Borough vs. Borough: Brooklyn Nets Pulling Away From Knickerbockers

From the desks of:

THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH  and  DUTCH PANTS CAN'T JUMP

An Under-Spoken Inner City Rivalry of Attrition

DID JAMES DOLAN JUST BLINK?

Rewind back to 2004 if you will: Bruce Ratner purchases the New Jersey Nets with the intention of relocating them to Brooklyn.  It's no secret that his underlying business interest involves a more grandiose real estate development in the downtown area.  A Kings County native, Ratner's ploy nevertheless threatens James Dolan's monopoly on New York City's arena sports, entertainment, and events venues.

As expected, his plan for constructing a new arena along Flatbush Avenue at Atlantic Avenue is met with great resistance.  And with Ratner bogged down in court, Dolan is able to devote time and resources towards successfully thwarting another more immediate threat posed in 2005 by the New York Jets and a proposed new football stadium to be constructed atop Manhattan's west side rail yards.  However, his victory over the Jets and NYC's politico is short lived.  On March, 11, 2010, groundbreaking ceremonies for Barclays Center finally take place in Brooklyn, thus finally making it official: direct inner-city competition will soon be arriving at Dolan's door step.  Only this time, there's nothing he can do to prevent it.

Enter (new Nets majority owner) Russian tycoon Mikhail Prokhorov who later that summer launches the first salvo in what becomes known as the Billboard Wars when he commissions a building-side mural along Eighth Avenue, just a few blocks away from Madison Square Garden.  Jim Dolan strikes back with a rather clever purchase of billboard space located within the footprint of Ratner's Atlantic Yards construction site.  After which, Nets signage begins fanning throughout the borough, while the Knicks keep their reactive marketing focused along Flatbush Avenue.  By year's end, though, the Knicks pull out of the billboard business.

Hostilities ratchet up again in February of 2011, upon outbreak of the now infamous Battle for Carmelo Anthony.  With Melo desperately wanting out of Denver (Nuggets), he is a handshake away from being traded to the New Jersey Nets, that is until Jim Dolan catches wind and launches himself headlong into the Melo sweepstakes like a bull in a china shop.  He shamelessly tramples over both general manager Donnie Walsh and head coach Mike D'Antoni en-route to securing one of the league's perennial scoring threats - a veritable coup, or so Dolan thought.  To his dismay, the next morning's tabloids as their lead story run with the Nets surprising acquisition under the cover of night of well regarded point guard Deron Williams from the Utah Jazz.  By daybreak, a squabbling media is raging in debate as to which team secured the better deal.

By the 2012-2013 season, Barclays Center is open for business, while Dolan's billion dollar renovation of Madison Square Garden is likewise near complete.  Over the course of the next several seasons, neither acquisition works out to either team's great satisfaction.  In 2012-13, Carmelo Anthony leads the Knicks to an Atlantic Division title, but they've failed to qualify for the playoffs since.  The Knicks averaged just 34.2 wins during Melo's five seasons in New York, and just 33.3 wins in the six years prior to David Fizdale's arrival.  Although the Nets make three straight playoff appearances in their first three season at Brooklyn, they experience a precipitous fall as well.  In 2015, the Nets buy out the remainder of Deron William's contract, and by 2017 the Knicks trade Carmelo Anthony to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Williams/Melo era ends with a whimper; the next reconstruction period begins.

By 2016-2017, the Nets are first to acknowledge their failure and recommit themselves to a grassroots rebuild.  They hire Sean Marks as new general manager who in turn hires Kenny Atkinson as head coach.  Together, their sticktoitiveness has been nothing short of commendable.  The Knicks on the other hand are slower to recognize their blight, and perhaps are more stubborn as well.  And there's the rub ... I still don't know what the Knicks are up to.  I'm no fan of Sam Mills.  I view him as nothing more than Dolan's lone remaining friend in the building.  I'm not so sure Scott Perry is the answer either.  I agree, however, David Fizdale is part of the solution.  But when looking at the bigger picture, the Knicks are clearly lagging behind the Nets, and losing ground by the day.

Lest we forget this is about direct competition.  The Nets are the invaders, and Jim Dolan was made to respond.  To date, he's matched them move for move.  But does anyone besides me find it rather ponderous that Dolan would choose the holiday season for (Ian O'Connor interview) throwing himself a pity party?  Is that a touch of defeatism I hear?  Is it because Brooklyn's plan is working, while his own basketball organization continues marinating in its own futility?

Why else would he knowingly cause ripples in the news pool with talk of an unlikely sale of the Knicks?

N.Y. Knicks: The New Alpha Claims His Turf

From the desk of:  DUTCH PANTS CAN'T JUMP

Welcome To The House of Kristaps

New York Knicks: There's a New Ball Hog in Town, and His Name is Kristaps Porzingis.

I'm not a big fan of playing people out of position.

The Knicks demonstrated over the course of the previous two seasons that having two feature power forwards and only one ball was problematic.  But that goes for any team.  There can only be one alpha at any position.

That's why I call this season a perfect example of addition by subtraction.

Do you think that if Carmelo Anthony were still here, Kristaps Porzingis would be scoring the way he's been through the first nine games of the season?

I don't.

Over his last two seasons with the Knicks, Melo averaged 22.1 points, and 6.8 rebounds, in 34.7 minutes per game.  As a rookie and sophomore, Porzingis averaged 16.2 points, and 7.25 rebounds, in 30.6 minutes per game.

Melo is presently averaging 20.6 points through nine games for Oklahoma City, with 5.7 rebounds, in 32.2 mpg.  Those stats come with a grain of salt, of course, as Melo is now 33 years old, and is surrounded by a new and superior supporting cast.  Therefore, he is not being required to carry as much of a load as was necessary here in New York.

But now that Kristaps is out from Melo's shadow, he is averaging 30.2 points this season, with 7.8 rebounds in 33.4 minutes per game.

Moreover, Melo has averaged seven-plus rebounds for a season five times in his 14-year career, but not since the 2010-2011 season.  During that season, he averaged 7.6 rebounds in 50 games for the Denver Nuggets, but slipped to 6.7 rebounds in his final 27 games of the season playing with the Knicks.

Kristaps Porzingis, now in his third year, has consistently averaged seven plus rebounds throughout his 147 game career with the Knicks.

Still only 22-years old, Kristaps is perhaps the only thing Phil Jackson did right prior to receiving his separation papers (although Frank Ntilikina looks promising).  We know the truth, though, how Pozingis really fell into Jackson's lap at #4 overall in the 2015 draft.  And in truth, some Knicks fans weren't all that thrilled at the time with the selection.

Just goes to show even a blind squirrel can find a nut once in a while.

Nuts, however, is a good way to describe the atmosphere this season at Madison Square Garden.  Look no further than at the Latvian Nightmare as the main reason why.

A week ago today, Porzingis dropped 38 points on the Denver Nuggets, then one-upped himself with a career high 40 points against the Pacers at the Garden on Sunday.

Porzingis has now scored 30-points or better in seven of the Knicks first nine games of the season.

The team is off to a 5-4 start, but are 5-2 when Kristaps tops 30 points, and 0-2 in the games he has not.

That could spell trouble down the line.

Just not tonight.


UPDATE: Per SNY-TV

Most points to start first nine games of season:

• Kristaps Porzingis 272 (2017)
• Bernard King 264 (1984)
• Patrick Ewing 261 (1989)
• Willis Reed 243 (1967)
• Patrick Ewing 241 (1990)
• Carmelo Anthony 239 (2011)

N.Y. Knicks: Where's That Confounded Plan?

From the desk of:  DUTCH PANTS CAN'T JUMP

NEW YORK KNICKS: Carmelo Anthony said he has no clue what the plan is.

Yeah well, welcome to the club.  We've been trying to figure that out for eighteen years.


Missed it by that much ...

