The New York Knicks would like to improve their position in the 2018 NBA Draft, but don’t want to lose the progress made towards establishing a new culture.
The New York Knicks are on pace to possess top-10 lottery odds for the 2018 NBA Draft. It’s a somewhat encouraging truth based on the current state of affairs, as New York is a rebuilding franchise in need of up-and-coming talent.
As the Knicks attempt to improve their lottery odds, however, they’re also faced with the task of destroying the losing culture that’s reigned supreme for the better part of 20 years.
New York recently completed its first game since the All-Star Break, defeating the Orlando Magic 120-113 on Thursday, Feb. 23. It was an encouraging performance by the younger players on the roster, but it hurt the Knicks’ pursuit of improved lottery odds.
According to Ian Begley of ESPN New York, head coach Jeff Hornacek wants to win as many games as possible, but knows it’s going to take time before this team is ready to truly contend.
"“We’ve talked in the past with [owner] Jim Dolan, [general manager] Scott [Perry] and [president] Steve [Mills]. We all want to win as many games as possible. Still there’s that, ‘OK we know it’s going to take a few years.'”"
That thin line between tanking and losing the progress made towards establishing a winning culture is as difficult to toe as any in professional sports.
New York has missed the playoffs in each of the past four seasons, with 2017-18 shaping up to increase the tally to five. Since it won 48 games in 2000-01, it’s made the playoffs just four times, securing a winning record on just three occasions.
Thus, while the idea of securing better lottery odds may be appealing, the other reality is that the Knicks have a losing culture that must be eradicated.
Winning games is the best possible way to change the culture, but it’s also the manner in which teams lose ground in the pursuit of improved lottery odds.
On one end, the Knicks winning games behind contributions from 25-and-under players such as Trey Burke, Tim Hardaway Jr., Enes Kanter, Emmanuel Mudiay, and Frank Ntilikina will help lay the foundation for sustained success.
On the other, however, New York is currently on pace to have the ninth-best lottery odds in the NBA, and would benefit from securing an earlier pick.
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The question is: Will Jeff Hornacek and the New York Knicks find the ideal balance between rebuilding and changing the culture?