Simply put, the New York Knicks were embarrassed on Sunday as the team fell to the San Antonio Spurs, losing by 31 points. The team fell behind 10-0 quickly and the Spurs never looked back. The fans certainly let the team know how they felt as the Knicks fell to 2-4 while getting boos poured down upon them. After calling the loss "unacceptable", both Mike Woodson and Carmelo Anthony are ripping the total effort of the team to start the year.
"We didn't compete tonight. That's just unacceptable," Woodson said, via ESPNNewYork.com. "Right from the start, we let our offense, shots that we missed, dictate how we defended on the other end. It's something that will be addressed [in Monday's practice]. It's just unacceptable. It's my job to push them through it and try to get them over the hump. I know we're a better team than what we've shown."
The stats for the game are frightening. Star Anthony was held to a quiet 16 points while the Spurs took as big as a 37-point lead in the game. It was the worst loss in Woodson's career as the Knicks are now 1-3 at home. The 2013 season is starting off as a far cry from last year's 6-0 start where New York did not lose their first home game until January. Anthony says the attitude and effort from the team is just not acceptable.
"It was embarrassing for us to come here on our home court and lose a game like this," Anthony said. "It wasn't about losing a game. It was just how we lost the game. We didn't compete today, and it showed out there on the court. This city and ... this organization, is not known for being patient. But right now we have to figure it out. If patience is the way to go, then patient we have to be. There's no panic button being pushed right now. We have to figure it out."
The Knicks were hoping to get some kind of boost with the return of JR Smith, the reigning Sixth Man of the Year, but the Spurs squashed that idea. He finished the day going 1-for-9 with just five points and four turnovers. Smith has a new contract with the Knicks that dictate was should be more points for the star. After the game, Smith did not blame rust, but simply missed shots on his poor performance.
"All my turnovers were pretty much on the ball," Smith said. "I was just trying to find guys and I'm not able to get on that rhythm that I'm normally in. That will come with game experience."
The entire situation for the Knicks could mean Woodson's clock is ticking. Owner James Dolan is expecting nothing less than a championship. He has already potentially fired the Knicks City Dancers, who is next?
