NBA legend and commentator Walt Frazier has blamed defensive frailties for the New York Knicks' poor showings this season.

The Knicks were favoured as title contenders this campaign after winning 54 regular season games and an Atlantic Division title last time out, but they have failed to carry over their impressive form into this campaign.

"One thing is defense. There's no defensive intensity - it's not the defense they had last year," said Frazier, who sits at the front row at the majority of Knicks games.

"Probably because [Tyson] Chandler is not the intimidator he was and [Raymond] Felton is not keeping guys out of the paint.

"You talk about lack of consistency from game to game; Melo has been the only Knick showing up."

The Knickerbockers currently find themselves in third position in the Atlantic Division with a record of 20-32.