N.Y. Knicks: Business as Usual at the World's Most Dysfunctional Arena

From the desk of: DUTCH PANTS CAN'T JUMP

Steve Mills and Scott Perry 

Continue Pushing Knicks Up The Mountain

What's sad for me as someone with a blog, much less being a fan since the mid 1970's, is the standard operating procedure put in place twenty years ago which still remains in effect today, by all indications will continue steering the future course of this organization for an unceremonious third straight decade to come.  I could be wrong with regards to what tomorrow holds, but the narrative emanating out of an unyielding MSG to date remains unchanged.  There was that one fleeting moment when Donnie Walsh expertly restored to the Knicks long needed financial flexibility and roster maneuverability.  That is until James Dolan trampled him (and coach D'Antoni) underfoot like some flaming brown paper bag of dog poop left on his front porch.

David Fizdale is merely MSG's latest victim.  I wish him well.  His departure at the very least reconfirms the ongoing dysfunction afflicting the Knicks.  Fizdale marks the twelfth Knicks head coach of this new millennium, and now Mike Miller steps in as unlucky number 13 in the last 19 years.  Players across the league have taken notice of this organization's behavior, and thus rate them low on the NBA's most favored destinations list.  The most recent off-season speaks for itself.  James Dolan is of course the founder of this calamity we call the Knicks.  In turn Steve Mills is his lead executive.  And until Mills is relieved of his duties I do not foresee any relief from this prolonged state of futility.

Meanwhile Scott Perry to me represents the stack of pages reading: all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.  Next thing you know it's your face in the old picture hanging behind the ballroom bar. You've always been caretaker of the world's most dysfunctional arena, Sir.

N.Y. Knicks: Sunday Night's Main Event Featuring David Fizdale Versus Front Office

From the desk of: DUTCH PANTS CAN'T JUMP

KNICKS UNDER DAVID FIZDALE

19 WINS in 92 GAMES (.206)

In the corner to your left, James Dolan and his henchmen Steve Mills and Scott Perry.  In the corner to your right, head coach David Fizdale and the players provided to him.  In Sunday night's main event at the Garden, upper management lands an opening hay-maker and down goes Fizdale!  Down goes Fizdale!  Under the bus goes Fizdale!

We can safely surmise at this juncture Mills and Perry under orders from Dolan spent the second half of Sunday's 21-point loss against the Cavs hastily arranging their preemptive post game press conference like only Madison Square Garden can.  Standing side by side, Steve Mills and Scott Perry make known to an assembled media their displeasure with the team's state of affairs.  Only the executive duo does not claim responsibility.  Ironic is their failure to lure top tier free agents this past off-season, which is now manifesting itself on the floor.  The delusional duo instead express (paraphrasing) great dismay with the present situation, claiming this collection of talent should be performing better, and are not where the front office expected them to be.  They repeatedly pinpoint the team's lack of consistency in its collective effort.  Just don't misinterpret them, for they also said they're not focused on the team's record.

Speaking of which the Knicks have now played 92 regular season games under David Fizdale but are yet to win twenty games.  The Knicks finished 17-65 last season, and are off to a 2-8 start this season.  Despite the utterly laughable reactive posturing by Perry and Mills, the process of scapegoating David Fizdale is nevertheless underway.

Before drawing to a close the beleaguered coach counters with perhaps the best upper cut and straight right combo of the night.  Newsday scribe Steve Popper quotes Fizdale saying, "I don't need anyone to speak to me to give me a sense of urgency."  And when asked about his job security, ESPN.com quotes Fizdle saying, "I got a two-and-a-half year contract.  That's my assurance."

The sweet science is back at the Garden.

Brooklyn Nets: Flatbush Opens Eighth Campaign Poised to Expand Turf

From the desk of: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

YEAR EIGHT

FRIDAY
New York Knicks
vs.
Brooklyn Nets
FROM
FLATBUSH AVENUE

SINCE THE FIRST MOMENT SHOVELS SCOOP DIRT AT GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONIES, BROOKLYN FOR BETTER OR WORSE REMAINS ONE STEP AHEAD OF THEIR EAST RIVER RIVALS.

More better than worse ...

