Report: Everyone on Knicks 'seems a little lighter' without Melo, Phil

In the two seasons before this one, the New York Knicks got off to ostensibly strong starts that proved to be illusory. But this year seems to be different.

There have been significant, tangible changes in New York that have made the Knicks a fundamentally different team, and suggest that their latest strong start may actually be for real. Notably: Former team president Phil Jackson and former franchise player Carmelo Anthony are both out of the picture.

"Everyone just seems a little lighter," a team source told ESPN's Ian Begley of the difference between this year's Knicks and the teams of seasons past.

On top of the fact that Jackson's insistence on running the triangle offense and Anthony's penchant for ball-stopping isolations hamstrung the Knicks' offense and stifled Kristaps Porzingis' development, the awkward season-long standoff between the two seemed to infect the whole team with negative energy.

"The drama Phil created with Carmelo really affected the team and the joy factor," another source told Begley.

Things got particularly bad last December when Jackson used the media to publicly call out Anthony for holding the ball too long.

"It just caused so much unnecessary drama for the team," a source said. "It wore on them. At that point, everyone could feel Phil trying to push Carmelo out."

According to Begley, shortly after Jackson made those comments, a high-ranking Knicks executive wondered aloud: "What the f--- is he doing? This is insane. How is this helping us win?"

Anthony also reportedly feuded with the Knicks' coaching staff, and things seemed to come to a head during a March 12 loss to the lowly Brooklyn Nets. Sources told Begley that in the locker room at halftime, as the coaches were lighting into the team, Anthony interjected and told assistant Kurt Rambis, "This place is a f---ing joke."

After Rambis shot back by questioning Anthony's effort, one Knicks player reportedly recused himself and a few others from the situation by saying, "F--- this, let's go shoot around."

With Anthony now in Oklahoma City, Jackson effectively retired, and Porzingis thriving in his new lead role, the Knicks appear to be fostering a healthier environment this season. We'll see if it lasts.