Tag: David Griffin

The New York Knicks Can’t Give Jobs Away

~ Dave Ettinger ~ 5 Comments

alg-knicksgrade-jpg

Who am I?? What am I doing?? Where am I going?? How am I going to get there?? These questions are normal — standard — when you are 18. Those seeking direction in life will pose such questions. These questions, however, are not normal when you are a sports franchise in the biggest marketplace in the world. The door opens..and the New York Knicks enter.

The Knicks are a mess. They lack the basic skills a teenager would need to bathe themselves, dress themselves, and feed themselves. Which brings us to today. The Knicks are sitting in their own filth, trying to figure out how to work the microwave. They have, however, figured out how, in New York City, to become the least attractive destination in the NBA. Oh no, I’m not talking about attracting players anymore. Clearly that ship has sailed. I’m talking about employees. Imagine a world, where people get a job offer from the Knicks, and they say, “Naaa, I’m good, this sidewalk is comfy.”

That’s what David Griffin did yesterday. Griffin, the former General Manager of the Cleveland Cavaliers, removed himself from the running for the Knicks’ General Manager position. And I don’t blame him. He probably got about 30 feet into Madison Square Garden before making a U-turn and sprinting toward the exit. Following his meeting with James Dolan, Griffin said, “the Knicks couldn’t make it work.” MAKE WHAT WORK?!?! The pen to sign on the dotted line?! Did it run out of ink?? All Dolan had to do was give Griffin control of player personnel. Ya know..let him make decisions. Apparently, that’s asking too much.

James Dolan is a moron. He continues to employ Steve Mills, who is clearly not qualified to make sound personnel decisions (hi Tim Hardway Jr.). And for those who are planning to wait out Dolan until he sells the team, don’t hold your breath. I’ve yet to meet a multi-millionaire who dislikes money. Allow me to repeat myself. The New York Knicks can’t find someone who wants to be their General Manager. I mean, I would take the job, so they can call me if they want…

But that’s the point. The Knicks will not sign an experienced General Manager. They will be forced to sign someone with minimal or no experience. In other words, they will hire someone who is desperate for work. Then, we will collectively cross our fingers and hope this mystery GM turns into the next Tom Brady (6th round draft pick turned greatest of all-time).

Oh boy, we’re crossing fingers now….

 

I want to hear from my Knicks fans. How much longer will you put up with this ineptitude?? Will you be a loyal Knicks fan for life, no matter the level of dysfunction?? Please help me understand in the comment section below.

Since you enjoy my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. You can also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel called DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! Now go tell all your friends!!

 

NBA Trade Rumors Swirl Around Super-Team Tornado

~ Dave Ettinger ~ 2 Comments

jimmy butler

Apparently this is what it’s all about. Who can build the most Super, Super-Team of them all?? As the dust settles from the Golden State Warriors steamrolling through the NBA Playoffs, en route to their 2nd championship in 3 years, everyone is trying to ‘keep up with the Joneses’. And since Kevin Durant declined his player option on Monday in order to re-sign with the Warriors, the dynasty is in full effect.

According to Chris Haynes of ESPN, Durant will take a $4 million “pay cut” to give the franchise the flexibility to keep their roster intact. So, why doesn’t everyone just play for free?? Players make so much money in endorsements their NBA salaries are fairly insignificant anyway. Then the NBA can rename the East All-Stars the Cavaliers and the West All-Stars the Warriors. Isn’t that where we’re headed anyway?!

Side Note: Who fires their General Manager 3 days before the NBA Draft?!

2nd Side Note (?): Who fires their General Manager without consulting their superstar, Lebron James?!?!

Oh, that would be Cleveland Cavaliers owner, Dan Gilbert. Ya know, the guy who ran Lebron James out of town 7 years ago. Well evidently he had so much fun running the best player of this generation out of town the first time, he plans to do it again. Really, really smart….

Lebron had reportedly been lobbying for Cavaliers’ General Manager, David Griffin’s job prior to his firing. So now, it looks like the Cavaliers are trying to make amends. We must build a Super-Team so powerful that Lebron James will never leave again. Fasten your seat belts and lock your doors because we’re entering Rumor Town.

The latest rumor in the NBA Super-Team Saga is the Cavaliers are looking to complete a 3-team trade for Jimmy Butler. Reportedly, the Cavaliers don’t have enough assets to complete this trade with the Chicago Bulls, so they’ve gotten the Phoenix Suns thrown into the mix. If this rumor holds true (which rarely is the case), the trade would look as follows:

  • The Suns would receive Kevin Love (and I’m assuming something else)
  • The Bulls would receive Eric Bledsoe and the 4th overall pick
  • The Cavaliers would receive Jimmy Butler

These talks are preliminary, as their are many other teams involved in the Jimmy Butler sweepstakes. This is assuming the Bulls are even looking to trade Butler in the first place. I know it’s hard to believe, but some reporters will make up trade rumors just to get attention. Crazy, right??

Jimmy Butler is one of the best two-way players in the NBA. If the Cavaliers can pull off a trade of this magnitude, they would be a few role-playing big men away from being real contenders for a championship. *Not fake contenders like they were last year.

Another big name, who’s actually on the trading block, is Paul George. George informed the Pacers he would become a free agent following the 2017-2018 season. While I can’t imagine the Indiana Pacers are thrilled about losing a top-20 talent, they should appreciate George saying, “trade me now, so you don’t get left empty-handed”. Because no one wants to lose Shaquille O’ Neal to free agency……

Nice work Orlando Magic.

Paul George has expressed his desire to play for the Los Angeles Lakers. They have young prospects and draft picks to offer, so it is a plausible scenario. However, the rumors now involve the Los Angeles Clippers, the Boston Celtics, and the Cavaliers. George will undoubtedly be dealt sooner rather than later. The only question is; Where??

Thursday’s NBA Draft should be exciting, as many players could be on the move. No matter what each team does, they will operate with only one thing in mind; create the next Super-Team.

How do you feel about Super-Teams in the NBA?? Like them, love them, or hate them?? Let your feelings out in the comment section below.

Since you enjoy my writing, follow me over to intheneutralzone.com where I am a contributing author there as well. You can also follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like me on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed it!