Kings County native and real estate developer Bruce Ratner in 2004 reveals plans to purchase the New Jersey Nets with the intent of relocating them into a new arena proposed for construction in downtown Brooklyn.  On more than one occasion his vision appears dead on the drawing board.  For six long years protests and seemingly endless litigation stymie any and all forward progress.  A sudden contraction of the national economy further compromises Ratner's finances and development efforts.

With Ratner bogged down in court, New York Knicks owner James Dolan in 2005 is able to successfully devote his full attention and financial resources towards thwarting a more tangible threat posed by a New York Jets stadium being proposed for construction atop Manhattan's west side rail yards.  However, Dolan's victory over NYC's politico and the Jets is short lived.  By 2010 Bruce Ratner not only wins court approval to move forward with construction of an arena, but also secures an infusion of needed capital courtesy of new partner Mikhail Prokhorov.

On March 11, 2010, fifty-three years after the Dodgers play their last game at Ebbets Field, groundbreaking ceremonies take place for Barclays Center ironically in the same general location Walter O'Malley had once hoped to secure for his baseball club bordered by Flatbush Avenue and Atlantic Avenue.  Back here in the future, Ratner's legal victory makes certain direct inner-city competition will soon be arriving at James Dolan's door step.  This time there's nothing J.D. can do to prevent this from happening.

Later that summer Mikhail Prokhorov launches the first salvo in what becomes known as the Billboard Wars when he commissions a building-side mural featuring Jay-Z and himself just a few blocks away from Madison Square Garden along Eighth Avenue.  James Dolan strikes back with a rather clever purchase of billboard space located within the Atlantic Yards footprint itself.

Hostilities ratchet up in February of 2011 upon outbreak of the now infamous Melo War.  Carmelo Anthony makes it clear he wants out of Denver and is a handshake agreement away from authorizing a sign and trade to the New Jersey Nets.  That is until Jim Dolan catches wind of it and launches himself headlong into the Carmelo Anthony trade negotiations like a charging bull through a fine china shop.  Dolan tramples general manager Donnie Walsh with an utter lack of compunction, and is equally dismissive of head coach Mike D'Antoni en route to securing one of the league's perennial scoring threats.  But to his great dismay the Nets are the next morning's lead story, arresting tabloid and sports radio attention away from the Knicks with a stunning overnight acquisition of well regarded point guard Deron Williams from the Utah Jazz.  A squabbling media rages throughout the day debating which team executed the better deal.  Because there is a point guard involved, the consensus says Nets.

With Barclays Center scheduled for opening by the 2012-2013 season, James Dolan also in 2011 orders a billion dollar renovation of Madison Square Garden.

• Question: Were it not for Barclays Center does James Dolan renovate a his tax-sheltered building that really isn't his?

Neither Carmelo Anthony or Deron Williams perform up to their team's respective satisfaction.  In 2012-13, Carmelo Anthony leads the Knicks to an Atlantic Division title, but they've failed to qualify for the playoffs in the six seasons since.  The Knicks average just 34.2 wins during Melo's five seasons in Manhattan, and just 33.3 wins in the five years prior to David Fizdale's arrival.  Meanwhile the Nets make three straight playoff appearances in their first three seasons at Barclays.  In truth their ill fated acquisition of Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett better serve as springboards into the abyss.  Suffice it to say the Melo/Williams era ends with a whimper.  In 2015 the Nets buy out the remainder of Deron Williams' contract, and by 2017 the Knicks trade Carmelo Anthony to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

A new rebuilding period ensues.  The Nets are first to acknowledge their organizational failures and by 2016-2017 recommit themselves to a grassroots rebuild.  They hire Sean Marks as new general manager who in turn hires Kenny Atkinson as head coach.  Bereft of high draft picks the new general manager and head coach strip down the team, and through organizational discipline manage to effectively and efficiently build it back up.  Agreeably ahead of schedule, the Nets last season put forth a spirited and unified effort resulting in a well earned post-season appearance.  If nothing else it serves to confirm Sean Marks, Kenny Atkinson, and the Nets, have gone about their business in fine manner.