I'm a Knickerbocker fan since 1974-1975, which makes me too young to have remembered their last championship.  But that also qualifies me as one of the oldest fans to never to have seen them hoist a trophy.

They've provided several memorable and lasting moments along the way, though.

I'm thankful that at least I got to see a few remaining 1973 champs play together (Bill Bradley, Earl the Pearl Monroe, Phil Jackson, Walt Frazier) along with coach Red Holzman.  Bob McAdoo also fast became a fan favorite.  Meanwhile, a string of incoming rookies (Lonnie Shelton, Michael Ray Richardson, Ray Williams, and Bill Cartwright) all had me feeling positive heading into a new decade in which I would be living out my teens.

The early 1980s gave us Bernard King and an uplifting 1984 playoff run.  During the latter part of the decade, drafting Patrick Ewing and Mark Jackson, acquiring Charles Oakley, and signing head coach Rick Pitino, were key in forming a solid foundation from which the Knicks would continue a prolonged run of success.

Bittersweet as one might find the 1990s, the 'Bockers were nevertheless a perennial playoff contender.  Year in, and year out, we enjoyed fun times (to a point) usually lasting into deep Spring.

But make no mistake, my first 25 years being a Knicks fan were quite obviously filled with hardship as well.

For instance, how the hell could they trade Clyde Frazier?

Michael Ray Richardson was a huge favorite of mine when he burst on the scene, but just as quickly became one of the initial major disappointments of my early sports fandom.

Bernard King blowing out his knee was devastating, and set the organization back several years.  A few short years later chants of "Fire Bianci! Fire Bianci!" (former general manager Al Bianci) would thunder throughout the Garden.

We were later forced to reconcile trading away Mark Jackson, in addition to such colossal failures as the finger roll against the Indiana Pacers, Charles Smith against the Chicago Bulls, and BenchGate versus the Miami Heat, just to name a few.  Quite obviously, though, there were no more depressing times than during their pair of NBA Final losses.

But, who am I telling ... another Knicks fan?

My point is, till that stage of my life it can be said the Knicks had undergone the typical ups and downs of an average NBA franchise.  They've been both outstanding at times and underwhelming during others.  That's neither a rebuke or an endorsement.

By the of 1998-1999 season, the Knicks were obviously a transitioning team, but still in an agreeable condition.

However, the same can not be said of the new millennium Knicks.

Late 1999 is also when Jim Dolan arrived on the scene, ushering in a wholly different approach to Knicks operations.

Like Dave Checketts, Ernie Grunfeld, and Pat Riley before him, Jeff Van Gundy was a member of the old guard.  He saw exactly where this organization was headed under Dolan and his new general manager Scott Layden.  Between the embarrassing trade of Patrick Ewing and the ludicrous contract extended to Allan Houston, etc., Gundy knew Layden had committed the club to inescapable salary cap hell.  Meanwhile, piss-poor drafting was only making matters worse.  And so I never begrudged JVG for abruptly submitting his resignation in Dec. 2001.

Scott Layden on the other hand was only getting started.  More bad drafting and unpopular trades lay ahead.  He ponderously shipped Marcus Camby to Denver for an irreparably broken(!) Antonio McDyess, and in one of his final acts in office, traded Latrell Sprewell whom still had two years remaining on his contract.

But just when you thought things couldn't get any worse, they did.  Layden was finally relieved of his general manager duties in Dec. 2003, thus inaugurating the Isiah Thomas Era.

All I can say is ... Wow!

There's really no need getting into that beyond labeling the era spanning Dec. 2003 through April 2008 an unmitigated disaster.

That being said, Dolan's unyielding support of Thomas might never be fully understood.  Not only did he let Thomas create at the time the worst performing, highest paid team in the NBA, but also supported him unfailingly during a rather infamous lawsuit brought against Dolan and MSG resulting in a $13 million payout settlement.

Then again, money was obviously never an issue ... was it?

There was plenty of cash to make several head coaches very rich.  But even Hall of Fame coaches Lenny Wilkens and Larry Brown proved helpless against the institutionalized dysfunction plaguing the Knicks organization.

It ultimately took the strong insistence of Commissioner Stern in order for Dolan to finally part ways with Isiah Thomas.

Next up, Donnie Walsh and Mike D'Antoni.  And at long last, I was thinking progress.  A genuine rebuilding would actually take place.

Or would it?

Walsh indeed accomplished a near miracle by ridding the team of bad contracts and getting the Knicks under the salary cap with astonishing haste.  Meanwhile on the court, lets just say coach Mike D'Antoni was busy deregulating Isiah Thomas' delusional leftover point guard, Stephon Marbury.

Again I thought, Donnie Walsh and D'Antoni were administering exactly the kind of grassroots deconstruction and eventual reconstruction process this team has long needed.

Great!  Except for one small problem.  Donnie Walsh becoming general manager of the Knicks was likewise due primarily to Commissioner Stern's strong-arming.  In plain English, Walsh was not a Dolan guy which meant his days at MSG were numbered.

Either dismayed with the process, or simply impatient, Dolan reemerged three years after Commissioner Stern's admonishing more petulant than ever.

It's now February 2011 ... and both the Knicks and Brooklyn Nets are in hot pursuit of Carmelo Anthony - with the key word here being Brooklyn.  Because for the first time in Knicks history, (they) Jim Dolan was dealing with direct and legitimate competition from within the city limits in the form of Russian tycoon Mikhail Prokhorov.

Dolan ultimately won the Melo sweepstakes, but not before trampling all over Donnie Walsh and his process, much less his opinion or position.  Dolan took the lead at the ensuing press conference as well.  Meanwhile, the looks on the faces of Donnie Walsh and Mike D'Antoni whom were seated nearby said it all.

Donnie Walsh handed in his resignation four short months later.  D'Antoni, meanwhile, knew the Knicks were acquiring a player who would not buy into his system.  Sure enough, one year with Melo proved one too many, prompting D'Antoni to likewise hand in his resignation in March 2012.

This blog has made no secret of its dislike of Carmelo Anthony (the player).  I've made my position known since day one, and am yet to waiver from that opinion.

I digress ...

After three seasons spent in Glen Grunwald/Steve Mills purgatory, we finally arrive at Phil Jackson.

I had no qualms with this front office selection.  In fact, it seemed like a neat fit at the time.  Phil Jackson had won a ring with the Knicks as a player back in 1972-1973, and was a championship coach with the Chicago Bulls and L.A. Lakers.  The legitimate criticism against hiring Phil Jackson was his lack of executive experience.  But that made him no less intriguing.

So much for being curious ...

Here we are two inconsequential years later, and the Knicks are nearly ten games below .500 with just over 20 games left in the season.  After remaining idle through the NBA trade deadline, everyone wants to know where the future direction of the club is heading.  The problem is other than belittling Carmelo Anthony on Twitter, no one really knows what Phil Jackson is doing or thinking.

His greatest and only accomplishment to date is having Kristaps Pozingis fall into his lap.

His mistakes, meanwhile, are becoming numerous.  His biggest to date is perhaps extending Carmelo Anthony's contract and giving him a no-trade clause to boot.  Phil knew full well he faced the same dilemma Mike D'Antoni faced, insofar as Melo not buying into the triangle system.

Now what?

No one really knows.  We fans have been trying to figure this out for 18 years now.  But apparently Melo is just now receiving the memo.

This much I do know: Carmelo Anthony represents Jim Dolan's stamp on the team.

Having now watched the mismanagement of this product for the last 18 years, there's only one conclusion to which I can arrive: for the entirety of this new millennium, the one constant variable plaguing Knicks basketball has been its overseer.

Think about it.

Since taking over, does the organization have even one quantifiable defining moment to speak of?

Do they?

Not under Dolan ... not unless you include countless feats of astonishing executive buffoonery.

I mean, really ... every time you think this team has reached the pinnacle of dysfunction, they go ahead and raise the bar another level.

