The New York Knicks have been one of the most disappointing teams in the NBA this season, along with their neighbors the Brooklyn Nets. Expectations were high for the Knicks, after last year’s dominance of Carmelo Anthony and the eventual playoff berth. Remember, the Knicks finished 54-28 last year. Although they were dominated by the Heat in last year’s first round of the playoffs, a healthy J.R. Smith, Carmelo Anthony, and Amar’e Stoudemire were predicted to carry the Knicks. Now, the Knicks are 9-19, which puts them third in the Atlantic Division and eleventh in the Eastern Conference.
In a meeting on Thursday, James Dolan, the Knicks’ chairman, told the players in a meeting that there are no trades or staff changes looming in the air this season. Dolan’s meeting was held to mainly address Mike Woodson’s safety as the Knicks’ coach for the remainder of the season. Dolan hopes that the players can gather around their coach and dig the Knicks out of this hole, after several rumors have been put to rest. After the Knicks 29-point home loss to the Thunder on Christmas Day, Woodson claimed his Knicks can rally and eventually win the Atlantic Division. It looks as if the Knicks’ first and foremost goal is to take the #1 spot in the Atlantic Division, before setting any other objectives for the season. Hopefully, this meeting will add a sense of comfortability to the players as they look to turn things around. The Knicks take on the Toronto Raptors tonight at MSG. Many may say this is just a game, but the Raptors are leading the Atlantic Division, a spot the Knicks look to takeover.
Note, Dolan did not mention anything regarding the Rajon Rondo trade rumors. According to his meeting, this trade looks like it is off the board.
