Why Phil Jackson must get rid of the perfect interim coach: Kurt Rambis has played the part of loyal soldier. He has been the model interim coach in a lot of ways: affable, earnest, absolutely committed to carrying out his boss’ interpretation of what basketball should look like. -- New York Post
Rambis sounds like Knicks fixture in preaching quick 180: Interim coach Kurt Rambis, in a message to fans on Fan Appreciation Night, said he understands “the blur” of non-playoff seasons but stressed how fast things can change next season. Rambis even referred to last season’s 17-65 disaster as “Year Zero” because of the mammoth changes involved in the new Phil Jackson regime. -- New York Post
Knicks’ season — and Carmelo’s career? — at MSG mercifully finished: The Knicks are done at the Garden for the season, with Carmelo Anthony thinking more along the lines of how the club can add a piece like Toronto’s free-agent-to-be DeMar DeRozan rather than jumping ship. Fittingly, DeRozan applied the finishing touches in the Garden finale — symbolic of what the Knicks need to add this July. -- New York Post
Knicks fall to Raptors in Madison Square Garden season finale: Phil Jackson was in his usual center-court seat about 10 rows up from the floor Sunday night, watching the Knicks play their last home game of the season. His first two full seasons as Knicks president have resulted in more anguish than victories. On Fan Appreciation Night, the Knicks lost to the Raptors, 93-89, and dropped to 32-49. -- Newsday
Grant finally getting the minutes he deserves: Jerian Grant finally is getting the minutes he should have gotten much earlier. All it took was Carmelo Anthony and other vets telling interim coach Kurt Rambis they would sacrifice their minutes so the young guys could play more, along with an injury to starting point guard Jose Calderon. -- Newsday
Carmelo Anthony pleads Knicks fans to keep faith after loss to Raptors: It was Fan Appreciation Night at the Garden, but there wasn’t much to appreciate on the court as the Knicks wrapped up their worst two-year stretch in 30 years. So when Carmelo Anthony was asked Sunday if he had a message for the fans who are still selling out the arena, the star decided to shun those who’ve reached their breaking point with the losing. -- New York Daily News
Fittingly, Knicks Fall in Home Finale: A few minutes before halftime in the Knicks’ game on Sunday night, Carmelo Anthony scrapped through a thicket of Toronto Raptors players to execute a tough layup. Anthony finished the move under the basket, and as the ball slipped through the net, he head-butted it back into the air, like a soccer defender clearing out a corner kick. -- The New York Times