Our Franchise Is In Great Position For Contention
Posted: Sun Mar 2, 2008 2:26 pm
Let me start out by saying we have an owner who has the financial resources and willingness to pay the luxury tax as long as it leads to the seats of MSG being filled to capacity with corporate sponsors paying top dollar to view a premium product. With that said, the major problem of this franchise DOES NOT LIE WITH JIM DOLAN. It is rather the fault of the people with whom he has entrusted to run this organization from a basketball operations perspective. Dolan has admitted on numerous occasions that he has a very limited knowlege of basketball management and the executive decision-making process. The main caveat is his ineptitude in hiring qualified personnel possessing the skillsets to maximize his resources, resulting in presenting a winning product to display on the "World's Most Famous Arena's" hardwood floor. Provided Dolan swallows his pride, concedes to failure and hires a basketball mind (grey-hair) who is not a "yes-man" while giving full-autonomy to right his ship, I believe our franchise is in great position for contention.
President of Basketball Operations
With Isiah Thomas fast running out of excuses his firing is ultimately inevitable. Having been lead astray by providing blind faith in Isiah, Dolan's next hire will be someone he screens diligently who has a successful track-record as an executive with winning credentials. If Dolan is to offer up the keys to the franchise, you better believe it will be to someone he is convinced is capable of turning this thing around while spending his money wisely and utilizing a bit more fiscal restraint and accountibility than in times past. There are candidates out there who have done more with less, in charge of franchises in smaller markets with less financial margin for error. For an executive, the head basketball decision-making title for the NBA's flagship franchise with an owner willing to spend is a *dream job* make no mistake about it. Combine with that the fact that they'd be working in the number one media market, meaning orchestrating a turn-around would result in establishing a legacy of legendary proportions, with credit for making the NY Knicks relevant again. This is a position that starts at the top with the changing of a culture and the restructuring of an organization...only the confident and capable need apply.
CANDIDATES: Jerry Colangelo, Jerry West, Donnie Walsh, etc.
General Manager
The hiring of a heavily credentialed "grey-hair" running the organization will most-likely result in the executive bringing in a man of his own to handle the day-to-day operations under the new management structure model. Since most senior tenured executives are over-qualified for the more research-driven, administrative and daily duties of a present-day GM, those responsibilities fall on a younger more hungry executive. Think an Ernie Grunfield to Dave Checketts type of scenario. In this capacity we will need someone who places a premium on scouting (since we're rebuilding through the draft), is creative (being that our cap situation is not ideal), and most importantly...someone who has a good rapport and is in good standing with respective GM's throughout the league (Isiah had way too many enemies on the other end of the horn when talking trade).
CANDIDATES: Bryan Colangelo, Kiki Vandeweghe, Allan Houston, Greg Anthony, etc.
Head Coach
In the best interest of hiring the right man to lead this team from the sidelines, I don't think we necessarily need to target a big-name with an even bigger ego as the next head coach of the NY Knicks. Rather, it may make more sense to go "young & hungry" and look for a budding bright mind who preaches defense and rebounding while getting back to the Knicks philosophy of old, placing value on conditioning, toughness, hustle, and blue collar work ethic. Preferably someone with Knicks ties, who can identify with the pride it took to put on a NY Knicks uniform and leave it all out on the court day-in & day-out. Someone who is not afraid to get in today's players' faces. Someone who demands sacrifice, commitment, dedication, accountability and leadership from his best players. A good motivator of men, who even if he isn't the best at X's & O's (assistant coaching staff can provide that aspect) can inspire the willingness of his players to run through walls for him. A guy who won't distribute minutes to *contracts* but rather to *players*
CANDIDATES: Patrick Ewing (w/ Herb as top assistant), Mark Jackson, John Starks, Larry Johnson, Charles Oakley, etc.
2008 Draft
We currently are slotted in the 1st round as the #5 pick. We need help at every position and as a team with no evident star at any position we must select using the *BPA* philosphy eschewing the thought of drafting by need. With a little luck even if we don't finish in the worst 3 record-wise in the standing we can still end up with a top-3 pick or winning the lottery altogether.
