HOUSTON _ You would think that in the course of compiling a 15-63 record, the Knicks would have hit rock bottom. But as they worked out Friday morning, rock bottom seemed like just a stopping point on the way to a gaping abyss.
Emmanuel Mudiay was ruled out with a sore left shoulder, joining Dennis Smith Jr., Frank Ntilikina, Kadeem Allen and Allonzo Trier on the sideline. That left only Billy Garrett, who was called up from the G League on Tuesday and had 12 minutes of NBA experience, as the lone point guard on the roster. So coach David Fizdale announced a lineup with Mario Hezonja starting at point guard against the Rockets.
Hezonja had been collecting DNPs before getting a chance to start at power forward against his former team in Orlando two days earlier. But after confidently asserting that he had played point guard in his rookie year and "before, it was my natural position," he amassed his first career triple-double with 16 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists Friday night. And as one might have expected, it mattered little as the Knicks lost to the Rockets, 120-96, after falling behind by as many as 42 points.
When a reporter mentioned before the game that it was not his natural position, Hezonja snapped, "How do you know? Do you watch basketball?" He said he would like to play point guard more but just hadn't pushed it since the Knicks were deep at the position most of the season, adding, "I'm not going to steal somebody's job."
The confidence in the morning was palpable. Fizdale spoke his usual encouraging words about a great workout and a solid plan, and Hezonja challenged anyone who doubted his ability to not only play point guard but to do it against the Rockets' star backcourt of James Harden (who had 26 points) and Chris Paul. And the reality is that this is how you chase down the worst record in franchise history. The Knicks now are 15-64.
"Yeah, losing definitely sucks," said Lance Thomas, the one member of the current roster who was part of the 17-65 train wreck that set the franchise mark for futility in the 2014-15 season. "Nobody in any competitive setting likes to lose. But it takes a tough-minded individual to keep focus and to make sure things are done the right way to change things around. Myself, I've just been constantly working and pushing the guys to have the mindset I have."
Thomas said the only lesson he learned from the previous struggles was: "Never quit."
That was what Fizdale stuck with, too, at a point when just taking the court seems like a cruel challenge.
"I love it. This is what it's all about," he said. "You kidding me? These guys have been great all year. (Mudiay) is crawling in here right now because he's just given me everything that he's got. These guys are excited about this game. We talked about these games no matter what, are really important for us. ... Our shootarounds have been great. Film sessions have really been sharp. I think these guys want to come in here and give themselves a chance to win."
