Four ways the New York Knicks can become their own universe in the NBA.
I was texting with my boss, Knicks twitter legend @JeffreyBellone (JB), about the franchise’s approach to free agency under New York Knicks owner James Dolan. I made the observation that the Knicks spend money like a big market team, but cater to player agents like a small market team.
Don’t get me wrong, I understand maintaining relationships is part of the game, but it seems like the Knicks are willing to let player agents dictate management decisions. It got me thinking, it shouldn’t be this way.
The Universe Concept
Then I remembered something MLB owner Hal Steinbrenner once said when the Yankees were getting trolled by Red Sox fans. The Beantown faithful were claiming they were now America’s team and that Red Sox nation had overtaken Yankee nation. Steinbrenner scoffed at the idea and said that while the Red Sox might have a nation, the Yankees had their own universe. When you compare the value of each franchise, he was right, it’s not even close.
But could the Knicks have their own universe? While that sounds ludicrous on it’s surface, it’s actually not when you dig into it.
With Tom Thibodeau now set to lead New York into their next chapter, it’s a good time to take a step back and look at how the franchise is positioned relative to the rest of the league, and why the Knicks could soon become the powerhouse their city name suggests.