Oct 24, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; New York Knicks guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (5) shoots the ball as Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) defends during the second half at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

The Knicks are a bad team and that’s sugar coating it. They are awful and a lot of it has to do with this team’s lack of chemistry and unwillingness to learn a new system. They are off to the worst start in franchise history in a season where they had hoped to make the playoffs and build on that for the next year.

Phil Jackson and Derek Fisher are feeling the heat, but how much are they to blame? That locker room is dysfunctional and according to Chris Broussard of ESPN, Carmelo Anthony wanted to beat up Tim Hardaway Jr after their loss to the Brooklyn Nets:

Carmelo Anthony approached Hardaway on the way down the court and used an expletive to ask Hardaway who in the world he thought he was talking to. Anthony, according to sources, used another expletive in telling Hardaway he was going to beat him up when they got into the locker room after the game

“The New York Knicks were en route to their fifth straight loss last week against Brooklyn when a frustrated Tim Hardaway Jr. screamed angrily, “Get the rebound!”

Certain his second-year teammate was speaking to him, Carmelo Anthony approached Hardaway on the way down the court and used an expletive to ask Hardaway who in the world he thought he was talking to.

Anthony, according to sources, used another expletive in telling Hardaway he was going to beat him up when they got into the locker room after the game.”

Hardaway Jr wanted Melo to grab/fight for the rebound, but didn’t. Melo didn’t appreciate the younger player telling him what to do and reportedly responded with the threat. Nothing happened after the game, but tensions remain high.

According to Broussard, Melo and Hardaway have not liked each other since they started playing together in New York. Hardaway has complained about Melo’s unwillingness to pass the ball and defend, which is the reputation he’s built over the years. There is no question Anthony is the franchise player, but if the team does not respect him, then the Knicks’ rough start makes more sense now.

The Knicks have been losing games where they’ve played well enough to win, but have not gotten over that hump. You have to play as a team to win in this league and if the locker room is split, then the Knicks must make some roster changes to improve morale.