Today, I thought it would be a good idea to award the trophy to the 2021 NBA Champion..today.
Yes, before the season starts.
No, I’m not crazy.
Yes, I’m aware of what I’m doing.
Are you????
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I’m your host, Dave Ettinger of CBS Sports Radio Network, and in today’s episode I take a stance on netting at MLB stadiums, provide NBA free agency news, and call for a MLB “Manager’s” job.
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.
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I don’t know where to start. I spent all of last night trying not to break things in my house. And this morning, I am still not sure what to do. Let’s start with the New York Knicks 1st round pick. His name is Kristaps Porzingis. Yes you heard that right; PORZINGIS. He was selected with the #4 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. He is 19 years old, and he hails from Latvia. He is listed at 7’1″, and his weight remains a mystery, but he is approximately 210 pounds. I don’t know him outside of what I’ve heard on television, radio, and the internet, but I have spent some time watching his film. I am here to tell you that it is not his fault. It is not his fault that he’s going to be a bust. Enter brainwashed “optimistic” Knicks fan: “But you don’t know he’ll be a bust!” Oh yes I do!! Listen, nothing would make me happier than to say I was wrong about this kid. If he turns into the next Dirk Nowitzki in 5 years that would be the best thing that ever happened to the Knicks franchise. However, I am going to stick with the statistics that tell me this kid won’t make it in the NBA.
A very small percentage of international players drafted in the NBA become good players. The last international player drafted in the lottery to become an all-star is Yao Ming (Ming was drafted 1st overall in the 2002 NBA Draft). There is only 1 Dirk Nowitzki for a reason. On the other hand, there are too many busts to list here, but in the past 40 years, less than 10% of international players drafted were still on an NBA roster after only 5 years. So, the media and knowledgeable basketball personnel can tell me how much potential Porzingis has until they’re blue in the face. I don’t care. The odds tell me he will not pan out, especially in today’s instant gratification generation. Notable NBA General Managers have said Porzingis has tremendous upside, however, he may need 3 or 4 years to develop because he is a project. Do you honestly believe in this day and age a player will be given 4 years to develop? 2015 is not 1975. Hell it’s not even 2005. No one has patience anymore. I want my championship, and I want it now!! The other problem with Porzingis is he needs to gain 40 or 50 pounds to even think about banging with the big boys down in the post. Until he does that, big power forwards and centers will have their way with him around the basket. The reason Porzingis has been successful playing internationally is because the level of physicality is nowhere near the same as the NBA. Stretch 4’s grow on trees in international basketball (there is also only 1 Marc Gasol for a reason). Oh, Porzingis, it is not your fault you’re going to be the next Darko Milicic, but by all means, prove me wrong.
As for the rest of the Knicks draft, I actually like the first trade Phil Jackson made. Jackson traded Tim Hardaway Jr. to the Hawks for Jerian Grant. Grant is an athletic point guard who played at Notre Dame, and by all accounts seems NBA ready. Hardaway Jr. is a decent young player, but he only knows how to do one thing; score. Last time I checked the Knicks already have someone who does that. Grant could become the smart, gritty point guard the Knicks have been looking for. The Knicks apparently made another small splash later in the draft. They traded 2 future 2nd-round picks to the Philadelphia 76ers for a center out of Spain named Guillermo Hernangomez. Hernangomez and Porzingis were actually teammates overseas, which can’t hurt. Swinging on 2 international centers and missing can hurt though. With all that being said, we should stay positive and hope for a bright future right? Let’s Go Kni…….ah whatever.
What are your thoughts on the New York Knicks 2015 NBA Draft? Are you as upset as I am, or do you have faith in Phil Jackson?
Post your thoughts in the comment section below.
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