MIAMI _ Derrick Rose was the first one to say it, and he hasn't stopped. It was never about the triangle offense. The Knicks didn't make the playoffs again because of their defensive failures.
"I've been saying that the entire year," the Knicks guard said at Friday morning's shoot around. "We weren't consistent defensively this year and it shows with our record."
Both Rose and coach Jeff Hornacek said Friday that the Knicks (28-47) need to simplify how they're going to defend teams next season. The Knicks, who play the Heat on Friday night, are giving up 108.4 points per game _ sixth-most in the league.
Associate head coach Kurt Rambis was appointed defensive coordinator early in the season. But the players expressed nearly as much frustration about the defense as with having to play the triangle offense. Hornacek said there is no plan to look for a defensive coach this offseason.
"The defensive schemes maybe we have to simplify it for them," Hornacek said. "We'll take a look at all that stuff, but not necessarily needing a defensive guy. We've all been around the league long enough."
Rose, who played for a defensive tactician in Tom Thibodeau in Chicago, said the Knicks didn't help each other enough defensively and that the "schemes" were too complicated.
"Yeah, we were trying to figure out everything at once," Rose said. "Trying to figure out who's going to be out there. There were a lot of things we were trying to figure out this year. Overall, we didn't help each other."
The Knicks can look no further than their opponent. The Heat were 11-30 at one point this season and went into Friday night one game under .500 at 37-38. Miami has done it with defense, a strong culture and coaching staff.
"I think we're more talented, but it shows that basketball is a team sport," Rose said.
"They had some guys hurt, but they started the year just playing basketball," Hornacek said of the Heat. "Then all of a sudden they found if they get after it defensively the whole game they can have a chance to win games. Then they get their confidence going and get after it even more. It's a different level, a different mentality that you have to have to win in this league."
