Knicks’ Struggles Continue Amid Losses

The Knicks are facing a significant issue with their effort levels, as nearly all players have noted. However, Coach Mike Brown is also on the lookout for different solutions.

Following a tough loss to the Mavericks, Brown stated, “I have some idea of what I’m going to do” to break the team’s losing streak. Yet, he doesn’t plan to make drastic changes to the current system.

The next day, as he began to implement a plan, he felt even more strongly about the need for adjustments. “We made a lot of changes on both sides of the ball to help them,” Brown explained after Tuesday’s practice. He added, “We didn’t overhaul anything completely, but we made some changes. My staff has been great through this. In situations like this, it’s important for players to look in the mirror, and that starts with me.”

While Brown didn’t provide specifics on the changes, the team’s current slump includes four consecutive losses and only two wins in the last eleven games, making their record 7-11 since their NBA Cup victory.

At the beginning of the season, the Knicks performed strongly, showcasing improved three-point shooting, quicker pace, more ball movement, and enhanced bench contributions. Now, however, they feel like a shadow of that earlier success.

“The first 25, 26 games were promising; we thought we were in a good position,” Brown reflected. “But something shifted after the Cup. I can’t pinpoint why, but things definitely changed.” He acknowledged that the situation keeps deteriorating, prompting a search for ways to restore their earlier effectiveness.

Since the Cup, the Knicks’ offensive rating has dropped to 114.5 points (16th in the NBA), while their defensive rating has fallen to 119.6 points (second-worst in the league).

In contrast, during the 25 games leading up to the Cup Final, they had an impressive offensive rating of 122.0 points (second in the NBA) and a defensive rating of 113.3 (11th in the NBA). This decline has created a striking contrast.

“When you’re in this challenging situation, and you have a capable staff, it’s essential to examine everything,” Brown emphasized. “We need to keep searching for ways to support the team on both ends of the court.”