Knicks In Disarray

When news broke that the Knicks had fired Tom Thibodeau, it came as a shock... even if you consider that Thibodeau's future with the team had been debated for months. As is often the case whenever a coach is dismissed, stories of disfunction and disapproval leaked out for the world to see. But almost as quickly, the shock turned to ridicule. It appeared that the Knicks had fired their coach with no idea of who would replace him.

At times like this, it's important to remember that more than one thing can be true at once: the Knicks no longer wanted Thibodeau to be the coach. And they had no specific successor in mind. Like any team with a coaching vacancy, the Knicks will now go through the process of doing research on prospective hires, and conducting interviews with those they consider viable candidates.

Fortunately for the Knicks (and whoever becomes their next coach) the roster is full of talented players. The next coach will need to figure out how to make all that talent work, especially given some of their shortcomings. Maybe this is giving the Knicks too much credit, but it's also possible that they had always wanted to conduct a broad coaching search. Speak with different coaches who have different philosophies: different from Thibodeau, different from each other, maybe even different from what the Knicks' front office had in mind. After all, they are looking for someone who is able to take the current collection of parts and turn them into a championship team. They didn't think Thibodeau was the coach for that. Why not hear out as many other coaches as you can?

It also seems that most people have lost sight of one important fact: until Leon Rose holds a press conference to explain his search process, or introduces the Knicks' new coach, every single thing that has been written is a rumor. "Unidentified team source". "League insider". "Sports talk radio host looking to fill three hours a day".

That's not to say that anyone is lying, or that anyone is completely wrong. It's just that in this vacuum -- Knicks fire coach! Knicks ask permission to speak to other coaches! Knicks are denied! -- a lot of speculation happens. I agree that Thibodeau was the best Knicks coach in decades, but also agree that he had his limitations. I'm not willing to argue that the Knicks made the wrong choice until after they hire a new coach. Even then, it will be difficult to judge their success until next year's Eastern Conference Finals. Will the Knicks be there again? Or will Knicks' fans be pining for the "good old days" when Coach Thibs prowled the sidelines? Only time will tell.

Thank You for Your Service

With the announcement that Carmelo Anthony had retired from the NBA, many of his former teams and teammates offered well-wishes and congratulations on a Hall-of-Fame career. A prolific offensive force, Melo finished as the NBA's 9th all-time leading scorer.

Among the many accolades Anthony has received, is the repeated notion that the Knicks should retire his number. Please place me squarely in the opposite camp: as much as Anthony was the star attraction during his time in New York, the Knicks are under no obligation to hang his #7 jersey from the MSG rafters.

For one, the Knicks are not the Yankees. For the past decade or so, the main criteria for getting your number retired in the Bronx seems to be "He was a pretty popular player over the portion of his career that he played in New York."  (I'm looking at you, Paul O'Neill.) The Knicks have been far more discerning, having last retired a number in 2003 for a true franchise legend, Patrick Ewing.

There are several factors, for me, that work against Anthony. The Knicks didn't draft him, and Anthony was a Denver Nuggets star for nearly eight years before finagling a trade to the Knicks. In fact, only 7 of his 19 seasons were spent in a Knicks' uniform. By comparison, Earl "the Pearl" Monroe didn't enter the league as a Knick, but he spent the majority of his career in New York and retired in a Knicks' jersey.

Due to his relatively short time in orange-and-blue, Melo doesn't own any Knicks' career records. Anthony's 24.7 PPG is the third-best mark in franchise history, but he's only 7th on the Knicks' scoring list. He's 3rd all-time in 3-pointers made, but that's largely due to the era in which he played. Also, unlike a Ewing or Walt Frazier, Anthony's contributions were largely in the scoring column. 

Lastly, Anthony never won a championship in New York. In fact, Melo's teams only made the playoffs 3 times, and never advanced beyond the conference semis. This is probably less of a knock on Carmelo than the franchise itself, but for a one-dimensional, non-Knick-lifer, something needs to put you over the top for a jersey retirement ceremony. The stats from Mark Messier's time in Edmonton might dwarf his numbers with the Rangers, but no one will ever forget the 1994 champions. Messier is a Ranger for life.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Knicks held a Carmelo Anthony Night next season. He would certainly deserve the recognition for his time with the Knicks. But I'd be disappointed in Knicks' management (and ownership) if the night consisted of much more than a highlight reel, a plaque and a rousing ovation.

Lotto Blotto

No, I'm not happy with the results of the NBA Draft Lottery. And yes, that's primarily due to the fact that I am one of the unfortunate souls who call themselves fans of the New York Knicks.  While the Knicks did manage to avoid total disaster -- they had a 48% chance to end up with the 5th pick -- I'm not sure that landing the 3rd pick in the draft signifies that the curse has been broken.

