Are the Knicks the Worst Franchise in Sports? (aka New York Knicks 2015 Draft Review)

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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.

Since you enjoy my writing, follow me over to intheneutralzone.com where I am a contributing author there as well. Also you can 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!

The Search is Over

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Tuesday was a busy day for the NY Jets.  First, they found their new General Manager.  His name is Mike Maccagnan.  Try saying that three times fast.  Maccagnan has worked for the Houston Texans since their inception.  Then, four hours later, they found their new Head Coach.  His name is Todd Bowles.  He is the former defensive coordinator of the Arizona Cardinals, and his deal is reportedly for 4 years and just north of $4 million per year.

In choosing Maccagnan, the Jets are taking the opposite approach they took with former General Manager, John Idzik.  Idzik was supposed to be a number crunching, ‘Salary Cap Genius’, instead, he flopped right on his face.  This time around, they are going with a former talent scout.  Maccagnan had moved up the ranks of the Texans organization over the last 14 years until he arrived at the title of Director of College Scouting.  It is an understandable but interesting hire by the Jets, and I’d say the jury will have to reserve judgment until Maccagnan has a crack at free agency and the draft.  Then we will see what the wolves of NY have to say for themselves.

As for Bowles, it’s par for the course, as the Jets bring in another great defensive mind.  Bowles helped lead the quarterbackless Cardinals to an 11-5 record last season.  I enjoy me some defense, but is that really what the Jets need?  Jets fans everywhere better hope and pray that Maccagnan and Bowles come up with a magic spell to conjure a creative offensive coordinator out of thin air.  Oh, and they need a quarterback, a wide receiver, a running back, a tight end, and 2 cornerbacks….but hey, that’s just details, details.  Maccagnan and Bowles have a tall order in front of them.  Hopefully Woody Johnson and company will be patient, and give them two or three years to rebuild (such an ugly word that rebuild is).  Normally, rebuilding is unacceptable in New York, but the Jets aren’t the only team starting from scratch around here.  They will be following in the Knicks footsteps.  Oh, how the times have changed.

What do you think about these two hires??  Do you like them, love them, or hate them??

Let me know what you think 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. Also you can 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!

Tank Mode Is In Full Effect

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The New York Knicks were able to trade who?!?!  That’s right sports fans, someone voluntarily took on J.R. Smith.  In a three-team, six-player trade, the Knicks traded Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith to the Cleveland Cavaliers.  In turn, the Cavaliers traded Dion Waiters to the Oklahoma City Thunder and Alex Kirk, Lou Amundson, and a 2019 second-round pick to the Knicks.  The Thunder will send Lance Thomas to the Knicks along with a protected 2015 first-round pick to the Cavs.  This trade took place just before tip-off of last night’s games, so none of these players suited up for their respective teams.  The Knicks also waived Samuel Dalembert which will clear $3.8 million of cap space.

This is a good trade for all three teams.  The Thunder added a solid scorer in Waiters for a first-round pick and a throw-in player, making the Thunder a good team who just got better.  The Cavs got two rotation players for the price of one, so as long as Lebron James can corral J.R. Smith, this trade will help the Cavs this season.  And the lowly Knicks continued to clear cap space, including $6.4 million owed to J.R. Smith, in hopes to find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.  The best part of this deal, by a mile, is that the Knicks were able to rid themselves of the cancer that is J.R. Smith.  Some people believe that the Knicks gave Shumpert away for nothing, but he is hurt, again, and probably wouldn’t have been re-signed following this season anyway.  The Knicks now have only 4 players under contract for next season in Carmelo Anthony, Jose Calderon, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Cleanthony early.

Just when you thought the 76ers knew how to tank, the Knicks are going to show them a thing or two.  Following last night’s loss, the Knicks have now lost 12 straight games, tying a franchise record.  The Knicks have the worst record in the league at 5-32, and there is no doubt they are en route to the #1 overall pick in the draft.  Now this may be wishful thinking, but I think Phil Jackson planned on tanking this season all along.  He obviously would never admit it, but I’d bet the polygraph would side with me on this one.  He traded Tyson Chandler just so he could rid himself of Raymond Felton’s contract, and last night he did the same with Shumpert and Smith.  He will certainly be waiving the three bench players he just acquired, so he doesn’t have to pay them.  And now he is left with a pile of cash in hand, and his reputation, in hopes to attract a group of free agents who will bring winning ways back to the Big Apple.

Do you still believe in Phil??  Or have you lost faith in the Zen Master??  Let me know in the comment section below.

If you enjoy my writing, follow me over to intheneutralzone.com where I am a contributing author there as well. Also you can 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!

NBA Talk Coming Soon….

DaveTalksSports.com is Back!!

Coming soon: My list of the Top Ten NBA Centers of All-Time

Also, check back for my breakdown of the New York Knicks less than stellar start to the 2014 NBA season.

If you enjoy my writing, follow me over to intheneutralzone.com where I am a contributing author there as well. Also you can 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!