CANDIDATES: Derrick Rose, Micheal Beasley, OJ Mayo, Jerryd Bayless, Brook Lopez, Eric Gordon, Donte Greene, Hasheem Thabeet, etc.
Trade Market
Contrary to popular belief, I believe we are in great position for trade possibilities to propel us from mediocrity to contention provided we hire a new President, GM and Head Coach. The general consensus throughout the league is that we currently have a very talented (albeit flawed) roster. However, as the flurry of trade activity at this season's deadline indicated, rival GM's were more than happy to leave us out in the cold in mid-February. Reason being, most are relishing the act of "beating a dead horse"..."kicking a dog while it's down"..."keeping their foot on our neck" so-to-speak. Besides, who wants to be the exec who risks making the dreaded trade that Isiah finally wins and becoming the NBA's new resident executive idiot? Bottomline, if we hire competent management who are on good terms with the majority of the league the trade offers will come pouring in. This is a league based on reputation and perspective. Once the new hires are made and the media starts singing positive songs again we'll be back in trade business. We have a max expiring (Marbury) for teams looking to get under the cap for the 2010 free agent class. We have another expiring (Rose) for teams looking to ensure they stay under the luxury tax threshold. We will also have an offensive-minded, back-to-basket scoring option with range on his jumper (Randolph) who's a legit double-double threat to offer up for teams looking for a post presence who already have an interior defender in place to pair with him to cover up his defensive shortcomings. My source (Scott Templeton) tells me that Curry is the less likely to be traded. Due to his subpar season he has far less trade value. He's the inferior rebounder and defender with the worst motor out of the two, whole possessng the more fragile psyche. However, to the incoming Pres/GM Curry has the more reasonable contract, which bodes well for a rebuilding situation trying to get the cap in order. The thinking goes along the lines of by acquiring a shotblocking/rebounding big to play alongside Curry he will return to effectiveness in game, mind and body.
TRADE BAIT: Stephon Marbury (~$20mm expiring), Malik Rose (~$7mm expiring), Zach Randolph
CANDIDATES: Ron Arest (elite 2-way player...sign & trade), Jermaine O'Neal (shotblocker/rebounder), etc.
$$$
Since we are over the cap for the next two season we will only have the mid level exception (MLE) and the lower level exception (LLE) to offer potential free agents. In this current predicament, new management will need to be creative while taking calculated risks in free agent targeted signings. One player whom I find quite intriguiging is former 2004 lottery selection (#4 overall) Shaun Livingston. As a 6'7" pass-1st PG with excellent court-vision, good perimeter defense and the length to guard SG's he's the perfect compliment to our undersized scoring combo guards (Crawford & Robinson). Sure he has injury issues and concerns but if he didn't he'd arguably be looking at a max contract offer right now. The guy's rookie deal is paying him $4.4mm this season so it's really not a stretch to offer him the full MLE across 5 years hoping that Clippers owner Sterlin and his penny-penching ways balks at matching the offer sheet due a to conservative approach on paying that many guaranteed years for a player with an injury history. You take the risk because Livingston has the best combination of size & court vision for a PG since Magic Johnson. His knee woes are not as much of a detriment to his development, provided he can stay on the court for a full year because his game is not predicated on athleticism...rather it's based on high BB-IQ and silky-smooth change of deceptive mis-direction moves, getting the defender to commit his hips one way then going the other. Passing is contagious and he'd hopefully rub off on our squad while allowing Crawford and Robinson to not look so bad on defense by sticking to guarding solely PG's (remember how Marbury would always have to defend SG's allowing Crawford to guard the opposition's PG). Also, acquiring Livingston would make it easier to draft a guy like Derrick Rose and allow him to play spot minutes as the backup PG learning how to run an NBA team while Livingston starts. Best case scenario, ff they both develop as planned there's your starting backcourt of the future (Rose 6'4" and Livingston 6'7") two PG's with excellent court-vision, unselfishness and size with Crawford and Robinson off the bench as shooters. Collins would be good injury insurance if Livingston goes down.
