Trying to Make Sense of the Knicks

I haven't been following this season closely in terms of observing gameplay, so maybe I shouldn't bc commenting on the Knicks like that.  But I've been a "fan" of this team for over 30 years, and a lot of the things I predicted with this current iteration of NYK is, sadly, coming true.

KAT THE SCAPEGOAT

I just recently learned that KAT won the 3-Point Contest a couple of years ago.  That's how good of a shooter he is - as a C.  But I still argue that it isn't ideal to have the tallest man on your squad more prone to shooting (long-range) jumpshots as opposed to taking it to the hole.

The way you mitigate such anomalies is by having the other players on the team, i.e. the wings, be above-average defenders and rebounders.  As far as starters go, the Knicks have more quality, all-around wing depth than any other squad in the league.  So even if Karl is out there hoisting up threes, the interior should be able to compensate.  You know, KAT is going to KAT.  And that's what makes the mediocrity of this team even more surprising.

THE "CURSE OF THE KNICKS"

If you're the type of sports' fan who likes to be disappointed you know, having a reason to be depressed at the office - 'I'm not feeling good today. My team has lost yet again' - then the Knicks are for you.  NYK rosters tend to fall into two categories which, in a way, are kinda one in the same.  Either they're contenders who, even if they make it to Game 7, somehow flunk in the Playoffs.  Or they have a talented, overpaid roster that just flunks in general.

Those Michael Jordan years, i.e. the early-1990s, I mean you can't blame anyone for losing to MJ.  But damn, were some of those losses painful.  And even when His Airness wasn't around, the Knicks failed to get over the hump.

There was that one asterisk season when they made it (back) to the Finals, only to have their asses handed to them by the Spurs, like when Tim Duncan was a rookie type shit, illustrating how even a much less-popular franchise can build a dynasty, while NYK can't.

Oh, and let's not forget circa the early 2012,  back when NY managed to land both Melo and Amare Stoudemire.  Theoretically, that was supposed to be best F combination in the league.  But first of all, they gave Amare like a max contract, even though by that time he was already on the perennially-injured list.  And second, remember that time he punched a fire extinguisher and in the process, extinguished any (false) hopes of the Knicks prevailing in the playoffs?  That's NYK for you.

Having too little of what you need is a curse, but on the opposite end of the spectrum, so is having too much.  Robert Kiyosaki, aka Rich Dad / Poor Dad, has this saying, when it comes to money, that he'd rather be cursed with too much than too little.  But that's not true in all cases.

You have a team like OKC who, faced with the challenge of not being a coveted free agency destination nor a franchise that's particularly favored by they powers-that-be, dug deep inside their own expertise and managed to put a potential dynasty together.  Braintrust-wise they're the envy of the league, at least for now, while a couple of their big 3 are still on their rookie contracts.

On the other side of the coin you have the Knicks, the premiere team (as compared to the Nets) in "the biggest market in the NBA", their home being the most famous arena in the United States, seemingly with all the money in the world, with every superstar free agent at least reportedly considering signing there.  Every year, credible reports emerge of the Knicks being after KD or Lebron or this season, Giannis.  After the Lakers, it's safe to presume that NYK is the most coveted player destination in the NBA.  And that's pretty amazing, considering how outstanding LAL's history is compared to the Knicks.

OVERTALENTED

But as I've been saying since the time they went out and hastily acquired KAT, this iteration of the Knicks are overtalented.  Karl's money could've rather been used to land what they really need, i.e. a versatile, defensive-minded C.  This team was not lacking in offensive firepower when they went out and got KAT.

All things considered, they'd been better off keeping Julius Randle, now that he's prover healthy.  I'm not saying that Randle is better than KAT.  But in the grand scheme of things he's just as effective, yet one of those players whose style doesn't take away from his teammates(?).

So what inspired me to write this post was reading today that, oh shit, Bridges is riding the bench during crunch minutes, if you can imagine that.  As far as two-way players go, i.e. dudes who are good on both offense and defense (unlike KAT or Brunson), Mikal is top-10 in the league.  Furthermore, as the NY Post has pointed out, the Knicks are paying him $150mil.  It's one thing when you have these star players getting paid a gazillion dollars to ride exercise bikes and shit.  But to have someone like that who's actually healthy riding the bench?  Only in NYK, dear reader.

