Time to Panic in New York?

Nov 23, 2013

Photo: Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post

NEW YORK — After a heartbreaking overtime loss to the Eastern conference leader, Indiana Pacers (10-1) on Wednesday night, Knicks guard, J.R. Smith said, “We’re frustrated. Like you say, it’s too early to panic, but me, personally, I’m panicking. I don’t like this.”

Is it too early for the Knicks to be panicking?

Nearly a month into the 2013-2014 NBA season, the New York Knicks find themselves tied for last place in a weak Atlantic division. Both the Knicks and the revamped Brooklyn Nets were expected to not only be atop of their division, but in the Eastern conference as well. Instead, the Knicks have lost their last four games, including six in a row at Madison Square Garden.

With their defensive anchor and former NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Tyson Chandler, out for several more weeks with a fractured right fibula, the Knicks are struggling to stop their opponents. Since Chandler went down in the fourth game, the Knicks have been a dismal 2-5 without their defensive leader on the floor. It’s safe to say the Knicks desperately need him back in the paint.

After Chandler was injured, the Knicks front office has been entertaining trade offers and shopping shut- down perimeter guard, Iman Shumpert around for a backcourt player to fill in for the injured star. So far, nothing has come to fruition. It appears the Knicks will have to find a way to win without Chandler for a few more weeks.

The defensive shortcomings were glaring in Wednesday night’s game against the Pacers. The Knicks could not stop the Pacer’s rising star, Paul George, who dropped a season-high 35 points. Hibbert and the Pacers controlled the boards and played tough, physical defense against the undersized Knicks.

Amare Stoudemire was given the night off against the Pacers to rest and Raymond Felton sat out due to injury. The short-handed Knicks had to rely on aging veterans and inconsistent shooter, J.R. Smith for their bench. Newcomer Andrea Bargnani is not known for his defensive presence and doesn’t exactly put fear into opposing players when they drive to the basket in the paint.

Until they get their defensive stalwart back on court, the Knicks have cause to panic since they have no solutions to their problems in the foreseeable future.

However, anything can happen between now and playoff time in the summer. It’s a long season with 82 games and the Knicks have played just 11 so far. If their on-court woes continue, look for owner James Dolan to shake things up with roster moves, although he has confirmed that Coach Woodson’s job is safe for now.