New York Knicks: Is "Wood-Sanity" Real or Is Winning Streak Just a Mirage?
Since Mike D'Antoni's resignation (via the LA Times) just a few days ago, the New York Knicks have been a completely different team.
They've been playing defense for the first time in awhile, allowing only 88.3 points per game in their last three games. They've also been a completely different offensive team, scoring 112.6 points per game.
Jeremy Lin is playing more like he did when "Linsanity" was out in full force, and the trio of Lin, Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony appears to be clicking on all cylinders—with all three players combining for an average of 44.3 points per game.
While a 43.3 points per game average between three players isn't all that impressive, it shows that all three players are playing within the strengths of their skill sets, and they're making it work under the direction of their new head coach, Mike Woodson.
Since taking over as the interim-head coach, Mike Woodson has helped the Knicks make a complete transformation.
Woodson has helped New York transition from a dysfunction team playing not to lose, to a fully functional unit playing to prove they can be one of the best teams in the powerful Eastern Conference.
Under Woodson, the Knicks are undefeated, winning each of their last three games. So, is it time to believe that Mike Woodson has what it takes to make the Knicks a legitimate contender, or is their recent success just a mirage?
The first reason why "Wood-sanity" is for real, is because Mike Woodson has brought the Knicks the one thing they lacked: leadership.
Mike Woodson Brings the Knicks the Leadership they've Lacked
After Mike D'Antoni's resignation, the Knicks could have easily packed up their bags and checked out, letting the 2011-12 NBA season continue to go up in flames, but for some reason they didn't.
As a team, the Knicks found something to rally around—the leadership of Mike Woodson. That was something that they desperately needed and never got from Mike D'Antoni.
With the talent that the Knicks have, they don't need an offensive mastermind coaching the team, they need a coach who can keep their egos in check and motivate them to play for each other, and that's exactly the kind of coach Mike Woodson is.
As a college star at the University of Indiana, Woodson played under the leadership of legendary coach, Bobby Knight, where he learned firsthand what effective leadership and discipline looked like.
Woodson has carried that knowledge and experience into his first few days as head coach of the Knicks.
Mike Woodson gives Knicks Something to Believe in
Remember that time when the Knicks won eight games in a row without arguably their best player, Carmelo Anthony? While it was in large part due to the play of Jeremy Lin, it was also due to the fact that, as a team, they were able to rally around the larger concept of "Linsanity".
It's evident that when the Knicks have something to rally around, they become a better team.
Sure, during their eight-game winning streak before the All-Star break, Jeremy Lin was playing at a high caliber, but the real difference with their team was the way everyone else played around him.
As a cohesive unit, the Knicks rallied around the concept of "Linsanity" because it gave them something to believe in and motivate them, and that's exactly what Mike Woodson has brought back to the team.
The Knicks, without D'Antoni, have something to rally around. They believe that they can be a different team under the leadership of Mike Woodson, and they believe that they can finally achieve their full potential now that Mike D'Antoni isn't running the show.
While we all will have to take the "wait-and-see" approach to the new-look New York Knicks and their recent success, it is clear that they are a different team under Mike Woodson and for the time being, that's a good thing.
Are the Knicks for real, or are they just going to disappoint fans as they approach the end of the 2011-12 regular season?
Let your thoughts known in the comment section below.
