The New York Knicks have stumbled to a 5-29 record and sit in fourth place in the Atlantic Division under first-year coach Derek Fisher, but star Carmelo Anthony was quick to come to the defense of his coach.
New York's 99-78 loss ot the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday was its ninth straight defeat and the 19th game it dropped in its last 20.
Despite the struggles, Anthony believes that Fisher is the man to lead the Knicks.
"I think if it was anybody else in his position, I think this probably would've crumbled already," Anthony told ESPN. "I think he's doing a great job of keeping everybody focused on the task at hand and believing in what we're trying to do."
The Knicks have dealt with injuries which hasn't made it easier to adjust to the system laid out by Fisher and president Phil Jackson, but the team is hopeful heading into its first game of the New Year against the Detroit Pistons on Friday that 2015 will bring some better fortune.
"I don't really like doing the New Year's resolution, but I just want 2015 to be better than 2014," Anthony said. "We've got to find a win. We can't be thinking about the turnaround. We've got to find a win first and see what happens from there."
Anthony is struggling with a sore left knee and may eventually have to shut it down at some point this season.
"It's tough. Some days you're able to do some things, some days you're not," Anthony said. "Some days it's tough to even run around and cut and jump. And then other days I come in and I don't really feel it. I'm playing because I love to play and I want to play. I know what I can tolerate and what I can't tolerate. The games I feel like I can't tolerate it, I'm not going to play."
Anthony is averaging 23.9 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game this season.
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