So after this season is over and everyone is finally able to realize that what I'm saying is true, these are the questions that need to be asked.  Why did they go out and get KAT to begin with?  Why didn't they allow Bridges +Anunoby + Brunson to mesh first?  Why not let that core play out a full season without, you know, adding a superstar to mix  and then evaluate what type of additions to make?  Fuck happened to Mitchell Robinson?  TF you doing getting repeatedly blown out by the Pistons, who only have, relatively speaking, like two recognizable names on their roster?  The Pistons are supposed to be like small boys compared to the Knicks.  NYK beat Detroit in the playoffs last year yet somehow, since then, despite retaining all of their rotation players, have managed to get worse

CONCLUSION

You know how you go out and buy some really expensive shit and then later, when you're broke, start kicking yourself?  Or you know how, you know, you buy a really expensive car or outfit to get a particular girl, and she still rejects you?  That's how I see the Knicks.

Sometimes, having too much money and favor is a bad thing.  When there's limitations, you have to manage and use your brain.  But when the reins are off, you're able to do all types of dumb shit knowing that, win or lose, the money is going to keep coming in regardless.

Should Lebron Retire Already?

Lebron has earned many nicknames throughout the years - "King James"; "Rushmore"; "the Demoralizer" - some good, others not so flattering.  It is those latter realities - his humanness so to speak - that has put him in the undesirable position of being an aged, albeit skilled player that any team could use, but none can afford.

WHO WANTS LEBRON?

The problem with being great is that it seldom lends to humility.  Let's be frank - Lebron James is the best all-around player in NBA history.  He may not be as dominant as were the likes Shaq, Wilt and Kareem.  But he can literally play the 1 through 5, unlike anyone else who's ever graced the stage.

That's in addition to James, even going on a quarter century(!) in the league, remaining immensely popular.  I agree with Kendrick Perkins, that there isn't anyone currently poised to take over as 'the face of the league'.  You got players out there like Wemby and Ant-Man(?), neither of whom, you know what I'm saying?  Jokic is supposed to be like the best player, followed by dudes like Luka and SGA, but none of them niggas have swag.  Even Giannis, like he's cool, but you know what I mean?

Lebron isn't exactly Mr. Swag himself, not compared to his face-of-the-league predecessor, Michael "MJ" Jordan.  LBJ isn't exactly what you would call pretty.  But he's been so dominant for so long, like who can deny him?  Dude is averaging a half-triple double, even in his 40s.

So going back to who wants Lebron, I could imagine that every team in the NBA wouldn't mind having him, if not for one caveat.  And that, dear reader, would be the fact that he (now) sucks on defense - and as the seasons creep by is only becoming more aged in that regard.  Father Time can be defeated so to speak, but you still have to respect him.  Like niggas reach a certain age where you don't want to be chasing around whippersnappers anymore, not like as part of your job type shit.

The mainstream media is only now grasping that fact, that aged Lebron doesn't play defense for shit, but this is a discussion we've already been having for years at NBA Inception.  That's in addition to LBJ insisting to play out of position.  If he played more like an actual four - even a modern-day one - i.e. being able to function more off the ball, Lebron would sitll be invaluable, offensively at least.

But as it currently stands, if you were to put him on, say, the Thunder, if James played more than like 15mpg, he would totally fuck up the flow, and so it would be on virtually any team who are contenders.  Ideally, LBJ would be running a second unit by this stage in his career, or be surrounded by young dudes who could mitigate his defensive deficiencies.  Even at this age, he'd be the best sixth man in the league.  But again, it'd have to be a team who's second unit actually needs a leader, because you can't ask Lebron, after all these years of doing his thing, to suddenly become a role player.  Like you can't even ask him to come off the bench; he'd have to agree to do it himself.

HOW MUCH IS LEBRON WORTH?

Then comes the question of pay.  If Lebron were, say, on the Pacers - a team that's just taking up NBA space so to speak - and making $50+ million, then it's all good, because he would be the main draw, and they don't have any realistic title aspirations.  But on a squad that's actually trying to win it all - any squad, including Cleveland - earning that much makes him liability because, that's money that can be used for someone(s) who plays offense and defense.  Meanwhile, you can't ask him to play on any team that isn't a contender.  You can't like ask Lebron to go and play for the Magic, no matter how much they could pay him.  The days of LBJ being able to go on any team and instantly make them contenders are long gone.

