One of the weirdest stories to make its way to the headlines this season is Carmelo Anthony actually going for two entire weeks without meat or carbs, which might be one of the reasons the New York Knicks haven’t been looking so hot in recent weeks, just like their star hasn’t.

Anthony hasn’t been making the news for the right reasons anyway. Fasting and going on weird diets to “clear his mind”, fighting with Kevin Garnett on the court and trying to seal the deal with him after the game. Maybe it has something to do with not eating what an athlete should be, maybe it’s just an excuse for playing bad basketball and making bad decisions.

Anthony didn’t do too great in the 100-87 win over the New Orleans Hornets as well. He did score 27 points, leading the Knicks, but shot a very poor 9-25 from the field. Like in most games for Anthony over the last month, the wins come when he suddenly settles down for one quarter (this time the second, scoring 18 points). Since January 3, Anthony has been shooting 39.4% from the field.

I’m kind of going through something right now with my own self, trying to find some energy and things like that. But we’ll be fine. We bounced back pretty well, I bounced back pretty well, stuck with it and won the game. I usually do it sometimes just to get some clarity in my life and just spiritual reasons. I’m done now. I can’t do it no more. I surrender.

And while Anthony has lost his fight to try and refrain from eating meat, the Knicks have to be happy. If this really was the reason the Knicks went on a three game losing streak and their top scorer’s shooting has been looking so iffy and inconsistent in recent weeks, things are looking up from here.

Missing Raymond Felton has been a big problem for the Knicks. Suddenly, all the talk about the comeback Kidd evaporate, because as a point guard on his own, Jason Kidd can’t do much for the Knicks. He find it hard creating or getting by anyone, becoming solely a catch and shoot type of player as his ball movement isn’t nearly as effective without someone who can penetrate towards the basket playing alongside him.

Meanwhile, Amare Stoudemire continues to be on a strict minute watch, finishing with 12 points on 23 minutes. It seems that he’ll be getting closer to 30 minutes later in the week, much more closer to the minutes he’s used to and wants to be playing.

A rarity for the Knicks is winning without shooting exceptionally from beyond the arc. They did take 30 shots, but made only 11, 36.7%. Anthony was a bad 2-8, but Chris Copeland during a very good stretch finished with 4-8 while Steve Novak, who has been on the decline in recent weeks, made 3-7 of his three point shots.

The Knicks do need to get a winning streak going before they look forward and upwards towards the conference title, but maybe Anthony’s diet issues disappearing means it’s time to be optimistic once again, and hoping the Amare Stoudemire comeback tour goes better than expected.

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