The New York Knicks need to plan a lasting culture. The discussion of team persona is the key to kick-starting any franchise.
Out of all the great teams that were constructed throughout NBA antiquity, each possessed memorable personas; almost movie-like roles for each character within their respective team. Some were immortalized with nicknames to characterize their memorable identity.
The Showtime Lakers and the Bad Boy Pistons were fitting names for cultures that were built and instilled for lasting championship dynasties.
The New York Knicks of today haven’t seen the likes of a cultural identity since the great teams of the 1990s. And the dramatic event of the Charles Oakley’s arrest and forcible removal out of Madison Square Garden isn’t a great kick-start to a franchise aspiring to be a dynasty for the future.
This occurrence identifies the source of the poison, and proves that building a winning culture always begins with the responsibility of the front office. Owner James Dolan’s privatization combined with Phil Jackson’s stubbornness as a GM are prime examples of valuing private and personal interests over establishing a potent culture.
This coming draft, the evaluation of talent should be depended on the player’s role as it pertains to character. Like the assembled Warriors team over the years, Bob Myers and Jerry West made sure to draft the player that fits a persona for the given roster.
Golden State drafted franchise pieces: Stephen Curry (The Alpha Scorer), Klay Thompson (The Pure Shooter) and Draymond Green (The Enforcer). They were complemented by veteran pieces with either versatile or convenient skillsets: Andre Iguodala (versatile playmaker), Shaun Livingston (the efficient scorer), and Andrew Bogut (the rim protector).
If anything told the Knicks something, it was Kristaps Porzingis’ late season meltdown on and off the court as cited by fellow FanSided blogger James O’Connell. Amidst the instigated exclusion of Carmelo Anthony, his departure will not be met well if Porzingis is not complemented by another budding star in the making in this year’s NBA draft.
Another hint can be observed through the pattern of Kentucky-developed one-and-done freshmen who retain alpha traits at an early age (i.e., DeMarcus Cousins, John Wall, Karl Anthony-Towns, Anthony Davis).
Therefore, that denotes the drafting of either of Kentucky’s prominent guards, De’Aaron Fox or Malik Monk, should be a top priority. Further evidence can be acknowledged with De’Aaron Fox’s cited role model: future Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett.
Garnett’s intensity and passion are key ingredients to any franchise aspiring to be a potential dynasty. These qualities are usually accustomed to American-bred talent instead of foreign-born players, and the importance of drafting players with assertive qualities will compensate for what Kristaps Porzingis currently lacks.
The Knicks need more personality, and the skillset to accommodate those characteristics. A simple formula for complex team issues. But will Phil Jackson allow his players to best express themselves without being publicly shamed in the media?
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Kristaps Porzingis expressed his desire to win over his love for New York. If the New York Knicks don’t take the necessary procedures to produce a winning culture, fans should expect Carmelo Anthony’s destined departure to be a recurring theme.