It is therefore rather sad pondering how the Knicks are an NBA charter member club and represent the league's and nation's largest market, but yet have continually existed in this dysfunctional state throughout Dolan's regime.

Dolan recently stated on local NYC radio that he will, and must honor the full length of Phil Jackson's contract.  Doing so he said will help lure any future potential executives to New York with an expectation of receiving a fair shot at implementing their respective plan.

That circles us back to the beginning of this quandary.

What plan?

N.Y. Knicks: Triangulation Exacerbation

From the desk of:  DUTCH PANTS CAN'T JUMP

Another deflating moment in the Knicks 16-year rebuilding process.

New York Knicks: Derek Fisher turned into just another social misfit lost in a Triangle of love.

There was little justification for hiring Derek Fisher in the first place, so, firing him was a layup.

He was brought in to help teach Phil Jackson's triangle offense, but instead became ensnared in a bizarre love triangle gone public.  As coach, his affect on the team was just as ineffective - and as we're learning, maybe even toxic.

For a change, there's no dumping on Carmelo Anthony for this one.  He's clean.  In fact, Melo has been more of the solution this season, than the problem.  His willingness to work with Kristaps Porzingis and the rest of his newer mates elevated the Knicks into a .500 team (to date) - not Derek Fisher's coaching per se, or lack thereof.  Lest we forget the Knicks were a woeful 17-65 last season.

Therefore, all this (and Kurt Rambis) must be taken with a grain of salt.

I've seen more prominent coaches torn apart by this town's media, for exercising greater command of their craft, and committing much lesser offenses than those of which Derek Fisher was essentially given a slap on the hand for.  It goes without saying he has Phil Jackson to thank for his initial employment, as well as any benevolence experienced from said media.

Luckily for Derek Fisher, Phil Jackson is the alpha.  All eyes are on him, and always were.  Everyone looked at Fisher, but saw Phil Jackson.

Hiring Fisher was not as negligent as generally characterized.  Giving Derek Fisher an opportunity to get his feet wet was a nice gesture on Jackson's part.  Sure, it came at the Knicks expense, but, the team was in do-ever mode again, and going nowhere.

So what becomes of this acute Triangle now?

Phil Jackson's next hire will go a long way towards answering that question.  We're also going to learn, one way or another, how stubbornly committed he is to this twisted geometry of his.

At some point, this system, or Phil Jackson himself will have to go.  And it's my opinion that Phil Jackson knows exactly when the latter will happen.

Knicks vs. Nets: Battle of the Boroughs - II

From the desks of:

DUTCH PANTS CAN'T JUMP  &  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

Mikhail Prokhorov slams on the brakes;

Major roadwork ahead.

WEDNESDAY

New York Knicks

vs.

Brooklyn Nets

FROM

Barclays Center

FLATBUSH AVENUE

BROOKLYN NETS: Borough's notorious apathy settling in; seats are emptying, and Mikhail Prokhorov knows it.

Carmelo Anthony rolled his ankle during Tuesday night's Knicks victory over the Celtics.  His availability for Wednesday's contest in Brooklyn will likely be a game time decision.

Shame too ... fans in Brooklyn needed something for their money.

Count it!  ...and the foul!

Truth of the matter is that necessity is the mother of all invention.

Sweeping changes are indeed underway at Barclays Center.  Brooklyn's dismal 10-28 record this season alone justified owner Mikhail Prokhorov's decision to rethink his strategy for success.

At the Nets recent presser, Mr. Prokhorov reasoned that by initiating changes now, he avoids having to rush through the replacement process ahead, and that this time, a well conceived plan focused on mid-level to long term success is now in order.

Behind the scenes, Mr. Prokhorov revealed the NBA stated their desire to have the Nets and Barclays Center consolidated under single ownership (versus the off-setting holdings shared between Mikhail Prokhorov and Bruce Ratner).

That was the out Bruce Ratner wanted all along.  Hence, Mr. Prokhorov recently became full (100%) owner of both the Nets and Barclays Center.  Prokhorov said the deal was good for him, while Forest City is gladly out of the loop.

As sole owner, Mikhail Prokhorov reminded all he is indeed a businessman, and that if interested parties feel inclined to make a bid (for the team and arena) he will indeed listen, but then quickly assured the room he has no inclinations to sell.  In simple but very effective terms, he expressed an even greater determination to get this process done right, and resolved to delivering Brooklyn a championship caliber club.

To that end, he said, "I'm all in."

Now that all his rubles are in one basket, he better be.

As expected the Nets ranked dead last in attendance during their last season in New Jersey.

During their inaugural season in Brooklyn, the Nets ranked 16th in the league.  In year two, they slipped to 17th in the league.  Last season, Nets attendance dropped to 20th in the league.  In each of their first three seasons in Brooklyn, however, Nets average attendance remained above 17,000 per game.

This season, the Brooklyn Nets are one of four NBA teams averaging less that 15,000 fans per game, ranking 28th in a circuit of 30 teams.

That's bad business, and no one knows it better than Mikhail Prokhorov.

His team enters Wednesday's game losers of 5 straight.  On Monday, they dropped their 10th straight game at Barclays Center, this time against the San Antonio Spurs.


NEW YORK KNICKS: Melo's team oriented play endures an untimely twist of fate.

The Knicks defeated the Boston Celtics 120-114 at the Garden Tuesday night.  They are winners of 5 of their last 6 games, and enter Barclays Center this evening at par with a 20-20 record.

Kristaps Porzingis led all Knicks Tuesday with 26 points, as Carmelo Anthony set out the 2nd half.   Arron Afflalo picked up the slack scoring 20 of his 24 points in the 2nd half.

During much of the early going, Kristaps Porzingis' polished play, and Arron Afflalo's impact were frequently leading stories.  That's why Carmelo Anthony couldn't have rolled his ankle at a worse time.  His fine team play this season was finally getting the recognition it rightly deserves.

If you're talking about the 2015-2016 season, you're definitely talking about a different, more cooperative Melo, even wiser Melo.

The results on the floor speak for themselves.

Wednesday Final

KNICKS  104

NETS       110

A Victory Grows in Brooklyn:

Despite 31 points from Derrick Williams, the visiting Knicks failed to break through the .500 mark.   The Knicks were playing on the back end of consecutive nights, and without Carmelo Anthony whom twisted his ankle Tuesday against the Celtics.

Kristaps Porzingas struggled, shooting only  5 of 17 from the field, but still posted a double-double with 12 points and 10 boards.

By the 4th quarter, the Knicks were clearly spent, as the Nets coasted to 36 points in the final quarter, en route to a 110-104 victory.

Brook Lopez led the Nets with 20 points, while Thaddeus Young went double-double, with 19 points and 11 rebounds.

The victory snapped the Nets 5-game losing streak, and more importantly, their 10-game losing streak at Barclays Center.

Knicks Victorious in Season's First Battle of the Boroughs

From the desks of:

DUTCH PANTS CAN'T JUMP  and  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

Friday Final

Nets        91

Knicks  108

Knicks rookie backs up his words.

Add trash talkin' New Yorker to his resume...

As a lead-in to the season's first East River showdown, the freshly minted Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month said Europeans know the Knicks well, but the Nets, not so much.

Kristaps Porzingis then backed up his riff in so far as Knicks fans being better than Nets fans with 19 points and 10 rebounds during Friday night's 108-91 lopsided victory over Brooklyn at Madison Square Garden.

Indeed, twenty games into the Knicks season Porzingis has turned boos into cheers, and is easily the lead story in town.

His selection was met with resounding disapproval by fans at the 2015 draft, but a quarter of the way through his first season as a pro, he has won fans over with 13.8 points and 9.3 rebounds per game - but doing so with smoothness and skill.

Most importantly, Porzingas has Carmelo Anthony believing he's here to help expedite the rebuilding process, and elevate Melo's game - not hinder it.

Proof lies in the numbers.  The Knicks improved to 10-10 with Friday's victory.  This time last season, they were a mere 4-16, en route to a 17-65 regular season.

