The Knicks Thread....

[Stress Fracture]

"The Nets tanked that game so they wouldn't face NY in the playoffs."

"The Knicks are the best team not to make the playoffs."


That's the kind of nonsense you see at the official Knicks Facebook page. I get slammed there all the time for telling it like I do here - I'm not a 'real fan'. Bunch of fucktards who don't know shit about basketball.

Ha, that's Facebook for you. What did you expect, a good discussion?

[NovU]

Spot on. They are conveniently casual fans that don't actually care about the the sport of basketball. They don't care what's really going on with the team but will wear and buy jerseys/hats just for fun when the team makes the playoffs and make noise. Otherwise they will just troll and get on with their lives even though they're still experts on matters like why the Knicks failed to make the playoffs... because of the Nets.



The question remains for the Knicks. What do they do from here on? The options seem very limited. Re-sign Carmelo then what?

[Andrew]

It may not be all doom and gloom. They have a roster that is better than their record on paper and even if they are to make changes, look what Donnie Walsh did a few years ago. After Isiah Thomas put the team in a huge hole, Walsh actually got them into a position where they could make some moves and show signs of being competitive again, reasonably quickly.

It's a big what-if and easier said than done, but the odds may not be as insurmountable as they'd first appear.

[Stress Fracture]

I think the priority will be Carmelo. And if they can just throw Bargnani away.....

[Andrew]

Probably not out of the question, as he'll be in the last year of his deal and such players usually draw a little interest out of teams looking to re-tool, if the asking price isn't too steep. Worst case scenario, he'll only be under contract for one more season.

[Jeffx]

WTF were these losers smiling and high-fiving for, like they actually did something. After a 54-win season, 37-45 is nothing to be proud of. They're a fucking disgrace to the uniform. You won, but you're going home....job well done.

As for Anthony, I agree with WFAN's Mike Francesca. I want him back, but only at a discount. Otherwise, how will NY pair him with another top player?

[rise]

Sorry Knicks fans, I think Melo's gone. You can bet Melo's getting max money wherever he goes. If he values winning more than the glitz and glamour of New York or LA, he's gone. For the love of god tank next season while you've actually got a pick, and you wait for all your shit contracts to expire so you can start all over again.

[NovU]

Melo has to take significant pay cut if he left the Knicks. I don't think he's going anywhere but if he's not a liar and really wants to win, then he should go to the Bulls, imho.

The Bulls, Rockets, Lakers and Clippers are among the teams expected to pursue unrestricted free agent Carmelo Anthony.

The Knicks can offer Anthony a five-year, $129 contract. The max he can get from other teams is four years and $95 million. But the Knicks have almost no room to reshape their roster, so re-signing there would not give Anthony his best shot at his stated goal of winning. If he's serious about competing for a title, Melo will take a massive pay cut and sign with Chicago, which could field a starting five of Derrick Rose, Jimmy Butler, Anthony, Taj Gibson and Joakim Noah. Apr 18 - 9:41 AM

Source: ESPN New York

[_Steve_]

And gone is Mike Woodson. Not very surprising at all. I hope Steve Kerr get's the job.

[SoF'nAwesome]

Nice one, sir

[Andrew]

Phil Jackson certainly isn't wasting any time on that front. It'll be interesting to see if he Kerr does end up making the transition to the sidelines, or whether he himself might pull double duty.

[Jeffx]

If I'm Steve Kerr, I wait until the playoffs are over. There could be coaching vacancies if some of these teams flame out in the first round (OKC, Houston, Indy). I'd rather work for those franchises than the dysfunctional Knicks.

Steve Kerr SHOULD be wary about working for the Knicks....

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baske ... -1.1763985

[_Steve_]

Interesting article that sums up the situation quite well.

[Andrew]

Smart move by Kerr to be asking those questions, as his wariness is understandable. Perhaps Jackson will be able to change the culture, though. He certainly commands enough respect and is a strong enough personality to do so.

[Stress Fracture]

Saw this on the local media feed via Reuters. WOW

New York Knicks owner James Dolan said last month he willingly and gratefully ceded control of the front office to bring in Phil Jackson as team president.

Apparently, that was so last month.

Dolan and Jackson are clashing over personnel decisions, the New York Daily News reports, with Dolan pushing to retain select personnel that Jackson has already decided not to keep. Jackson's first, and predictable, move as president was firing coach Mike Woodson.

More here.

[Jeffx]

^ I just listened to Phil's press conference. He said as far as basketball decisions, Dolan has kept his promise not to interfere. But knowing Dolan, there could be truth to that story.

[_Steve_]

Hiring a coach is not only a basketball decision...

[Andrew]

Jackson has reiterated that his coaching days are over and for the moment, I'd be inclined to take him at his word on that, given his age, health, and...well, the Knicks' roster. But you do have to wonder whether it can be ruled out entirely, at some point down the line.

[NovU]

Jackson Tells Anthony He Plans to Hire Steve Kerr as the Next Knicks Coach

Knicks president Phil Jackson told free-agent-to-be Carmelo Anthony that he is fully expecting to hire Steve Kerr as the team's next coach when Jackson and Anthony sat down for dinner in Manhattan last week, according to two people familiar with the matter.

Although it's pretty clear it's more of their relationship and history than Kerr's actual qualification in Phil's decision, I don't think it's a bad one mostly because Phil and Kerr should know well about each others' coaching philosophy. That couldn't hurt as Phil's one of the greats in coaching historically. And Kerr imo is one of the very smart and charismatic ex-players that has coaching potential. Kidd was a great signing as a coach for window showing. Kerr signing should offer more as it at least makes sense.

[Andrew]

It'll be a shame to lose Kerr from NBA on TNT broadcasts, but it's great to see him getting a coaching opportunity. Best of luck to him.

[Jeffx]

We've seen what James Dolan and his toxic corporate culture at the Garden has done to coaches. I hope Kerr realises what he's in for.

[shadowgrin]

It'll be a shame to lose Kerr from NBA on TNT broadcasts

Don't feel bad Andrew, Mark Jackson might return soon to broadcasting duty.

[Mandich]

I realise the love towards Kerr, but it would still be a high risk move by the Knicks.

And I see Kerr as a humble, calm and good guy. It's hard to believe that he'll establish a presence within the team with all the primadonas the Knicks have.

[Andrew]

Don't feel bad Andrew, Mark Jackson might return soon to broadcasting duty.

As long as The Notorious J.V.G. is still around, I guess I can handle that. I'd prefer that he stays on the sidelines though and believe he's earned the opportunity to do so...though that's a topic for another thread.

[Stress Fracture]

Luke Walton, Tyronn Lue and Derek Fisher being considered for the coaching vacancy.

From ESPN

Three candidates who will thus receive consideration from Jackson, sources said, are Luke Walton and Tyronn Lue -- former players under Jackson who have already begun their coaching careers -- as well as Oklahoma City Thunder guard Derek Fisher -- if Fisher elects to stop playing after this season as he has hinted.