And imagine, say, Lebron going back to the Cavs, salary reduced, while someone like the Beard is being paid the max.  Imagine Lebron on any team and not being the highest paid player.  There's only a handful of players he could humble himself to like that - Mitchell, a perennial all-star in his prime, maybe, but not the Beard.  I can't even see SGA making more money than Lebron if they were on the same team.  In the business world, when it comes to contracts and shit like that, we're supposed to be compensated based not only on our current performance but also past accomplishments.

So Lebron, arguably the G.O.A.T., can't bow out of the game like Vince Carter or CP3, on that veteran's minimum shit.  WTF for?  Is he broke?  Does he want to get at least one ring before he retires type shit?

CONCLUSION

I was the first one, at the beginning of this season - before any of these media dudes or the Cavs or even James himself jumped on the bandwagon - who suggested that Lebron should go back to Cleveland.  This was due to him, finally for the first time in his career, being on a team with a player who's inarguably better.  And I'm not saying that Luka, another defensive liability, is literally better than Lebron type shit.  It's more like young Luka is better than old Lebron.

Also, the implication when I made that suggestion was that LBJ would go back to Cleveland understanding that he'd be playing a reduced role, that Mitchell, Mobley and even the likes of Garland would have precedence.  It was more on some emotional boost type shit, after that sorely-disappointing postseason they had last year - to push them over the Haliburton hump so to speak.  But now that they've gone out and got Harden, like who wants to see him and Lebron on the same team at this stage in their careers?  This past All-Star Game also verified something I've been saying for years, that (professional) athletics is a youth game.

So yeah, LBJ should just call it quits already.  Go as hard as you can this coming offseason, but after that, like give it a break already.  Leave the game before it leaves you to type shit.  It would have been cool if you went back home this season.  But if the Cavs flunk again this coming postseason - as I'm confident they will - reacquiring Lebron next season, especially at some inflated price, would not be the solution. 

NBA Power Stinking (Early Feb. 2026 Review)

Since I skipped last month's Power Stinkings, I wanted to try to wait 'til the All-Star Break - the de facto midpoint of the season - to get this latest post off.  But instead it's like, let's get this last one done before the trade deadline, so I can at least make another bold prediction or two before a number of teams more or less seal their fates for this year.

1.  SACREMENTO KINGS (13-36)

The Kings very much deserve to be at the top of the Power Stinkings.  For one, they now have a worst record than even the Wizards or Pelicans.  Second is that their roster, on paper, is or was more talented and deep than half the other squads out there.  So it's obvious their issues aren't just relegated to the players but rather how this organization is being run or whatever.

I feel sorta bad for DeAndre Hunter getting traded into this mess. He went from being stuck on a middling squad to a brief stint with a contender to now being employed by one of the most ass-backwards franchises out there.

And speaking of trades, let's hope that Westbrook is able to find his way outta there also, preferably to a contender.  He's a real interesting case, inarguably one of the most-talented to ever play the game - but so good that he doesnt' work well with others.  If basketball were a solo game, the ScapeGOAT would've won a number of rings by now.

2.  NEW ORLEAND PELICANS (13-38)

Similar to the Kings, the reason the Pelicans don't deserve any love is because, you know, this isn't supposed to be a tanking year.  At the start of last season, New Orleans had arguably the (second) best starting five in the league (on paper), and they also entered this current one with promise.  How quickly it all has dissolved, and you don't even hear about Zion Williamson anymore.

In order for Zion to get his previous standing back of being almost the most-exalted player in the NBA, he'll have to absolutely dominate, which it appears he never will.  It would have served him better if, from the beginning of his career, he would have been allowed to play more along the lines of a traditional PF instead being forced into a point-forward, wannabe-Lebron type.  Now, he's even less-appealing trade bait than a couple of rookies on the team.

Remember when Zion and Ja were considered to be the most-promising young players in the league?  Things can change fast in the modern-day, injury-ridden NBA.

3.  WASHINGTON WIZARDS (13-35)

The Wizards trading for Trae Young and then deciding to like rest him for the season, I don't know if I agree with that.  That's that betrayal-of-fans' shit I've been talking about.  Niggas is paying the price of admission, so give them a good show, even if you are garbage.  I'm not saying that the current roster isn't entertaining, but it wouldn't hurt for this team to field, you know, a player with like name recognition.