This time, they really, really mean it..

The Brooklyn Nets have become notoriously poor starters (among other things...).

The Nets were 11-9 after the first twenty games during their inaugural season, and were playing .500 ball in late December when they decided to fire coach Avery Johnson.  Under P.J. Carlisimo, the Nets posted a 35-19 record the rest of the way.

The Nets started 6-14 in the 2013-14 season, and posted an 8-12 record after twenty games last season.  Each time, they rebounded well enough in order make the playoffs.

This season, the Nets are 5-14 to date and appear really, really, determined to keep a steady course.

*

Friday night, the Nets had 15 assists for the entire game.  The Knicks Jose Calderon led all players with 10 assists by himself.  Joe Johnson led the Nets with four assists, and got ejected for a flagrant elbow foul late in the game.

Knicks and Nets: The Not Ready For Prime Time Cagers

From the desks of:  

DUTCH PANTS CAN'T JUMP  and  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

If futility ignited rivalries, 

this one would be a 3-alarm fire.

Like Two Bottle Rockets in the New York Night...

Remember how Carmelo Anthony's haste for leaving the Denver Nuggets, and seeking a max-contract before the league's new CBA kicked in (that would have otherwise reigned in his earning potential as a free agent) almost got him traded to the New Jersey Nets?

Remember how the Carmelo Anthony tug-o-war between the Nets and Knicks unfolded, or rather, how James Dolan trampled over Donnie Walsh in his own haste to intercept Carmelo?

Both teams were prepared to show Melo the money, so to say.  But the Knicks ultimately offered more players than could the Nets, and so on Feb. 22, 2011, Carmelo Anthony became a Knick.

That seemingly set the next day's headlines in stone - until the Nets secured guard Deron Williams from the Utah Jazz under cover of night.  In an astonishing turn of events, the Feb. 23rd morning tabloids proclaimed New Jersey's trade for a top point guard trumped New York's acquisition of a high scoring small forward.

Then came the Nets move into Brooklyn (Knicks' turf, the land of Bernard King), and an inevitable clash between owners James Dolan and Mikhail Prokhorov.  You might say Prokhorov stuck Dolan with a hot cattle prod when he first purchased billboard space two blocks from Madison Square Garden, and again when he decreed the Brooklyn Nets would win a championship within three short years.

The hardwood battle, however, was supposed to feature supreme two performances - the respective abilities of Carmelo Anthony and Deron Williams in leading their respective teams, and boroughs, to postseason glory.

In 2012-2013, the city got a small taste of what could potentially still become a furious inter-city rivalry (perchance to dream....).  The Knicks and Nets finished one and two atop the Atlantic Division:

• Knicks (54-28); Carmelo Anthony led the league with 28.7 points per game.  His team advanced passed the Boston Celtics in the first round of playoffs, then bowed to the Indiana Pacers in Round 2.

• Nets (49-33); Deron Williams averaged 18.9 ppg. and 7.7 assists.  In their inaugural season playing in Brooklyn, the Nets fell to an undermanned Chicago Bulls team.

If you missed it, too bad, because that's as good as things got.  If futility ignited rivalries, this one would be a 3-alarm fire.

The Knicks quite literally fell off a cliff, forcing Dolan into somewhat out-of-the-box thinking.  Alas, he called on 1970's Knickerbocker hero/1990's Bulls nemesis Phil Jackson to help clean up the mess, despite a glaring lack of front office experience.

The Knicks failed to reach the playoffs in each of the last two seasons.  In 2013-14, they posted a sub-par 37-45 record.  Then came last season's record breaking disaster, in which the Knicks posted a 17-65 record, that some might argue was solely authored by the man (Phil Jackson) whom help the Knicks win their last championship over 40-years ago.

On July 13, 2014, the Knicks ponderously re-signed Carmelo Anthony to another max-pact, which totally flew in the face of Phil Jackson's rebuilding effort.

Brooklyn's rate of regression wasn't as shocking as that of the Knicks, but has been no less methodically painful to watch.  The Nets made the playoffs in 2013-2014 with a 44-38 record, and again last year with a sub-par 38-44 record.

While Melo was in full effect at Madison Square Garden, Deron Williams was incredibly ineffective during most of his time with Brooklyn.  Never able to shake the injury bug, he struggled mightily after accepting the role of franchise player.

On July 11, 2015, Deron Williams was mercifully waived by the Nets.

Like two bottle rockets on a mid-summer night, the fireworks demonstration over the East River anticipated by Manhattan and Brooklyn alike fizzled out.

Even the owners stopped taking cheap shots at each other.

Now what?

Brooklyn Nets: The unraveling realm of Billy King.

As noted, the Nets are in regression.  After posting 49 wins during their inaugural season in Brooklyn, they slipped to 44 wins in year two, to only 38 wins last year.

Brook Lopez and Joe Johnson are still here, but the player formerly known as the franchise, is not.   Deron Williams plays for Dallas now, waived by Billy King.  He follows Gerald Wallace, Paul Pierce, Alan Anderson, Kevin Garnett, and the seemingly hundreds of other players Billy King has brought in and out of Kings County.

With Williams gone, Jarrett Jack takes over the lead point guard role this season, but will not be available when the Nets host the Bulls in Wednesday night's season opener at Barclays Center.  Until Jack's hamstring gets jumping again, Shane Larkin will open the season at point.

Mason Plumlee is gone too.  Not happy about that!

Re-signing Brook Lopez was one small step for the Nets, but two giant feet of trouble for Brooklyn-kind.  The free agent opted to stay with the Nets - the only team he's known since 2008.

Brook played 82 games in each of his first three seasons, but not since.  His history of on and off again foot issues screams beware in 2015-2016.  He was limited to just 5 games in 2011-2012, then followed up with 74 games in 2012-2013.  He only appeared in 17 games during 2013-2014, then followed up again with 72 games played last season.

Will this turn into another problematic season for Brook and the Nets?

While his feet say one thing, Coach Hollins says another.  Remember how Lionel Hollins effectively benched Lopez?  Last season marked the first time Brook failed to start in any game which he played going back to his rookie season.  Last year he only started 44 of his 72 games played.

Joe Johnson is entering the final season of his contract.  That's nice, but the upcoming season won't be.

Lionel Hollins will make them play defense, but this does not strike me as a top eight Eastern Conference team.

That said, can someone explain to me why Billy King is still in charge?

New York Knicks: Carmelo Anthony, Phil Jackson, and Derek Fisher; a Triumvirate of Dysfunction.

Either they change the Knicks narrative together, or not at all...

Why re-sign Carmelo Anthony?  Last season, he played with a knee injury that would ultimately require surgery.  He played injured since opening night, yet only cared long enough in order to play in the all-star game before shutting down his season.

The Knicks entered the all-star break with a 10-43 record.  They ranked either last, or next to last on both offense and defense.  So why was he playing in the first place?

Exactly!

Robin Lopez gets to playing the same city as his brother, though.  That's nice.

Not so nice - Carmelo Anthony's reaction to Phil Jackson drafting Kristaps Porzingis.  Way to make the kid feel welcome.  If Melo knew the Knicks were in rebuilding mode, why re-sign with them?   I'm sure it had nothing to do with the Knicks ability to pay more than all other suitors...

Exactly!

This is still Melo's World.  We just get to live in it and watch.  Although, I'm still terribly interested to see who prevails as Knicks alpha-male - Phil Jackson or Carmelo Anthony.  Coach Fisher will be their battleground personified.

Team projections?  Don't make me laugh.  The Knicks will be lucky to win 25 games.

This non-burgeoning rivalry is still in search of better days.  

Their Dec. 4 clash will be nothing more than a pillow fight, 

as both contend for a second division participation trophy.

