By many standards, the New York Knicks had an excellent season last year. They started by winning eight of their first nine games. They put together another 13-game win streak late in the season before ultimately falling in the conference semfinals to the Indiana Pacers. So why is this year different? The Knicks lost some talent, but they also gained a lot back. However, it is the missing veteran leadership that Tyson Chandler believes has the team struggling.
Following his anticipated return following a leg fracture injury, Chandler went on ESPN New York 98.7 FM to talk about why the team is failing to put together any convincing wins this season. The center noted the losses of veterans like Jason Kidd, Rasheed Wallace and Marcus Camby has hurt the leadership on the team.
"When you lose those guys your talking about a Hall of Famer and a guy in Kurt Thomas that has been a special player in the league for a long time ... But I definitely think that there's room for guys that are in the locker room now to grow and step into that void and it's just a learning experience," Chandler said.
As a result, the Knicks have one of the worst records in the NBA, sitting at the bottom of their division during a season they were expected to compete for a championship. While that is still possible, Chandler believes everyone must start stepping up and holding themselves accountable for their play. Until then, head coach Mike Woodson will continue to shoulder the fault, something Chandler does not believe to be fair.
We can't go blaming that kind of stuff on him. I know he took the hit. I know he is always willing to, but at the end of the day, he's coaching us," Chandler said. "He's giving us the situations, the scenarios when we walk out on the court. It's our job as players to execute them. The same thing down the stretch it. It has nothing to do with coaching us, but us learning, getting better."
During the last stretch of home games, fans were pouring down "Fire Woodson" chants that were hard to ignore. While currently sitting out with an injury, Raymond Felton is asking the fans for a positive attitude. The point guard says the team is trying to remain optimistic that they can fix the current slump, but if the fans keeping acting this way, the Knicks may have hard time.
"All we're trying to do is stay positive. That's what we're trying to explain to the fans, to the media, that all the negativity, the booing, the 'get rid of Woody, the trade this guy, trade that guy.' Like, c'mon man, just ride with us," Felton said, via ESPNNewYork.com. "Last year when we were doing well, we were winning all these games everybody was riding with us. Ride with us now, when we're in our tough times. Because everything is not always perfect."
Felton is confident that all the Knicks need is a strong finish. That may or may not come at the hands of Woodson.
