By Aaron J. Haberman

It’s hard to tell now with the inconsistencies of this team...

Thirty-three games into the season, the New York Knicks are the “second half” laughing-stock of the NBA. With a record of 13-20, which could easily be 20-13 with just 18 extra 4th quarter points, the Knicks are struggling to find a competitive edge near the end of close games. They often jump out in the first half and seem to be in control of the game. However, their lack of a big presence and bad habit of getting into early foul trouble throws them off pace in the last 20 minutes of tight games.

But is this all that plagues them in the end of their habitual nail-biting endings? If you look at the Knicks’ close victories against Indiana and San Antonio – each of whom have two 7 footers (Jerome O’Neal is 6”11) in their lineups -- than the height disadvantage cannot be the only dominant factor. The Knicks are inconsistent from the perimeter and too often rely on outside shooting. The aforementioned foul trouble -- starting center Kurt Thomas has fouled out 7 times already and averaged 4.5 fouls per game -- proves to be troublesome, but Thomas is often taken out of the game, metaphorically speaking, when he is put against 7 foot centers. Certainly these are all issues that need to be resolved, but they are not problems in every game. If players such as the injured Antonio McDyess are inserted into the lineup, they will draw double teams, most likely leaving somebody open outside. However, the team’s inability to hit key shots will have to change to make any use of McDyess’ presence.

The emergence of New York’s bench, along with Spree, has been huge in keeping the Knicks in the game down the stretch, but the sub-par defense of Allan Houston has been problematic when he is inserted for late foul shots. Houston’s porous defense leaves Allen with little option but to cause late minute fouls. This coupled with the Knicks’ chronic inability to get to the basket and draw fouls – the Knicks didn’t go to the foul line once in the 2nd half of a recent game – leave New York with a decisive disadvantage going down the stretch. I will not say that their ineptness in drawing fouls is the only problem, nor will I say that height or inconsistent shooting is. I don’t think any of these disadvantages are consistent problems. I will say that when it’s not one it’s the other, as to say when height isn’t a problem, clutch shooting is. Considering the fact that rarely do the Knicks get blown out, (only 4 or 5 of their first 33 games have been 15+ point losses) these problems are not measurably impacting throughout the majority of the game. However down the stretch, the smallest of small problems, from one missed shot to one bad pass, can be the determining factor in win and loss.

Some fans have foolishly given up on the Knicks’ season baring any last minute trades before the February deadline. Names such as Shawn Bradley and Todd MacCulloch have been tossed around, but that is just speculation. The addition of such a big man is necessary, and with such an addition, the Knicks will be able to rise above .500. Fans will just have to wait and see if the Knicks will attempt to save this season or if they will wait one more year for Antonio McDyess and a lottery draft pick. Sounds easy, but in New York, fans and waiting don’t go too well together. Either way, it is apparent that one single deal is not all New York needs, rather a revival in the energy of the franchise and a defensive emergence is the main problematic factor that seems to be in the way of the Knicks and the playoffs. After all, with the many problems there seems to be, they’re just 3 ½ games out of the 8th spot in the East.


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