CANDIDATES: Shaun Livingston (Full MLE), Mickael Pietrus (MLE), JR Smith (MLE), Gerald Green (Portion of MLE)
ALTERNATIVE: Acquiring expirings to get under the cap for the 2010 free agent class (Lebron James, Dwyane Wade, Okafor, etc.)
President of Basketball Operations
With Isiah Thomas fast running out of excuses his firing is ultimately inevitable. Having been lead astray by providing blind faith in Isiah, Dolan's next hire will be someone he screens diligently who has a successful track-record as an executive with winning credentials. If Dolan is to offer up the keys to the franchise, you better believe it will be to someone he is convinced is capable of turning this thing around while spending his money wisely and utilizing a bit more fiscal restraint and accountibility than in times past. There are candidates out there who have done more with less, in charge of franchises in smaller markets with less financial margin for error. For an executive, the head basketball decision-making title for the NBA's flagship franchise with an owner willing to spend is a *dream job* make no mistake about it. Combine with that the fact that they'd be working in the number one media market, meaning orchestrating a turn-around would result in establishing a legacy of legendary proportions, with credit for making the NY Knicks relevant again. This is a position that starts at the top with the changing of a culture and the restructuring of an organization...only the confident and capable need apply.
CANDIDATES: Jerry Colangelo, Jerry West, Donnie Walsh, etc.
General Manager
The hiring of a heavily credentialed "grey-hair" running the organization will most-likely result in the executive bringing in a man of his own to handle the day-to-day operations under the new management structure model. Since most senior tenured executives are over-qualified for the more research-driven, administrative and daily duties of a present-day GM, those responsibilities fall on a younger more hungry executive. Think an Ernie Grunfield to Dave Checketts type of scenario. In this capacity we will need someone who places a premium on scouting (since we're rebuilding through the draft), is creative (being that our cap situation is not ideal), and most importantly...someone who has a good rapport and is in good standing with respective GM's throughout the league (Isiah had way too many enemies on the other end of the horn when talking trade).
CANDIDATES: Bryan Colangelo, Kiki Vandeweghe, Allan Houston, Greg Anthony, etc.
Head Coach
In the best interest of hiring the right man to lead this team from the sidelines, I don't think we necessarily need to target a big-name with an even bigger ego as the next head coach of the NY Knicks. Rather, it may make more sense to go "young & hungry" and look for a budding bright mind who preaches defense and rebounding while getting back to the Knicks philosophy of old, placing value on conditioning, toughness, hustle, and blue collar work ethic. Preferably someone with Knicks ties, who can identify with the pride it took to put on a NY Knicks uniform and leave it all out on the court day-in & day-out. Someone who is not afraid to get in today's players' faces. Someone who demands sacrifice, commitment, dedication, accountability and leadership from his best players. A good motivator of men, who even if he isn't the best at X's & O's (assistant coaching staff can provide that aspect) can inspire the willingness of his players to run through walls for him. A guy who won't distribute minutes to *contracts* but rather to *players*
CANDIDATES: Patrick Ewing (w/ Herb as top assistant), Mark Jackson, John Starks, Larry Johnson, Charles Oakley, etc.
2008 Draft
We currently are slotted in the 1st round as the #5 pick. We need help at every position and as a team with no evident star at any position we must select using the *BPA* philosphy eschewing the thought of drafting by need. With a little luck even if we don't finish in the worst 3 record-wise in the standing we can still end up with a top-3 pick or winning the lottery altogether.
CANDIDATES: Derrick Rose, Micheal Beasley, OJ Mayo, Jerryd Bayless, Brook Lopez, Eric Gordon, Donte Greene, Hasheem Thabeet, etc.
