Knicks

Empire State of Zen

Posted on March 14, 2014 Updated on March 16, 2014

Phil Jackson’s potential comeback to the Knicks, leaves lots of room for imagination. It’s hard to imagine what the Zen Master would do as president of who knows what. The irony in the Jackson hire is the fact that current GM Steve Mills reached out to Jackson to offer him a head coaching job and ended up losing his own job. Needless to say, Mills left the meeting feeling violated. One week later, Mills is turning into Jackson’s water boy, while Dolan finalizes the Zen master’s return to New York. Will Dolan give Jackson room to pretend? “Phil for president” is Jackson’s toughest career challenge yet. The decisions are critical, his star player Carmelo Anthony is opting for free agency this summer. The Knicks haven’t won since Jackson left, roughly 50 years ago. How will his winning experience translate into management? What do we already know about Phil Jackson apart from his volatile facial hair?

Phil needs a star, he’s always had at least one or two.
He’s dating the Lakers‘ owner, Kobe for JR. Smith? scrap that.
Jackson’s won 11 titles running the triangle offense, yet is incapable of drawing a triangle.
He makes athletic psychos play like pros. (Rodman, Artest, maybe JR? One can only hope).
Phil has always had a post presence (Shaq, Gasol, even Cartwright and Longley).
He’s always had shooting specialists.

Two scenarios inside Phil’s crystal ball:

Scenario 1: Melo stays. He has great reason to move to Chicago, but he’s looking for any reason to stay in New York. If Phil comes up with a concrete plan to remain competitive, with cap-space in 2015, Melo may stay with the Orange and Blue. Let’s put salary cap aside and think basketball. Let’s imagine what kind of players the Zen Master may revolve. The first priority is the point guard position. Felton has to go, the back-court defense blows. Semi-affordable names the Knicks need are Eric Bledsoe , Kyle Lowry , Jeff teague, Razor Ramon to name a few. They also need versatile Bigs. Tyson is important, but aging and injury prone. Someone like a Marreese Speights or Darell Arthur could help the Knicks with size and shooting ability. Tyson Chandler needs to play less than 30 minutes per game to be successful. Somehow adding Luol Deng (free agent) could assist the Knicks’ depth. Deng would be a valuable 2-way player to compliment Melo, when at the 4 spot. Amare is healthier and is underrated at this point, despite his atrocious contract. Jackson likes big guys that can pass, Pau Gasol (free agent)? Bargnani will be shipped, with his expiring contract; he may have trade value next year. The triangle is simple and risk-averse with hand-offs and short range passes, causing instant match-up problems. Steve Kerr’s name has been rumored as head coach and that sounds just dandy. Knicks’ roster to start 2014-2015 seasons would look something like this (in my dreams).

Starters: Carmelo Anthony, Tyson Chandler, Luol Deng, Tim Hardaway Jr. , Kyle Lowry.

Rotation players: JR Smith , Amare Stoudamire, Ramon sessions, Marreese Speights.

Bench: Jeremy Tyler, Pablo Prigioni, Shannon Brown, Jimmer Fredette, Rookie Center/PF

Scenario 2: Melo leaves. Oh well, good luck to him, can you blame him? Knicks would have to tank, the first step to rebuilding is a clean slate. The Knicks must trade everyone, except Tim Jr. Meaning Shumpert, Tyson (expiring), Amare (expiring, anyone?), Bargnani (expiring), JR Smith (impossible to trade for dumbass tricks) are out.

JR Smith, get used to the KFC look — JR, get used to the KFC look

Tyson Chandler could bring back a mid to late 1^st round pick, perhaps a young talent. Barngiani could have some value for teams looking to clear cap-space, but with most teams prudent, New York would take anything in return. Shumpert is an enigma, he’ll improve and could be traded for a future 1^st rounder ( best case scenario). With no draft picks next year, an expensive and useless roster, the Knicks will be forced to sell their desperate fans on rebuilding, again. A solid draft is expected in 2015, so keeping Tim Jr., drafting a young player, then luring a star or two is a 3 year plan Phil could sign up for.

2015 starting line-up: Amare, Tim Hardaway Jr., Shumpert, Travis Best, Jared Collins Tank, tank, tank!

