Mike Woodson has been facing a lot criticism lately as the New York Knicks hit yet another slump, but he does not believe it is coming from his players. The Knicks just recorded another loss by double-digits, this time to their in-state rival Brooklyn Nets and several players spoke out saying the Knicks were outschemed. Woodson does not believe that was directed at him, even though he is the coach.
Both Tyson Chandler and Carmelo Anthony spoke out after the loss saying the team was simply out-matched and exploited throughout the game against the Brooklyn Nets.
"I think we came to play. They outschemed us," Chandler said, via ESPNNewYork.com. "They played to our defense as far their offensive scheme, knowing our rotations and knowing what we wanted to accomplish. Kind of putting us in vulnerable situations."
Anthony echoed the words of his teammate. He even went as far as to compliment Nets head coach Jason Kidd for capitalizing on mismatches during the game, specifically Joe Johnson who put up 25 points in the win. Woodson told media on Tuesday that those comments were in now way directed towards him. He spoke with Chandler about the comments and noted that everything was fine between he and his players.
"Sometimes it's healthy when players get upset; it means they're ticking a little bit. If they want to lash out at me, that's fine. I'm not a coach that takes things personally," Woodson said. "At the end of the day we got to meet at a common ground and win ball games. That's what it's all about and that's what I'm trying to be about. I still have to stay positive and I still have to coach and push this team to play at a high level, and that's what I'm going to try to do the rest of the way."
Despite the losses and the 15-26 record on the season, Woodson is not concerned over getting fired in the near future. There has been plenty of speculation that Woodson will be the first to take the fall for the recent skid of the Knicks after receiving plenty of preseason hype. Owner James Dolan has spoken out in support of Woodson, but it can only be assumed that public endorsement will only last so long.
"This is 30 years I've been around this business. It happens to coaches. But my focus is not on that," Woodson said. "My focus is trying to salvage this season with 41 games left to get us back to the top. That's the only thing I'm focusing on and I'm going to continue to think that way."
