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Mike Woodson on Knicks struggles: “Blame it on me”

New York Knicks v Indiana Pacers - Game Three

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MAY 11: Head coach Mike Woodson and Raymond Felton #2 of the New York Knicks look on against the Indiana Pacers during game three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on May 11, 2013 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers won 82-71. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

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J.R. Smith did the manly thing and said to blame him for the Knicks struggles against the Pacers. And certainly his shooting slump (exacerbated by the Pacers stout defense) isn’t helping matters.

But Mike Woodson is a stand up coach; he’s not going to let the Sixth Man of the Year throw himself under the bus. Woodson told the New York Post Knicks fans should throw him under the bus.

“Again, I’m the head coach. Blame it on me. I don’t look at it in that light. The bottom line is we’re all trying to do the right things to win basketball games. If we don’t have the slippage to start the series, we’re feeling pretty good about ourselves. But right now our backs are against the wall and my job is to get us out of this hole.’’

Woodson does deserve a lot of blame — he has tried to match the size of the Pacers, to match their physicality, rather than staying with the small ball (Carmelo Anthony at the four) that got them here. He has gone away from Pablo Prigioni and the ball movement of the Knicks has not coincidentally gone away, too. Oh, and there’s the odd fascination with playing Jason Kidd, too.

But really, there is enough blame to go around in New York that everyone should get their fill.