The Knicks Thread....

[Fenix]

I'm betting a 22 win team with 40 million payroll has a lot more profit than a 22 win with a 120+ million payroll (not including luxury tax). So yeah, I would also question the way he runs the business part of the Knicks.

[Andrew]

True, though the Knicks probably sell more tickets and merchandise than your average 23 win team and thus still generate a lot of revenue despite the large expenditure. Their financial status probably isn't as bad as one would expect because of that. Dolan probably looks at the money the team is raking in and takes a glance at the roster which has talent (most of them incompatible with the others, of course) and concludes the team is running just fine.

It isn't of course, but it's probably going to take the Knicks suffering huge financial losses, more than Dolan is willing to stomach. If they're losing big on the court as well as financially then maybe that would serve as a wakeup call that the current blueprint is flawed. That's probably going to take a massive fan boycott of the team though and even with the dissatisfaction a lot of Knicks fans would seem to share right now that's not really feasible.

[Its_asdf]

Hah, Dolan is such a douchebag that even David Stern pities him.

Seriously, the Knicks need to go somewhere. Dolan is simply after the money they make, so they aren't going to be headed in a good direction unless there's a change in scenery in the upper levels of the Knicks organization.

[Jeffx]

Knickerblocker
Dolan dismisses Stern over Garden mess

James Dolan could use some advice from David Stern on how to clean up the mess that is the Knicks.
David Stern can't force James Dolan to sell the Knicks or make him clean up his franchise. As depressing a thought as that is, those are simply not within the scope of the NBA commissioner's job.

But there's no law that says that Stern can't occasionally call Dolan with some helpful suggestions on how to get out of the mess that is the Knicks. And apparently that is exactly what Stern has been doing for the last five months, as much as he tries to downplay his concern about the sorry state of the franchise in his own backyard. Rest assured, Stern and other league officials are fed up with the way the Knicks are being run, not to mention how the media has a field day depicting Dolan and his minions as incompetents.

Not that Stern's advice is being heeded. When he recommended that Dolan look into hiring Suns outgoing CEO Jerry Colangelo to come in and take over the entire Garden operation - a la Bob Gutkowski and later Dave Checketts in the 90's - Dolan reportedly erupted by questioning how anyone could second-guess his ability to run the Knicks.

Dolan's response couldn't have been well-received by Stern, who has tried to exert his influence on the Garden's CEO in the past, with varying degrees of success. During the final months of the Scott Layden regime, when the Knicks were showing zero progress and Layden's stonewalling tactics with the media were the butt of jokes, Stern met with Dolan over lunch. At the meeting, he told Dolan that he needed to change the face of his franchise. Eventually, Dolan did, firing Layden and bringing in Isiah Thomas.

Now, in light of the Knicks and Larry Brown looking to part ways after only 10 months, Stern is back on the case.

But lately, Dolan has been dismissive of recommendations coming from the commissioner or anyone outside of the Garden. Not long after Dolan shot down the idea of turning the operation over to Colangelo - a Stern favorite who founded and built the Suns into an elite franchise - the Garden chief was approached about firing Thomas and replacing him with Kiki Vandeweghe, the former Nuggets GM and ex-Knick. Because of Denver's success during Vandeweghe's five-year tenure, during which he took over a lottery team and built it into a playoff team with a pretty decent future, he is widely regarded as one of the better young executives. But Dolan would have none of it.

Stern plans to keep up the pressure, even if he tries hard to make it appear that he's barely concerned about the doings at the Garden. When he meets the media and is grilled on Dolan's franchise, Stern issues a few standard remarks. He always states that the Knicks are merely one of 30 teams and that all leagues have teams that are run well and some that are run poorly. Further pressed, he'll state that it's not imperative for the league to have a successful franchise in New York.

When he stopped over at the Meadowlands for a Nets-Indiana first-round playoff game several weeks ago, he was bombarded with questions about the Knicks' disgraceful 23-win season and Brown's performance.

