The New York Knicks Fix: A 12-Point Plan

Right now, the New York Knicks are losers.

Plainly and clearly.

But more so, after a year of Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire they have no team identity. In other words, they’re going nowhere fast. Pardon the cliché.

Anyway, one conclusion from the present debacle? The coach needs to go. 

Case in point: The Knicks were down 91-89 in Boston in their last game, and a forgotten man who hadn’t played all game long, one Steve Novak, finds himself hoisting up the last shot in an attempt to win. That’s chaos and cluelessness.

That’s on the coach. I repeat: Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni needs to go.

But besides firing D’Antoni, what could the fourth-quarter flinching, infinitely floundering Knickerbockers do to change their fortunes?

Here are some proposed precise solutions:

Better ball movement

The Knicks stand around way too much watching Anthony and Stodemire operate. Instead of that weak weaving offense that the team employs—leaving them helpless at the top of the circle—implement a new offense with more movement, one which forces Anthony and Stoudemire to get the ball in context (and inside the paint) instead of always in isolation on the outside, where they have to work like dogs to score.

Cut off Carmelo

Unfortunately, Anthony often has his head down when he pursues offensive gold, on the drive.  Nevertheless, he looks up at the last second. When he does, he has to see more options, right then and there, quickly, meaning cutters. Also, there needs to be more design off of Anthony’s drives.

Keep Stoudemire inside of 15 feet

There is no need for him to shoot 20- and 25-footers. He is not effective doing that. A strong coach would insist, but the Knicks don’t have that person.

Get one or two bench players

Currently, the Knicks have no bench at all. Toney Douglas is lost, his confidence shaken and his starting job taken. Bill Walker rarely plays. Jarrod Jeffries is a waste of time. A team with no bench is going to wilt in the fourth quarter, as the Knicks do. The situation is untenable in this regard. The Knicks are always seeking the big catch. What they need to do is pry a quality player away from teams who are losing now, with no hope. It can be done with draft picks and Douglas, for example.

Accommodate Tyson Chandler more

The team needs to run at least a few more plays for Chandler to keep defenses honest.

Practice running the fast break

The Knicks don’t know how to fill the lanes on the break. They frequently pull up on advantages rather than finish them.

Rehearse fourth-quarter situations in practice

Yeah, we talking ‘bout practice. Despite Allen Iverson’s pronouncements and protestations, the Knicks need to use the time more wisely.

Use what you got better

What the Knicks mediocre bench players can do is act as wild cards. Bring them in for 10-minute stretches to press the other team—and that’s it. Don’t keep them in there to be exposed by the opponent.

Employ more give-and-go situations between Carmelo and Amar'e

Put them on the same side of the floor more. If the defense overloads, the other players, like Landry Fields, become more effective.

Maintain an attacking defense for the entire game

The Knicks lately have shown signs of doing this, but they get lax at times. This is when they lose leads or fall behind further.

Acquire a killer instinct

It takes a win-or-die attitude to be successful in the NBA, whether you have superstar talent or not. No one on the Knicks has the right winning attitude as it stands. If the players are hesitant about this, practice time should get harder. Or they can sit the pine.

Do everything quicker and smarter

This is a must for the Knicks. How many times does one see the Knicks shooters pass up open shots for a more difficult one? Further, their passes are slow and lazy.

Enough said. New York Knicks: Are you listening?