NY Knicks: What if Joakim Noah thrived with Rose and Thibodeau in NYC?

NY Knicks: The Superstar Dominoes

For the sake of argument, let’s say that this was the case. The Knicks were able to shed their reputation as the punch line of the league and reenter the postseason conversation. What effect would this have on the franchise?

This could have made a gargantuan impact. A commented Knicks team would likely mean that Rose never leaves in 2017. It could also have lured coach Thibodeau much sooner.

If you recall, the Knicks were reportedly a franchise of interest for both Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving during their recent free agency stint. Ultimately, they chose the crosstown Nets to build their superteam. Likely, in some part, because the Nets’ young core had recently burst onto the postseason scene.

If the Knicks’ reputation had been that of a postseason contender rather than a league laughing stock, there is a real possibility one or both players might have joined the fray. Could James Harden also be a point of consideration? It’s total speculation. But he proved his interest in playing alongside other stars on the New York stage by forcing his way out of Houston.

The domino effect could have resulted in a total shift in power.