Knicks trying to solve identity crisis as consistency woes continue

Nearing the completion of one-third of the season and coming off a disheartening defeat to franchise enemy Trae Young, the Knicks are still searching for the gritty and relentless identity that carried them through piles of adversity last season. Josh Hart cited two reasons — or people — why. “Obviously Donte [DiVincenzo] being traded, he was a huge part of our identity.[Isaiah Hartenstein, who left in free agency] was a huge part of that identity,” Hart said.

“Just the way they played.They played aggressively.

They played great defense.Their energy. “The biggest thing was when they made plays, it was contagious.

You knew.That takes a while to do.

It takes a while to know each other and those kind of things.So we have to go out there and make that the norm.

That’s something last year, we knew like, ‘At times we might not be able to score but at the end of the game we are going to keep it close and we’ll still win.’” Hart didn’t mention another important departure — Julius Randle — but the question was about the end of last season, when the Knicks were besieged by injured players — Randle among them — and they gutted out 50 wins followed by a thrilling playoff series against the Sixers. Those Knicks were underdogs.They had zero lottery picks in their playoff rotation.

They were built on securing extra possessions through offensive rebounds and defending the paint.These Knicks (15-10) were constructed differently with higher expectations but struggling to achieve consistency. “Is there a timetable? No.

It happens when it happens,” Hart said.“So, if it doesn’t happen — I don’t think there is a timetable with it.

We’re 25 games into a season where we have new pieces and some of those pieces haven’t played all 25 games.We’re trying to figure it out.

I think when we do, we’ll be a good team.At this point, it can’t be when we do or if we do.

We have to go out there and force the issue and make it happen....