Now I’ve already had my say on the situation at the Knicks, but as news broke yesterday of a blockbuster trade involving New York, Cleveland and Oklahoma City, fellow Big Ballers Podcast member Todd Eastman was putting pen to paper. Here is his breakdown on what is happening at the Garden.
How quickly things change in the NBA, just a few short months ago New York were being talked about as contenders for that Eastern Conference spot in the finals. Now they are being talked about as a punchline in a bad joke, that may be what everyone remembers when they talk about Phil Jackson’s time in Gotham.
[image src=’http://fnx.network/fnxnetwork/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/11021946214_10582ac47c_z.jpg’ width=‘427’ height=’470′ title=‘Source:Keith Allison,Flickr’ align=’left’]So where has it gone wrong? Is it Derek Fisher being too inexperienced to be head coach? Are the players incapable of embracing the Triangle offence or is there a bigger plan here? 5-32 at the time of writing this and showing no signs of improvement, in fact they now hold the worst record in the NBA, worse than the famously tanking 76ers but yet no one is accusing them of doing the same.
Word came out earlier in the week that they are considering “shutting down” Carmelo Anthony for the rest of the season, then the blockbuster trade today sending J.R Smith and Iman Shumpert to Cleveland for a second round draft pick and three bench players (two of which are being waived) and also waiving Samuel Dalembert in a move that is rumoured to be about a “Culture Change in the locker room”. All signs indicate towards a Philly style tank in hopes of:
A) Getting a good pick in the 2015 draft.
B) Loading up to take a run at free agents in the off season, one of whom has already been targeted in Marc Gasol and after this season he will be able to demand top dollar for his services.
So when do we officially start referring to the Knicks as tanking? And as for Jackson this upcoming offseason (feels insane that we even are talking about this already) will be how his tenure as president of the Knicks will be defined. Is he a Jerry West or Isaiah Thomas…. Only time will tell as for Knicks fans, start brushing up on your college player knowledge.
-Todd Eastman (@BeastEastman)
Be sure to check out Big Ballers Podcast right here on the FNX Network as Todd, Miller, Moe, Buckets and LJ talk hoops every fortnight!
Banner Image Credit: Michael, Flickr
Story Image Credit: Keith Allison, Flickr