Every weekday morning throughout the season, ESPNNewYork.com will tackle a burning question about the Knicks in our "Opening Tip" segment.

Today's Burning Question: If things fail miserably this week after the potential return of Carmelo Anthony and Baron Davis tomorrow, could this be Mike D'Antoni's last one as Knicks head coach?

While the Knicks' MTA (Carmelo Anthony, Amare Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler) isn't likely going to be derailed this season, Stephen A. Smith believes MDA (Mike D'Antoni) is already a goner "eventually, but inevitably."

This week could arguably be the most important stretch in D'Antoni's tenure as the Knicks' sideline boss, especially if Anthony and Baron Davis return, and with key matchups against Chicago (Thursday) and Boston (Friday). Signs are pointing to that happening Tuesday night at the Garden against the Pistons, but today's practice will provide a better indication of their timetable.

Of course, if Davis returns, he'll need about another two weeks on top of that to really regain his rhythm, but with Anthony back, there will be more pressure on the Knicks to make up that average scoring margin they're losing games by: 11 points in their last three. That's especially true because since Melo was sidelined, D'Antoni said a couple of times that if the team could find a way to score 15 more points, they'd win. With Melo back, there will be great demand to see that happen.

Overall, with or without Davis and Anthony, continued losing can't continue, especially by 13 points to teams without their star player and when the leading scorer in the starting five, who's only averaging 9.3 points per game, puts up 14. (Exhibit A: Courtney Lee's performance Saturday night against Houston, sans Kevin Martin.) Tyson Chandler, who came into the season full of smiles, eagerness and a willingness to talk to reporters forever, is now fed up and has become curt and angered when addressing the media. Who's to blame him? He's coming off of a championship.

"I refuse -- I refuse -- I refuse to have a losing season," Chandler, frustrated as ever, said after Saturday's 97-84 loss to the Rockets. "We have to do what it takes. I don't care what it is. I really don't. I refuse, I refuse to go through a losing season like that."

You know the story. When the players start tuning out their coach, like what happened in Sacramento this season with Paul Westphal, what usually happens? The coach, not the players, get axed. Chandler's comments were interesting because two weeks prior, during the start of the team's losing streak, he, as well as Anthony and Stoudemire, all issued the same reassuring sentiment. "We're going through some adversity now, but we'll get it together very soon." Anthony and Stoudemire are also appearing to look a bit more dejected.

Out of everyone, Chandler is definitely not demonstrating that same patience anymore -- the same patience that has been following D'Antoni since the start of the season. Now, things are taking a turn on and off the court, and we'll see how the rest of the week plays out.

Do you think this could be D'Antoni's last week as Knicks head coach if things fail miserably? Leave us your comments below.

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