Ever the diplomat, Stern reminded everyone that when league took off in the '80s, "We had L.A. and Boston playing all the time in June. Then we had Chicago winning titles. And we had even greater success."

More questions followed, but he wouldn't cave.

"There are 28 teams that wish the New York teams nothing but ill," he said. "I put my Knick fandom behind me when I became commissioner. But if I were to guess, it takes a season or so (for Larry Brown) to let people know how he likes to play and my guess is that they'll be getting some more players that would like to play the same way. And my guess is that the Knicks will be substantially improved next year."

But his public stance and his view expressed behind closed doors are totally opposite, according to those who are familiar with his scathing candor.

"David knows it's really bad to have a premier franchise, playing in the media capital of the world and playing in one of the marquee venues in the world, Madison Square Garden, and it's the laughing-stock of his league," said one such source. "He's trying to get Dolan to make changes, but Dolan thinks Isiah is a genius. He's the only person in the world who thinks that."

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/story/419556p-354282c.html

So, Knicks are pissing Stern off? Well done, Dolan, well done. His ego is obviously so big, that he cannot admit his inability to judge talent (Isiah) or run a team. It's funny how far your father's money can bring you.

And there you have it, folks. It's what I've been screaming about for years. How can anyone be optimistic about this team when the owner thinks Isiah is a genius?

[John WB]

So do the Knicks have any first round picks to look forward to in the Draft Lottery, which is done tonight?

[Fenix]

20th and 29th pick in this draft, but the Lottery has nothing to do with them.

[Amphatoast]

well at least the knicks didn't get #1pick for the bulls.. that would of sucked. 2nd worst record, 2nd pick, fair enough

[Ruff Ryder]

No it's not fair enough lol. I'd never trade the 2nd pick in the draft for Eddie Cartman.

[cklitsie]

Yeah well this sucks donkey balls..
Only one bright side to it, weak draft. Knicks could use anyone with a clear mind but still, no Lebron/Carmelo/Wade they're missing out on.

[Ruff Ryder]

Lol @ IGN:

Why do I get the feeling if Isiah Thomas was watching Game 7 between the Mavs and Spurs last night, DeSagana Diop has a $90 million contract waiting for him in New York.

Isiah...you better not...

[Stevesanity]

Ewing could have a shot at the Knicks assistant post if Larry gets his way but that seems really unlikely rite now.

http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/ ... to_knicks/

New York Daily News - According to the New York Daily News, Larry Brown is looking at bringing aboard Patrick Ewing, currently with the Houston Rockets , as an assistant coach. Ewing has wanted to return to the New York area, where he recently purchased a home.

If Ewing joins Brown's staff, that could mean that Brown is trying to move out two of Thomas' close associates, Mark Aguirre and George Glymph. Both Aguirre and Glymph came to New York two weeks after Thomas was hired and Brown inherited the two plus Herb Williams.

Of course, there is a strong chance that Brown will not be back. Brown's agent, Joe Glass, said that his client has no interest in negotiating a buyout, while sources indicate that Dolan would not hesitate to fire Brown and simply pay him the $40 million that Brown is owed over the next four years.

[Jeffx]

I doubt Larry Brown will coach the team next season. Dolan blames him for the lousy season. Go figure.

[Its_asdf]

Maybe Ewing could potentially get Curry motivated to play instead of loafing his ass around on both ends of the court and eating 8 boxes of krispy kreme donuts by every half-time.

[Jeffx]

Maybe Ewing could potentially get Curry motivated to play instead of loafing his ass around on both ends of the court and eating 8 boxes of krispy kreme donuts by every half-time.

You can't teach heart & desire, man. You either have it or you don't.

[Drex]

Maybe he can get motivated by playing with one of the All-time greats of NY. Or maybe he needs to be called flamin faggot or something like that.

[Its_asdf]

You can't teach heart and desire, but a person can push someone to become better and motivate them. Ewing was no slouch in the NBA, so I'm pretty sure he could teach Curry a few moves as well.

