Over the past few seasons, the New York Knicks are reminiscent of the Cleveland Indians in the movie Major League. While the talent was there, they just couldn't play as a team. The results, they had to tear it down and build the Indians from the ground up. For the Knicks, this has been going on for 20 years. Who's to blame? Quite possibly owner James Dolan.
But should an owner catch the same heat as a coach and players should? In some cases, no. However, for the Knicks, this is could be different.
When you think of iconic franchises, the Knicks are right up there with the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, and Philadelphia 76ers in terms of NBA lore. While the Lakers and Celtics may have the championships to solidify their spot, the Knicks have Madison Square Garden and the city of New York backing them.
Dating back to when Dolan took over in 1999, the New York Knicks have been to the playoffs just six times. For a team ranked as one of the richest franchises in the NBA, the constant losing has not stopped the franchise from thriving (business-wise) or kept fans from attending games. But a closer look will reveal that the once invincible wall may be crumbling.
In reports dating back to last year, rumors swirled about Dolan being interested in selling the Knicks. The organization recently denied that the team is for sale with this statement: “The story is 100 percent false. There has been nothing. No discussions. No plans to have discussions — nothing.”
While some will point the finger that he's ready to try new ventures, the truth is, the city and the fans are just fed up. A strong case in point is talent.
The Lakers, Celtics, 76ers, and even the Toronto Raptors have been able to lure big talent while the Knicks have watched as superstars have continually passed them over for other franchises. The reason for that is not the sales tax in New York, but for a different reason. One could ask ponder if it has something to do with Dolan. He has a deep love for the game; though, that might not be enough.
The fans want to root for a winner. What complicates things more is that their crosstown rivals, the Brooklyn Nets, have come in their backyards and managed to steal the thunder away from a city that was all Knicks. But it goes a little deeper than that. The Knicks are just treading water in the shallow end while other teams are doing cannonballs in the deep part of the pool.
Look at the Sacramento Kings, Utah Jazz, and the Denver Nuggets. These are teams who should be under the Knicks, and yet, the Knicks find themselves looking up to them. Winning is not about having three-to-four All-Stars anymore. It's about drafting or signing the best talent. But where are the Knicks in terms of talent? They had Carmelo Anthony as their face, but now the Knicks are in complete rebuild mode.
While the finger can be pointed at numerous coaches and GMs, the fact remains that Dolan's fingerprints are all over the Knicks. He has given the green light for such awful hirings. Instead of stepping up for former and current players, he has let outside forces take over what he should hold dear to him. This is not Phoenix where basketball is the big ticket in town. This is NYC where the Knicks are competing against the New York Rangers, Islanders, Giants, Jets, Mets, Yankees, and now the Nets. Dolan cannot afford to lose the city, and that's exactly what he's done.
He has hired GMs and coaches who haven't gotten the job done scouting talent. To throw more salt in the wound has been his inability to bring in home-grown talent. The Knicks' history is deep with great players who have moved into the coaching ranks and yet, Dolan has not brought a single one home who could make a difference.
Where is the Patrick Ewing or Mark Jackson hiring? Why did Dolan allow Jeff Hornacek and David Fizdale to take the reins instead? As far as general manager goes, why has the loyalty of Allan Houston gone unrewarded in the form of a promotion to GM? The losing is one thing, but not showing signs of improvement is another.
The reason for that is, the Knicks are making him entirely too much money and prestige. He knows, that no matter who dons the Orange & Blue come game night, MSG will be packed.
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