The Knicks are the butt of my jokes.
Hell, they’re the butt of almost every joke that’s ever existed.
But, losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers, by 21, at home, is no laughing matter.
Something needs to be done, ASAP (ahem, league intervention, ahem)!!!!
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I’m your host, Dave Ettinger of CBS Sports Radio Network, and I’m a New York Knicks’ fan.
AND I’M VERY ANGRY!!
Enjoy.
The search is over!!
The New York Knicks officially have another career to ruin. Since parting ways with Jeff Hornacek, on April 12th, the Knicks have conducted the wildest interview process known to man. But Thursday, the madness came to an end.
David Fizdale will be the next head coach of the New York Knicks.
David Fizdale’s coaching career began in 1998 at his alma mater, the University of San Diego. There, he was an assistant coach for four years before moving on to Fresno State. After calling Fresno State home for two years, Fizdale got his shot in the NBA. He worked as an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors, Atlanta Hawks, and Miami Heat (with LeBron). That opportunity catapulted him to his 1st head coaching position, with the Memphis Grizzlies. Fizdale led the Grizzlies to the playoffs in his 1st season (2016) but was bounced in the 1st round. And just 19 games into the 2017 season, Grizzlies’ star, Marc Gasol, followed in the footsteps of the NBAs prima donna’s and had Fizdale fired. He’s been doing broadcast work for ESPN ever since and will be 44 at the start of the upcoming season.
And now, the ultimate challenge lay at his feet; turn the Knicks around. Turn the Knicks around could be the four scariest words in the English language. A concept that has spread fear internationally and has been passed down from generation to generation. It often sends grown men and women running for the hills. You laugh, but if you think I’m overstating the pressure, anxiety, and fear that comes with being the Knicks’ head coach, you’re sorely mistaken.
As you know, the list of coaching candidates was long, but distinguished….(let’s see if my movie buffs figure that one out):
David Fizdale, David Blatt, Mark Jackson, Mike Budenholzer, Mike Brown, Jay Larranaga, James Borrego, Mike Woodson, Jerry Stackhouse, Juwan Howard, and Kenny Smith.
Long, but perhaps not as distinguished as you’d think. The fact that Jerry Stackhouse, Juwan Howard, Mike Woodson, and Kenny Smith were interviewed is absurd. The rest are reasonable candidates, however, Fizdale is the right man for the job.
Fizdale has shown he can relate to players, as evidenced by his work with LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh. LeBron and Wade actually endorsed Fizdale when he was in consideration for the Grizzlies job.
The question is: Will James Dolan keep his greedy, stubby, little fingers off Fizdale’s leash, giving him ample time to turn this broken ship around??
Did the Knicks get this right?? Post your thoughts, feelings, and snarky remarks in the comment section below.
You can find me on the Radio as well. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’m on live, every Wednesday from 6:10 P.M. – 8:00 P.M EST. Each show is also broadcast on Facebook Live via: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports.
Since you LOVE 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: DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! NOW GO TELL ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS!!
They’ve done it. They’ve finally done it. The New York Knicks actually found someone who wants to work for them. It’s a Christmas Miracle in July!! And even though you’ve never heard of him he actually has NBA front office experience. Crazy right?! Knicks fans..meet Scott Perry.
Before I introduce Scott Perry, we must fully understand this hiring. Scott Perry might be the Knicks’ general manager, but that doesn’t mean he’ll be making decisions. Oh sure, he’ll make suggestions, but they may be acknowledged, or ignored, depending on what side of the bed Steve Mills and James Dolan wake up on. That sounds empowering to me!! Essentially, Scott Perry is a life-size puppet. So why would Perry take the job you ask?? Because he gets to put Knicks general manager on his resume, and his pay will increase — a lot. Now let’s meet the poor bastard.
Scott Perry has over a decade of experience, working for 5 different franchises. He has worked for Seattle, Oklahoma City, Detroit, Orlando, and Sacramento. His most successful tenure was in Detroit. Perry was the Pistons’ director of player personnel when they reached 6 consecutive Eastern Conference Finals, including 1 championship (2004). The past 4 months of his career haven’t been quite as stable. Perry was fired by the Orlando Magic (uhhh, hi red flag) in April. He wasn’t a bachelor for long though, as the Sacramento Kings hired him later that month to be vice president of basketball operations.
Okay, so he showed some resiliency in getting hired quickly, however, the Kings are letting him walk away after only 4 months on the job. What does it say when the Kings don’t want you?! Nothin’ good.
