While working in a New York restaurant in Fifth Avenue, I got in a conversation with a regular -- a pretty young lawyer who worked in nearby Madison Avenue. While munching on a grilled tuna sandwich, she asked if I was going to the Garden that night for the game. Nah, I replied. I don't root for the Knicks.She was surprised since she knew me to be a rabid Yankees and Islanders fan. So she asked if I was a fan of the team from the other side of the Hudson. I said I liked them but rooted for the Chicago Bulls. Her eyes slanted and in fake hostility she kidded that I must be a sadist who enjoyed watching the Knicks' misfortunes.
Ah, the Knicks. The only time I rooted for them was when they went up against the Houston Rockets and the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals. I have a Latrell Sprewell jersey (that I got on sale at the NBA Store for $30 -- it's an authentic so es economico) and a John Starks one that I got on craigslist.
How is it that even when mired in mediocrity they still make the headlines. Easy answer there because they're in one of the world's biggest media markets. But maybe more than that, saying that they're a bad team is a gross understatement.
The hiring of Donnie Walsh away from the Indiana Pacers is a sure sign that the franchise has had enough. With Walsh operating with a huge degree of autonomy from Jimmy Dolan who made a bad deal when he re-signed Isiah Thomas, are the Knicks on the road to respectability?
It's not that easy. Since a lot of people are speculating on what's going to happen... let me throw my ideas in.
1) Change the coach.
I'm of the mind to change the coach now and see what he can do with the team with its handful of games remaining. But the drawback there is that it's not a fresh start. But it's obvious, Thomas -- who also has the dubious achievement of being the second NY coach who lost a 100 games in the quickest possible time -- has to go.
here are my candidates.
The Unemployed:
Jeff Van Gundy
Rick Carlisle
Scott Skiles
How is it that even when mired in mediocrity they still make the headlines. Easy answer there because they're in one of the world's biggest media markets. But maybe more than that, saying that they're a bad team is a gross understatement.
The hiring of Donnie Walsh away from the Indiana Pacers is a sure sign that the franchise has had enough. With Walsh operating with a huge degree of autonomy from Jimmy Dolan who made a bad deal when he re-signed Isiah Thomas, are the Knicks on the road to respectability?
It's not that easy. Since a lot of people are speculating on what's going to happen... let me throw my ideas in.
1) Change the coach.
I'm of the mind to change the coach now and see what he can do with the team with its handful of games remaining. But the drawback there is that it's not a fresh start. But it's obvious, Thomas -- who also has the dubious achievement of being the second NY coach who lost a 100 games in the quickest possible time -- has to go.
here are my candidates.
The Unemployed:
Jeff Van Gundy
Rick Carlisle
Scott Skiles
The Currently Employed:
Avery Johnson
Phil Jackson (it would stoke his ego but I don't think he'll like Walsh leaning over him)
Avery Johnson
Phil Jackson (it would stoke his ego but I don't think he'll like Walsh leaning over him)
2) Find a good GM!
Man, this is tough... I've always liked John Gabriel but why would he want to go here?
But who's available right now... former Philadelphia 76ers' GM Billy King.
3) Who should go and who should they get?
Trade Stephon Marbury. Decide whether you want to go with Eddy Curry or Zach Randolph. Trade most of the team. Keep David Lee, maybe Nate Robinson and Jamal Crawford. The problem with their backcourt is that although they can score, there's no way they can stop opposing guards because they're smaller and not much for defense. Find someone who is willing to take that last shot. But then again.. that's hard because they get blown out a lot. Let go of the deadweight then save enough cap to make a serious run at Kobe Bryant in two year's time. The team should get someone who wants to win. Someone who will bend the team and the season to his will like Bryant and Kevin Garnett who has done a world of wonders for the Boston Celtics. Dangle Yankees' season tickets to LeBron James! And trade for someone like Manu Ginobili and Andres Nocioni. Manu will get the opportunity to expand his game in New York. Nocioni will bring back that defense that New York was known for under Pat Riley and Van Gundy. Then complement it with players with solid backgrounds with a team-first and winner's mentality.
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