The New York Knicks are undefeated since their franchise-record 16-game losing streak, and it's cause for optimism.
The Knicks snapped the losing skid Monday against the shorthanded New Orleans Pelicans, pushing their record to 6-36, still worst in the NBA. Even if it's just one win in a long season that will have few, it served as a reminder that things may not always be bad in Gotham.
Superstar Carmelo Anthony has had maybe the toughest time of anyone, struggling through another wasted year of his prime while battling left knee soreness that may ultimately see him shut down for the season. He's at times said the team was dying but has kept his faith in the long-term plan, something he's hoping the fans can do as well.
"The fans are going through it, we are going through it," Anthony said Monday. "(But) it gets better. I believe that."
That's a hard promise for Anthony to make, even if the Knicks have done well to improve their future outlook since realizing 2014-15 was a lost season. They'll have cap space to play with and a likely top-five pick, but the roster is a long way from contention, and patience may be the order of the day again in 2015-16.
For now, Knicks fans have nothing to hold on to but the faint promise of a brighter future. The 30-year-old Anthony, averaging 23.9 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists, doesn't have any immediate and disparate options, either.