Fisher on Knicks' latest loss: 'We couldn't get up to the level of our opponent'
The New York Knicks already find themselves in a big hole one month into the season. And, the way they're playing, it doesn't look like it's going to be an easy one to climb out of.
New York lost its third-straight game Friday, getting blown out by the Oklahoma City Thunder 105-78 in Russell Westbrook's return from a fractured hand. Westbrook torched the Knicks for 32 points on 12-of-17 shooting, while adding eight assists and seven rebounds.
Knicks head coach Derek Fisher has seen his team come up short many times this season, but New York's latest loss stands out from an effort standpoint.
"I think (Russell) brought a pace back to the game for (the Thunder)," Fisher said, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post. "It wasn't just Russell. Overall they were at a higher rate. Their energy was higher and we couldn’t meet it. We couldn’t get up to the level of our opponent. That’s really the first time I've felt that all season early in the game."
Amar'e Stoudemire, who scored a team-high 20 points and hauled in nine rebounds, agreed with Fisher's assessment and believes the Knicks need to play with more intensity - especially for a 4-13 team.
The 78 points New York mustered against Oklahoma marked a season low.
"They played like they wanted it more," Stoudemire said. "At this point, I don’t see how a team wants it more than we do. It’s unacceptable. We should be in desperation mode. We’re a team that’s fighting for a win. Right now we got to have a higher sense of urgency and more enthused and mentally involved."
Friday was the second game the Knicks played without leading scorer Carmelo Anthony, who is out with a back injury. The Knicks can't afford Anthony to miss much more time, but they've been playing bad basketball even with him in the lineup.
New York has gone 2-12 since starting the season 2-1. The lowly Philadelphia 76ers, who take an 0-15 record into Saturday's game against the Dallas Mavericks, are the only reason the Knicks aren't sitting in the basement of the Atlantic Division.
It's gotten ugly fast, and the Knicks aren't showing many signs that they're set to get back on track soon.