Knicks’ Collapse Concern: Hart’s Blistering Critique Unveils Deep-Seated Issues, Signaling a Potential Postseason Meltdown and a Desperate Need for Change
Like most NBA teams in a grueling 82-game campaign, the Knicks are experiencing the late-season blues. Tom Thibodeau’s squad has lost six of their last nine games, but the losses are not as concerning as the lack of spirit in their performances.
On Thursday, they were blown out by the lowly Charlotte Hornets less than 24 hours after being drubbed by another lottery-bound team, the San Antonio Spurs.
After the back-to-back losses, Josh Hart called out his teammates for being outworked and out-hustled in the season’s final leg. To Hart’s point, the Knicks were out-rebounded 52 to 38 by the Hornets and 52-44 by the Spurs — markers of a team not giving enough effort.
“The way that we’re losing games is embarrassing,” Hart told the media. “We have to find a way to right the ship. We have to come out next game with more intensity and desperation. Starts with myself. As someone who’s supposed to bring energy. I’ve been atrocious the last several weeks. So, we have to get our minds prepared for the end of the season.”
The one thing working in the Knicks’ favor is they still own a three-game lead over the fourth-seeded Pacers. If the playoffs were to start today, New York would face Detroit in the first round and the Celtics in the second, provided the chips fall as expected.
There’s no guarantee the Knicks would get past the Pistons, one of the hottest teams in the league since the All-Star break. Heat legend Udonis Haslem has boldly predicted that the Knicks would be sent home packing by J.B. Bickerstaff’s young squad in the first round.
The Knicks will host the Wizards on Saturday. The alarm bells will get louder if they lose to a third consecutive lottery-bound team.