N.Y. Knicks: Storm Brewing in the MSG Triangle

From the desk of:  DUTCH PANTS CAN'T JUMP

Phil Jackson Delivers Melo's World a Deflating Blow

New York Knicks: Phil Jackson has wrinkled Carmelo Anthony's space/time continuum since the moment he arrived.

Those weren't boos raining down from disgruntled Knicks fans sitting in attendance at Thursday's draft.  Wait a minute, yes they were - collectively reliving their worst Frederic Weis nightmares, and acting out.

They weren't the only ones.

When GM's start acting on the passions of their fan base, that organization is in clear danger.  It's no different when an organization's top star wields his opinion like an unsheathed sword.  In that scenario, the GM, backed by strong organizational conviction, must remain alpha.

There's the rub.  We're talking about James Dolan.  Among Isiah Thomas, Carmelo Anthony, and Phil Jackson, I suspect Dolan trusts Jackson least.

And so, without hesitation, and fear of recrimination, it was Melo amplifying the angry fan chorus on draft day.

Why?

James Dolan made it perfectly clear 4 1/2 years ago that he was abandoning pursuit of the team concept for the more marketable star system featuring Carmelo Anthony.  That's why Mike D'Antoni's system ultimately reverted to Melo Ball, and Mike Woodson's system ultimately reverted to Melo Ball.

Last season, even Phil Jackson's triangle offense, at some point broke down, and defaulted back to Melo Ball.  The priority, however, focused more ping-pong balls once Melo opted for surgery.  That said, now that Phil Jackson is in charge, he's outwardly re-instituting the team concept again, which appears to have Melo out of his comfort zone.

Anthony indeed underwent surgery to address his first major injury.  That sort of thing can weigh heavily on the mind of a 31-year old, particularly when his prime physical years are winding down, he's struggling with his legacy, and is now faced with his team's untimely rebuilding effort.

Unfortunately for Melo, Phil Jackson's reign as head guy in charge unofficially, or effectively, started with Thursday's draft, and Melo felt the effects with haste.  Thus, the selection of Latvian cager Kristaps Porzingis and the trading of Tim Hardaway Jr. inspired a contrary response from Anthony.

Fact is, Phil Jackson has wrinkled Melo's time/space continuum since the moment he assumed office. Jackson has been an intruder in Melo's World more than anything.  In fact, I'm somewhat astonished Phil and Melo hammered out a new contract when they did.

Ultimately, Melo stayed for the money.  Now, it's up to him to buy-in.

I do know this, Phil Jackson will be alpha to Melo, whether Anthony likes it or not.  That's a battle Carmelo will not win, unless, James Dolan comes to his rescue.



Mike

N.Y. Knicks: Set Your Clocks According To Melo Time

From the desk of: DUTCH PANTS CAN'T JUMP

NBA worst 10-43 (.189)

New York Knicks: With the All-Star game out of the way, and Amare gone, Carmelo declared no mas.

Dutch pants can't jump, and apparently neither can Carmelo Anthony.

Blame James Dolan...

I do.

He took away Donnie Walsh's proverbial corner office with a view, stripped Mike D'Antoni of his key to the executive bathroom, and handed them both to Carmelo Anthony with haste.

Remember?  In an effort to secure Melo before the Nets did, Dolan stomped all over them like Godzilla through Tokyo.

Once in the fold, Melo has been calling the shots ever since.  He won a scoring title, and also led the Knicks to their worst start in history (of which, the debacle continues).

He certainly didn't want to be coached by D'Antoni, and wound up throwing Mike Woodson under a bus.  He didn't want to play with Jeremy Lin or Tyson Chandler, and he doesn't seem to care much for Tim Hardaway Jr.  If anything, Coach Fisher and the Triangle offense have become merely the latest inconvenience and hindrance to Melo Ball.

When he first hurt his knee, it was said that by playing he would not hurt it further.  Fine.  It was said to be a matter of Carmelo Anthony's pain threshold.  Okay.

But, but...., BUT, you just can't bide time, play 30-minutes in the All-Star Game, which just happened to be played at MSG this year, then decide the pain is too much to continue.

C'mon man!

He knew he would inevitably need surgery (and not a minor procedure at that).  Waiting till after the all-star game was flat-out selfish (IMO), if for no other reason that his recovery may potentially interfere with his ability to participate in the next preseason.

Phil Jackson said the surgery entailed a near 6-month recovery - key word being recovery.  His conditioning is likely to be compromised heading into September and October.

The Knicks were already in the midst of a historically bad season, with Melo in the line-up.  That tells me there was a potential lack of communication, urgency, or willingness to address a lingering situation, on everyone's part.

Here's a lesson learned on the Knicks first time executive: sometimes you have to communicate with players in their language.  It seems with many players, all they understand are money and minutes.  In lieu of a clear plan, Phil Jackson should have initiated a proactive approach by having Coach Fisher curtail his minutes.  In saying Melo dictated the timing of the surgery, Phil Jackson really meant to say that he fell in line like everyone else not named Dolan.

That said, I don't think Phil's Jedi mind tricks are going to work with Anthony.  Melo is focused on Melo - always has been.  Phil's "loser mentality" speech seemingly fell on deaf ears.  This could eventually become a battle of the force (70-yr. old) Phil of the Future might lose.

That's just the way I see it.



Mike

N.Y. Knicks: London Braces For A Royally Bad Show

From the desk of:  DUTCH PANTS CAN'T JUMP

The Knickerbockers are well on their way 

towards the franchise's first ever 60-loss season.

If they keep up this rate of futility, 70 losses is not out of the question.

NEW YORK KNICKS: Team Half Way Through Historically Inept Season; Phil of the Future Said, Blame Me.

...Okay, Phil.  Consider it done.

He nailed it when he spoke of this team's loser mentality though.

I became a fan of this team just after the championship years; right around 1974-75.

That year, they posted their first losing season after eight winning campaigns, and a pair of NBA titles.

Just my luck, right?

I watched that team either retire, or get dismantled.  I caught the back end of the careers of Earl the Pearl Monroe, Bob McAdoo, Dave DeBusschere, and agonized over the trading of Clyde Frazier.

I also watched their team mate, Knicks president Phil Jackson's playing career fade into the sunset.

I caught Red Holzman as coach, when Willis Reed took over, and when Red Holzman came back.

I dealt with the disappointment of Michael Sugar Ray Richardson, lived through the Hubie Brown days, and felt a sharp pain when Bernard King went down.

I was also one of the fans chanting - Fire Al Bianchi - and of course, endured the tenure of Isiah Thomas.

Who could envision this organization getting even worse, and making those seem like the good old days?

The present day Knicks have lost their last 15 in a row, and 25 of their last 26 games.  So far, they own an overall 5-35 (.125) record this season.

They need to post a 15-27 record the rest of the way just to avoid becoming the first ever Knicks team that failed to win at least 20 games in a season.  With Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith already gone; Jose Calderon, Andrea Bargnani, and anyone else not named Melo on the endangered list; not to mention knee surgery looming for Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire struggling with his own knee problems; there are few who believe they can pull it off.

Another way of putting this into perspective: this franchise has never suffered the indignity of a 60-loss season, although they came close several times.

Before my time on this planet, the Knicks of the early 1960s were terrible (and only played 80 games a season):

• 1960-61; 21-58 (.266)
• 1961-62; 29-51 (.363)
• 1962-63; 21-59 (.263)* All-Time Franchise Worst
• 1963-64; 22-58 (.275)

The good times didn't roll in until the late 1960s and early '70s, when they moved into present day Madison Square Garden.

Then I came onto the scene as a young fan, and watched the 1970s close out with some pretty funky basketball.

After Red Holzman's last hurrah in 1980-81, Hubie Brown rode Bill Cartwright and Bernard King to a pair of playoff appearances before the franchise tanked again (after Bernard King's knee injury).

