Cole Aldrich's Hook Shot to Nowhere Breaks Carmelo Anthony's Spirit

Somewhere on a courtside seat at the Verizon Center, there’s a wisp-like impression of Carmelo Anthony’s soul.

Fans watching carefully at the New York Knicks’ Wednesday night boondoggle against the Washington Wizards might’ve noticed Anthony’s spirit escape his body. It fluttered away shortly after a Cole Aldrich hook shot smacked off the back of the backboard, leaving behind only a Turin’s shroud of disappointment on a seatback.

Aldrich grabbed an entry pass in and chucked up a hook shot to nowhere, prompting Anthony’s reaction. This is a man wallowing in a deep, existential funk.

The Knicks, further defanged by the trading of J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert, went on to lose 101-91. Their triangle offense is not a triangle. It is an origami duck—an amateur duck—and the Knicks have set it aflame in the hopes of lighting a way to future seasons.

As for Anthony (sidelined with knee soreness), he’s putting his faith in Phil Jackson’s hands, according to ESPNNewYork.com's Ian Begley:

“I’ve got to trust in what’s happening,” Anthony said after Wednesday’s game. “I’ve got to trust in the plan that they’re trying to put in place.”

This is where the Knicks are at right now: placing their trust in Phil Jackson as a crew of a 18th-century spice merchants rounding Cape Horn might entrust their lives to the ship's captain. They have no choice but to believe this will work.

New York hopes to end its record-setting 13-game losing streak Thursday night at home against the Houston Rockets.

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