But as much as we mourn the loss of Zion and will soon grapple with the choices around that 3rd pick (TRADE IT!), this column is more about the NBA Draft Lottery as a whole.  Specifically, is the system "working" when the three worst teams in the league end up with the 3rd, 5th and 6th picks?

We know that "tanking" is anathema to the league, and the NBA took steps this year to make it less attractive to lose.  Gone was the incentive to finish dead last: instead of a 25% chance for the #1 pick, the team with the worst record only had a 14% chance at the top spot, the same chances as the two teams finishing ahead of (behind?) them in the standings.

So when the balls dropped, so did the league's worst teams: the Suns fell from the 3rd spot to the 6th, the Cavs from 2nd to 5th, and of course, the league-worst Knicks took home the bronze at #3. We are led to believe that these results make Adam Silver happy.  "Take that losers!"

But even if we acknowledge that losing on purpose is bad, has the NBA found the right solution?  Take a look at the bottom of the league:

Absent a lottery system, with the 5th-worst record in the league, the Hawks would pick 5th.  As a result of the lottery, though, the Cavaliers will pick there instead. Let's even assume that the Cavs made no effort to win this past season and were content to finish with 19 wins. The Hawks were bad and only won 29 games, but that's still TEN GAMES better than the Cavs. What could Cleveland have done to win an extra 10 games with the team they put out on the floor? The same applies to the Suns, who had the same 19 wins but are picking 6th after losing a coin flip.

With all that in mind, will teams next season make every effort to win? Or is it still worth finishing in the bottom three for a chance at striking it rich? While these changes certainly curtail the incentive to flat-out lose, the NBA may have inadvertently hampered the league's worst teams from getting significantly better. Maybe there's no great solution, and I doubt we've seen the last change to the rules. Only time will tell how it all works out.

Another LeBron Sweepstakes

No, the NBA Finals aren't over yet -- at least, not technically -- but the rampant speculation over where LeBron James might go next has gotten hotter just as the Cavaliers have gone cold.  Las Vegas oddsmakers, meanwhile, can't be bothered to wait out the inevitable.  BetDSI created an odds list of LeBron's potential landing spot for next season:

The Lakers have long been rumored as LeBron's preferred landing spot, and in recent days, those rumors even have him teaming up with Paul George.  But if you're LeBron James, do you really want to compete with Magic, Kareem, Kobe, Shaq, and all the ghosts of Lakers Past?  And it's not like bringing a lone championship to L.A. will be big news.

Like the Lakers, the 76ers also have some young stars, a strong enough supporting cast to give them the second-best odds.  But with the Philadelphia front-office suddenly in disarray, does LeBron really want to cast his lot with this organization?

I'll skip over the Heat, because, the Heat?  Been there, done that.  And besides, the next team on the list is why I'm here.

HEY LeBRON -- SIGN WITH THE KNICKS!

Long considered the Mecca of basketball, even as bad as the Knicks have been, New York is still New York.  No, LeBron probably won't increase his Q score or pick up any more endorsements than he already has, past arguments about the benefits of starring on Broadway.  But to win in New York is like nothing else.  LeBron should have a conversation with Mark Messier about what it's like when you become The Savior and bring a championship to a starving New York fan base.  Winning a title in Cleveland?  Whoopee.

And unlike with the Lakers, who will LeBron be competing against?  Clyde Frazier?  All the rings Patrick Ewing never won?  The field is wide open.

The Knicks just don't have New York to offer, though.  David Fizdale, reportedly a James' favorite from their days in Miami, is now the head coach.  Kristaps Porzingis, recovering from surgery but expected back in 2019, can be LeBron's All-Star sidekick.  Add a top-10 draft pick this summer to an improved Tim Hardaway, Jr. and the Knicks core, starring LeBron James, is suddenly competitive in the East.

LeBron copped out the first time by running off to South Beach to form a super team.  He won a couple of rings there but realized winning that way just wasn't fulfilling.  He satisfied his critics and thrilled his hometown fans by returning to Cleveland and bringing them a title.

But basketball's biggest reclamation project lies in the heart of New York City.  Madison Square Garden is in dire need of gentrification, and the basketball equivalent of Bob the Builder may be looking for a new job.

Can we fix it?  

Yes we can!

You Can't Put a Price on Stupid

Kevin Durant's goodwill tour continues in style.  Not content to simply skip out on OKC to join a pre-made super-team in Golden State, Durant is determined to be the biggest heel in the NBA since LeBron headed south.

Sports Illustrated -- July 18, 2016

Fortunately for Durant, a man in the NBA must be measured by the size of his shoe, not by his heart.

Playing the Heel

Bwa-ha-ha!

