Knicks outperforming LeBron James and Lakers is twist we didn’t expect
New York Knicks fans have had enough time to grasp the fact that the team’s out of the playoffs, so it’s time to have a good laugh about the good ol’ Lakers. Not you, Carmelo Anthony.
After the moves that Los Angeles made during the offseason, many NBA fans assumed that the finals would consist of the Nets and Lakers. That’s funny for more than one reason.
However, Los Angeles’ postseason hopes were smashed last Tuesday after the Lakers lost to the Suns (again) and the Spurs beat the Nuggets. The Friday before last, otherwise known as April Fool’s Day, LeBron James joked that he’d be out for the rest of the season. That came back to bite him, huh?
At the end of the day, both New York and Los Angeles are going to be sitting at home watching both the play-in tournament and the playoffs. Yet we all know which team has the brighter future.
The New York Knicks have a brighter future than LeBron James and the Lakers.
After the Lakers were officially booted from the playoffs, the Russell Westbrook trade ideas have been flying.
There’s even been mention of a potential Julius Randle-Westbrook deal. Neither player has yet to say that they officially want to join a new team, but the Knicks need to stay far away from that potential trade (and that’s reportedly what they’re doing).
To put it simply, New York’s in much better positioning than Los Angeles because Leon Rose didn’t go out on a limb this past summer and sell the team’s soul for Westbrook.
In what was supposed to be the cherry on top for another Lakers championship season, Rob Pelinka took a page out of the Knicks’ book. To think he’s dared to wonder why it didn’t work out for his team.
Los Angeles gave up Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Montrezl Harrell, Kyle Kuzma, and the draft rights to Isaiah Jackson to land Westbrook. The front office is also armed with his $47 million player option for next year, too.
When you look at that mega-trade along with the other mistakes that the Lakers made in the offseason, you can’t help but be thankful to be a fan of New York.
Not to mention, the Knicks outperformed the Lakers in the standings. New York finished 37-45, 11th in the East, and Los Angeles finished 33-49, 11th in the West.
Oh, and as for our beloved Melo, he deserved better. He averaged 13.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1 assist. He shot 44.1% from the field (the most for him since his 2014-15 season with the Knicks) and 37.5% from the free-throw line. Anthony was one of the team’s lone offseason additions who actually panned out.
Sigh. Well, now that all’s been said and done, at least the Knicks have the opportunity to have a productive offseason.
New York will likely have a lottery pick, and while the Knicks may have to figure out a way to offload Randle’s four-year, $117 million extension, at least their next first-round pick is before 2027.
