New York Knicks: Is It Time for Change After Losing Streak Extends to 5?

Change is such a broad term in life, especially when it has to do with the New York Knicks and the current situation they find themselves in. After losing their fifth game in a row in embarrassing fashion, a fashion becoming all too familiar nowadays, is it time for the Knicks to make a change?

And if so, would it be a drastic one that's necessary to turn this team around?

Some have suggested that Carmelo Anthony be traded.

Although unlikely, Anthony could bring back a wealthy return. But a move like that would be more embarrassing than the way New York has been losing lately. Melo was celebrated when he returned to his home state, and the thought of him being shipped out after only a year is unthinkable.

Rajon Rondo anyone?

How about Amar'e Stoudemire and/or Tyson Chandler?

Chandler in himself wouldn't bring back very much. Making $12 million this year, Chandler is overpaid for a defensive-minded player and it'll stay like that for three more seasons after this one.

Stoudemire is having a bad season, but he's still a great addition to any team. Sure he doesn't look hot with the Knicks right now, but neither does Anthony, and both have seen their better days on a basketball court at this point in the season.

However, when money gets involved as it always does, Stoudemire's contract is too big to trade away a marquee player for. The infamous "uninsured knees" have been made known by the media, and such a physical uncertainty would be a dangerous proposition for any team

The two (Stoudemire and Chandler) could be packaged together, but again, what is New York getting in return?

Dwight Howard and a gaping hole? Oh, and Hedo Turkoglu.

Not likely. The deal has reportedly been discussed among the Knicks and the Orlando Magic, but of course, that's only rumors. I'd imagine Orlando gunning for Melo first and then working their way down to Chandler and Amar'e.

Inevitably, Jeremy Lin's name had to come up in this piece. The Harvard grad has certainly come back down to Earth and is playing a much more realistic type of basketball on the floor. Far different from his historic pace out of the gate.

Some will argue it's the entrance of Melo and/or Stoudemire into the lineup that has changed Lin's game. Others say it's Lin's true game, and this is what we can expect as Linsanity begins to calm.

Whatever the case may be, unless the Knicks do something drastic, Lin will be their point guard for the foreseeable future. And I'm not expecting anything drastic.

I can honestly say that the Knicks bench doesn't need to be touched. A steady flow of Baron Davis, Iman Shumpert, J.R. Smith, Steve Novak and Jared Jeffries should be sufficient.

Don't be surprised to see a permanent switch with Iman Shumpert becoming the full-time shooting guard while Landry Fields makes his way towards the bench. It remains to be seen if coach Mike D'Antoni will actually make the change or continue to tinker with it on a daily basis.

Speaking of D'Antoni, one has to wonder when his job will be on the line. He has another head coach sitting next to him on the bench in Mike Woodson, who could take over at any moment if the Knicks want to make a change.

Woodson's style of basketball would be a pretty drastic change in itself. It could give New York more structure on both sides of the ball, especially on the defensive end.

And then, there's always time.