DENIED! Amar’e Stoudemire, donning a Nueva York jersey on Spanish Heritage night, gets his shot stuffed by the Bulls’ Joakim Noah during the Knicks’ loss in Chicago. (Reuters)
CHICAGO — The Knicks can’t get a win, can’t get a rebound, can’t get Carmelo Anthony happy and efficient, and can’t make the playoffs if the season ended today.
With the trade deadline looming Thursday and the Melo-Mike D’Antoni relationship souring, the Knicks would not be a playoff team if the season ended today and do not look like one. All of it appears to have the coach on shaky ground again after last night’s sixth straight loss, 104-99, to the Bulls at United Center.
With the symbolic moment coming after the third quarter when Anthony did not join the huddle after being taken out, the Knicks fell into ninth place last night. The victorious Bucks moved into a tie with the Knicks at 18-24, but Milwaukee would earn the tiebreaker because it has beaten the Knicks both times this season.
Anthony sat by himself after the third quarter as the rest of the team gathered around D’Antoni. Anthony was one of the victims as the Knicks got bludgeoned on the boards, 56-38, allowing 22 offensive boards, which proved the killer in a tight fourth quarter, to the top-seeded Bulls (35-9).
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Anthony said he often doesn’t join the huddle after being taken out, but admitted he’s unhappy. The Knicks are 2-8 since he returned from injury.
“It [stinks] right now,’’ Anthony said. “It’s hard to stay upbeat the way we’re losing. Right now times are tough. I’m not going to get through it myself. It’s late in the season. Our backs are against the wall.’’
Amar’e Stoudemire called out some teammates and said there’s too much joking and not enough preparation from the players.
“We don’t feel great about our position,’’ Stoudemire said. “We feel we’re a much better team than the eighth seed.’’
The top-seeded Bulls were the hungrier team and outhustled the Knicks, scoring a total of 24 second-chance points. This could’ve been a first-round playoff preview, if the Knicks can even get there.
Anthony had another inefficient game, didn’t get the ball much in the fourth quarter, taking
just one shot until the final minute. His body language was bad as he finished with 21 points on 8-of-21 shooting. On one play in the fourth, Anthony posted up, but Landry Fields fed Lin, who shot it. Anthony clapped his hands in disgust.
Asked about his oncourt show of frustration, Anthony said it stemmed from “not getting hustle plays, giving them offensive rebounds, things we should’ve taken care of.’’
“They won the game playing harder than we did, out-hustling us, outworking us,’’ Anthony added. “Twenty-two offensive rebounds is unacceptable.’’
On the recent 0-4 road trip, there seemed a lack of accountability after the losses. Stoudemire, who scored 20 points on 7-of-12 shooting, said the whole demeanor must change.
“We got to be in early, got to get ourselves mentally prepared, in the weight room, getting our bodies ready, watching film,’’ Stoudemire said. “Joking around has to stop at some point, especially at a time when we’re the eighth seed and not playing well. The time is now. There’s no time for fun and games.’’
Point guard Jeremy Lin had an excellent first half, but reigning MVP Derrick Rose dominated the second half. Lin finished with 15 points, eight assists and three blocks, including one on a Rose layup attempt in the first quarter. But Rose steamrolled in the second half, winning the battle with 32 points, though he shot 12-of-29, earning the praise of D’Antoni.
The Knicks failure to box out and fight for rebounds was the sign of a team which has no
spirit any longer. Their mediocre final period ruined a spunky first half, which they ended with a 50-48 edge.
After Anthony was taken out after the third quarter for J.R. Smith, the Knicks fell apart in the opening 1:22 of the fourth. Smith committed two turnovers, including one that led to a 3-point play by Jimmy Butler to give the Bulls a 85-80 edge.
Taj Gibson then secured an offensive rebound that led to the highlight play of the game. On a give-and-go with Joakim Noah, Rose received a bounce pass in the lane and blew by Lin for a flying dunk to put the Bulls up 91-84 with 7:00 left. Chicago outscored the Knicks 24-6 on second-chance points.
Butler then scored on an offensive putback — yes another — as he beat Anthony to the ball and the Bulls led 95-88 with 3:22 left.
“The second-chance points got us,’’ D’Antoni said.