The Knicks on the other hand are far slower in recognizing their blight, and perhaps more stubborn, as well.  I view Sam Mills as nothing more than James Dolan's lone remaining friend in the building, and Scott Perry as a rather inconsequential league executive.  This, along with the Phil Jacksons in life is why I believe the Knicks lag far behind the Nets and continue losing ground by the day.  Lest we forget this is about direct competition.  The Nets are the invaders, and Jim Dolan was made to defend.  To date, he's tried matching them move for move.  Yet somehow continues falling farther and farther behind.  His front offices tried clearing cap space in order to facilitate a free agent haul a first time and came up woefully short.  They retried clearing cap space this past off-season in order to facilitate yet another proposed free agent haul and again fail miserably.  Unfortunately the free agent market proved shy on players motivated to shoulder 20 years of dysfunction and front office futility.  Why bother when today's NBA player can easily make big money elsewhere with far less headaches.

This is precisely why Sean Marks' acquisitions of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant are prime examples of culture, chemistry, competence, and ultimately competitiveness, coming together under the same roof.

It's true ...

But this has never been about the Knicks.  The Nets are foolish to think they can steal fans away from the establishment.  Barclays Center attendance bears that out.  Since day one this has always been about winning over the 2.7 million denizens of Brooklyn.  James Dolan has always benefited from playing in a midtown arena where tourists ensure a sellout every day and night no matter what.  In that respect he is well shielded.  Anywhere else and Dolan's gate receipts would more accurately reflect true fan ire (same holds true for the Rangers).  Brooklyn is a different kinda cat.  Therefore the real test lay ahead.  Last season's organic rise to competitiveness was an endearing experience bringing club and fan closer together than at any other time over the previous six seasons.  That, along with the off-season acquisitions of Kyrie Irvin and Kevin Durant make this easily the most anticipated season in Brooklyn's NBA history.  Whether that translates at the gate remains to be seen.  So far, the pre-season buzz in Kings County is palpable.

But there is no rivalry; not yet; or at least not until the Knicks step up their game.  We're entering Year Eight with no signs of improvement across the river.  A true rivalry would be nice.  In the meantime, bet on Brooklyn.

 OPENING NIGHT

WEDNESDAY

Timberwolves

vs.

Nets

FROM

BARCLAYS CENTER

N.Y. Knicks: Culture Club and the Mecca of Dysfunction

From the desk of:  DUTCH PANTS CAN'T JUMP

No Zion Williamson; No Kevin Durant; No Kawhi Leonard

THE OFF-SEASON THAT NEVER WAS

DEFLATION NATION

Daddy Dolan hands the MSG keys in 1999 over to his son, James Dolan.  The new boss straightaway declares Latrell Sprewell the enemy.  General manager Ernie Grunfeld smartly jumps ship with haste.  Incoming general manager Scott Layden foolishly catapults the Knicks into salary cap hell in 2000 by trading legend Patrick Ewing and his expiring contract.  And in December 2001 head coach Jeff Van Gundy quits.

So begins the James Dolan Era ...

Since taking over control of the club, New York Knickerbockers amass the worst record in basketball.  A charter member of the NBA, from 1946 through 1999/2000 the Knicks post an all-time 2,156 - 2,023 (.516) record.  Under Dolan however they achieve a mere 622-920 (.403) record to date with just four winning seasons, five playoff appearances, and just one post-season series victory to speak of.  Ten times they lose at least fifty games in a season including the last five in a row.

I don't have the stomach for parsing the innards of this mess.  Dissecting the last two decades of egregious futility and organizational decay is enough to make a coroner projectile vomit.  But what has become painfully clear to all is the cantankerous and implosive manner in which Dolan runs his operation, making him a leading (if not the leading) reason why premium NBA players seem increasingly disinterested in joining the New York Knicks.  The true mistake is in believing players around the league remain blind, deaf, and dumb to New York's front office shenanigans.  Low and behold they pay attention.  And it comes to pass, again.

Seven different persons have filled the office of general manager under Dolan.  That averages out to a new general manager every 2.7 years.

