The Knicks are off to the worst start in franchise history with a 4-19 record, which is largely due to the growing dysfunction, resistance to coaching, and fighting among players, according to a report from ESPN.
All-Star small forward Carmelo Anthony and second-year shooting guard Tim Hardaway, Jr., almost got into a fight during a their recent loss to the Brooklyn Nets, with the two cursing each other out on the court before Anthony told Hardaway he would beat him up in the locker room after the game.
Nothing physical came of that incident, but this type of thing is fairly common with the team, according to the report.
"Nobody's taken a swing at anybody, but there's a lot of arguing and cursing each other out after games,'' one source told ESPN.
Several Knicks have a growing problem with Anthony in particular, who they believe isn't playing team basketball. They voiced their displeasure to Carmelo this past weekend, telling him he shoots too much, doesn't move the ball, and only plays defense when he feels like it.
However, the biggest issue in New York is the player's resistance to the Triangle offense and new head coach Derek Fisher. They are upset with his stoic sideline demeanor, how often he holds practices, and question his on-court strategy.
"Guys are definitely frustrated,'' one source told ESPN. "But some of it's just basketball stuff that the players don't like doing. When somebody's demanding that you make a hard cut, you don't like it because you have to work harder. When someone says it's not OK to throw a bull---- pass, guys don't like it.''
"There's some resistance to discipline and order and culture change and things like that,'' President of Basketball Operations Phil Jackson said.
December 15 is the first day players who were signed or drafted this offseason are eligible to be traded, and New York is likely to make some roster moves, with shooting guard J.R. Smith being the player that's most likely to be traded.
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