Since firing Mike D'Antoni, the New York Knicks are moving into an entirely new direction with Mike Woodson now as the interim head coach. With that, Woodson plans to have the team lean on stars, Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire.
Woodson looks to use his own system. Unlike D'Antoni's system, which is about pick-and-rolls and fast-paced play, Woodson's will feature more of off-ball movement at halfcourt.
"It's going to be different for sure," Stoudemire said. "Coach Woodson has his philosophy and his offensive schemes, so we've got to readjust to that. I think so far everyone's receiving it well. We're all excited about it and we can't wait to play within his offense."
It truly saddens me that New York has come to this now. I feel sorry for many Knicks fans, and when I read comments on reports like these, they are just disappointed on what their team has become now.
I'm going to go out and say that Anthony and Stoudemire have just ruined this team.
Has anyone noticed that when Anthony left Denver, the Nuggets started winning a lot more? Now they are a close team winning games night-in and night-out. Then when Anthony was injured, the Knicks went 8-1 with Linsanity and Steve Novak. Once Melo returned, the Knicks went 2-11.
You can't ignore the trend.
Denver has become a fun team, just like New York was with Lin, Novak, Landry Fields, and others. Heck, they were actually winning and brought Knicks fans jumping in joy. Heck, even Amare Stoudemire was doing pretty good with Lin.
Now they have gone back to their losing ways with Melo back.
It looks as if Anthony couldn't handle the stardom of Jeremy Lin, since he was supposed to be the man of the Big Apple. Anthony even was reported that he didn't like the JR Smith signing, either, and almost requested a trade.
In his first few games back after injury, the Knicks struggled. I didn't think it was Anthony's fault at first, since they were adjusting to their new-found chemistry with their 27-year-old superstar. However, Anthony's All-Star stats diminished with the new system.
Reports have said that Anthony didn't even follow some of D'Antoni's system and when he called for the ball, Lin didn't pass it to him. He ruined the team's chemistry.
Now Anthony has gotten it his way. D'Antoni asked James Dolan if he could trade the frustrated superstar to the New Jersey Nets for Deron Williams, but he denied it. With that, he had to resign.
Good for you Carmelo, you won. But what are you going to do about it now? With the new system, Anthony can go back to chucking up shots and getting his points, along with Stoudemire.
Both of those, as it seems, care about the stats. If you don't believe me, look at the quotes Amare said:
"I just think he's going to utilize his leading scorers, myself and Carmelo," Stoudemire said of Woodson. "He's going to utilize us and take advantage of every opportunity out there on the court. We've been profound scorers all our careers, so he's going to make sure he takes advantage of that."Hhm.
The Knicks are now behind the Bucks in the playoff-race for the eighth seed. Plus, New York has tried this philosophy before of running the team through Melo and Amare. The result? They went 8-15. So why in the hell would they do it again?
It surprises me that a team with two superstars struggle with a 10-26 record but then a team with no superstars and actual chemistry can go on a 8-1 streak.
With that, I wouldn't be surprised if Jeremy Lin were to actually leave the team this off-season. He can use his talents with some other team, as he can go back to his Linsanic ways.
As for the Knicks, they'll continue to struggle unless if Melo and Amare actually stop being selfish or if Dolan trades one, or even both of them.
I think it's safe to say that Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire are ruining this team now.
Josh has been writing since January 2009 and has founded the websites FootBasket, Hardcourt Mayhem, and Gridiron Mayhem. For a full bio, check out JoshDhani.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoshDhani
