The New York Knicks currently sit at 20-31 and are in 10th place in the Eastern Conference, sitting two games behind the Charlotte Bobcats for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, leading to head coach Mike Woodson being questioned about his job on a daily basis. Ahead of the team's final game before the All-Star break Wednesday night against the Sacramento Kings, Woodson once again was faced with the question of his job status.
According to ESPN, Woodson was asked whether or not he was given any assurances from Knicks brass that he'd still be with the team following next weekend's All-Star break and said he was sure he'd return behind the bench when the Knicks visit the Grizzlies in Memphis on Feb. 18.
"Again guys this is not about me," Woodson said at the Knicks facility on Monday via ESPN. "Unless you guys know something I don't know, then the only thing I can say is I'm going to be back. Unless you guys know something, I'm the coach of the Knicks and that's all I know at this point."
ESPN reports that the Knicks were set to have a practice Monday but opted to instead do a light walkthrough with the team in order to have a recovery day as the group tries to get out of a rut that has seen them lose three of their last four games and four of five. The team will hope to end the first half on a strong note when it takes on Sacramento (17-34) at Madison Square Garden Wednesday.
The Knicks schedule consists of 19 of their final 31 contests being on the road, so New York will hope to win its final home game before the break on Wednesday to at least end a mediocre first half on a good note.
The Knicks came into the season with owner James Dolan thinking they could compete for an NBA title, but haven't lived up to the hype or expectations thus far this season, leading to Woodson's job status being anything but secure.
Woodson told reporters Monday that his players are very much aware of the coach's job status being a daily question mark that is always rehashed in the media.
"They know it's dangling," Woodson said on Sunday in Oklahoma City, according to ESPN. "My theme to our players is that 'Woodson's a big boy. He's been around the block a few times.' It's a part of the business if it happens."
Woodson said that even though his job status is constantly questioned, he doesn't believe the focus should be on him as he just looks to make the team better suited to win games
"It's never been about me," he said via ESPN. "You've got to worry about the makeup of your team and how you compete on the practice floor and when you take the court.''
The Knicks will take the court Wednesday in hopes of ending a lackluster first half of the season on a high note.
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