The D'Antoni Mutiny: Carmelo Anthony wants out if coach stays

A six game losing streak that has the New York Knicks reeling and hanging on by threads to the final slot in this year's playoffs, are on the cusp of a complete and utter meltdown; word has it from multiple accounts that the memo is: "it's either us or the coach."

First, the New York Post reported late Tuesday night that there is an apparent rift that has developed in the Knicks clubhouse between Coach D'Antoni and struggling All Star Carmelo Anthony. The Knicks are 2-9 since Anthony returned to the line-up, and the shooting forward has struggled offensively, managing only 39 percent  from the floor.

Yet, the Post reported that Anthony wants to be traded if D'Antoni should remain coach. He apparently requested Knicks brass fire D'Antoni after the Knicks were swept out of the playoffs last year; he obviously didn't get that wish. The Post also reported that  Anthony feels that D'Antoni and interim GM Glen Grunwald are buddies.

However, Anthony is not the only one upset with D'Antoni. Other players are now complaining of playing time, including Baron Davis who is unhappy about his limited playing time because of the impact of Jeremy Lin.

"Davis, averaging just 17 minutes a game, has already spoken to D'Antoni about giving him more playing time, according to the sources. While Lin wants to run D'Antoni's system, Davis is more in line with running the offense through Anthony and Stoudemire, the sources said" (ESPN).

It is interesting to note that once Anthony and Davis returned to the club, this entire team went into a downward spiral. The Knicks have struggled to adjust to the presence of both players, especially Anthony, who seems unable to get on the same page with Lin. Although Anthony insisted that he and Lin are on good terms, it has not transpired on the court. Anthony's poor shooting has put pressure on the others to make plays, and, as a result, everyone is in a collective funk.

D'Antoni, who doesn't coach any defense, has shown an inability to get this team to gel. The team had five days during the All Star break to work out and get accustomed to each another, but even that was a colossal failure with a handful of Knicks players participating in the All Star game. Clearly, D'Antoni's time is coming to an end.