WhoWe'll know later today if Carmelo is suspended for tomorrow night's game with Indiana — Carmelo doesn't think he should be, but he wouldn't, would he? — but, if it's okay if we talk about basketball again for a moment, this does speak to a larger problem with the Knicks this season: They lose their composure easily, and when they do, they completely fall apart. If you're an undermatched opponent, your strategy against the Knicks, in many ways, can be "shove them around, be total dicks, and wait for them to self-destruct."

The Bulls have done this, and now the Celtics have as well. Everyone's already looking forward to the next three Celtics games, including the one in two weeks in Boston, but that sort of business is exactly what the Knicks need to fight against. These Knicks have thrived when they've avoided the drama, when they've just played hard, moved the ball around on offense, held tight on defense, and relied on their experience. The crazier things get, the more the Knicks get rattled. The Knicks win when they stay within their own heads, and keep everybody else out. Carmelo might have lost control after the game the other night, but the larger issue is that he lost it during it. Just chill, Carmelo. Just cook this here soup.

- Will Leitch

Let's set the wayback machine for 1973

1973 NBA Eastern Semifinals - Phil Chenier punches Walt Frazier (with his back turned) in the neck. It was missed by the refs. Walt only checked to confirm the license plate. No emotion. Not one thought of a physical confrontation. Clyde simply went so DEEP in the zone on Chenier that he was never the same afterwards. 8 straight jumpers. The place was going crazy. Knicks win. It was as cold blooded as it gets.

Fast forward to 2012.

Our first loss of the season in Memphis game was very intense. And very physical. The Knicks lost by ten, but more important, we came unraveled with the refs and could not adjust to the Grizzlies tactics. Same with Chicago. Both Rockets games were "personal" and we lost twice. Both badly.

We have a roster that includes some fierce competitors who take things very personal. Raymond Felton takes it so personal on occasion that he takes his own running buddies out of the flow. However, his intensity on defense is missed and his picking and rolling is our most reliable weapon.

Whether he is smiling or not, Carmelo feels responsible for the success of this team. His imprint on the game is undeniable and any move he makes falls into the same category. That includes defense.

Rasheed Wallace plays with an edge. Tyson Chandler could be considered a complainer among the refs. His emotions always run high. He flexes after dunks and shouts to the crowd. Is that his way of keeping the intensity or could he simply just get back on defense?

Look at some player introductions from the golden era. There were no pregame dance huddles, custom handshakes, sound effects, videos or chest bumps. Players jogged out, shook hands and stood at attention. Yes, the special effects and hype are a sign of the times. Everything changes. It's entertainment. One must wonder if the over-emoting is a requirement?

If Carmelo busted 8 straight jumpers on Garnett as his reply, would the message have been delivered about how different THIS Knicks team is?

How do we get ready for playoff intensity?