The Golden State Warriors' fall from grace was rapid: from the NBA's feel-good story as a team of destiny to chokers in the NBA Finals. Yet it seemed that before we could even wrap our collective heads around their dramatic tumble, the Warriors signed Kevin Durant. The rich get obscenely richer?

Mark Cuban, Shark Tank denizen, Mavericks' owner and never one to shy away from controversy, is at it again. Cuban had an interesting take on Durant going to the Warriors:

"Just like when LeBron James went to Miami, I loved that there was a villain. They become the villain. I'm fine with that. Everybody's going to root for them to lose."

But could it be that the Warriors could go from everyone's favorite team outside of Cleveland to the NBA's version of Steinbrenner's Yankees?

It's doubtful that league fans can muster the same level of hatred they felt the day that LeBron made his "decision". From that point forward, we all had two favorites: your NBA team and whoever was playing the Heat. That the Heat appeared in the NBA Finals all four years that James was in Miami was made somewhat palatable by the fact that they lost twice in those finals.

Have the Warriors squandered their good will?  Absolutely. It was very easy to root for the Warriors' Wild West Show and their band of merry men. But when fans put all their eggs (and energy) into one basket and then get left holding said basket in epic fashion, that's gonna leave a mark. Besides, once you've won 73 games and have nothing to show for it, people will be wary to jump back on that bandwagon.

As for Durant, it surprised many that he'd adopt an "I'm taking my ball and going home" attitude by signing with the ready-made champions. A title won with Golden State now proves nothing. Unfortunately for Durant, he might have made it more difficult to win.

The Warriors had remarkable team chemistry. Like any science major can tell you, though, when you start switching out chemicals, the results may not only be different, but volatile. Starting center Andrew Bogut, whose Finals' absence was often cited as one of the reasons that the Warriors lost, was traded to Cuban's Mavericks to make cap room. Harrison Barnes, a member of the Dubs' so-called "Death Lineup" and a key ingredient to their success, was also left out and coincidentally signed with the Mavs.

Regardless of whether the Warriors turn out to be NBA villains or simply last season's news, it won't be the same in Golden State. Steph Curry will still excite. Klay Thompson will still launch from everywhere and Draymond Green will still drive people nuts. But winning games won't be news any longer.

Shut It Down!

In what came as less a surprise than an unfortunate (but perhaps necessary) inevitability, Carmelo Anthony indicated that the NBA All-Star game would probably be his last game of the season.  Like Liz Lemon used to say, "SHUT IT DOWN." 

Citing a sore left knee that has kept him out of action at times this season, Anthony told ESPN Radio it's "very likely" he won't be back on the court after Sunday's game.  In fact, Anthony may only make a token appearance, wave to the fans (well, to the laughably small contingent of fans in attendance) and shuffle off the court.  Like most Knicks' fans, Anthony has had enough.

Without Anthony, a Knicks' team that already has the worst record in the NBA will be, somehow, even worse.  But for Knicks' fans who had already given up on the season, that's okay.  Because the light at the end of the (Lincoln) tunnel is the Draft Lottery.  The biggest dreamers among us will remember that first draft lottery.  Much has changed since 1985 -- now we have ping pong balls, weighted odds, and a lot more teams.  But seeing Dave DeBusschere nearly topple over with glee when David Stern revealed the Knicks to be the winner of the Patrick Ewing sweepstakes is the sort of thing that makes losing, if not palatable, then a means to an end.  The Melo-less Knicks would certainly have the inside track to that 25% chance at the #1 pick.

Speaking of wihch, many early mock drafts have Duke's Jahlil Okafor as the top pick.  With Jason Smith and Cole Aldrich sharing time in the middle, the Duke center would look mighty fine in orange and blue.  Even if the Knicks don't land that top pick, PG Emmanuel Mudiay, SG D'Angelo Russell or another top prospect will be on the board when the Knicks make their selection.

It's safe to say that Phil Jackson will get a rehabilitated Anthony some help when the (post-surgery?) forward takes the floor next October.  Add a star free agent to the mix -- the Knicks could have some $30 million in cap space -- and all this losing may not seem so bad after all.

Return of The King

To be honest, I didn't pay much attention when LeBron James entered the NBA.  At the time, the Knicks were one of the worst franchises in basketball and my interest in the NBA was pretty much zero.  You couldn't escape the hype or the headlines, of course, so it wasn't as though I didn't know about James' exploits and his takeover of the NBA.

But nearly seven years into James' career, the Knicks appeared to have a plan.  A plan, in fact, that prominently featured a certain free agent from the Midwest.  So when LeBron spurned the Knicks, made a "Decision" and trotted on down to South Beach to join D-Wade and CB, I officially joined the LeBron Haters Club.

