Derek Fisher continues to put optimistic spin on things
Derek Fisher of the Knicks talks with Carmelo Anthony during the first half of a game against the Washington Wizards at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014. Credit: Jim McIsaac
The frustration on Carmelo Anthony's face and in his voice after the Knicks' latest loss was unmistakable. Amar'e Stoudemire wore a similar look and gave quick, short answers to questions after practice Thursday.
The Knicks' six-game losing streak seems to be wearing on players who expected to have better results than last season. At 2-7, the Knicks are one game worse than a year ago. But Derek Fisher sounded encouraged about how the players are handling the skid, and believes they are looking within rather than placing blame elsewhere.
"We continue to see more resolve as we have gone on," Fisher said. "We have more and more guys taking individual responsibility and accountability for what's going and how we each can help the team get better. And that is important to building a team and building a culture -- owning what is happening with the team.
"I think in the past, there have been issues with more finger-pointing out as opposed to finger-pointing in. We are now having a locker room of guys that are pointing to themselves about how they can help us get better."
Fisher wasn't with the Knicks last season, but there was splintering in the locker room. Some players were unhappy with former coach Mike Woodson and openly questioned his schemes.
Team president Phil Jackson and Fisher signed five-year deals. They and the triangle offense will be with the Knicks for a while, so the players have to keep working through the struggles.
"We're not losing patience or confidence," Stoudemire said. "We know we've got a chance to do something special. We've just got to go out there and get the next win."
The Knicks, who will play the Jazz on Friday night, dropped a 97-95 decision to the Magic on Wednesday night at the Garden. They had a shot to tie or win the game in the waning seconds, but J.R. Smith badly misfired on a 27-foot three-pointer with Anthony waving his hand for the ball.
The clock was nearing three seconds when Smith had the ball inbounded to him, so it would have been difficult to get Anthony the ball in time to shoot it. Many believe that would have been a better option than Smith's shot.
Fisher didn't agree. And as someone who hit one of the biggest baskets in NBA playoff history, he said your best player doesn't always have to take the last shot.
"Forcing it to Carmelo [is] not necessarily the best decision," Fisher said. "So in terms of J.R's decision to get a shot up himself, I think as a coach you prefer getting a shot up as opposed to forcing the basketball to even your best player.
"It's a team game, so I don't think that the guy [who] is the franchise guy or the superstar guy has to win the game for you every time. The team has to win the game for you. I think some of the greatest moments from some of the greatest players and their teams still come from the great player giving the ball to someone else to score. So I don't think [you] force Carmelo into taking a bad shot just to say we got the ball to Carmelo. I think it's just about us understanding how to execute in those situations so that whoever gets the shot, it's a good shot."
Notes & quotes: Andrea Bargnani, sidelined since the first preseason game with a strained right hamstring, went through limited practice Thursday. He hasn't been cleared for contact and isn't sure when he will be. "I'm feeling better every day," Bargnani said. "As soon as I'm cleared, I can't wait to be back on the court helping the team." . . . Fisher said he hasn't decided on a starting lineup for Friday night's game but added that the Knicks might need "some beef in the middle" because Utah has 6-10 Derrick Favors and 6-11 Enes Kanter up front.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