• 1984-85; 24-58 (.293)
• 1985-86; 23-59 (.280)
• 1986-87; 24-58 (.293)

Then, with Patrick Ewing, Mark Jackson, and Charles Oakley, coached by Rick Pitino, things started getting markedly better.  The Knicks made the playoffs every season from 1988 through 2001.  Pat Riley and Jeff Van Gundy led them to respective NBA Finals, but each fell short of a title.

Then came the Isiah Thomas era.  I'll say this in his defense: I was agreeable with his initial appointment, and at the time, totally on board with rebuilding the Knicks (which knowingly required patience).  However, his time here requires an entirely different conversation.  His relationship with James Dolan was a sad and destructive time in Knicks history.

What we need to know for this post, is that under Zeke, the Knicks twice matched Hubie Brown's mark for team futility:

• 2005-06; 23-59 (.280)
• 2006-07; 33-49 (.402)
• 2007-08; 23-59 (.280)

The funny thing is, a team composed of Zach Randolph, David Lee, Nazr Mohammed, Trevor Ariza, Jamal Crawford, and even Nate Robinson, would destroy this year's Knicks, even with a healthy Melo and Amare on the floor.

I digress....

Of course, then came the sacrificial season under Donnie Walsh and Mike D'Antoni.  But, not even that season stood to be as bad as this unfolding one seems to be headed.  If you remember, at one point Donnie Walsh stripped the roster down to just 8 or 9 bodies, while he and D'Antoni pulled the plug on Stephon Marbury's playing time, and even reduced him to civilian clothes.

• 2009-10; 29-53 (.354)

Thursday's game is the official mid-point of the Knicks season, and they'll mark the occasion with a game in London, England, against Jason Kidd's Milwaukee Bucks.

Since when is trying to avoid a 16th consecutive loss considered exportable, much less prime, entertainment?

What on earth did the Brits ever do to the NBA to deserve this match-up?  We screw them the same way with NFL games.

Blimey!

...Cause in sleepy London town there's just no place for........the New York Knicks.  No.  Get down! - stuff Mick Jagger might say.

Mike

N.Y. Knicks: Phil Jackson's Deconstruction Plan Moves Forward

From the desk of:  DUTCH PANTS CAN'T JUMP

This man is no doubt next on Phil Jackson's list

NEW YORK KNICKS: The NBA Lottery - Phil Jackson Decided Ya Gotta Be In It To Win It.

After starting the 2014-15 season a neat 2-1, the Knicks then lost 7 straight.  Shortly thereafter, they endured another 10 game losing streak before finally defeating Boston on December 12th.

To date, that was the last time the New York Knicks won a game.

Since then, the New York Knicks have dropped another 13 games in a row, to include Wednesday night's road loss to the Washington Wizards.

It hasn't really mattered whether Carmelo Anthony has been in or out of the lineup.  The losing has been consistent throughout.  So, if his knee is bothering him, why not shut him down?  Mind you, this is just year one of Carmelo Anthony's 5-year extension, and it's not like Phil Jackson doesn't already have buyer's remorse.

Not incidentally, chants of "fire Fisher" had recently been gaining mild momentum in the stands at MSG.  That's why earlier this week Phil Jackson offered those fans an abrupt correction.

There will be no blaming the coach this year; certainly not Phil Jackson's coach.

Instead, Phil of the Future abruptly pulled the plug on this sickly season (the worst start in franchise history), by trading J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert, and pink slipping Samuel Dalembert.

They join Raymond Felton and Tyson Chandler on the list of players given one way tickets out of town by Phil Jackson.  The same goes for the three non-nondescript bodies acquired in return for Smith and Shumpert.  Phil Jackson made them instantly disappear too.

This also means Amare Stoudemire, who has an expiring contract, is no doubt next on his list.

At this point, we can forget Donnie Walsh, Mike D'Antoni and Mike Woodson.  For a change, we can also leave the owner out of this too, although he is the one most responsible for the situation Jackson inherited.  Phil Jackson is stripping it all down.  He owns this.

This season is all about the ping pong balls now.  With an already promising draft to look forward to, Phil Jackson has also cleared over $30 million of cap space to work with.



Mike

N.Y. Knicks: In Search Of A Miracle On 34th Street

From the desk of:  DUTCH PANTS CAN'T JUMP

There Will Be No Miracles On 34th Street This Season

NEW YORK KNICKS: Taking A Bite Of A Rotting Apple...

I knew the Knicks would be bad this season, but even this is a little more than I anticipated.  They've already managed to post the franchise's worst start over the first 20 games of a season, and realistically have little to no hope of a getting this campaign turned around.

(...unless you're playing for extra ping pong balls, which then makes sucking a good thing.  So yes, at this rate there's always the draft to look forward to.)

The Knicks present losing streak is now up to ten games.  Their last victory came on November 22nd against the lowly Sixers.  And I'm sure you remember, earlier in November they lost seven straight.

They'll look to snap their streak this evening against Boston.

At the first quarter turn of the season, Phil Jackson rightfully accused his team of having a loser's mentality, and pointed out that certain players are still not buying into the system.

Words never rang more true.

The Knicks literally look like an uncommitted team attempting a triangle offense in a round building named Madison Square Garden.  That's screwy geometry for a team that has more problems than a math book.

(...but deep down inside, dontcha think Phil wants this team to get worse before he tries earning more ping pong balls making it better?)

I can't say the cumulative effect of losing this season has finally gotten players openly at odds with each other because last season that was Tyson Chandler's forte.  Tim Hardaway Jr. was only the latest (of the boldest) to challenge Carmelo Anthony's eminence.

That said, I hold a belief: once is an occurrence, twice is a coincidence, and three times is a trend.

In successive seasons, Melo failed to mesh with Jeremy Lin; Melo couldn't get along with Tyson Chandler; and most recently, Tim Hardaway Jr. felt compelled to share his displeasure with Melo.

I also have no doubt others found/find life in Melo's world difficult to negotiate.  Amare Stoudemire has perhaps exercised the most tact in voicing his opinion.

The media has largely tip-toed around Melo since his arrival in New York.  Isolation, Melo Ball, the star system, et al, have surely been discussed and criticized from time to time.  But, fortunately for Melo there have always been multiple angles with which to debate the state of the Knicks.  And with the hiring of Phil Jackson, an extension on patience was also in order.  With the recent Melo/Hardaway flare-up, however, the media finally feels inclined to make Melo's perceived acidic existence in New York a topical subject.

I hold Carmelo Anthony accountable for none of this.  I place any and all blame on James Dolan for trampling over Donnie Walsh in a desperate effort to win the Melo sweepstakes (and then essentially firing Walsh).

The present state of the Knicks stems from that very moment, with Carmelo Anthony at the center of a rotten core.



Mike

N.Y. Knicks: The Shots Heard 'Round The Garden

From the desk of:  DUTCH PANTS CAN'T JUMP

Losing Streak Hits Seven

NEW YORK KNICKS: Derek Fisher Might Be Retired From Playing, But He's Still Quick On His Feet.

....and then the losing streak reached seven,

but just barely.

For a fleeting moment, Melo's game tying 3-pointer with 2.4 seconds left in the game was the biggest shot of the Knicks season, that is until Trey Burke nailed his own last second, game winning, buzzer beating 2-pointer from the far corner to give Utah a 102-100 victory at a silent Garden.

The Knicks played without the still missing Jose Calderon and Andrea Bargnani, a resting Amare Stoudemire, and Iman Shumpert (who injured his hip in the opening minutes of Friday's game).

Yet, they managed 100 points for the first time this season.

Perhaps that's why Coach Fisher was so giddy afterwards when speaking with the media.  I call it smartly getting away with putting up a strong front after blowing a very winnable game.

The last minute of play was indeed thrilling.  As Coach Fisher put it - that was New York City out there.

He's right; the crowd was electric and Melo was on fire.

And there's the rub....

In truth, Friday's game looked a lot like something from last season, which is a bad thing.  Just ask Tim Hardaway.  It was a regression back to Melo Ball - when an inept team put the ball in his hands and hoped for the best.

