The Knicks are a mess

Nine straight losses have the Knicks tied with the Bucks for last place in a weak Eastern Conference. Knicks owner James Dolan’s patience is wearing thin, and head coach Mike Woodson might be on his list of people to blame.

The team’s losing streak is their longest since the 2005-06 season, when the Knicks won just 23 games.

Potential causes of the Knicks’ lack of success early on include Carmelo Anthony’s poor shooting from three-point range (21.6 percent over his last nine games), J.R. Smith’s inconsistent play off the bench, Amar’e Stoudemire’s decline (4.9 points and 2.8 rebounds in 14.5 minutes per game) and injuries to Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton.

James Dolan will do something if the Knicks fall out of contention even further… but what? and when?

Iman Shumpert has been the subject of trade rumors. It’s hard to know with Dolan, he expressed unconditional support for his head coach just a couple of weeks ago and now Mike Woodson is also said to be on the hot seat.