Knicks' Lee: We should apologize to fans who paid to watch us play Lakers

The New York Knicks came into their Monday night battle with the second-worst record in the NBA since Christmas at 6-17 - only edging out the 2-20 Brooklyn Nets over that span.

They ended up falling to the Los Angeles Lakers by double digits, and the players are fed up - namely Courtney Lee.

"Last night was pretty bad," Lee told Knicks beat reporter Mike Vorkunov. "We definitely gotta apologize to the fans and everybody that spent their hard-earned money to come watch us play.

"We definitely didn't show up and compete at a level that we need to compete at to win the game, especially in the situation where we're in right now and where we're trying to go. Today was much needed. We got after it today. Guys just pushing each other. We got a little chippy. That's what we needed."

New York put up a dismal effort in a game where they had an opportunity to get back on track against a Lakers team whose record since Christmas was almost as bad as the Knicks' at 6-14.

"We definitely didn't show up and compete at a level that we need to compete at to win the games, especially in the situation where we're in right now and where we're trying to go."

What they're trying to do is win games, and that just isn't happening. The Knicks rank in the bottom of the league in almost every single relevant defensive stat. They sit 23rd in the NBA in defensive rating (108.1), 29th in defensive rebounding percentage (74.7), 29th in opponent second-chance points per game (14.5), and 26th in opponent points scored in the paint per game (45.8). Not exactly the recipe for success for a team that had championship aspirations prior to the season.

The Knicks have been preaching defense all season, but it just hasn't been there for a team that's surrendered at least 111 points in three of the last four games - all of which they lost.

To make matters worse, their schedule isn't about to get any easier - seven of the Knicks' next 10 opponents are all in playoff position - and Lee knows it's time for the players to put their money where their mouth is.

"We've been saying the same s--- all year," Lee said. "Now it's time to do it."