Marc and Jay talk about their new giveaway, getting written up in the post, Phils newest comments about taking a 2nd round pick instead of Crowder, the media ripping on Derrick Rose, available guards, and more
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Episode 344: Endower or Endore
Marc and Jay talk about the latest Knicks signing of N’Dour, who they should get for the last spot, Derrick Rose calling the Knicks a super team, rotations, possible surprises in the roster, and much more
Is Basketball Back at MSG? Grading the Knicks Offseason.
Is Basketball Back at MSG? Grading the Knicks Offseason.
Written by Kevin Meng
* These grades are based on the situation at hand, including available players, the current market, the Knick’s cap space at time of signing, and whether or not the player was named Sasha Vujacic or Jose Calderon. It isn’t an evaluation of how awesome the player is*
2015-2016 was supposed to be a rebuilding year where the Knicks added assets, built a winning culture, grew together and attracted a big name to join up with them. There was reason for hope: a young rookie with boatloads of potential, another rookie who had just quarterbacked a solid NCAA squad to a good tournament showing, actual NBA-level talent in Robin Lopez and Aaron Afflalo, and a hungry Carmelo Anthony.
Hopes were relatively high for the Mecca. Could this team make the playoffs? Could they make noise if they got there? Could Kristaps GOATzingis really be this good? The season blasted off into space faster than anyone could have imagined, with the team playing .500 ball 40 games in and playing some top-level squads down to the wire (San Antonio and current ring-bearers, Cleveland come to mind).
Welp, we all know how that ended. The rocket burst in mid-air, with wicked, whipping flames that engulfed any and all things good in the souls of the Tri-State Area. Partly because of lack of talent, partly because of injuries, partly because of Sasha Vujacic, and partly because of coaching.
When the 2016 offseason started, nobody had any clue what was going to happen. PMFJ (Phil M***** F****** Jackson) had a king’s ransom in cap space but precious few assets, an aging star, and raw rookie to build around. Hardly cause for hope.
Yet here we are, not far removed from the mayhem that was 2016 free agency with a….wait….what is this?….an NBA-level basketball team? This must be some cruel joke. Is basketball back at MSG? This team may pose more questions than answers, and it may be a few twisted knees away from mediocrity, but at least the rotation has 7 guys that most people have heard of, and Jose Calderon isn’t playing the point..
* acquisitions like signing our 2nd round pick last season or acquiring some random Euro guy to warm the bench have been excluded for length’s sake. We know our reader’s have short attention spans*
Coaching change: signing Jeff Hornacek
Coaching salaries don’t really matter. Who cares about spending James Dolan’s money? What does matter is their experience, knowledge, ability to motivate, and ability to get respect from the players. When you haven’t proven yourself in the league or in the coaching ranks, then players rarely respect you(David Blatt or Kurt Rambis, anyone?). Continue reading
Episode 343: Rounding Out the Roster
Marc and Jay talk about the recent signings of Mindaugas Kuzminskas and Guillermo Hernangomez. The possible return of Sasha Vujacic, the Jared Sullinger rumor, and possible players to take the last couple of roster spots. We spend some time talking about a few other signings around the league including Wade leaving Miami.
Episode 341: Emergency Episode
Marc and Jay give their thoughts on the Derrick Rose trade, talk to Rose, man on the street, what’s next for the Knicks, and more
New York Knicks to Cash in on NBA Star Carmelo Anthony
The New York Knicks moved heaven and earth to trade for Carmelo Anthony from the Denver Nuggets. They did the same when they convinced him to sign a long-term contract in 2014, and it worked. For the most part he’s been a spectacular player for the Knicks. However, the 32-year-old wants to win, and he wants it now. The Knicks, although improving, aren’t there yet. In fact they won’t get there before Carmelo’s skills have largely decreased. For that reason, it’s a win-win to trade the All-Star now. Trade him for players, picks and cap room, and he’ll have a shot at his coveted ring, and the Knicks can improve with an arsenal of tools to help them in doing so. One option is a trade for Kevin Love.
Carmelo’s abilities will decrease rapidly as he continues in to his thirties, yet teams would still trade their arm and a leg to get him. The Knicks can call all the shots here, and indeed they should.
Carmelo wants to win, but seems to have accepted the fact that he might remain in New York.
Phil Jackson insisted “In our meeting at the end of the season, Carmelo said, ‘Really, it’s not that bad. I think we have the best frontline guys in the game in the Eastern Conference in Robin [Lopez], myself and Kristaps [Porzingis],’”.
Will he stay, however?
Jackson explained “I have to agree with him: Yes, those are three real potent figures, but we still have guard roles to have to play. So we’ve got some positions to fill, but not a lot. Not that many.”
However, every team in the NBA would offer a crazy package to get him, and Jackson is a smart man. He must realize this is the smart thing to do.
One option is to trade him to the Cleveland Cavaliers. They’d be willing to off-load Love. Although he’s not on Carmelo’s level, he’s younger, and would provide an excellent cornerstone to rebuild the franchise upon.
Should the Knicks keep Carmelo, they must target Kevin Durant, DeMar DeRozan or any other all-star help to ensure Carmelo can win now. It won’t be easy. Any of these additions would help the Knicks change their Betway.com’s odds. Can they win a championship for Carmelo?
However, if they want the easier, long-term approach that Jackson has previously spoken of, then trading him makes sense. He deserves a chance to win it all, at least, and with his value to decrease, the Knicks won’t want to lose him for little in a few years time.
By cashing in now they can get anything they have their eyes on. A few years later, after still- likely- failing to win, they might lose Anthony for next to nothing.
It’s going to be a hard decision to make, but trading him- whether for Kevin Love or not- might just be the right thing to do for Phil Jackson’s Knicks.
Episode 340: Derrick Rose
Marc and Jay talk about the finals and Knicks rumors with Derrick Rose, JR Smith, Sir Insider, man on the street, Adam Silver, and more
Episode 331: Calderon Saves the Season
Fantasy basketball season that is. Marc and Jay talk about the last 4 games, the new starting lineup with 100% more Sasha, Rambis coaching, free agents, word on the street, joey knicknuts, listener questions and more
Episode 330: Doldrums
Marc and Jay talk about the last 3 games, talk to Joey Knicknuts and Derrick Rose, what is Rambis doing, what GM Trump would do, the outlook for the rest of the season, and more
Episode 328: Catching up with John Henson
Today Jay and John Henson from ABC’s Wipeout talk about the development of Porzingis, the Knicks strategy for the summer, the guard situation, being a Knicks fan in LA, Blake Griffin, the mess that is the Houston Rockets, Derrick Rose, and more. After that Marc jumps in for listener questions and a mini rant about the Raptors game.
