a team followed up huge wins over playoff contenders with abysmal losses to the bottom feeders of the league for an entire month. As the Knicks grow and try to establish an identity for themselves, they must first learn to play at the same level of competitive fire no matter their opponent. This trend will not help them fortify a playoff spot in the awful Eastern Conference, and only continues to push them further away from becoming a legitimate contender.
Their inability to capitalize on defeating the weaker teams in the league is a reflection of their immaturity as a team, and exemplifies the difference between them and the Dallas?, the San Antonio?s, and the Detroit?s of the league. Do you think the Phoenix Suns would lose 9 times to Boston, Philly, and Charlotte this season? Of course not? but the Knicks are only two nearly-guaranteed losses away from accomplishing that feat this season.
But hey, at least missing the playoffs gives them a chance to win the Oden/Durant lottery this summer, right? Oh wait, they already gave that pick away to the Chicago Bulls?
Jason M. Williams can be reached at jaywilli05@gmail.com for comments.