I feel sorry for a vet of Khris Middleton's caliber being stuck on this squad, but that's the kinda shit that sometimes happens when you demand to be overpaid into perpetuity.  The good news though is that is #1 Khris is making over $30mil even though his team sucks, and #2 he'll probably be brought out, which will create a real interesting scenario in terms of what team he lands on.  Maybe, if Giannis sticks around, he can even end up back on the Bukcs.

4.  BROOKLYN NETS (13-35)

The Nets suck, but at least expectations were low entering this season, so it's not like anyone is surprised or disappointed.  What doubly sucks is Porter Jr. not even making the All-Star team.  People like to say 'anyone can score 20 points playing for a garbage team'.  Meanwhile, the overwhelming majority of players on these types of squads never achieve that average, which, you know, is one of the reasons why such squads suck to begin with.

5.  UTAH JAZZ (15-35)

It's been a long time since I've heard anything, good or bad, about the Jazz, and the sad thing is that the braintrust probably wants it that way.  Last season they tanked in an attempt to land Cooper Flagg, and now you see why you're never supposed to tank no matter what, because a losing culture can persist just like a winning one.

6.  MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES (18-29)

The Grizzlies are another interesting case of a geniunely bad team, i.e. one who, as far as we know, entered this season at least expecting to make the Playoffs.  This Ja Morant situation as metastasized into a shitstorm, i.e the team's star player who, depsite not being what he used to, they need him in order to win yet are forced to move on for personal reasons. Everyone involved is tired of losing type shit.

I blame it on the braintrust, because the squad they had a few years back - with the likes of Dillon Brooks and Tyus Jones and Xavier Tillman and what's his name and even the more recently-bounced Desmond Bane - like those dudes seemed like they really, you know, loved each other type shit.  That's the kinda chemistery that money can't buy, and, even if dudes never did reach the promised land, the braintrust should have tried a lot harder not to allow that kind of dynamic to be broken up.  You can't have a core of like American whiteboys and Europeans and expect shit to get crunk on the sideline.

So now, who knows when this team will become relevant again.  No disrepect to the likes of Zach Edey, Santi Aldama or even Jackson Jr., but no fan is going to break their neck to watch this team play.  And that, dear reader, is the power of a Morant.

7.  MILWAUKEE BUCKS (18-29)

The person I feel most sorry for in this sitatuion is actually Myles Turner.  Remember that he spent a deadass decade with the Pacers, more or less stabbed the franchise in the back to play with Giannis, and now is more or less forced to play without Giannis.  And man, do the Bucks suck without him.

Giannis is arguably the best player in the NBA (depending on the construction of your team), who's style could mesh with any roster.  Every team these days prefer the fast, semi-organized style, and it's like Giannis was built for these times.  And sorry if I can't spell his last name type shit.

The point being made, going back to the acquisition of Turner, is that if Milwaukee does give dude up, you know, we don't want to hear no rebuild type shit.  Giannis is a generational talent, so wheover they get back in return, unless he's traded for draft picks, needs to make an immediate impact.  Meanwhile, the prevailing word on the streets is that he will in fact be traded for draft picks.  So once again, it's a sad day in the career of Myles Turner, as far as the potential of him finally winning a ring is concerned.  And that's why sometimes, you know what I'm saying?  Stick to the rivers and lakes that you're used to.

8.  INDIANA PACERS (13-36)

The thing about the Pacers, yes, record-wise these dudes suck ass and arguably deserve to top the Power Stinkings.  But last season, when they made the deadass Finals, their core consisted of Siakim, Turner and Haliburton.  Tyrese is hurt, and Myles bounced as a free agent.  And the point being made is that would you expect any team, after losing two of their three best players yet getting nothing in return, to actually stay competitive?

That answer is definitely no, if you're the 2025-26 Indiana Pacers.  So now it's like, when is it going to be safe to start calling these dudes flukes again?  That playoff run from last season was truly some fairytale shit, never-ever to happen again anytime soon. 

9.  DALLAS MAVERICKS (19-30)

You know a team is lucky (in the Adam Silver-sense of the word) when they suck but still are one of the most must-watch in the league.  And the reason we must watch, dear reader, is because of Cooper Flagg, who finally though not delayedly(?), is coming into his own.  And you have to admit that for a whiteboy, he's relatively entertaining.

But dude won't be a rookie forever, and eventually, to maintain this type of popularity, you have to start winning.  Just as Morant or Williamson.  I know dudes still sell a shitload of jersey, but you know what I mean.

