New York Knicks Five Takeaways From First Half Of Season

Mar 18, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks new president of basketball operations Phil Jackson (right) talks with Madison Square Garden chairman James Dolan at a press conference at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports

-Franchise Woes

The first half of the 2014-2015 season is the worst in the history of the franchise. The 5-36 record compiled in the first 41 games is the worst the Knicks have ever endured, which is saying a lot as the Knicks just endured 12 seasons in between playoff series wins, and a stretch of seven years between even reaching the playoffs.

It is extremely disappointing because of all the positivity that was surrounding the team coming into the season. Derek Fisher and Phil Jackson brought an aura of change, one that was necessitated for a franchise such as the Knicks that have been stuck in the doldrums as mentioned above. The results though have not translated on the court, as the Knicks have fell flat on their face.

They endured a franchise worst 16-game losing streak, which was their second double-digit length losing streak of the first 41 games. That is actually an impressive feat when you think about it, that they lost 26 of 36 games consecutively. Embarrassing yes, but also quite impressive when you step back and look at it. The only thing that kept those from being all in a row was a victory over the Boston Celtics, which was the Knicks only win from November 24th until January 19th, when they beat the Pelicans.

So it is an understatement to say that the Knicks season has not gone as planned. Reaching the playoffs was a long shot according to some, but with Carmelo Anthony leading the way it was not out of the realm of possibilities. The Knicks are now the furthest team from the playoffs in the NBA, as they have the worst record in the league; yes even worse than teams like the Philadelphia 76ers who are trying to lose more than win.

It is fair to question if a real change will ever occur as long as James Dolan is the owner of the team. While the product on the court suffers, the Knicks continue to kill it financially.

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