I’m not going to sit here and completely bash this move, but there are moving parts that make me slightly uncomfortable. The first is Steve Mills. Upon hiring Perry, Mills will be promoted to president of basketball operations. So Perry will have to report to Mills. Enjoy that!! Second, the Knicks will be required to give some form of compensation to the Kings in exchange for Perry. This compensation better be money, because if the Knicks just TRADED A DRAFT PICK TO BRING IN SCOTT FREAKIN’ PERRY, I’M GOING TO LOSE MY MIND!!!!
There goes another blood vessel. Oh well.
Once the dust settles on this sand storm, the attention will revert back to Carmelo Anthony. As his first order of business, what will Scott Perry “do” with Carmelo Anthony?? Trade him, keep him, or buy him out?? As of now, trade talks between the Knicks and Houston Rockets have been put on hold.
And now, it’s opening night. The theater is sold out, and the stage is yours (as Mills lowers Perry onto the stage). It’s time to start the show Pinoch….I mean Steve Perry. Break a leg!!
What do you think of this hiring?? What do you think of Scott Perry?? Tell me your thoughts in the comment section.
You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M EST.
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!!
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!!
They are incompetent. The New York Knicks truly have no idea how to run their franchise. Maybe it’s because they have an identity crisis. Or maybe it’s because they have an incompetent owner. And as you know, s*** runs downhill, not up. The main problem with the Knicks has been, and remains to be, James Dolan (Knicks owner). And without a General Manager who knows what they’re doing, the Knicks are stuck in quicksand feverishly trying to dig their way out of mediocrity. Last time I checked, that doesn’t work.
The Knicks latest blunder comes in the form of their 1st attempt in free agency. No..Ron Baker does not count. The Knicks are trying to sign Tim Hardaway Jr. to a 4 year, 71 million dollar contract. Let me repeat that so it sinks in. I want this sentence to sink in to the point that it makes you sick to your stomach. The Knicks have offered Tim Hardaway Jr. a 4 year, 71 million dollar contract. AM I MISSING SOMETHING HERE?!?! Just when I think the Knicks, under Steve Mills, are doing the right thing and actually rebuilding (aka Tanking), they go and do something like this.
“Ya know Lloyd, just when I think you couldn’t possibly get any DUMBER, you go and do something like this, and TOTALLY REDEEM YOURSELF!! Still wanna go to Aspen??”
Now I, along with the other Knicks fans who are equipped with a brain, must rely on the Atlanta Hawks to save us from ourselves. See, Tim Hardaway Jr. is a Restricted Free Agent. This means that even though he has signed the offer sheet for the above contract with the Knicks, the Atlanta Hawks have the ability to match this offer. If they match this offer, they will retain the rights to Hardaway Jr. They have 2 days to make a decision. Today and tomorrow, I implore you to contact Travis Schlenk and beg him to match the Knicks offer sheet. Schlenk is the new General Manager for the Hawks.
Tim Hardaway Jr. would be a fine addition on a 2 year, 20 million dollar contract. He’s 25 years old. He’s 6’6″. And he can give you 13 points off the bench. But, he plays ZERO defense. This is not a player who deserves nearly 18 million dollars per year. Plus..the Knicks already have a Tim Hardaway Jr. His name is Courtney Lee (Lee has 3 years and 36 million left on his deal). The Knicks, in Tank-Mode, should be continuing to throw their hands up in free agency in an attempt to maximize salary cap space for next year and beyond. NEWSFLASH: signing an average bench player who plays no defense shouldn’t be part of the rebuilding process.
Oh to be a Knicks fan. It rivals voluntarily sticking your head in an alligator’s mouth. It’s not the best idea in the world, and it usually ends in excruciating pain. But hey, at least I can put loyal on my tombstone.
What do you think of signing Tim Hardaway Jr.?? Like it, love it, or hate it?? Spill out your emotions in the comment section below. I won’t judge you I promise.
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!!
IT’S CHRISTMAS IN JUNE!!!! ESPN’S Ramona Shelburne reported the New York Knicks and Phil Jackson are parting ways. YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!! This story (the best story of the year) broke at 2:59 A.M. Who needs sleep huh?? According to Shelburne, the Knicks and Phil Jackson will officially announce the break-up early Wednesday morning.
