The 2014 calendar year has been unforgiving for Derek Fisher and the New York Knicks. After starting the season 2-1, the Knicks haven’t been able to dig out a rut as they’ve been riddled with injuries up and down the roster.
New York closed the year and a three-game West Coast road trip with a 99-78 New Year’s Eve defeat to the Los Angeles Clippers, dropping it to 5-29 overall. But even with the loss, Coach Fish has kept his squad believing that they can improve as the season rolls into its next stage.
After the defeat, star forward Carmelo Anthony, who has been at the center of the health issues, revealed that Derek has been the glue that has kept the Knicks together.
“I think if it was anybody else in his position, I think this probably would’ve crumbled already,” Anthony said. “I think he’s doing a great job of keeping everybody focused on the task at hand and believing in what we’re trying to do.”
Derek’s calm and collected poker face was apparent Wednesday night. Anthony led the way for New York, as he fought through a knee injury to score 19 points and finish as the only Knickerbocker in double figures.
Melo has been slowed by knee and back injuries but is still averaging nearly 24 points per game. After the game, Derek talked about the tough situation facing Anthony, along with the rest of the walking wounded in New York.
“It’s tough when you’re in and out,” Derek says. “It’s tough to practice. (Carmelo’s) knee has obviously been bothering him, so it’s tough to have some rhythm and consistency out there under those circumstances.”
The Knicks also played without big men Samuel Dalembert and Amar’e Stoudemire, but brought back sharpshooter J.R. Smith, who had sat out the last 10 games. Despite the lack of flow and continuity, the Knicks hung tough with the Clippers through the first half at the Staples Center.
The Knicks also welcomed back center Andrea Bargnani, who made his first appearance since Jan. 22, 2014. After spending nearly a year off the court, Bargnani returned to tally nine points, four rebounds and two assists in just shy of 20 minutes of play.
“Andrei really did some great things out there,” Fish said. “He brought some energy and even some toughness to the game during some stretches. You can see how hard he has been working to get back, and it’s good to see him out there doing good things for us.”
After the Knicks fell behind by 10 early, Bargnani knocked down a mid-range jumper that sparked a 10-3 run that cut the deficit to just three, though a pair of Jamal Crawford free throws and a Jordan Farmar three stretched it back to eight, 29-21, at the end of one quarter.
The Clippers let it fly from deep all night, knocking down 15-of-34 attempts from deep, including 5-of-9 in the first quarter. New York played a great defensive second quarter, dropping that number to just three, while holding L.A. to 30 percent shooting overall.
At the half, the Knicks were right within striking distance, trailing 50-40.
However, after the break, the Clippers began to take over. New York struggled offensively, shooting less than 30 percent, while turning the ball over four times. Those four takeaways resulted in seven points for the Clippers, who extended their lead to 16 going into the final frame.
Both Fish and Los Angeles coach Doc Rivers let their reserves close out the game, and the Clippers cruised to victory.
“We didn’t come out with a purpose in the third quarter, in terms of putting ourselves in a position to win the fourth quarter,” Derek said. “In the third we didn’t come out with the right mindset and we ended up further behind.”
UP NEXT
The Knicks will try to snap their nine game losing streak and start the new year on a winning note when they return to Madison Square Garden Friday to take on the Detroit Pistons (8-23).
“It’s been difficult,” Fish said of his team’s struggles. “But that doesn’t define our life and whether we’re good people or whether we know how to play basketball just because we’re not winning right now. It just means you have a lot of work to do.”
This will be the second of four meetings between the two Eastern Conference foes. Detroit took Round 1 at The Palace of Auburn Hills on Nov. 5.
The Pistons have won three straight for the first time this season, topping the Indiana Pacers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic over the last week.
New York will look to end that streak when the two teams tip at 7:30 p.m. EST on MSG.