New York Knicks
Welp.
It was another unfulfilling summer for the Knicks, failing to land a star free agent. But they did manage to sign every power forward known to man.
We are not surprised. It was always too good to be true. The Knicks are simply not a free agent destination for as long as James Dolan remains the owner of the team. We all know it. Yet somehow every time the hype from the media turns into hope which ultimately turns into despair.
Enter stat of sucktitude here.
It’s more than just the losing with Dolan. He has a track record of preposterous actions and looney statements.
Here’s an idea: SELL THE TEAM!!!
Until then, Knicks fans are faced with the reality of losing Kristaps Porzingis in a trade that enabled them to sign Julius Randle, Bobby Portis, Marcus Morris and Taj Gibson.
Listen, the Knicks had to sign somebody. They just didn’t all have to play the same position!
Julius Randle is a solid player. We’ve watched him up close and in person. Randle plays hard and has improved his game every year. He’s not the cornerstone of a franchise as the current highest-paid player on the team, but he’s a decent piece.
A young team needs it’s vets. Any Morris twin is going to bring some fortitude with him. (Narrator: Marcus Morris did bring some fortitude with him.) Taj Gibson has 10 years of experience in the NBA and some fantastic names listed on his Basketball-Reference page: Lunch Pail and Hard Hat! The Knicks are going to need some shooting (ranked 28th in three-point percentage last year), so it’s a good thing they signed at least one guard who can make a three, Wayne Ellington, another vet with 10 years on his resume.
But the real action here is the young talent.
Drafted #3 overall, 19-year-old RJ Barrett has arrived in the big city. We were unconvinced from what little we saw of Barrett at Duke and Summer League, but we are already starting to change our minds from what we have seen in the preseason. Yes, preseason must be taken with a large grain of salt. HOWEVER, it’s Barrett’s demeanor on the court that we love to see. He’s got the look! Fired up and locked in. For as timid and not built for NYC that Kevin Knox (20 years old) has looked thus far, Barrett might be a real Knickerbocker.
The Knicks have several other youngin’s who we believe are a good fit in the orange and blue:
Mitchell Robinson (21 years old), the 7-1 big from Western Kentucky. We’re excited about the NBA making teams report accurate weights and heights this year. Mitch Rob TOWERS over AD.
Dennis Smith Jr. (21 years old) -- LeBron told us so!
Allonzo Trier (23 years old). Dude can get buckets.
Frank Ntilikina (21 years old), 6-6 defensive guru of a point guard and still has some of our favorite nicknames: Frankie Smokes, The Frenchise and The French Prince.
Let’s see if Fiz can develop some of this talent into legitimate stars and maybe one day somebody really pretty will come walking through that door.
League Pass Notes
MSG is an absolute marvel. Mike Breen and Clyde Frazier are the best broadcast team in the biz.
DSJ is the NYC power dunker. Mitch Rob wants the lobs.
The Final Question / The Final Take
Will the NBA ever step in and force James Dolan out? Asking for all of us.
We are feeling crazy. HIT THE DAMN MUSIC, WOB!!! OVER 26.5 wins.