With the Knicks’ 2016-’17 campaign not exactly starting smooth, the team recently decided it was best to come together and talk things out.
A team meeting took place on Saturday, featuring players, Knicks president Phil Jackson and others.
It’s no secret that the Knicks have dealt with a series of problems in their first 13 games: Poor defense, lack of bench contribution and inappropriate comments, among other topics. The meeting was set up to address some of these concerns, although the details of what was actually discussed aren’t fully known yet. Carmelo Anthony briefly spoke about the meeting after Sunday’s game against Atlanta.
From Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News:
“There comes a point and time throughout the season where you have to re-evaluate things and step out of the situation, look into the situation, see what you can do better, look in the mirror at each other at yourself and see the things you can improve,” Anthony said. “I thought we did that (Saturday) and (on Sunday), I don’t want to say we won because of the meeting, but you clear the air like that and guys speak out and talk and they don’t have to hold it in. They don’t feel pressured in the open forum. Guys spoke and everybody responded.”
This time, Knicks president Phil Jackson was the one doing the listening, according to Anthony.
“He actually just listened this time”, Anthony said. “Which is good.”
Coming into the season, the Knicks were slotted by many to be one of most talented teams in the Eastern Conference, expected to compete at a high level and potentially contend with Cleveland for the top seed. So far, however, the fixable struggles New York has faced have them at just a 6-7 record, ranking 16th in the association and 7th in the conference.
Perhaps the team meeting will have a positive effect, but for now, Knicks fans are still awaiting the competitive basketball squad at The Garden they’ve eagerly been awaiting for years.
