Pretty much summed up exactly how I feel.
https://theknickswall.com/tempered-expectations-6f6943044740#.ryfx5tdfq
I think we can all agree ‘Melo should have passed the rock to Porzingis on that final possession in Sacramento.
However, most of us, just like the Kings, assumed Anthony would hoist up a prayer for the final shot anyway. Same old Knicks, right?
What has made this season worse, and the last 10 games, is our expectations were supposed to be different. The final possession and shot were unfortunately much more indicative of this Knicks team than the fierce comeback in the second half. The direction of the Knickerbockers was supposed to be positive, but the selfishness of ‘Melo and the poor coaching (play calls, rotation) brought Knicks fans straight back to Earth.
Everyone knows Knicks fans are incredibly emotional and meticulous. So far the season has played out like a 30-year old living in his parent’s basement, going over frames of the Zapruder footage, looking for a sliver of hope for the Knicks, or more likely, blame on another party.
We saw that in Charlotte, when maybe it looked like Porzingis launched his non-game winning three-pointer at the buzzer. The loss in Sacramento was similar because conspiracy theorists, also known as Knicks fans, were reminded of the futility of the previous regime when ‘Melo took a double-teamed (and fouled) three-pointer instead of looking to a teammate for help.
Maybe this is the basketball I.Q. or mesh of personalities on the squad. Anthony has generally been viewed as the number one target on every team he has been on, but what if his role was more subdued? The direction of the Knicks is building a team around franchise player Kristaps Porzingis. Maybe ‘Melo is trying to will himself to show everyone he is still a remarkable competitor. What frustrates me, though, is how we bought into the notion that Anthony would finally reach a point where his success could also be propelled by the success of the his teammates.
Losing to the Kings stemmed from plenty of issues. Incredibly enough, the game, broadcast to a national audience, felt like the Knicks were under a deficit of 20+ points when there were times it was still in the single digits. I believe this feeling was palpable because you could sense the failing effort of the team. Every game of the road trip was another adventure in weird rotations (Grant and Seraphin out, Vujacic and O’Quinn in) and desperate clings to comeback chances.
I think our hopes for this season were generally sparked by Porzingis’ talents and poise and the belief that it could not have been worse than 2015–16. Although that certainly won’t come to fruition, the recent win drought for the Knicks has left me wondering if New York can finally pull away from the sins of its father, namely Carmelo’s selfishness in the midst of his own desire to win a championship in this narrow window.
Until he can internalize the greater emphasis on teamwork, albeit the outstanding amount of talent on this season’s roster, Anthony and Knicks will never succeed. I’d much rather live and die with a humble ‘Melo, than a hoister who doesn’t even attempt a pass to Porzingis or another open teammate. Never mind the retroactively honored miscue on Rondo, Anthony all night in Sacramento wanted to play his way, and his way is in the loss column, unfortunately.
What makes us so hopeful about this guy above is his professionalism, work ethic, and loyalty to the fans, even if we booed him on the night his dreams were fully realized and became an NBA player.
Porzingis hasn’t played especially spectacular on the road trip, yet he still was resilient and dug deep on the defensive side of the ball. The quick learner was bullied and posterized on the same night, yet took those embarrassments to heart and came back swinging against one of the league’s best big men, Demarcus “BOOGIE” Cousins.
That’s what makes it disheartening to me that Anthony doesn’t see how much of a winner KP is, and how for once he doesn’t need to be the number one all the time. Forget the Triangle, forget Phil Jackson; if ‘Melo wants to be remembered as a winner, he has a fierce competitor in Porzingis by his side, yet the veteran would prefer to fall with style.
I’m angry at Carmelo but I understand his mentality. He’s well-compensated and wants to flex his God-given skills. But I believe if ‘Melo has learned anything from watching his friends win championships in South Beach, it’s a deeper level of trust and communication with your teammates yields better results.
Finally, it’s difficult to watch Anthony play. He certainly looks weaker in year one following the knee surgery. But the team Jackson composed for this season demands a greater respect than the previous season’s rat pack. ‘Melo as a facilitator, drawing double-teams, and pushing the ball in transition (even when he’s the one staying back and demanding to control possession).
He demands so much when it’s really a reflection of his struggles and relentlessness to return to relevance. He has that power, though; the Latvian rookie warrants so much media coverage and attention that ESPN used the YouTube rap about him as the promo for their Friday night game against Brooklyn.
Ultimately, Porzingis is the future while ‘Melo and his ways remain the slumbering dinosaur of the past. I love the crazy shots Anthony can sink on some nights, but at the same time he can really be the cause of a lot of their missteps.
As DJ Khaled would say, “Ride wit me through the journey of more success.” [sic] That journey starts with positing Kristaps and teamwork, and ends with iso-Melo’s and failed self-centeredness.
so here is what phil is thinking ....
12/14/2015 6:52 PM