• Scott Layden
• Isiah Thomas
• Donnie Walsh
• Glen Grunwald
• Steve Mills
• Phil Jackson
• Scott Perry

There's no need revisiting the Isiah Thomas Era outside of acknowledging the unmitigated disaster that it was.  The league office interceding and pressuring Dolan into parting ways with Thomas speaks for itself.  Dolan then retains the league wide respected executive Donnie Walsh, whom he soon tramples under foot in a personal and desperate attempt at securing Carmelo Anthony.  After which Steve Mills returns for a second stint with the Knicks.  How and why he survives Phil Jackson I'll never know.  His continuing employment remains a cosmic mystery to me.  Be that as it may, he and Scott Perry together presently serve to form an army of none.

Meanwhile ten different persons have served as head coach prior to David Fizdale's arrival.  That averages out to a new coach every one and three-quarter seasons.

• Jeff Van Gundy
• Don Chaney
• Herb Williams
• Lenny Wilkens
• Larry Brown
• Isiah Thomas
• Mike D'Antoni
• Mike Woodson
• Derek Fisher
• Jeff Hornacek
• David Fizdale

In today's NBA fame and fortune can be had anywhere.  The bright lights of Broadway or Madison Avenue exposure no longer hold sway.  The lure of New York City still exists for as long as it doesn't entail playing for an organization so poorly run as Dolan's Knicks.  Free agents previously demonstrated they wanted nothing to do with the Knicks in 2010 (don't @ me with Amar'e Stoudmire).  Evidently the same still holds true today.

Outside of being drafted, why would anyone willingly come play for the Knicks?  Say what you will about this, that, or the other.  Odds are you're probably right.  But what remains indisputable is that Knicks Culture is a product of Dolan's machinations.  The man spends upwards of one billions dollars to renovate Alien Nation where fans, certain media, and even former players are banned from the arena.

If it weren't for tourists ensuring a full house the organization would otherwise find itself in more dire straits.  But for as long as Dolan remains insulated by tourist global warming Madison Square Garden will continue transforming itself into the Mecca of dysfunction.

N.Y. Knicks: Opportunity to Move Porzingis and Hardaway is a Godsend

From the desk of:  DUTCH PANTS CAN'T JUMP

TAXI..!!!!

New York Knicks: The Two Decade Old Rebuild Continues ...

Don't get me wrong, the Knicks lose me with Jimmy Dolan Steve Mills.  He's been a constant throughout this ongoing crisis we call the Knickerbockers.  Moreover, I wouldn't trust Scott Perry to mail a letter for me, much less build a contender.  In light of the big trade, my opinion of them has not changed.

However, I'd be a hypocrite if I said I didn't agree with their decision to trade Kristaps Porzingis.  Because when the situation calls for a full blown rebuild, I firmly believe in stripping things to the bone.  That means all assets must go.  So bravo to them, because no not only do I agree with trading Kristaps, I applaud it.

I acknowledge the manner in which the game is played has changed.  Be that as it may, I never saw the use for a seven foot three-point shooter.  He doesn't rebound, nor was he going to turn around a 10-41 team by himself.  In fact, I contend freeing themselves of both Porzingis and Hardaway is a godsend.  They're what I call net asset zero salary cap suckers.  Besides, seven-footers with feet/leg issues are historically known to be NBA taboo.  So whether he wanted to be in New York or not is irrelevant to me.

Mike, you idiot!  When healthy he  ...

No.

Dallas Mavericks get:

• Kristaps Porzingis
• Tim Hardaway, Jr.
• Trey Burke
• Courtney Lee

New York Knicks get:

• DeAndre Jordan
• Wesley Matthews
• Dennis Smith, Jr.
• 2021 #1 pick
• 2023 #1 pick *top ten protected

They'll be far better served with two first round draft picks versus anything Courtney Lee or Trey Burke brought to the table.  Let's be real.  Before the trade, the Knicks were effectively void of players not named Kevin Knox worthy of retention.  But they must draft smartly.

... and there's the rub.

As I sit here watching Zion Williamson and Duke destroy St. John's, it dawns on me the only way this season's tank-a-thon truly pays off is either through pure luck, or if Commissioner Silver fills the Knicks' ping pong balls with helium.  Otherwise, amassing high drafts picks is the next best strategy.