I haven’t been this happy since Christmas morning, 1995, when I finally got that basketball hoop I’d always wanted. I haven’t been this happy since McDonald’s announced they’d be serving breakfast all day. I haven’t been this happy since the Backstreet Boys got back together. I haven’t been….Dave, we get it, you’re happy. Now shut up, and tell the rest of the story. Okay….
Soooooo, Knicks’ owner James Dolan did a radio interview in February where he vehemently expressed that he would honor the entirety of Phil Jackson’s 5-year contract. Despite having an opt-out clause written into the deal, both Jackson and the Knicks, in April, picked up the option on the remaining 2 years of the contract. “This did not make the Ribosomes happy.” No Mr. Chloro-Phyll, this did not make anyone happy.
Phil proceeded to do everything possible to try to get fired. It reminds me of that Seinfeld episode where George Costanza is trying to get fired by the New York Yankees, so he can become the Head Scout for the New York Mets. No matter what Costanza did, the Yankees wouldn’t fire him. Body suit man!! Well it looks like Phil Jackson figured it out. Jackson’s actions over the past 3 years were egregious, but this past week was the straw that broke the camel’s back. In a ridiculous interview on MSG, the night before the NBA Draft, Phil Jackson spent 5 of the craziest minutes television has ever seen taking public shots at Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis (the Knicks’ 2 best players).
This caused James Dolan, albeit 7 days too late, to put an end to the Phil Jackson era. In other words, it became Phil Jackson vs. Kristaps Porzingis. Hmmmmmm..71-year old, senile, arrogant General Manager, or 21-year old building block for the future???? Even James Dolan can see clearly enough through his piles of money to make the right choice there. Speaking of money, Jackson will now collect the remaining $24 million on his contract to sit at home and be smug in his empty mansion.
Phil Jackson got strong-armed out of a job by a player who has only been in the NBA for 2 years.
Which begs the question, was Phil Jackson the worst General Manager in NBA history??
Yes.
But more importantly, is James Dolan the worst owner in the NBA??
Yes.
Obviously I’m happy Dolan FINALLY grew some balls, but by not firing Jackson a week ago, he allowed Jackson to use the 2017 NBA Draft as his own personal litter box. Which leaves us here. Today is a great day for Knicks’ fans, but upon coming down from this high, they will realize the Knicks are still in disarray. Free Agency is just 3 days away (July 1st), and the Knicks remain the least desirable franchise to play for in the NBA. Knicks’ General Manager, Steve Mills, will be making personnel decisions going forward. Good luck Steve.
I’ll break down the Knicks’ salary cap and free agent options later in the week. For now, we celebrate!!
Are you happy Phil Jackson has been fired?? Please tell me everything you’ve ever wanted to say in the comment section.
Since you enjoy my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! Now go tell all your friends about me!!
The NBA offseason is more entertaining than the ACTUAL NBA season. The NBA Finals ended 9 days ago, and I ‘ve already had more fun discussing possible trades and the upcoming draft than I did watching the Golden State Warriors embarrass the league. The Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers kicked off the fun Monday with their trade of picks, but that was just the snowball at the top of the mountain. Tuesday had us wondering if that snowball would turn into an avalanche.
Tuesday afternoon, the Los Angeles Lakers traded D’Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov to the Brooklyn Nets for Brook Lopez and the 27th pick in Thursday’s draft. This trade makes sense for both teams, however, the Lakers got the better end of the deal. Yes, they lose Russell, who was the 2nd overall pick just 2 short years ago, but his time in L.A. has been rocky to say the least. More importantly, the Lakers rid themselves of an atrocious Mozgov contract. His original 4-year, $64 million contract has 3 years left, so the Nets will eat the remaining $48 million. The Lakers receive the expiring contract of Brook Lopez, which will create oodles of cap-space come this time next year (aka the push for Lebron James). And they receive a draft pick. It’s always good to receive draft picks rather than give them (ahem, Brooklyn, ahem New York, ahem). Lastly, this leads to the assumption that the Lakers will select the walking distraction, Lonzo Ball, with the 2nd overall pick on Thursday.
In their own version of a salary dump, the Atlanta Hawks sent the albatross contract (3 years, $70.5 million) of Dwight Howard and the 31st pick to the Charlotte Bobcats for Miles Plumlee, Marco Belinelli, and the 41st pick in the draft. There’s not much of a story here, as Dwight Howard is a shell of himself. Charlotte shouldn’t expect Howard to bring any Defensive Player of the Year trophies to Charlotte anytime soon.