Trade Market
Contrary to popular belief, I believe we are in great position for trade possibilities to propel us from mediocrity to contention provided we hire a new President, GM and Head Coach. The general consensus throughout the league is that we currently have a very talented (albeit flawed) roster. However, as the flurry of trade activity at this season's deadline indicated, rival GM's were more than happy to leave us out in the cold in mid-February. Reason being, most are relishing the act of "beating a dead horse"..."kicking a dog while it's down"..."keeping their foot on our neck" so-to-speak. Besides, who wants to be the exec who risks making the dreaded trade that Isiah finally wins and becoming the NBA's new resident executive idiot? Bottomline, if we hire competent management who are on good terms with the majority of the league the trade offers will come pouring in. This is a league based on reputation and perspective. Once the new hires are made and the media starts singing positive songs again we'll be back in trade business. We have a max expiring (Marbury) for teams looking to get under the cap for the 2010 free agent class. We have another expiring (Rose) for teams looking to ensure they stay under the luxury tax threshold. We will also have an offensive-minded, back-to-basket scoring option with range on his jumper (Randolph) who's a legit double-double threat to offer up for teams looking for a post presence who already have an interior defender in place to pair with him to cover up his defensive shortcomings. My source (Scott Templeton) tells me that Curry is the less likely to be traded. Due to his subpar season he has far less trade value. He's the inferior rebounder and defender with the worst motor out of the two, whole possessng the more fragile psyche. However, to the incoming Pres/GM Curry has the more reasonable contract, which bodes well for a rebuilding situation trying to get the cap in order. The thinking goes along the lines of by acquiring a shotblocking/rebounding big to play alongside Curry he will return to effectiveness in game, mind and body.
TRADE BAIT: Stephon Marbury (~$20mm expiring), Malik Rose (~$7mm expiring), Zach Randolph
CANDIDATES: Ron Arest (elite 2-way player...sign & trade), Jermaine O'Neal (shotblocker/rebounder), etc.
$$$
Since we are over the cap for the next two season we will only have the mid level exception (MLE) and the lower level exception (LLE) to offer potential free agents. In this current predicament, new management will need to be creative while taking calculated risks in free agent targeted signings. One player whom I find quite intriguiging is former 2004 lottery selection (#4 overall) Shaun Livingston. As a 6'7" pass-1st PG with excellent court-vision, good perimeter defense and the length to guard SG's he's the perfect compliment to our undersized scoring combo guards (Crawford & Robinson). Sure he has injury issues and concerns but if he didn't he'd arguably be looking at a max contract offer right now. The guy's rookie deal is paying him $4.4mm this season so it's really not a stretch to offer him the full MLE across 5 years hoping that Clippers owner Sterlin and his penny-penching ways balks at matching the offer sheet due a to conservative approach on paying that many guaranteed years for a player with an injury history. You take the risk because Livingston has the best combination of size & court vision for a PG since Magic Johnson. His knee woes are not as much of a detriment to his development, provided he can stay on the court for a full year because his game is not predicated on athleticism...rather it's based on high BB-IQ and silky-smooth change of deceptive mis-direction moves, getting the defender to commit his hips one way then going the other. Passing is contagious and he'd hopefully rub off on our squad while allowing Crawford and Robinson to not look so bad on defense by sticking to guarding solely PG's (remember how Marbury would always have to defend SG's allowing Crawford to guard the opposition's PG). Also, acquiring Livingston would make it easier to draft a guy like Derrick Rose and allow him to play spot minutes as the backup PG learning how to run an NBA team while Livingston starts. Best case scenario, ff they both develop as planned there's your starting backcourt of the future (Rose 6'4" and Livingston 6'7") two PG's with excellent court-vision, unselfishness and size with Crawford and Robinson off the bench as shooters. Collins would be good injury insurance if Livingston goes down.
CANDIDATES: Shaun Livingston (Full MLE), Mickael Pietrus (MLE), JR Smith (MLE), Gerald Green (Portion of MLE)
ALTERNATIVE: Acquiring expirings to get under the cap for the 2010 free agent class (Lebron James, Dwyane Wade, Okafor, etc.)