"The person who does not select Zion Williamson at number one in the upcoming draft, will go to sleep each night embarrassed over what they passed up!" - loosely paraphrasing college basketball god Dick Vitale during Saturday's St. John's/Duke game.

With regards to rumors of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, or other big name free agents coming to town, anticipate nothing.  Yes, Mills and Perry created an intriguing amount of cap space.  But you can't be disappointed with what you do not expect.  High profile players say they love playing at Madison Square Garden.  But  how many of them actually say they want to play for the Knicks?  Therefore, I'll believe it when I see it.

In the meantime, bringing in DeAndre Jordan serves as yet another slap to the face of Enes Kanter.

Taxi..!

N.Y. Knicks: Hard Knox Loss at Brooklyn

From the desk of:  DUTCH PANTS CAN'T JUMP

New York Knicks: Knox, Knox, I'm Here!?

Long ago my mom once told me you can't be disappointed with what you don't expect.  Two games into the regular season, consider it my opening statement as the New York Knickerbockers embark on the 2018-2019 regular season under new head coach David Fizdale.

Truth be told, the continuing employment of Steve Mills for me remains a major point of contention.  However, in fairness to this dawning of a new culture being championed by Scott Perry and Fizdale, there appears at least to be a more grass-rooted effort towards finally getting this done smartly, effectively, and above all, patiently.

All of which remains to be seen ... of course.

From the desk of: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH 

Caris LeVert Strides and Glides to Game Winning Basket 

Their Opening Night victory is simply a nice opening story - nothing more; nothing less.  If we're being pragmatic about this, then let's understand with haste that scoring 72-points in a first-half against the Hawks does not an impression make.  That has more to do with Atlanta's various deficiencies than what the Knicks bring to the table.  A 19-point margin of victory is a positive way to start the season nonetheless.

The schedule makers waste no time bringing the Knickerbockers and Brooklyn Nets together this season.  The two resumed their still burgeoning intercity rivalry at Barclays Center on Friday night, where Flatbush outlasts the Manhattanites for a 107-105 victory.

Extracting positives from loses are out of the question where legitimate contenders are concerned.  But with rebuilding clubs, they're inherently part of the process.

• My first takeaway:  Rookie Kevin Knox demonstrates instant impact off the bench.  After Friday's effort, fans and media demanding his inclusion into the starting lineup are sure to follow.  I would argue that leaves the Knicks with a very weak bench.  Moreover, it's not who starts, but who finishes.  Against the Nets, Knox shoots 7/14 (50%) for 17-points in 28-minutes, with six rebounds, and a minus-four.  Knox winds up being just one of three Knicks scoring in double-digits.  Ironically starter Lance Thomas finishes with a minus/three, but shoots 0/4 from the floor with a pair of boards.

• Take away number two:  Coach Fitzs throws a fit in the third period, and I like it.  If you're going to preach accountability, you have to follow through.

• Take away number three:  I'm a big fan of Enes Kanter, who ties Tim Hardaway for the team lead with 29-points, and posts a double-double with a team leading ten boards.  If the first two games are any indication, Big Man on Campus will be playing more prominent minutes in crunch time this season, which was not the case last season.

The Knicks did not play with the same overall intensity they put forth against Atlanta, and thus are horribly out-worked on the boards.  Brooklyn controls the glass by a 55-38 margin, as two Nets post double-digit rebounds.  Trey Burke and Frank Ntilikina joined to shoot 7/20 (35%) for 17-points and six total assists.

N.Y. Knicks: Meet The New Boss

From the desk of:  DUTCH PANTS CAN'T JUMP

NEW YORK KNICKS: Club Set To Announce Phil Jackson Has Been Named Team President.  He Now Has The Job Pat Riley Once Wanted, But For How Long?

Although the official announcement won't come till Tuesday, the New York Knickerbockers have tentatively signed Phil Jackson to become their club president.

I guess congratulations are in order, after I stop shaking my head over the fact that James Dolan stepped all over toes of the people who work for him once again.  James Dolan has mastered the art of hiring people first, then firing his victims afterwards.  That said, I suspect GM Steve Mills orchestrated his own exit by helping to bring in the man who will probably fire him.  If his days at MSG aren't numbered, they should be.