And then there’s the New York Knicks. My beloved Knicks. Just when you think they’ve hit rock-bottom, they whip out the sledgehammer and drill through the floor. How is it possible that Phil Jackson is shopping Kristaps Porzingis?!
Kristaps Porzingis should be virtually untradeable.
The Knicks are in total rebuild mode. I’m sorry, let me try that again. The Knicks SHOULD be in total rebuild mode. It’s hard to rebuild when you don’t (or can’t) trade Carmelo Anthony. And it would be impossible if you trade the 21-year old, building block that is Kristaps Porzingis. IF, Phil Jackson wants to entertain trade offers for Porzingis, his price should be so obnoxiously high it causes rival general managers to throw up in their mouths. I’m serious.
For example, if Celtics’ General Manager Danny Ainge calls, Phil Jackson should ask for the 3rd pick in this draft, next year’s 1st round pick, and Jaylen Brown. Oh and they’d have to take on Joakim Noah’s contract (quite possibly the worst contract in NBA history). I know exactly what you’re thinking, “that’s crazy, that’s way too much!!” EXACTLY!! Because you SHOULDN’T trade Porzingis!!
Here’s a point I haven’t heard anyone suggest. We all know Phil Jackson is doing a horrible job as the President of the Knicks. All I keep hearing is, “when Phil Jackson is gone, and in 2 years when we aren’t being force fed the Triangle.” Yeah, well why do we assume James Dolan won’t extend Phil Jackson’s contract???? Maybe Dolan thinks Phil is doing a great job. You and I, and anyone who knows anything about sports, would think that’s insane, but our opinion doesn’t matter.
James Dolan’s opinion is the only one that matters.
SOOOOOOOO, imagine a world where James Dolan extends Phil Jackson’s contract 3 more years. That may cause fans to jump ship and root for a new team………..
What would it take for you to trade Kristaps Porzingis?? Who got the better deal in the Lakers/Nets trade?? Tell me all about it 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!
Well, the New York Knicks lost again on Tuesday. The Knicks lost?? But I thought their season was over?? Oh, they might not be playing games anymore, but that hasn’t kept them from being losers. I bet you didn’t realize Squints from The Sandlot was actually talking about the Knicks….
But seriously, the Knicks and the Minnesota Timberwolves finished tied this season with a record of 31-51 (stellar I know). And two days ago, the Knicks lost a ping pong ball tiebreaker (those are 4 words I didn’t think I was going to say today), leaving them 7th in the draft order, 1 spot behind the Timberwolves. This is assuming neither team lands a top 3 pick when they select the draft lottery on May 16th. But Dave, it’s only 1 spot, why are you making a big deal about it? First, 1 spot can mean the difference between Stephen Curry and Jordan Hill. Second, it represents the Knicks’ culture. The Knicks are, for lack of a better term, ‘stuck in the mud’.
This losing culture starts and ends with Knicks’ Owner, James Dolan. Little Jimmy Dolan, as I like to call him, inherited the Knicks from his daddy, Charles Dolan. And despite biting the hand that feeds him, Little Jimmy is still The Chairman of Madison Square Garden Company. This means he is only in charge of the things he couldn’t screw up if he tried (financially speaking that is). However, he has screwed up the Knicks’ franchise, mightily.
Dolan hired Phil Jackson to be President of the Knicks 3 years ago. Let me start by saying, I don’t care who you are or what you say, no one in the world thought this was a bad hire. But after 3 looooooooong years, there is only 1 header that can rest atop Phil Jacksons’ performance review; DUMPSTER FIRE!! Phil Jackson is regarded as one of the best coaches in NBA history, but unless he plans to scale down the 8,490 foot ladder from his golden pedestal to start coaching again, it’s time for him to pack his bags. Only problem there is, James Dolan refuses to fire him. Dolan, aka Einstein, has repeatedly stated he must honor his contract with Phil for 5 years. Yeah that’s great, but you had an opt-out written into the contract. This gives either side the legal right to part ways after 3 years (which last time I checked is NOW). Sooooooooooooo Jimmy, what are we waiting for? What if Phil literally set fire to the Garden? Would that be a fireable offense? Well, let me run through the things I call fireable offenses:
There are way more things Phil Jackson has done wrong in the past 3 years, but I ran out of paper. The solution to this problem is simple: Fire Phil, hire someone competent (like me), collect draft picks rather than give them away, build through the draft, and once you have a base of 2 or 3 solid players attract free agents. Period, end of story.
Have a solution to the Knicks’ problems? Tell me 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!
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