Preseason may just be for getting the rust off and making final adjustments before the regular season begins, but for the New York Knicks the preseason just became a proving ground for everyone outside of the starring five. 

After a disappointing 0-2 start to the preseason, the defending champions have to take a long look in the mirror and address why this has been happening. They've now dropped back-to-back hames to the Philadelphia 76ers and the Washington Wizards, and that most recent game against the Wizards has become a wake-up call for head coach Mike Brown.

It's clear that something has to change, and the blame for this slow start can almost certainly be placed at the feet of the young players who are taking up the most minutes for the squad. But Brown has clearly had enough and after a disappointing practice that followed these first two losses, Brown made a severe announcement to his team. 

“The starters, they gon’ play. Everybody else in the gym, you’re fighting to make the team or for minutes. This has nothing to do with last year’s team. Every day is a competition," Brown said (via Knicks Fan TV). 

It's obvious who's safe from Brown's wrath, but for most of the roster these upcoming preseason games have become more crucial than ever. Even the role players like guards Landry Shamet and Jose Alvarado and center Andre Drummond seem to be at risk of at least losing out on their minutes, even if they're roster spots may be safe. 

Brown knows how to shake up a system and as loose and fun as he may seem at times, he also knows when it's time to step up the pressure and demand more from his team if they seem like they're effort is lacking. 

Effort, or a lack of it, has historically been one of Brown's sore spots during times of struggle for the team. That may be what he's seeing know out of the Knicks and he's clearly eager to change it. 

It's up to the Knicks at the end of the roster and depth chart, from veterans to second-year players, to up their game if they want to have their spots on the roster and within Brown's good graces guaranteed before the season begins. 

Preseason is the time for these kinds of drastic moves to be made and for a team whose expectations are as high as the Knicks' are heading into the regular season, every issue within the roster needs to be looked at under a microscope.

Brown's declaration may be a severe move, but the Knicks are looking like a team that needs a fire it under them and putting such high stakes on the line could be just the thing to do it.