When TNT scheduled a back-to-back matchup of Knicks vs. Nets and Heat vs. Bulls, it probably looked like ratings gold. However, now this looks like a night to tune into the Sound of Music over basketball. The battle of New York is now merely the battle of the losing records while Derrick Rose being out for Chicago makes the Miami matchup not nearly as exciting as before. Carmelo Anthony is well-aware people are laughing at this game and he is tired of it.
"It's on TNT? I didn't know that," Anthony said, via ESPNNewYork.com. "I don't care about that. We are the laughingstock of the league right now. It's nothing to hide. We are. That's why it is a big game for us. Do I like being laughed at? Hell, no. I don't like that feeling."
He is right, people are laughing at the Knicks more than the Nets. The Knicks are on a nine-game losing streak, seven of those coming at home. The Nets beat in the Memphis Grizzlies in somewhat impressive fashion, making this a must-win matchup for New York.
Both teams had lofty expectations in the offseason and bought into their own hype. There was a large war-of-words happening between players like JR Smith, Paul Pierce and Iman Shumpert among others. Both claimed to be the best team in the city, however the Knicks are 3-13 and the Nets are 5-13. Both teams are simply just searching for a solid win at this point.
Both coaches summed up the matchup by saying both teams stink right now. Jason Kidd has opted to shake up his staff, demoting Lawrence Frank off the bench. Mike Woodson is trying to take a more positive approach, building his team with confidence they desperately need.
"I think any win for our team is important," Woodson said. "Just to arrange the psyche of our team. Right now I think the spirits are high still. Practice was spirited today. I think our guys are committed. They haven't quit and they know what is ahead of us in terms of do we still have an opportunity to win the division? And we do, and rightfully so."
Smith engaged in some heavy trash talking with several Nets players prior to the start of the season, but now he is more concerned with simply just getting a win at this point, no matter who it is against. He is realistic in saying that the rivalry must be put aside in order for both teams to improve.
"There's so much animosity between the two teams," Smith said. "But our record, for the team we have, isn't really doing any justice. Right now we have to put the rivalry on hold and focus on each individual team, as opposed to focusing on we don't like them and they don't like us."
Despite the losing records and terrible play being demonstrated, the Battle of New York is sure to bring some fireworks. Someone has to win this game.