The obligatory thrilling finishes might be good for ticket sales, but not much else.

Carmelo Anthony scored 46% of the Knicks points, and pulled down a team high 7 rebounds while his mates predominantly stood around and watched.  That also explains why Melo also made 16 attempts from the stripe while the rest of the team combined on just four free throws.

The Knicks collectively watched Utah shoot 51.4% from the field, and bury 10/22 from beyond the arch, while also allowing them 42 points in the paint.  You can't let a team have it both ways; certainly not the Jazz, man.

Utah additionally blocked eight shot versus just one for the Knicks, whom also got out-rebounded by a 39-31 margin.

Wait, there's more:

Once again, the Knicks suffered from poor ball distribution (regardless who's in the line-up).  The Knicks only had 15 team assists (vs. 25 Jazz) led by Shane Larkin's four, and Pablo Prigioni's three.   The Knicks two point guards at least combined on 20 points in support of Melo.

J.R. Smith, not so much.  He was not the second best Knicks player on the floor the way he should have, especially after Shumpert's departure.  Smith scored 9 points in 21 minutes off the bench, and was defending Trey Burke during the game winning shot.

Coach knows his best player scored 46 points and they still lost.  He knows they recovered from a faulty 1st quarter to build a 72-65 3rd quarter lead, but blew the game with flaky defense particularly in the paint.  He also knows the Jazz never once double-teamed Melo, thus allowing the Knicks to hang around in the first place, and that J.R. Smith failed to step up and make a difference.

So when the media failed to pounce with their post-game opening line of questions, Coach Fisher was able to preach how inspiring the undermanned effort, and the atmosphere at Madison Square Garden were.

Quick thinking Coach.

Of course, we see right through it.

Nothing short of personnel changes will help this team.  That's why Friday night brought back memories.




Mike

Visiting Washington Wizards Confound Sloppy Knicks

From the desk of:  DUTCH PANTS CAN'T JUMP

Tuesday Night Final

Wizards   98

Knicks     83

NEW YORK KNICKS: Washington Wizards serve up a reality check.

So far in this young season, the Bulls dismantled the Knicks.  The Knicks defeated the Cavaliers.   The Cavaliers beat the Bulls.

The hope is somewhere in the middle lies the truth about the 2014-15 Knicks.

In the pre-season, the Knicks were not expected to finish as one of the Conference's final 8 teams.

Iman Shumpert in particular got undressed by the Bulls.  But, he rebounded to play well against LeBron James, then had a strong game against Charlotte.

In addition to Shumpert's contribution, Amare Stoudemire scored 17 points and pulled down 10 rebounds.  That's significant in itself.

In addition to Melo's game high 28 points and the team's 2nd victory, the highlight of the Knicks win over Charlotte was Carmelo Anthony scoring the 20,000th point of his career.  Melo is the 15th quickest in NBA history to reach that milestone.

Congratulations.

However, I suggest he stop talking about last season.  Tyson Chandler might have deserved a parting word or two, but Mike Woodson doesn't.  Not now.

Woodson said coming in he was going to ride Melo like a mule.  Woodson learned during the previous regime, that not feeding Melo's ego (or failing to blindly utilize Dolan's newest toy) got people fired at MSG - see Mike D'Antoni.

True - under Woodson, Melo led the league in minutes played (mule) but, that's the way Melo wanted it.  So, you can't demand (or hog) the ball the way he did, then complain this season how wrong things went - not when you were the central figure of the on-court dysfunction.

I'm no fan of Melo.  I've made that quite clear over the years.  I was never a fan of his game (although he's a scoring machine), and I've never been able to clear the mental image of him sucker-punching Mardy Collins, then running away like a little b**ch.

But I give him a pass because Jim Dolan brought him here, which fit right in with the dysfunctional world he created at MSG.

Yes thing are different now.  Of course Phil Jackson has already made a dramatic impact.  Of course the atmosphere is different.  Welcome into the new era of structure at MSG, and say hello to someone with a plan.

I'm on board with Melo as a Knick, now, only because Phil Jackson is the MSG alpha-male - like Pat Riley/Dave Cheketts and Red Holzman were, once.  Coach Fisher is Phil Jackson's guy, unlike how Dolan was Melo's guy regardless of D'Antoni, Woodson, Donnie Walsh or Steve Mills.

I still don't have to like him, but I know he'll be reformed this season, and will now operate within a system (the Triangle offense), or risk being excluded from the next year's media guide.

That's fine with me, as Phil Jackson will bring order to what's been a chaotic and toxic environment, or leave if Jim Dolan pisses him off.  I like those terms.  It seemingly places Jim Dolan out of sight and out of mind.

On Tuesday night, John Wall, Nene, Paul Pierce, and the Washington Wizards entered Madison Square Garden.  They are believed to be top 8 Eastern Conference contenders.

Washington lost to the Miami Heat in their opening game of the season, then won 2 straight.

On the strength of a 32-15 3rd quarter, Washington defeated the Knicks rather handily by a 98-83 final for their 3rd straight victory.  Paul Pierce and Garrett Temple led the Wizards with 17 points each, while 4 other players scored in double-digits.

The Knicks were sloppy handling the ball evidenced by 18 turnovers.  They also only shot 37% from the field versus 48.8% for the Wizards.

Iman Shumpert led all scorers with 19 points, while Melo was limited to 18 points.  They were the only two Knicks to score in double-digits.  Amare Stoudemire only scored 6 points, but pulled down a game high 12 rebounds.

J.R. Smith led the bench with 24 minutes.  He actually led the Knicks with a scant 4 assists, but only contributed 6 points.  The Knicks only had 16 team assists which is not reflective of an effective Triangle.  It is obvious then, they miss Jose Calderon.

Meanwhile, if Melo is off, J.R. Smith in particular needs to be on.  Another inconsistent season from J.R. Smith will not due.  That is why he already is the subject of trade rumors.

In the wider picture, the Knicks showed just how much they struggle when Melo is not on his game, or on the bench for a rest.

Four games into this season, the Knicks have played 3 of the Eastern Conference's top contenders, and so far have a 2-1 record against them.

For the moment however, we're still trying to figure out how they'll stack up.




Mike

N.Y. Knicks Show Two Different Faces In Two Nights

From the desk of:  DUTCH PANTS CAN'T JUMP

69th Season of 

Knickerbocker Basketball

NEW YORK KNICKS: In its debut, the Triangle didn't quite fit Madison Square.

No playoffs last season.

No Mike Woodson this season.  No Tyson Chandler or Ray Felton either.

Although Phil Jackson signed on late last season, and started putting his stamp on the Knicks during the off-season, the Triangle Era officially started Wednesday night and failed miserably.

The byproduct of their 104-80 defeat to the Bulls was the season's first excuse.  The Knicks played Wednesday night without Jose Calderon, who will miss the next 2-3 weeks with a strained calf.  He was brought in to execute Jackson's triangle offense.  Now they'll just have to wait.

The real problem, however, was a lack of effort.  That came out of Knicks mouths after the game,   not mine.  Someone dressed in a Knicks uniform indeed said the team quit.

No need to point fingers though.  It is better if they all understand not to say anything they wouldn't want Phil Jackson to hear.  That is now a sure way to abbreviate one's Knicks career.

Then came Thursday night's effort in Cleveland against LeBron James and the suddenly resurgent Cavaliers.

Did new head coach Derek Fisher press the right buttons?  We don't know.  But, after sleepwalking in the 1st quarter, they pulled within 2 points by the half.  The Knicks then took control in the 3rd quarter en route to a 95-90 victory.

LeBron James led all players with 43 minutes, but struggled to shoot 5/15 from the floor, with 17 points, and an uncharacteristic 8 turnovers.  He was the Cavs' third leading scorer behind Kyrie Irving's 22 and Kevin Love's 19 points.

