DETROIT — Carmelo Anthony, Tyson Chandler and J.R. Smith each stated variations of the same phrase in the distraught visitor’s locker room in Chicago late Sunday afternoon: “I have no answers.’’
The three Knicks each were referring to how a club that went 54-28 and earned the second seed in the Eastern Conference last season could turn into the NBA’s biggest wreck this season.
With the club 19 games under .500 and six games out of the eighth seed as play began Monday night, Team Titanic traversed the Midwest from Chicago to Detroit to face the struggling Pistons. The Pistons at least tried to plug their leaks and fired their coach, Maurice Cheeks, last month.
Mike Woodson stays on and made yet another starting lineup change in a series of them — going with Amar’e Stoudemire and J.R. Smith to replace Iman Shumpert and Pablo Prigioni.
“Right now, we’re searching, we’re trying to find combinations,’’ Woodson said at The Palace, where he once won a title as an assistant coach to Larry Brown.
This century’s original Team Titanic was captained by Brown, who shipwrecked the franchise in guiding it to a 23-59 reocrd in 2005-2006, setting the franchise record for most starting lineups.
Team Titanic II was the Isiah Thomas-coached club of 2007-08 which started training camp in Charleston, S.C. with Thomas still in court fighting sexual-harassment charges. That team also wound up 23-59.
Team Titanic III, captained by Anthony, just might have hit the iceberg with the most force when you consider the high expectations and the notion the captain may abandon the ship for calmer waters this summer. In addition, the lottery pick from the expected non-playoffs finish will be shipped to Denver in one of the best, top-heavy drafts in years — the last indignity to the Anthony blockbuster.
It’s too easy to blame the Anthony trade for this collapse. It’s too easy to blame former general manager Glen Grunwald’s 2013 summer additions that didn’t pan out — Metta World Peace, point guard Beno Udrih and power forward Andrea Bargnani.
World Peace and Udrih, their “prized’’ free-agent signings, were mysteriously banished to Woodson’s doghouse before being bought out.
Bargnani was a serviceable power forward, added some offensive punch, but became a defensive liability. He also wasn’t a good chemistry fit with Anthony before tearing the ulnar ligament in his left elbow Jan. 22. There’s still no timetable for his return.
Considering the Knicks likely won’t make the playoffs, the enigmatic Bargnani wasn’t worth a 2016 first-round pick — or even sharpshooter Steve Novak. Woodson has barely mentioned Bargnani’s name since he went down against the Sixers.
But the real cause of the Knicks’ 2013-14 collapse was the 2012 free-agent maneuvering — once hailed as genius — in netting Marcus Camby, Jason Kidd, Raymond Felton and Rasheed Wallace.
When the Knicks gave their precious three-year, mid-level exception to Kidd that summer, brass expected him to play at least two of the three years. Instead, he gave them one season before retiring to coach their intracity rivals in Brooklyn.
Even LeBron James last week cited Kidd’s absence as key to the Knicks’ demise. Kidd did so many little things on the court during that 54-28 regular season — defensively and offensively. Plus, he was a rock in the locker room, as was Wallace.
Though Wallace got hurt early on, he set a strong tone when he played during the 18-5 start. He also stuck around the club all season rehabbing, providing spirit in the locker room and on the bench.
Instead of sticking around to be Woodson’s assistant coach, he landed on the staff in Detroit.
Then there is Camby, whom the Knicks obtained in a sign-and-trade. He had plantar fasciitis for part of the season but even when he was healthy — including the playoffs — Woodson wouldn’t play him. He was the backup center/rim protector Grunwald envisioned would give him two good seasons. The Knicks still don’t have a viable backup center.
The Knicks wound up trading his contract in the Bargnani deal and Camby was bought out by Toronto, re-signed with Houston but had more foot problems.
Finally there is Felton, a big part of the 54-28 season, who even had a good playoff. He has fallen on his face this season without Kidd by his side in the locker room and on the court.
There are other reasons relating to Smith’s spotty season and Anthony’s inability to hit big shots in the final minute. But the 20012 summer reload turned the Knicks into one-year wonders.