I also feel the basketball team of MSG has hired their version of Glen Sather.  Think of the peace of mind James Dolan will have knowing Glen Sather and Phil Jackson are running his teams. Among his circle friends, Jimmy is golden.  Even the media is forced to agree he has people with winning experience running his organizations.  Good for him, as perception is everything.

Rangers and Knicks fans know better though.  James Dolan apparently gave Glen Sather a job for life, letting his history with Edmonton, not New York, speak for itself.  Signing Jackson wreaks of more of the same to me.

Phil Jackson won a title here in New York as a Knicks member because he was surrounded by greater players than him.  Phil won titles in Chicago and Los Angeles as a head coach, because he was afforded four of the greatest players to ever grace the NBA.  Like Sather, that's all that will matter to James Dolan.

History says Phil Jackson will safely have a job here for as long as he wants to stay, no matter what transpires on the court under his reign.  On that note, I do not believe Jackson will be able to to do anything Donnie Walsh couldn't do.  The Knicks almost had it right then, but that was two GM's ago.  Regardless, similar to Donnie Walsh, Jackson has another mess he must rescue the Knicks from.

One thing I know is sure.  Phil Jackson will not tolerate any of James Dolan's micro-meddling.  He is coming here to do things one way - Phil's way.  In a bit of irony, Phil Jackson now has the job Pat Riley once wanted from the Knicks.  Pat Riley entered the executive ranks by leaving the Knicks, while Phil Jackson joins the executive ranks by joining the Knicks.

As oversee'er, Phil Jackson will be charged with seeking out championship caliber coaches and players, instead of having such players handed to him.  His triangle offense won't help him master the salary cap either.  And, woe to his head coach, whom Phil Jackson will always feel superior to.

How long will this last?  Phil Jackson isn't exactly a spring chicken.  Turning the Knicks around may take another several years to achieve.  Their draft is already quite compromised.  And what if things do not go too well.  How committed is he, really, to see things through?




Mike.BTB

N.Y. Knicks: Scuttlebutt Reigns Supreme At MSG

From the desk of:   DUTCH PANTS CAN'T JUMP

NEW YORK KNICKS: Melo!  Melo Changes Everything....  Or Was That, Money Changes Everything?  Whatever.

As we know by now, James Dolan held a private meeting with Carmelo Anthony, to discuss, of all things, the future status of their head coach.  Publicly, Melo says he wants no part of that conversation.  That's unfortunate.  But in a small way, I don't blame him.  More on that later.

First, talk about gratitude, huh?  From day one, Mike Woodson was careful to not make the same mistake Mike D'Antoni did, which was to not give Carmelo Anthony what he wanted, meaning, the ball.  Coach Woodson made it clear upon assuming the Knicks head coaching position, that he would be riding Melo like a mule, for as long and far as the small forward could carry them.  We are now finding out just how far that is.

I do not know how or when it happened.  Those of you who follow my blog know Melo has no friend in me. But at this point, I absolve him of blame for the current Knicks situation, on all counts but one.  Carmelo Anthony did not support his coach with the same unwavering loyalty Mike Woodson invested in him.  So, I guess from a coach's perspective, the present state of the Knicks is indeed a disaster, which was Coach Woodson's choice of word, not mine.  And, I couldn't concur more.

In my opinion, the two are joined at the hip.  If James Dolan fires Coach Woodson, then Carmelo Anthony needs to be traded, post haste.  Carmelo Anthony perhaps needs to be traded anyway.  The current cast of Knickerbockers is a bad mix.  They need to be reconfigured.  It is clear the Knicks can not surround Melo with a better supporting cast.  Therefore, Melo must go, then cross your fingers, and bank on a good return. It's just that simple.

If anything, or anyone, is putting Coach Woodson's job in jeopardy, it is the sub-par play of Raymond Felton at the point.  After that, we can start cherry picking reasons, like the lack of scoring from Tyson Chandler, or the drop in J.R. Smith's overall game since signing his contract, or Iman Shumpert taking steps backwards, or the infirmary of players they call a bench and supporting cast.

