The Knicks are seeking their first set of back-to-back victories in more than a month. That’s what happens when you lose 13 of 16 games.
So as the coaches strive to keep matters as positive as possible, there always are reminders the situation could be worse. Look at the team practice Saturday in Tarrytown.
No Carmelo Anthony. No Kristaps Porzingis. No Arron Afflalo. And you think you have problems.
Interim coach Kurt Rambis scuttled the practice blueprint as his three top players were given off for assorted medical reasons. Rambis said he wasn’t overwhelmed with information on the status of the three but simply heeded the medical staff’s advice and kept all three out of physical drills. Officially, the three received “recovery days” to rest and heal.
“A little banged up,” Rambis said. “Melo, Arron and KP had some little things and got dismissed from practice just to deal with. We’ll see if it becomes problematic [Sunday].”
Rambis said that “as of right now, yes,” he expected the trio to be available Sunday against the Heat at the Garden.
Normally, when Anthony sits, red flags go up. Anthony has dealt with soreness in his surgically repaired left knee several times this season. So most assume, barring an outbreak of rickets, that when Anthony recuperates, it is to strengthen the knee. But Rambis could not make a definitive claim.
“No, medical staff just said he wasn’t feeling great today,” said Rambis. “To be honest, the medical staff said he needs the day off, so I didn’t get specific with them.”
Rambis shed a little light on Porzingis’ situation, but not high-beam type light.
“His knee was a little sore. Specifically what it was, I have no idea, so there was no sense of pushing it,” Rambis said.
Afflalo has been battling through a bruised thigh from a knee he took Wednesday in Indiana. But it did not appear to bother him Friday in a 14-point, 12-rebound performance as the Knicks ended a six-game home losing streak with a 108-95 romp over the Magic. Again, Rambis did not supply specifics on Afflalo, beyond acknowledging the thigh issue.
“Yeah. I’ll see if it’s anything more,” Rambis said, noting there were no new issues “as far as I know.”
So that sort of threw a wet, soggy, damp, blanket on practice.
“Not as much as I wanted to,” Rambis said when asked what was accomplished.
Anthony has been having a solid season. He is the only player in the NBA to lead his team in scoring (21.4 ppg), rebounds (8.0 rpg) and assists (4.2 apg). Several guys lead in multiple categories, but only Anthony leads his team in the big three. After Friday’s game, Anthony said he was unaware of the feat.
“I didn’t know that stat. I guess nowadays everything is about a stat. But I’ll take it,” Anthony said.
Rambis said the accomplishment shows the growth in the All-Star’s game.
“Obviously, he’s been terrific this year, and … his overall team play has gotten better, his willingness to move the basketball,” Rambis said. “He’s getting better at reading what the defense is doing and moving the ball along, rebounding. … He seems to be playing with more maturity, more clarity in terms of what he can do team-wise and have an impact. And he seems to be more comfortable in allowing that to happen rather than just being a scorer out there.”
Barring divine intervention, Anthony is doing this in a season in which he will miss the playoffs again.
“Losing’s got to be hard. I’m sure that’s frustrating for him,” Rambis said. “All players want to win a championship. All players want to get in the playoffs. That’s when it’s really fun. The regular season is a grind. Losing and not getting in the playoffs is frustrating for us all but probably more so for him.”