Carmelo Anthony scored a game high 25 points and led the Knicks with 6 assists.  Quincy Acy led the Knicks with 10 rebounds.

That's it.  Until the Knicks play the Charlotte Hornets this weekend, the season is a tale of two very different games, two very different efforts (eh hem, Iman Shumpert), with very different results.



Mike

N.Y. Knicks: Please Phil, Don't Stop!

From the desk of:  DUTCH PANTS CAN'T JUMP

Taxi!  Airport please, and step on it.

NEW YORK KNICKS: "The Time Has Come For Change Throughout The Franchise..." - Phil Jackson.

I couldn't agree more with Phil Jackson's decision to fire the entire coaching staff.  It was the right thing to do Knicks fans.  He was correct to declare - "The time has come for change throughout the franchise...."

You're damn right it's time!  Gut it Phil!

Let Phil Jackson put his footprint all over this organization, and then own it.  But please, don't stop there!  Steve Mills should be next.  Purge every last remnant of the old regime.  Knicks history, basketball history, even world history says that's the thing to do.  Gut it all!

The defects to this franchise go far beyond preventative, or even corrective maintenance.  Above all, this organization has been polluted under James Dolan's ownership.  All you need to know is what Steve Kerr intimated - he's skeptical of MSG's overall environment, conditions, and dark, corporate climate that permeate the organization.

Everything that ails this organizations starts at the top.  So, if indeed Phil Jackson has full, and absolute autonomy, then yeah, act like you own it.

There can only be one alpha, and it can not be a man who A) - knows nothing about basketball, and B) - is more interested in his band.  Yes, he is a business man.  No doubt.  That's why he needed Carmelo Anthony in his building, and trampled all over Donnie Walsh to get him.  But, the time has finally come to put the game, and the team, ahead of the star system and entertainment.

Too bad for Mike Woodson.  I hope he lands on his feet.  Over time, we grew to understand his flaws as a head coach.  But, he was a good guy who shouldn't have to bear full blame for players that either turned on him, or tuned him out.  That's an indictment more of the players, than anything Coach Woodson tried.

The day he took over, he said he was going to ride Carmelo Anthony.  That was a smart ploy considering Mike D'Antoni wouldn't.  To Melo's credit, by and large he stayed loyal to Coach Woodson.  The same can't be said of Tyson Chandler, and Amare Stoudemire in particular.



Mike.BTB

N.Y. Knicks: Melo's Shoulder Puts Team In J.R. Smith's Hands

From the desk of:  DUTCH PANTS CAN'T JUMP

SUNDAY

NEW YORK KNICKS

vs.

Miami Heat

FROM

The House That Rony Seikaly Built

Dade County, FLA.

NEW YORK KNICKS: Trailing The Atlanta Hawks By Two In The Loss Column, The HEAT Is On J.R. Smith To Help Team Win Out.

The only reason the Knicks are even knocking on the Hawks door is due to Carmelo Anthony.
With little exception, his supporting cast has been woefully inconsistent, and inefficient this season, with each player providing his own distinct dilemma or deficiency.

Make no mistake, Ray Felton's sub par play at the point has been central to this year's step backwards from being a 50+ win team last season.  Also among the top factors in the Knicks overall disappointing campaign have been Tyson Chandler's lack of presence, and Iman Shumpert's regression.  Isolation ball and a lack of commitment on defense prior to Phil Jackson's s arrival also share partial blame.  Although further down on the list, Coach Woodson's questionable strategies, or lack there of, haven't exactly advanced his cause either.  So, be sure, other reasons exist.

Arguments crediting, and advancing the contributions Jason Kidd, Rasheed Wallace, and Kurt Thomas made last year also ring hollow for me.  The current short comings of the core players are what put the Knicks in this situation, not periphery role players of the past.

That said, if put under oath, I'm sure Coach Woodson would concur, that trumping all reasons, has been the enigmatic play of J.R. Smith, and his alternating work schedule.  When he shows up willing to play, the results on the floor speak for themselves.  When he decides to take night's off, it's been an all too noticeable, and unsightly visual.

What's become painfully obvious during the team's recent surge towards the playoffs, is that, as J.R. Smith goes, so go the Knicks.  That's too bad, because had J.R. Smith invested himself into playing an entire season instead of performing in spurts, the Knicks wouldn't be in their current situation of having to scratch and claw for the 8th seed.

I'm left without a clear reason to explain J.R. Smith's precipitous fall in production from a year ago, other than to say he has money in hand, and failed to play with last year's hunger on any given night.

Melo now has a injured/bruised shoulder at the absolute worst time of the season.  Applying HEAT at this point would provide minimal results.  What's needed over the last five games of the regular season is an old fashioned, home grown remedy.  It's called teamwork, the type Phil Jackson spoke of at his introductory presser.

The Knicks task ahead is daunting, and like it or not, starting Sunday, J.R. Smith turns into the center of the Knicks universe. Melo's cranky shoulder now places Smith in the role of having to take the HEAT, and lead the team through the next five games.  After Miami, the Knicks have single games against Chicago and Brooklyn, and a pair against Atlantic Division leading Toronto.

The thing is, J.R.Smith has the talent necessary to determine whether if the Knicks play beyond April 16th.  But, the real questions are, does he possess the leadership, will he embrace the responsibility, and will he welcome the challenge of having to propel his team to victory over the next handful games of must win basketball?

Will he ultimately seize the moment?




Mike.BTB

Brooklyn Nets vs. New York Knicks: East River Showdown-III

From the desks of:

DUTCH PANTS CAN'T JUMP  &  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

EAST RIVER SHOWDOWN - III

Series Tied 1-1

I - NYK 113; BKN 83

II - BKN 103; NYK 80

TONIGHT

BROOKLYN NETS

vs.

NEW YORK KNICKS

FROM

Madison Square Garden

BROOKLYN NETS: Only The Chicago Bulls Stand Between Flatbush And Their Fans.

The Brooklyn Nets clinched their second straight playoff appearance Tuesday evening with their 14th straight victory at Barclays Center, this time over a good Houston Rockets club.  They remain 1.5 games behind the #4 Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference standings, and gaining the benefit of home court advantage.

The Nets (40-33) are also only a mere 1.5 games behind the first place Toronto Raptors in the Atlantic Division, with nine games remaining in their regular season.  Brooklyn can leapfrog into the 3rd seed should they overtake the Raptors.

The Nets went the entire month of March without the services of Kevin Garnett, and still managed to post an 12-4 record.  The team's effort also earned Jason Kidd his second Coach of the Month award this season.  The team hopes to finally have KG back on the floor this weekend.  Andrei Kirilenko's status is still questionable.

The Nets downed the Houston Rockets in a convincing 105-96 manner - an exclamation point if you will, punctuating their recent play.  Joe Johnson led all scorers with 32 points.  Six Nets scored in double digits.

NEW YORK KNICKS: With Phil Jackson Watching, Current Playoff Push Is Testing Team's Mettle.

With a 32-43 record, the New York Knicks are still on the outside of the playoff picture looking in, but are hot on the #8 Atlanta Hawks tails.  The Jekyll and Hyde Knicks were just 2-11 in February, in which they endured a 7 game losing streak, and at one point, lost 10 of 11 games.  They seemingly turned things around in March, with an 11-5 record, and at one point, won eight in a row.  Their recent surge has pulled them within one game of the Eastern Conference's 8th seed. The Knicks have seven games remaining on their schedule.

Phil Jackson will not be duped by fool's gold.  I think whether the Knicks make the playoffs or not, the new Knicks president already has a fixed vision regarding his team's future, and it most likely does not include coach Mike Woodson.  Phil Jackson will no doubt want to bring in his own people who understand his methods, and can translate his dictates onto the floor.  And, although the players are making a spirited attempt to make the playoffs, this is really just a glorified try-out.

The Knicks are coming off a 92-83 victory over the Utah Jazz.  Carmelo Anthony led all scorers with 34 points.

Mike.BTB