It seems like Dallas' braintrust (as well as the media) finally got incepted, slowly but surely accepting what I've been saying all along, that dude shouldn't be forced to play out of position.  Now, they're even saying that they should rebuilt around him, and why not?

This curent iteration isn't going to win shit, and better to start now before Flagg turns into a Giannis or a diva who demands victory.  I'm also looking forward to Kyrie coming back, but it's very much possible that his style won't mesh with Cooper's.  This is going ot be interesting, because what other team is even willing to pay top dollar for the likes of Davis or Irving these days?

10.  PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS (23-27)

I haven't really been following the Blazers, as it's rare these days I read beyond the headlines, and, you know, they seldom make headlines.  Most recenlty, what I heard is that they've been performing unexpectedly well.  But oh shit, I just checked the standings, and they're on a five-game losing streak.  So I guess it's like back-to-earth in Portlant.

One bit of good news is that they've sent someone, Deni Avidja, to the All-Star Game, like the first Blazer to acheive that accolade since the days of Dame.  And at the very least, it looks like Portland will make the Play-Ins - young, hungry but not quite OKC-ish.

11.  ATLANTA HAWKS (24-27)

Age factors aside, this current iteration of the Hawks being able to get rid of Young and replacing him with McCollum sounds like good business to me.  The only downside is that maybe Trae had more of a lockerroom presence, you know, like morale type shit.  'Hey guys, y'all play better without me, but still, go out there and kick ass'.  But by this point, he was no longer needed on the court, and McCollum is by far one of the better 2-guards in the league.

Whether or not that'll expeditiously translate into winning is another matter.  Team sports can be a funny beast, and sometimes,when dudes are like unexpectedly winning, you need to just leave shit alone rather than making changes.  'Our star player was hurt, but now he's healthy, yet the team is winning without him'.  Then leave his ass on the bench.  Like you see what happened in OKC.

'We just acquired a borderline allstar and need to get him into the mix immediately'.  No you don't, not if niggas is winning.  But that said, I'm totally expecting (or hoping) that this team will mesh post-Trae, and CJ, finally being (on a quality team) in the Eastern Conference, will represent.

12.  CHICAGO BULLS (24-26)

The Bulls started the season as one of the hottest teams in the league, have since come back down to earth big time, and now seem to be sorta balancing out between those two opposites.  I agree that they're one of the squads who should be mnost aggressive in seeking an upgrade, but outside of maybe Josh "the Snub" Giddey and another-maybe Vucevic, like who else does on this roster does other squads really want anyway?  Coby White has made a name for himself, and so has Buzelis, who's but a youngster.  But who's going to trade a top-level superstar for those guys?  Chicago would more realistically be in the Morant (as opposed to Giannis) sweepstakes, though you obviously wouldn't want to force Giddey out of the point.

13.  ORLANDO MAGIC (25-23)

I'm still holding to my contention that the Desmond Bane trade was overrated (by pundits).  Remeber when niggas was like 'oh, the Magic are contenders now. They got Desmond Bane!'  LMAO.  Fuk was you talking about?

Currenlty, they don't appear to be any better than they were the last couple of seasons - perhaps even worse.  And as I've been saying for years, dudes need to focus more on the post, though I guess now, theoretically they're just one player away.  But knowing this braintrust, they'll probably go after a six-foot G rather than the C they need.  And speaking of which, it'd be interesting if Morant could make his way over to reunite with Desmond, though without Orlando losing any of their big three in return.

14.  MIAMI HEAT (27-24)

Even though it's hard at times, I still believe in the Heat and am glad to see that they've established a winning record.  This team has a balanced roster, coupled with an exceptional brainstrust and winning culture, so sky's the limit.  

15.  LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS (23-25)

Let me repeat that Kawhi Leonard is one of the best players in NBA history.  He'll make the Hall of Fame and all that kinda shit, but the reason Kawhi is not recognized for how great he truly is is due to personality and familial issues.

That said, don't sleep on the Clippers.  Since the onset of the season they got rid of some dead weight (no offense to anyone), which they could afford since the roster was overstacked to begin with.

I'm also happy to hear that John Collins, one of the most undervalued players in the league, has apparently found his fit next to Leonard and the Beard.  Speaking of which, I honestly thought that Harden would be washed up by now.  But I guess it's more like, you know, he's one of those chucks who just needs the right supporting cast.