[Jeffx]

Knick Fans Unite!!!

http://www.selltheknicks.com

[Amphatoast]

hahah nice site

[Its_asdf]

http://www.nypost.com/sports/64647.htm

This article is 9 days old, but I didn't want to create an entirely new thread and since this thread hasn't seen activity in a while:

"Stephon is the worst teammate I've ever had," Tim Thomas told me an hour after the Suns had eliminated the Clippers, echoing the sentiments of Jayson Williams, Keith Van Horn, Kurt Thomas and several Suns and Knicks who wish to remain anonymous. "We grew up together, yet the whole time I was with the Knicks he never talked to me. Not once. Not until I was traded did he say anything. When I was leaving he came over and gave me an I-Pod he'd bought as a going-away present. He even installed hip hop music. They don't come any weirder!"

[Ruff Ryder]

Lol, I was about to post the same thing. But Tim Thomas should keep his dumbass mouth shut lol. I wouldn't talk to a guy that made as much as me, if not more who sat around injured and under achieving all the time.

[BIG GREEN]

^^^ agreed. That is seriously some hilarious shit but tim likes talking smack for someone who's just a supporting cast member his whole career.

[John WB]

It says a lot about how people feel about Marbs though.

[Jeffx]

Hey JWB, did you check out the link I posted yet? You'll love it.

[Amphatoast]

Next season shall be very interesting for the Knicks.

First off, Allan Houston's contract will be gone offically at the end of the season.

Larry Brown is out. This isn't a defense oriented team like the pistons, or the 76ers in there title run year. That's what Larry Brown needs. For that to be done, Isiah would have to do a whole lot of trading which he'd rather not do since this is his roster he assembled and believe it can work. Will it work? Well that's why he is coaching it now. If he gets it to work, then its a success, if he doesnt, then bye bye Isiah, and let a new era begin.

The question is will it work? Is there any reason to believe it will?
Well I think there is reason to believe so.

Marbury- Always dreamed of being a Knick his whole life. Isiah Thomas made that possible. Also his conflict with Brown is done since Brown is out.
Marbury may change due to having one of the greatest point guards coaching him. He could change from a 20/8 loser to a 20/8 winner. He will work harder and listen to Isiah since Isiah brought him here. The knicks had the choice of getting rid of him or Brown.. they picked Brown to leave. Even more pressure left on Marbury. This will either make or break his career on what and who he is.

Crawford- I'm not sure what to expect out of this guy, but he did get better under Larry Brown. He maybe the new star in NY soon. His clutch shooting last season was pretty good. He still had some bad mistakes, but he'll get better as time goes on.

Eddie Curry- With the one who gave him such a nice contract coaching him, Isiah may be the one that he will actually work for. Isiah helped him, now he needs to help Isiah out. Isiah may ship him some DVDs of Bill Laimbeer and show him how it was done. How not to be soft, how to be physical, how to rebound, how to shoot free throws. Curry still has potential! 18points/10rebounds a game is possible, maybe even more. He had his moments this year, but everyone has thier moments.

Frye, Lee, Robinson- All 3 played pretty hard under Brown. Some conflicts, and plenty of inconsistancy playing time wise. Isiah will fix that problem. You play well, you will keep playing. None of that "you start 3 games, and play good, then your on the bench playing 5minutes per game for the next 5 games."
He drafted them for a reason, they will play and continue to improve, especially Channing Frye. They all gained a instant name being in NY and could be crap else where ( see Mike Sweetney.) Playing for the guy that drafted you in this big name season could motivate you even more.

Francis & Rose were 2 players that Larry Brown requested. They will more than likely be shipped out, Rose in particular since he is in his contract year.

Everyone on this team has been acquired in the Isiah era. Instead of some coach trying to figure out what he is thinking, he will show us what he was thinking. If it was nonsense like Brown figured, then bye bye Isiah. This team seems more assembled for NBA Live rather than the real NBA.

[Fenix]

Curry can grab 10 rebounds? He has the worst rebounding instincts of any big guy in the NBA, he has no desire and has probably ate three cheesburgers while I was writing this.