When the Spurs prevailed in this year's Finals -- knocking off LeBron's Heat -- I was giddy.  Sure, the Heat were in four straight Finals but they only managed to win twice.  Not quite the LeBron guarantee.  And, I suppose, not quite what LeBron had in mind, either, because it became quickly apparent that a return to Miami was not a done deal.

For the past week, we were all caught in the Speculation Vortex, as theory after theory was floated about where James might land.  And then, to the surprise of most of us, King James gave us his answer: Cleveland.

I must tell you: whether it was genuine and heartfelt, or merely a manufactured P.R. smoothie, LeBron' open letter hit all the right notes.  "I'm coming home," he declared.  He didn't apologize for going to Miami, but said he'd "obviously do things differently" if he had to do it again.  While he still cares about winning titles, winning a title for Cleveland is most important of all.

To be honest, my hatred of LeBron was basically manufactured, a "He screwed my team and ran off to play with a bunch of other all-stars" grudge.  A Schadenfreude perfect storm.  But now I'm finding it hard to root against a guy who left the cushy gig to take on a real project in his home town.  I heard that the Cavs are now the favorites in the East next season, so it probably won't be so hard to win, but winning this way just seems right.

Don't get me wrong -- I'll still be rooting against LeBron and the Cavs, but only when they're facing the Knicks.  I'll take an Eastern Conference Finals matchup any time.

Go Jeremy! Really, just go...

Bye-bye?

While the Jeremy Lin saga was a great one for the Knicks, last season didn't exactly end on a high note for either party.  Though Linsanity was running high, let's not forget that he played a total of 26 games for the Knicks.  Over those games, he was far more effective during the early stretch of play than the latter.  Lin also fared much better in coach Mike D'Antoni's fast-paced system than he did under new coach Mike Woodson.  When a knee injury all but ended the season for Lin, fans and teammates alike mourned his absence but soldiered on.

All that said, just about everyone in New York was eager to get Lin re-signed and see what a full season would look like for the Knicks.  All signs pointed to Lin's return: an arbitrator siding with the Knicks to ease contract concerns; even the signing of veteran point guard Jason Kidd to act as a perfect mentor for Lin.  But then came the Rockets.

To the surprise of many, Lin agreed to an offer sheet with the Houston Rockets, a three-year deal that would pay him $25 million.  No, Jeremy Lin was not the first NBA player to sign an offer sheet in an attempt to extract a raise from his current team.  In fact, it's fairly standard practice, the notion being that a player's current team can afford to pay more to retain him than another team could.  But that's not necessarily the case here.  The Knicks were already near the salary cap and had little flexibility now and in the years to come.  It was only thanks to that arbitrator's ruling that the Knicks could even afford Lin in the first place.

I'm not going to tell you I know what was going through Jeremy Lin's mind (or his agent's) when he signed that offer sheet.  Maybe he fully intended to return to New York.  Maybe he was only in it for the money.  But he sure wasn't thinking about making the Knicks the best team they could be by potentially saddling them with a big-money contract not of their own choosing.  But yesterday, the Knicks had a curious answer of their own.

By announcing the acquisition of former Knick Raymond Felton, a point guard, of all things, the Knicks may have given Jeremy Lin a cold sendoff.  It was a calculated gamble by Lin to sign with the Rockets.  But like all gambles, they come with risk.  And the risk, though at the time low, was always that the Knicks wouldn't match the offer.  It hasn't happened yet.  But it sure looks like it could.  And Jeremy Lin would only have himself to blame for that.

NBA Breakdown -- but not the good kind

So the NBA players and owners have taken one step closer to doomsday. Or, at least that's what the players seem to be implying. Now I understand that the players are only trying to protect their livelihoods. And that an offer accepted now will impact the salaries that players can receive for the indefinite future. It's fair not to accept an offer that wouldn't be good in the long term just to solve a short-term problem.

That said, as we fans sit in our under-valued homes, cashing our meager paychecks, and simply trying to make ends meet, it rings rather hollow to hear NBA players talk about getting their "fair share". Being paid $10 million a year instead of $15 million is a problem we'd all like to have. The battle between the greedy owners and slightly less greedy players -- who, by the way, are all vying for a chance to divvy up our money -- isn't making either side any friends.

The bright side, though, might be seen in the revitalized NHL. They cancelled a season when the owners determined that old model of business just wasn't working. The league -- both for owners and players -- has emerged healthier than ever. Sure, it didn't hurt that the under-employed players were willing to back off on a few demands in order to work again. But being paid millions to play a kid's game seems like a good deal, regardless of the conditions.

If a forfeit of the 2011-12 NBA season is what it will take to put the NBA on solid footing, then I don't see anyone in the cheap seats that are going to stand in their way. See you in 2012, guys!