Knicks say effort is something they can control
Tyson Chandler is called for goal tending on a shot by Miami's Norris Cole. (Jan. 27, 2012) Credit: AP
HOUSTON -- The Knicks are looking so hard for anything to make them feel good about themselves and help them turn this season around that they found positives in Friday night's loss in Miami.
They seemed to discover that if they play hard and together, they'll give themselves a chance to win.
It was a tall order to expect a Knicks team without Carmelo Anthony to beat the Heat with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade playing brilliantly. But the Knicks displayed the effort and intensity that have been missing many nights and were in it late by playing unconventional basketball. They relied on their three-point shooting and knocked down a season-high 18 from behind the arc in 43 attempts.
The Knicks, who were minus Anthony again Saturday night against Houston because of a sprained left wrist, right thumb and right ankle, can't expect to shoot like that every game. But it shouldn't be too difficult to play passionate basketball.
Sometimes going all out makes up for your shots not going in.
"That's the way we got to play," Tyson Chandler said. "That's what this team has to be all about. We have to represent our city. That's the way New York is -- a grimy city, gutty -- and we've got to play that way. We've got to take on that personality."
Chandler was referring to an intense moment in the game when it was clear the Knicks had come to play against the Heat. It was the kind of hustle and determination that the Knicks haven't always brought, and just one of many reasons they had lost eight of nine heading into the finale of this four-game trip against Houston.
Rookie Iman Shumpert chased down Wade and slapped the ball away to prevent a dunk. Wade went over to Shumpert to say good play. But Amar'e Stoudemire and Chandler thought Wade took exception and started jawing with him.
"Just setting the tone," Stoudemire said. "We came to play. On the court, you've got to protect your rookie, that's first and foremost."
The Knicks also should be thinking about protecting their coach.
Mike D'Antoni is in the final year of his contract, and with such high expectations placed on the Knicks, if they continue to underachieve, it ultimately could cost him his job.
D'Antoni is an easy coach to play for because he promotes offense and shooting, and every player likes to score. He has remained positive and believes the Knicks will start to win.
Much of that will depend on how Anthony plays when he returns and Baron Davis' impact when he's able to go. Both could play in Tuesday's game against the Pistons.
The Knicks are putting so much into Davis, who is returning from a herniated disc. If he eventually plays like the Davis who helped the Hornets and Warriors reach the playoffs, the Knicks could have the playmaking point guard they've been lacking.
Because it could take Davis some time to return to that form, the Knicks will have to find an effective way to play, and they may have shown it in Miami.
They hit 14 of their first 28 three-point attempts, and they can't bank on that kind of accuracy to continue. But they should come to expect that type of effort.
"When you struggle offensively, it does wear you down," D'Antoni said. "It seems like they kind of droop their shoulders. That happens. Our offense has not been good enough to sustain any hope to win. Our defense has been good enough to win. Our offense has not been good enough to win."
