Knicks: Are Carmelo Anthony and his Knicks Getting Too Cocky?

Let’s put aside horrendous calls against the New York Knicks made by non-replacement referees, and focus on a jubilant Knicks club riding a winning streak. Anyone would be a little bit cocky after knocking down team after team, some of who were deemed better than you at the beginning of the season. The Knicks have a swagger about them, with added cockiness I’m sure Rihanna would like to get a piece of at this point. In the Knicks previous contest, versus the Houston Rockets, the defense wasn’t operating well by any means. Forcing turnovers has been a staple thus far for the Knicks this season, you couldn’t tell last night. Disrupting shot attempts, scrapping for loose balls, and tenacity was not visible in all of the Knicks not just Carmelo. Granted the Knicks were on a road trip making stops at two points of the dreaded, Texas triangle. In the loss against the Dallas Mavericks, the Knicks shot the ball well, but lacked energy at the end they’ve spoiled us with at the beginning of the regular season. I don’t think this is a case of the Knicks age rearing its ugly head, but a syndrome all top tier teams encounter. Playing down to the competition. This Knicks club needs to take it to each opponent night-in and night-out, leaving no doubts about their intentions to retain a title this season. Defense has been the golden goose and you can expect head coach, Mike Woodson, to enforce this notion in time for tomorrow’s match-up against the Detroit Pistons. Melo may want to huddle his Knicks teammates together and figure out a way to tackle their rebounding woes. Rebounding the basketball, besides age and health should be the Knicks only concern for the remainder of the season. Amar’e Stoudemire isn’t known for his prowess on the boards, so the Knicks can’t count on his return alleviating their issues. Cocky is a harsh label to put on the Knicks club so early this season. Still you won’t find many other reasons why the Knicks lost two consecutive games for the first time under Woodson’s tenure as head coach. Perhaps a glitch in the matrix could be the cause, if you’re into that sort of thing. Defense is a label the Knicks have adorned confidently and effectively this season, the team must continue to do so moving forward. Hopefully the Knicks lick the persuasion that put the team into this rut, so they can relish in their winning ways yet again. Follow Me On Twitter