Bench: Does it matter? The cast of Jersey Shore.

Either way, the Zen Master will have his hands full with the existing dysfunction. The skeletons and bottom feeders are comin’ out. Knicks’ fans are bracing themselves concerning the Melo-Drama Part 2. Phil is chillin’. he’ll find a way; his resume speaks for itself.

Once a Knick, always a Knick,

Rambeeni

This entry was posted in All-Time, Knicks, NBA and tagged basketball, Carmelo Anthony, Knicks, NBA, New York, Phil jackson.

In the Knick of Thyme

Posted on March 11, 2014 Updated on March 13, 2014

carmelo-anthony — Melo is leading and no one is following

At the 2011 mid-season deadline, the Knicks were desperate, but so were the Nuggets. The Knicks traded first round picks along with young prospects in Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallanari, and Tim Mozgov for Melo. For the record; I was against this move, banter specialists can attest. I was against it because Carmelo was going to New York either way, via free agency. The only reason the trade happened was to ensure he got max dollar. Marc Gasol was a free agent, and there was some interest in Memphis for the pawns the Knicks had. The Gasol-Melo tandem would have been a hand in glove fit. They could have kept Felton, who was having a career year in New York, instead of sending him to blubber growth camp. They could have avoided trading for the Italian medallion Bargnani. In love with Tyson Chandler’s effort and defense, but Marc Gasol’s passing and ability to shoot from mid-range as well as his defense would make Melo’s job easier.

Knicks’ management make no sense; they keep firing and rehiring the same line of idiots. Coming into this year, the Knicks had a lot to build on; they were one of the best 3pt shooting teams, the top team at protecting the ball and played inspired defense last year. They traded away their best two 3 pt shooters for a chubby Italian that believes in nothing. They lost one of the best point guards in history in Jason Kidd to coaching, then decided there was no need to fill that void on defense or offense. Yay!

The part that hurts the most is not the toxic acquisitions or bad coaching or the fans booing, the worst part is that the Knicks have no first round picks next year. They traded more than one future draft pick, for you guessed it… Melo. Given how horrible the Knicks are, that pick could end up being a franchise changing player in the best draft since 2003. Draft picks are supposed to help franchises hedge their losses. Without the top picks a bad team could potentially fade into bankruptcy over the long-term. The 2014 draft pick could end up being Jabari Parker or Dante Exum, even the top 20 prospects could be all stars.

These Knicks don’t act like professionals, apart from Pablo and Tyson; the whole team have been such a letdown that their mere viability in the league is in question. If I see one more play of Raymond Felton ushering the offense left and right, while he over-dribbles well into the end of the shot clock, I’m going to get on a plane to NY and make sure he ODs on a burger and put him out of his misery. These guys have been through some tough basketball stretches in their careers, but there have been no adjustments this time around.

I feel sorry for Woodson and sometimes feel that he wants to get fired. He he will eventually resign, if not fired. The team isn’t responding. Woodson is left with the desperate option that every coach knows is the final option. Have fun, enjoy the game. Sadly, even that hasn’t worked. “Shirts and skins fellas. Remember when you enjoyed playing and not just getting paid for it? Just play! You getting schooled son!”

Being a Knicks’ fan is like being in an abusive marriage. As I am writing this, news just broke that Raymond Felton’s fat ass was arrested for gun possession, while eating a triple-decker burger. I understand why Raymond would need a gun; he needs protection from the likes of me. I just threatened to feed him to death. 2014 Knicks, Ace Ventura crying in the bathtub comes to mind. Nobody loves Raymond.

The Knicks’ body language has been appalling and Melo looks fatigued. As loyal Knicks fans, we wouldn’t blame Melo for leaving. Knicks have nothing to offer. “It’s not you it’s me, we suck, and you are amazing and we don’t deserve you.” Good luck to him. Here’s to a morning where I wish basketball was boxing and we could simply throw in the towel.

I couldn’t forgive Carmelo if he was to head to Miami, anywhere else but Miami. In the name of John Starks don’t do it, even Chicago is forgivable but not Miami.

Once a Knick, always a Knick.

Rambeeni

This entry was posted in Knicks, NBA and tagged Felton, Knicks, melo, NBA, New York, Woodson.