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The New York Knicks: a Lost Cause
KNICKS GOLDEN AGE
At one point in NBA history, the New York Knicks were the most feared team to beat. The knicks won two championships in 1970 and 1973 with legends Walt Frazier (22.4 PPG) and Earl Monroe (21.7 PPG). They were simply unstoppable. They kept making apperances in the NBA Finals, especially later with the arrivals of Knicks greats Patrick Ewing and John Starks in the late 80s and early 90s. They were simply unstoppable. But how did the prized franchise come crumbling down? With overpaid players, a corrupt staff, and disappointing drafting, the Knicks’ downfall was inevitable.
THE PLAYERS
Playing in New York is an honor that most players unfortunately do not have a chance to experience in their careers. New York, an exciting city, tends to spoil its players with outrageously high contract deals. Ultimately, most New York players turn out to be spoiled, and even lose the basketball spark they had before playing in New York. After the decline of the Knicks that occurred when Patrick Ewing left the organization, the players have become selfish and underperforming.
Stephon Marbury, a top point guard in the NBA at one time, has not been able to pull success for the Knicks. He has been labeled as the franchise’s biggest talent, yet biggest detriment. The team then traded for Steve Francis, who was also a premier player in his prime. Before his arrival in New York, he was called one of the best dunking, flashy, playmaking point guards the league has ever seen. After a season with the Knicks, his career became dramatically washed out.
The acquisition of Eddy Curry was also a disappointment. Once a dominant center in the post turned out to be an immobile block on the court with not much work ethic. Furthermore, when Knicks fans’ hearts rose with a trade for Zach Randolph, the accomplished power forward also couldn’t pull together a playoff appearance for the Knicks. His selfishness and lack of ability to jump and move quickly has troubled the knicks. Quentin Richardson, an aspiring small forward in his season before the Knicks, led the league in three point field goals. The Knicks traded for him, and thought he would be their key to success. It turned out that he lost much of his talent and was a fluke. The Knicks, no matter which players they acquire, will not be able to succeed.
EXECUTIVES
Any basketball expert knows that in order to succeed, you need a smart staff. The Knicks seemed to have lacked that key piece to a playoff puzzle, especially in recent years. They have cycled through several head coaches in recent years, including Red Holzman, Hubie Brown, Larry Brown, Pat Riley, Lenny Wilkins, Isiah Thomas, and Mike D’Antoni. Most of these coaches will have continued their careers and have won championships. However, when in New York, these coaches couldn’t pull wins together. After trying so hard, the Knicks finally signed Larry Brown, who had won a championship with the Detroit Pistons just one year earlier. However, on the Knicks, he couldn’t even bring the team a near-winning season.
Isiah Thomas is another executive that has ruined the Knicks. As a matter of fact, he is considered the biggest cancer in Knicks history. As a staff official, he assumed the role of Head Coach, Chairman, General Manager, Head of Player Relations, and Franchise President. He monopolized the team and made horrible decisions. In 2006, he drafted Renaldo Balkman, when Rajon Rondo was available. Balkman hasn’t seen many minutes in any game since he was signed, when on the other hand, Rondo went on to become the starting point guard on a championship-winning team. Isiah Thomas had losing-season after losing-season, which resulted in “Fire Isiah” chants at nearly ever Knick home game. He set the team back many steps and was the most resented coach in the hidstory of the franchise.
In the 2008 season, Donnie Walsh was named team GM and Mike D’Antoni was named Head coach. In this past 2008 NBA Draft, D’Antoni and Walsh collectively made the unfavorable decision to draft Italian rookie Danilo Gallinari. Many believe Dainlo Gallinari was only selected because his father, Vittorio Gallinari, played college basketball with the Knicks’ new head coach Mike D’Antoni. Danilo was an unestablished, unaccomplished feeble Italian rookie straight out of high school. His talent is still questioned, and Knicks fans have already put their heads down.
The Knicks have truly been plagued. Selfish players. Poor management executives. Horrible rookie singings. In all, New York basketball has been ruined. They won’t see a championship for another decade unless a major player acquisition occurs. The Knicks, once an amazing team, have definitely become a lost cause.
About the Author
Marcus loves his NBA and is a contributor for rootzoo.com. You can find him chatting it up on the sports forum and making his picks at rootzoo’s, a sports pick ‘em for fans.
Discovering A Dream: Chapter 12 Part 3