I haven't been writing about the Playoffs lately because they're once again starting to get that WWE feeling to them. You have teams that are clearly dominant to their opponents losing by like 30 points. You have a team winning by 30 points one game, and then the other team winning by 30 pts the next. You have seasoned vets fouling out in less than two quarters of playing time. And you have to feel that some of these series have already been decided but may be prolonged for business reasons.
But basketball is a sport, not a business. So regardless of what may go on behind the scenes, we fans like to see well-constructed, competitive teams. And that's the purpose of these "where should we go from here" articles. There's more to winning a NBA Championship than having a superior team, but having a superior team is where it all starts.
And one thing I can say in this case is if you ever want to know how it feels to almost have a heart attack from following a sports team, become a Knicks fan. Unfortunately for someone who developed an affinity for the NBA, I was raised in NYC, which naturally makes you root for the Knicks, at least back in those days. So I actually remember them, between the 1990s and now, doing more dumb shit than the average the average NBA fan would. Like back in the days when Jeff Van Gundy coached the Knicks, New Yorkers used to deadass call him "Jeff Van Dummy".
And even right now as we speak, it's like the Knicks are making Jalen Brunson their top free agent priority. Now anyone who reads this blog would know I have nothing against Brunson, and I know the upcoming free agent market is thin. But damn, it's obvious the Knicks don't need another role player at this point. They already have more role players than probably any other team in the association. Julius Randle was supposed to be the alpha dog, but for whatever reason things didn't work out like that. So what they should be doing is looking for someone of his skill level or better, you know, a player that'll actually move the needle.
If this was one of the lowlier teams, I wouldn't say something like that. But the Knicks are the top market in the NBA. So it's like, WTF?! Y'all can't even get one perennial all-star on the roster? That's the Knicks for you.
The way they're trying to push it now is that RJ Barrett is the next big thing. And I'll admit that he has exceeded my expectations. But franchise player? Maybe on a lowlier team. That fact that NYK has even put themselves in a position where Barrett can be considered its franchise player shows how dysfunctional this organization is, like one of those small-market teams who are just trying to maintain a name in the NBA.
If anything the Knicks should be pursuing Bradley Beal, not Zach LaVine as, knowing the Knicks, they're more likely do. Both of those players have injury issues, but Zach's seems to be worst. And Bradley Beal himself, imo, is overrated. But in NY, if they don't gut their roster, he'll be surrounded by perhaps the best role players he's ever had in his career. And some people are on that 'loyalty to one team' shit, but it ain't like Beal is Kobe, nor are the Wizards anything like the Lakers. Also, to my understanding he can run the point. And that's what the Knicks really need right now more than anything, a high-volume scorer and apparently PG, since they're chasing Brunson.
Russell Westbrook may also be a good choice, since he can not only score but do a bit of everything. And if the Knicks could get him without giving up a bunch of players or any of their stars, that'd be the best supporting cast he's ever had as an alpha dog (if people still consider Russ one). And another two ways that he can hypothetically help NYK is (1) Westbrook doesn't get injured often, and (2) he's the type of versatile player that would allow the Knicks to progressively, over the course of a year or two, build up a contender that he's a part of, you know, if Russ doesn't take too much dough from them, which he likely will.
I'm also not a big fan of Tom Thibodeau tbh. In 2021 the NBA gave him the Coach of the Year at the same time the Knicks, for whatever reason during the Playoffs, deviated from their successful strategy of running the ball through Randle, instead putting the spotlight on D-Rose and subsequently losing to the Hawks in the 1st Round. And this season they were even more disappointing, while Thibodeau was out there benching their best scorer and all types of shit.
CONCLUSION
The New York Knicks, despite being the wealthiest organization in the NBA, never had a superteam in the age of superteams. And it doesn't look like they're going to be able to put one together now. But at least they have a deep roster, including Kemba Walker lingering on the bench somewhere.
But all because they may not be able to land a Giannis or Luka doesn't mean they should sell themselves short. And making Brunson your top priority isn't the worst decision. But it's like damn, how much longer must NY fans be punished with a non-contending team? Niggas is out in the boondocks winning championships, and these dudes are making moves like they'd be content just to make the 2nd round.
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