Fansided

ESPN flexes New York Knicks off primetime schedule

By Phil Naegely

Mar. 27, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7), shooting guard J.R. Smith (8) and small forward Iman Shumpert (21) smile on the court against the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Knicks won 108-101. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports
Mar. 27, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7), shooting guard J.R. Smith (8) and small forward Iman Shumpert (21) smile on the court against the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Knicks won 108-101. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports /
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The 5-33 New York Knicks have not played well this year. Now ESPN has flexed them from their primetime schedule, except for one game.

There’s a reason why television networks want flex scheduling as much as possible. It usually allows them to pick up more competitive teams and the marquee match-ups towards the end of a season. In this case, ESPN is taking the New York Knicks off their primetime schedule, except for one game.

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ESPN flexed themselves out of the following Knicks games.

  • New York at San Antonio – Dec. 10
  • Dallas at New York – Dec. 16
  • Oklahoma City at New York – Jan. 28
  • New York at Brooklyn – Feb. 6
  • Los Angeles (Clippers) at New York – March 25

The one Knicks game that will remain on ESPN is the Sunday, Feb. 1 game against the LA Lakers. This is the only game being played at that particular time, so the television network has no other option. So far this season, the Knicks have been flexed out five times and is a part of more than half of the nine games ESPN has flexed this season.

This latest move by ESPN shows clearly how irrelevant Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks have become this season. They own the league’s worst record at 5-33 and have gone 0-10 in their last ten games. New York is currently on a thirteen game losing streak, with their last win coming against the Boston Celtics back in December.

Unfortunately, ABC and TNT can not wipe the Knicks off of their TV schedule. TNT has the luxury of having an exclusive block of two Thursday night games. Yet, this time the luxury is more of a liability; they will have to continue to show mediocre basketball and their ratings are destined to drop.

The Knicks have shown this year that the Sixers in fact aren’t the worst NBA team, even though they both have five wins. There was much hype and high expectations for their 2014-15 NBA season, but the Knicks have failed horribly and are becoming the laughing stock of the league. It can’t get much worse than being dropped from ESPN primetime for a team that had potential.

For those who actually want to watch the Knicks, take note of the television changes so you don’t freak out when your beloved Knicks aren’t on ESPN. Luckily, they can get their Knicks basketball fill by watching their games on ABC and TNT still.

It won’t be long until Carmelo Anthony can’t stand playing on the worst NBA team. His NBA career has gone from a lovely dream to a horrible nightmare since heading to the Big Apple and joining the Knicks.

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