New York Knicks: The ‘darkest times’ does not apply right now
United States presidential candidate Andrew Yang said the New York Knicks are in one of their darkest times right now.
The New York Knicks have performed anything but perfectly. Their last playoff appearance happened in 2013, with two 17-65 seasons in between. Not ideal, but the franchise eyed changes in an offseason highlighted by $70 million in cap space.
Of course, the Knicks did not sign the likes of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard and other big names in free agency. Seven players joined the roster, but none to the degree of these players.
That led presidential candidate Andrew Yang, who already spoke out about the Knicks this summer, to call this among the “darkest times I can remember.” He said the middle ground of how they handled everything will lead to a “long season.”
While Yang, a high-profile name, is speaking out as a fan, his comments are noteworthy, given the reaction it received; and while the Knicks did not cross 20 wins in 2018-19, they have actually had darker times.
For a Knicks fan these are the darkest times I can remember. Neither competing nor rebuilding. Punting for free agents when there are none of note in 2020. Signing mercenary vets to 1 year deals who will want playing time over overmatched young players. Going to be a long season.
— Andrew Yang🧢⬆️🇺🇸 (@AndrewYang) August 30, 2019
The Phil Jackson era in New York produced a nosedive, sans the Kristaps Porzingis acquisition, on and off the court. From hiring Derek Fisher as head coach to throwing $72 million as an injured and unprepared Joakim Noah, trading second-round draft picks for nothing and the public spat with Carmelo Anthony, it was a bleak three seasons.
About one decade prior, another basketball legend, Isiah Thomas, handled the president of basketball operations role. This, arguably the darkest period in Knicks history, featured the trades of multiple first-round picks that eventually landed in the top 10, making win-now moves for a roster not prepared to take another step forward and a league-high payroll for one of the NBA’s worst teams, record-wise.
It took years to undo Thomas’ work, as the Knicks had to make trades under Donnie Walsh to reconstruct their payroll for the 2010 offseason. They dug out of that hole, but it sapped the team for most of the 2000s, without a playoff appearance in the legendary Detroit Pistons star’s tenure.
25 greatest players in NYK history. dark. Next
Perhaps, one day, what the New York Knicks have done becomes a “darkest time,” but the 2019-20 season has yet to start. A 17-65 record, with an 18-game losing streak, was bleak but expected, after the coined “developmental” year. Brighter times may lie ahead, which comes to fruition in about six weeks, when the new-look Knicks take the court for their next season.