Making matters worse, Tyson Chandler, Amare Stoudemire, and Melo, are all guilty of displaying apathy towards their coach this season.  The only player to exhibit open support for his coach has been J.R. Smith - ironically, the one player Coach Woodson has been hardest on.

The Knicks entered Friday night's game against the Denver Nuggets with a 19-30 record, with matters deteriorating fast.  Scuttlebutt around Madison Square Garden says Mike Woodson will be fired by the all-star game.  So how did the team respond this evening?  They trailed Denver 26-20 after the first quarter. Melo scored 13 of the Knicks 20 points.

Exactly!

Coach is not without his own faults.  I'd be hard pressed to explain Mike Woodson's offensive philosophy with any conviction.  The strategy seems part iso, part Melo, and part gonzo.  With few set plays, poorly designed plays coming out of time-outs, and an inability to get his players to play collective defense, consider yourself up to date.

So why the big drop-off from last year when the Knicks won 54 games?  Were Jason Kidd, Kurt Thomas, and Steve Novak, that influential, and integral to the Knicks success last season?

There is no clear answer.  This season however, Carmelo Anthony has been made to shoulder the burden of putting the entire Knicks organization on is back.  The owner, a pseudo-GM, a coach on the hot seat, eleven other second rate players, and a bewildered fan base, all look to Carmelo Anthony for everything.

He's Carmelo Anthony, not Meadowlark Lemon!

At this point, I can no longer begrudge Melo for his lack of professionalism, when earlier in the season, he smiled when saying he looked forward to becoming a free agent.  When you're in-season, and under contract, that's disrespectful to all concerned parties.  In fact, when Dolan initially acquired him, I thought he would be at the center of everything wrong with the Knicks.  What Melo is, is a scorer, and a damn good one.  There is nary a Knick on the floor who compliments his game.  As it turned out, Melo is fine. Everything around him, however, is completely dysfunctional.

If it's about the money for Carmelo, he can make the most by staying with the Knicks.  If he's determined to win a championship, he'd be smart to hop the next train from Penn Station out of the city.  If the Knicks were smart, that puppet they call a GM would trade Carmelo Anthony at the deadline, in the best interests of the team.

*

Knicks won by the way, over Denver by a 117-90 final score.  Melo scored 31 points.  Amare came in big with 17 points.


Mike.BTB

N.Y. Knicks: Dolan's Rant Falls on Deaf Sneakers

From the desk of:  DUTCH PANTS CAN'T JUMP

Tuesday Final:

Bobcats  102

Knicks     98

I've Had It!  Get Isiah Thomas On The Phone!

NEW YORK KNICKS: Dolan Didn't Say That, But You Can Bet He's Thinking It.  After All Those Years Under Zeke, The Knicks Are Only Now Testing His Patience?  C'mon!  It's As If Dolan Is Almost Fabricating A Chain Of Events That Will Justify And Ultimately Pave The Way For Thomas' Return.

Knicks Lose 3rd Straight Game.

Charlotte Sticks It To Knicks Without Al Jefferson On The Floor.

Team Allows 64 Points In The First Half, And Get Destroyed On The Boards 51-38.

Has Anyone Seen The Owner?  Here's a better question - can the owner play perimeter defense?  If Sunday's loss didn't bode well for Steve Mills, then Tuesday night's continued poor defensive effort against the Bobcats must be an omen for Coach Woodson.

Prior to the season, Dolan fired former GM Glen Grunwald for no particular reason, then astonishingly brought Steve Mills back into the fold, and named him president and general manager of the Knicks.  Why?  I still don't know.  But after just ten quarters of real-time basketball, James Dolan reportedly did to Mills what he never contemplated with Isiah Thomas in all the years Zeke spent running MSG into the ground.  In fact, Steve Mills, who was the recipient of a Jimmy Dolan tongue lashing during Sunday's game, was present for the entire dark Zeke Era, and never once heard or witnessed Dolan reprimand or act badly towards Thomas during a decade's time - not even during the scandal which rocked, and inevitably brought down the House of Zeke, and cost the owner millions of dollars to defend.

