“Reboot” time — Carmelo Anthony’s phrase — is over. Kurt Rambis’ Knicks reconvene for practice at 4 p.m. Wednesday in Tarrytown.
There are 27 games to go, and the long-shot attempt to make a playoff run is on with a new head coach and a new Anthony, who vowed after Sunday’s All-Star Game he wasn’t planning on skipping any games.
Anthony missed five of the 15 games entering the break with a sprained ankle and sore left knee — a carryover from last February’s surgery. Anthony had a stationary All-Star Game performance in Toronto, but the hope is he didn’t want to risk any exertion, with his health and playoffs foremost on his mind. The Knicks are 0-7 without him.
Barring a long-shot bid for point guard Jeff Teague — or even Houston’s Ty Lawson now that Brandon Jennings is off the board — the Knicks probably stand pat at Thursday’s trade deadline.
The Knicks, who aren’t in action again until Friday vs. the Nets, stand five games out of the eighth seed at 23-32, in 12th place after a horrific 1-10 slide that led to coach Derek Fisher’s firing.
“We’re a much better team than we’ve been showing lately,’’ said Rambis, who cited lack of practice scrimmages as a major issue.
Figuring the Knicks need, at worst, a .500 record to get in, they have to weave a 19-8 finish to have a chance. Jackson gave a speech to the players following Fisher’s firing last week letting them know he wants to win now. Rambis’ rhetoric is all about the playoffs — a distinct change from Fisher’s “process over playoffs.’’ If anything, the franchise wants to glide into July’s free agency in a winning mode.
“We’ve got to start winning some ballgames,’’ Rambis said before the All-Star break. “Looking back on when I was a player and always as a coach, you’ve got a goal of making the playoffs. That’s not only for the benefit of the players and what they can learn and how they grow when they get to that level of competition, but also for the franchise. We’ve got to start sending the right message out there in the free-agent world.’’
Here is a look at the key issues of the unofficial second half:
Biggest decision?
Rambis’ use of the triangle: Jackson has put off any coaching search because he genuinely wants to see his longtime Los Angeles buddy succeed in using the triangle to give him reason to keep him as coach and prove the offense works. Rambis will need to articulate the triangle to the players with more resolve, an area where Fisher strayed. And when mistakes are made, as Rambis said, “hold them accountable.’’
The Knicks got stagnant too often and resorted to isolation. Already in one game, when the Knicks shot 53 percent, it was noticeable Robin Lopez and Kristaps Porzingis got more low-post touches than they did under Fisher. Jackson confidant Charley Rosen, who writes for TodaysFastbreak, noted Rambis will try to get Anthony the ball more in “the pinch-post.”
Why is that key? It is the elbow on the opposite side of the court from where the three-player triangle is formed. That lessens the chance of double-teams. Fisher didn’t get that done.
“We have enough offensive people that can score, but we’ve got to move the ball better, so that we can find open people and make the scoring opportunities easier,’’ Rambis said.
Player who needs to show improvement
Point guard Jerian Grant: In Rambis’ first game, he declined to play the rookie out of Notre Dame, choosing to give extra minutes to the inconsistent Slovenian triangle lover, Sasha Vujacic. We get the win-now mode, but if Grant doesn’t contribute in the final 27 games, it’s hard to see the Knicks being athletic enough at point guard to win big. Also, a strong finish for Grant is another enticement for free agents — along with Porzingis.
Story to watch develop
KP6 in crunch time: One of the frustrating elements to Porzingis’ otherwise glorious rookie season is him either not getting the ball late in games or not being in the contest. The only memorable moment for Porzingis in the final 30 seconds was his miracle 3-pointer at the buzzer in Charlotte that was waved off. It didn’t start a trend. Anthony, Arron Afflalo, Lopez and even Jose Calderon have taken more final-second shots than Porzingis.
“I want to be more effective in the fourth quarter obviously,’’ Porzingis said in Toronto. “I don’t want to force it or take over the game because we have Melo. And he’s the guy to go to in the last quarter and last few minutes. But I have to stay ready.’’ Indeed.
Toughest stretch of the season
Six-game West Coast-to-Washington trip: The Knicks’ season easily could expire officially in mid-March, when they start their season’s longest road trip in Denver on March 8 and finish it 11 days later in Washington. In between, the Knicks are in Phoenx and in Los Angeles for the Clippers and Lakers before facing the unconquerable Warriors. An 11-day journey that spells sayonara.
Most important development
Melo’s mood: Anthony said enough during the All-Star break to ascertain his patience is running thin with the Jackson plan. If the Knicks fade in March and April becomes a bunch of meaningless games, expect Anthony to sit out to rest his left knee — perhaps for his next club.
Anthony indicated missing the playoffs a third straight season could be a deal-breaker. Nobody would be surprised if Anthony waives his no-trade clause this summer if Jackson finds something intriguing — like a deal that sends him to Los Angeles to join pal Chris Paul with the Knicks gaining NBA acrobat Blake Griffin.
Asked if there is a scenario in which he would waive the clause, Anthony, who has a home in Los Angeles, said, “Probably shouldn’t answer that.’’