The Knicks Don't Have the Knack

The 2002-2003 Knicks were objectively horrible. They were a collection of untalented, unathletic, players with little potential for the future. The Knicks had just finished a decade long run of success, but the centerpiece of that era, Patrick Ewing, had been traded 2 years before for a collection of overpaid role players. They traded that years 7th overall draft pick, Nene Hilario, to the Denver Nuggets for Antonio McDyess, who promptly destroyed his knee and was forced to sit out for the next season and a half.

The year before Coach Jeff Van Gundy quit on the team, officially signifying the end of an era. He left the team in the stead of Don Chaney, a middling coach with no track record of success. My defining memory of the Chaney era was of Chaney with his arms outstretched above his head, exhorting his team to play tougher defense. He took on the posture of an exaggerated shrug, and he seemed hapless and hopeless.

And yet, I have fond memories of that team. Their 37-45 record represents the second best season of the 2000s. Moreover, in spite of, or perhaps because of their lack of talent they were fun to root for. I can remember my friends celebrating in shock after a quarter where Othella Harrington scored 14 points. Michael Doleac, an unathletic center, with a silky smooth jumpshot endeared himself to the garden faithful with his consistent shooting. I remember attending a game where the Knicks were getting blown out by the championship caliber Lakers. In the 4th, clutch performances by Doleac and Charlie Ward led the Knicks storming back. They wound up unable to surmount the Lakers, but their effort is representative of that era of New York Knicks basketball. They weren't quite good enough, but they tried hard.

For the next couple of years, the Knicks were a league wide laughing stock. Newly minted GM Isaiah Thomas acquired one overpaid player after another, creating a team that lacked any sort of cohesion. He had a penchant for acquiring players with redundant skills. He got 2 bruising big men, Eddy Curry and Zach Randolph, who served to undermine each others effectiveness because they both demanded the ball in the low post with room to maneuver. Isaiah did a similar thing with Steve Francis and Stephon Marbury, two shoot first point guards who dominated the ball. And yet, because of the lack of expectations and the general derision from the media, those teams had a certain charm. My friends and I would delude each other into believing that each move Isaiah made was the one that would right the ship. The Knicks were horrible, but somehow I look back on that era with nostalgia.

This years Knicks are a disgrace. With the acquisition of Carmelo Anthony, Amare Stoudamire, and Tyson Chandler, the Knicks were supposed to be contenders. Instead what we're left with is a collection of players who don't seem to like playing with each other. Stoudamire, who set the city on fire with his play upon his arrival, has regressed since the Carmelo trade, with many speculating that he's plagued by back and knee injuries. Anthony routinely shoots too much, with too little success, he seems unable and unwilling to pass the ball at times. When either Anthony or Stoudamire have the ball the rest of the players on the floor seem content to stand around, and it's hard to blame them because neither passes the ball out of double teams with regularity. Tyson Chandler, a glorified role player, known for his rebounding and defensive prowess has been okay, but not transcendent. Showing a proclivity to disappear at times. These are the Knicks three best players, to whom a substantial percentage of the salary cap is dedicated to for the for next couple of years.

The rest of their players are a combination of mediocre players thrust into too big a role, players forced to play out of position, or players whose presence Coach Mike D'Antoni seems unwilling to acknowledge. Coach D'Antoni, who some on the internet refer to as "Pringles" because of his resemblance to the mascot, is incredibly obstinate. He appears to have little influence over his players, and his supposed offensive genius has been undermined by a team that is often unable to score. Moreover, their effort on the offensive side of the ball ranges from stagnant to infuriating. They are too willing to jack up threes, settle for long jumpers, or let Amare and Carmelo handle the heavy lifting.

When I'm at my most disgusted, I flip from MSG to YES, and watch the Nets. It's more fun to watch bad players play bad, than watch the Knicks supposed stars play horribly. The Nets recall the 2002-03 version of the Knicks, an ill-concieved team that is simply not good. But like those 02-03 Knicks, they provide some feel good moments. It's fun to watch Johan Petro struggle, and it feels good when he succeeds.

Of course, I will never be a Net fan. To switch allegiances in sports fandom is tantamount to treason, but I'm fed up with watching the Knicks. Judging from my Facebook and Twitter feeds it seems like many of my friends are as well. How could they not be? Watching this iteration of the Knicks is a horrible experience. Thus far they've played mostly middling or flat out bad teams, and yet they are 7-11. 7-11 is a good place to go for gallons of sugary soda, but it's far from the record many fans expected. They kicked off their season on Christmas day with an exhilarating 2 point win, but since then they've regressed. Listening to the Knicks announcers, Mike Breen and Clyde Frazier, they seem unable to hide their disgust, and at this point, neither can I.