Steve Mills didn't even assemble this current team, but took the heat for the Knicks pathetic play against the T-Wolves.  Or was the pathetic play of Dolan's prized acquisition, Carmelo Anthony, the root cause of his true ire?  Ever since Commissioner Stern took Zeke away from Dolan and forced Donnie Walsh on him, and through the Carmelo Anthony sweepstakes, Dolan has been a one-man gang.  In fact, Dolan has never been the same since the Nets stepped foot in Brooklyn.  Faced with direct competition, he's riddled with anxiety, and has been reduced to finally becoming an impetuous owner who all of a sudden tries holding people, anyone, accountable - except his star that is.  He is the same star who is on record saying he can't wait to test free agency.

If I were paying said player's salary, hearing that would make the hair in my wig stand up too.  But, the reality is, if it weren't for Barclays Center, there would be no worries.  Such as life in today's big city.  So, along with a new billion dollar facelift for MSG, came new billion dollar expectations.  Yes folks, welcome to the new Garden indeed, where a double standard is always in fashion.

Carmelo was able to take a figurative night off against the Timberwolves, but Mills caught the heat when the Knicks lost.  Indifference apparently won the day, because the Knicks followed Sunday's loss this evening with a horrible defensive first half effort against the Charlotte Bobcats, and wound up losing by a 102-97 final.

So when does Coach Woodson get verbally accosted?  Tonight?  Tomorrow morning?  Over lunch?  After all, he was originally recruited to be Mike D'Antoni's so-called defensive assistant coach, right?  I like Mike Woodson.  It's just too bad he works for a now wanna-be unpredictable basketball magnate.

In the mean time, Carmelo Anthony played 44 minutes this evening! -  and scored 32-points.  But that didn't prevent the Knicks from losing their third straight game.  That should certainly cost someone in the marketing department their job for sure.  Yet another night like this, and the MSG  mail room staff could be toast.




Mike.BTB

N.Y. Knicks: Glen Grunwald Out, Steve Mills Back In - How George Steinbrennian

From the desk of:   DUTCH PANTS CAN'T JUMP

(Walton Street, Williamsburg)

NEW YORK KNICKS: The Heels At The Garden Go Round And Round.

There you go!  If life works in cycles, James Dolan is lapping the field.  History has taught him nothing.  His long list of failures as owner repeat themselves.  This is why I'm so down on the Knickerbockers.

I can understand, if only theoretically that is..., if Dolan felt as if Donnie Walsh was imposed upon him by Commissioner Stern, and that Walsh wasn't necessarily Jimmy's kind of guy.  Fine.  But the fact that Donnie Walsh recovered this organization after being reduced to rubble by the previous administration, and was then rewarded by being shoved in front of an oncoming train downstairs at Penn Station, and for what(?) - to replace him with lightweight Glen Grunwald(?) - is what got lost on me. 

If you really want to know how Dolan felt about Donnie Walsh, look no further than how the Carmelo Anthony deal went down.  For a decade plus, Dolan never ever came close to sticking his unlearned nose into Glen Sather's or Isiah Thomas' business.  At the same time he was facing direct competition or the first time via the Brooklyn Nets, Denver put Melo on the market, and Dolan didn't just step on Donnie's toes, he broke them with a nut cracker in order to acquire the Nuggets star forward.

Sather (still does) and Thomas enjoyed absolute reign over MSG's teams for as long as they lived, right up until the Anucha Brown Sanders debacle forced David Stern to effectively break up MSG's triumvirate led MSG cult, which include among the ranks, an albeit lesser known, Steve Mills.  He was right there, front and center for a decade, playing an equal part in the Fall of Knickerbocker.

I had no particular like for Glen Grunwald, but without knowing for sure why he is no longer the GM, the fact Steve Mills is back in the fold is ponderous to me.  We all know Isiah Thomas still has a key to the executive bathroom, and has never really gone away.  Mills had his fingerprints all over the decision to bring Zeke to the Knicks.  And now he's back for an encore.  Do you want more?  He's back as GM and President no less.  Happy days are here again.

Meanwhile, Glen Grunwald has been reassigned within the organization as an advisor.  Right - How George Steinbrennian, and absolutely ponderous!

All that aside, it appears as if Allan Houston will be taking on a larger role with the Knicks.  That's another conversation.



Mike.BTB