The New York Knicks are trying to avoid panic, but after Tuesday night's loss to the Charlotte Bobcats, it is clear there needs to be change. There are clearly issues in the rotation that Mike Woodson is struggling to manage. Players are shutting down in the fourth quarter and now an injury could plague the team even more.
Tyson Chandler went down with what is reportedly a knee sprain after colliding with Bobcats' Kimba Walker in the first quarter of the game. He sat on the bench getting treatment from trainers before limping back to the locker room and not returning for the remainder of the game. After the game, Woodson stressed the team was still uncertain of the severity with the injury and would know more after trainers run tests.
The former Defensive Player of the Year is easily the most important member of the Knicks behind Carmelo Anthony. In the first three games, he is averaging nine points and 11 rebounds. His injury is just another on a growing list for the Knicks. Amar'e Stoudemire continues to be limited with a knee problem. JR Smith remains out. Kenyon Martin sat out for health reason. Backup Cole Aldrich was inactive.
The Knicks cannot afford to lose anyone right now. While it is only the second week of the season, falling to 1-3 looks pretty bad to the momentum of the season. The loss to Charlotte was the 16 straight road game lost by New York. Star Anthony is simply trying to remain positive that the slow start will not define the 2013-14 season for the Knicks.
"I believe we'll get out of this. We've got to remain positive. It's easy to go into a dark place right now," Anthony said, via ESPNNewYork.com. "It's easy to listen to all that negativity that's going to be coming our way, but we've got to stay together as a unit, as a team, remain positive and get through this. There's no need to try and pinpoint this or pinpoint that, we're just not getting it done."
Anthony takes some of the blame himself especially with his fourth quarter struggles to start the year. Right now the forward is shooting just 37 percent from the field and 30 percent from beyond the arc in the final 12 minutes of the game. He understands that he must step up his decision making and his aggressiveness when the game starts to get close.
"For myself, maybe I'm second-guessing myself as well," Anthony said, view the New York Post. "Maybe I'm a little bit passive out there, trying to do things that's out of the norm and trying to make people better at the wrong times. That's where I'm second-guessing myself. And I'm second-guessing my shot, and should I take this or should I pass this. I got to get out of that mentality quick."
