New York Knicks: The Definition Of Stupidity

Dec 18, 2013; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) reach for the loose ball during overtime at BMO Harris Bradley Center. New York won 107-101 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

This New York Knicks team had potential going into the season. They could have retained the Atlantic Division crown, could have made the Eastern Conference Finals building off a second round exit that occurred last season, and could have been a team that could have done something big this season.

As of right now the Knicks record stands at a dismal 10-21, with the only real bright spot being the breakout of rookie two guard, Tim Hardaway Jr., in what seems to be becoming an increasingly lengthy season.

The Knicks play style has been nothing short of odious with both the play on the offensive and defensive ends being lackadaisical at best. Mistakes heralded due to inexperience in the playoffs during the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Indiana Pacers last season, have been the mistakes dominating the headlines and the organization thus far this season.

With players such as J.R. Smith, Kenyon Martin, Iman Shumpert, and Raymond Felton having helped the Knicks break past the barrier of mediocrity last season, mediocrity seems to have struck them either due to off the court issues, or regression in form down to amoral play on the court, and erroneous coaching tactics by head coach Mike Woodson.

The Knicks seemed to have taken steps back in the development of what looked to be a potential title challenger, and instead become of cellar dweller in the deplorable Eastern Conference.

This offseason brought heart wrenching emotions to many of the fans that have continued to support the Knicks throughout the tyranny of antichrist owner, James Dolan, as second scoring option Smith dominated headlines for his alleged use of marijuana, a transgression of the NBA’s anti-drug policy. This idiotic decision caused nothing short anger for the organization and its fans alike as he had undergone surgery on his patella tendon and a torn lateral meniscus, an issue that lingered throughout the playoffs, after agreeing to his new 3 year, $17 million contract.

Throughout his tenure in the NBA, Smith has caused more than one headache for the administrators with his constant off the court misconduct that has gathered more headlines then the team he played on.

The Knicks are an organization marred with controversies and headline making decisions that seem to continue to impact the current structure of the team dating back to the Isiah Thomas days. Whether it be questionable decisions such as dealing for the underwhelming center Eddy Curry, or the current headline making decision of cutting Chris Smith, the brother of J.R., in favor of big man Jeremy Tyler.

Big personalities and big mouths have been a massive contributor towards the lack of success for the Knicks.

Firstly can someone please explain the “I am not a human, I am an alien” comment by Metta World Peace?

I digress, moving on now. With Carmelo Anthony making comments such as “This is not how I envisioned the season panning out,” or Smith (yet another appearance in this article, is anyone keeping count?) taking to Twitter after his 17 three point attempt game against Milwaukee to clearly state that he would gladly do it again are just examples of how misguided, and divided this Knicks team is. J.R. fell just short of the NBA record for attempted threes in a game (21) that was set by Damon Stoudemire, but he too could only make five of the 21 attempts.

Behind the bulk of controversies that have surround the Knicks in recent memory, Dolan has been the one who has been the antagonist who has continued to upset the devoted fan base that has put up with all the ongoing controversies that surround the team every waking moment.

The most heinous move that Dolan has committed has been the potential midseason turnaround trade that would have sent Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry to the Knicks in exchange for substandard point guard Felton, outspoken small forward World Peace and a first round pick in 2018.

Of course, as history has so often shown, the player you could have had, makes sure they show you that you made a mistake not trading for them. Lowry went off twice against the Knicks as he smoked them for 15 points, 11 assists, four rebounds, and one steal on December 27th, followed by a 32 point, 11 assist, eight rebound, and one steal outburst in the second game of the back to back against the Knicks on December 28th.

The role of a general manager in sports being defined as the team executive responsible for acquiring the rights to player personnel, negotiating their contracts, and reassigning or dismissing players no longer desired on the team as well as having the responsibility of hiring/firing the head coach of the team. With Steve Mills currently listed as the team’s general manager, it seems as though Dolan has just put Mills down as a formality as he is the man that tends to call the final shots on potential trades.

The Knicks resemble a mafia; an organization with multiple details and facts that remain undisclosed towards the public. With both Amar’e Stoudemire and Shumpert having had “secret surgeries” over the course of the summer, and Smith having not disclosed the details of his patella tendon and a torn lateral meniscus until after signing his big money contract, the Knicks are not an organization to give away news on injuries.

To the Knicks the term “day-to-day” is more of a metaphor for undisclosed injury to which the Knicks do not want to reveal the extent of to a wider public. Disclosure is not one of Dolan’s and the Knicks strongpoints, which is one of the rare facts that the public is well aware of when it comes to the Knicks organization.

The Knicks poor play has been affected by the injuries to their restricted roster, a hopeless attempt to incorporate a big lineup involving Anthony, Bargnani, and Tyson Chandler, and the lack of ball movement.

But the fact that there is a divided locker room due to the clashing personalities, and a stingy head coach in Woodson who is fixated on running isolation plays for two specified players in Smith and Anthony, have been the ratiocination towards the dismal performances put out by New York throughout the season.

The roller coaster that is the Knicks organization has reached its peak and the drop is about to begin. Repercussions of the early 2000′s when Thomas was the lead man in charge of the Knicks organization may be coming back, and it could potentially be worse than before.