Melo Takes Paycut to Return to Knicks

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After weeks of deliberation, Carmelo Anthony has finally decided to return to the New York Knicks.  Anthony made the announcement Saturday (even though he had probably made up his mind by Friday) that he would be re-signing with the Knickerbockers.  The deal will be worth $122 million over the next 5 years.  Who said Melo wasn’t a team player??  This guy just made the ultimate sacrifice by taking a whopping $7 million less than the max deal over 5 years.  He just saved the franchise $1.4 million per year over the next 5 years.  What a guy!  Now the Knicks have the cap space to sign Kurt Thomas.  Can you say game changer?!?!  In all seriousness, the Knicks did what they had to do and so did Carmelo Anthony.  The Knicks, as much as they didn’t want to, had to throw the whole bag of cash at him, because if they missed out on Melo, where would they be?  And Melo actually wanted to leave for a better, more championship ready situation.  The only problem was that option didn’t exist in this years free agency.  The Chicago Bulls were only a better option if Derrick Rose is healthy, and at this point I’d say that is an enormous if.  I don’t believe the Lakers were ever a real option seeing as they don’t have a coach, and they actually have a worse roster than the Knicks.  And as good as the Houston Rockets would have become with the addition of Melo, who wants to live in Houston?? 

 

As for the Knicks, in the horrid eastern Conference, they shouldn’t fare too badly this upcoming season.  They are no championship contender, don’t get me wrong, but don’t be surprised if they creep up to the 4 or 5 seed.  Yes, Derek Fisher is a wild card in this equation, but I have the utmost confidence that Phil Jackson will steer him in the right direction.  Now, I need to say something to all of the Carmelo Anthony haters of the world.  Y’all are out of your damn minds!!  As much as critics and fans alike enjoy picking Anthony’s game apart, he is undoubtedly one of the best players in the NBA.  He may not be the best defender in the NBA, but does defense really exist in the NBA??  And the notion that a team can not win with Carmelo Anthony on its roster; is ludicrous.  Carmelo Anthony is what he is.  He is one of the best pure scorers the game has ever seen who also happens to grab 8 -10 rebounds a night.  Everyone is trying to turn him in to a player that he simply will never be.  You know what Melo’s biggest mistake is?  That he isn’t Lebron James.  Ever since high school, the two have been linked.  Their head-to-head matchups in high school were televised, they came out of the same NBA draft class, and most recently they shared the same free agency spot light.  Melo is not the passer Lebron is, he’s not the defender Lebron is, and he simply is not the all around player Lebron is.  And you know what?  That’s okay.  That doesn’t mean that you can’t win a championship with Carmelo Anthony on your roster.   Phil Jackson will put a roster in place that highlights the strengths of everyone on it, and most importantly, Carmelo Anthony will be utilized correctly for the first time in his career.  Just watch for Anthony’s 4th quarter contributions under Phil Jackson opposed to the tired, wobbly legged Anthony we’ve grown accustom to seeing under the likes of Mike and Mike (no not that Mike and Mike); Woodson and D’Antoni.  Anthony has always been asked to do too much.  With a real point guard and a proper system in place, don’t be surprised to see Anthony thrive as a member of the new look Knicks.    

 

If you enjoy my writing, follow me over to intheneutralzone.com where I am a contributing author there as well. Also you can 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!         

Any Day Now……

NBA: All Star Game

 

It’s funny how in the world of Social Media and the instantaneous reaction it feels like we’ve been enduring the process of NBA Free Agency for forever now, but in reality, teams have only legally been allowed to talk to players for 9 days.  And players are only allowed to officially ink deals as of today, July 10th at 12:01 a.m.  It only seems like forever since Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James opted out of their contracts because we talk about it every second of every day.  Between sports talk radio, twitter, and the nonstop “updates” from Chris Broussard, Brian Windhorst, and Marc Stein on ESPN every 4 minutes, we have had Lebron speculation shoved down our throats all day long.  And that’s all this is; speculation.  Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony, and the rest of this years free agents are taking their time with their decisions, and rightfully so, as this is potentially the biggest decision of their lives. 

 

We all know the rumors swirling around Lebron, Melo, and Chris Bosh:  Lebron could return “home”  to Cleveland (believe it or not Akron and Cleveland are not the same place), Chris Bosh could return “home” by going to the Houston Rockets (he’s actually from Dallas), and Melo can do the only thing he was ever going to do and stay in NY.   There are many other outside possibilities of what is going to transpire, but I unlike the rest of the world, am going to sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.  That show should start today when Melo re-signs with the Knicks.  I mean, cbssports.com already prematurely broke the story that Melo will be re-signing with the Knicks, but hey maybe he’ll go play for the coach-less Lakers (because that’s a real option).

 

The most unfortunate part in all of this is that when someone wins (as in winning their free agent of choice), someone else has to lose.  And this is the part where you can bust out your violin for the Cleveland Cavaliers.  Cleveland is probably being duped once again.  Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice……you know how the rest of that one goes.  Not only is Cleveland banking on Lebron’s desire to return home, but they are clearing cap space to ensure that they have enough money to sign Lebron James.  Let me just say that the only way Lebron is going back to Cleveland is if Kevin Love somehow gets traded there this week and agrees to sign a long term deal.  Good luck.  As much fun as all this speculation is, we are just going to have to take a chill pill and wait out these decisions.  Once again, if you actually pull out the calendar, we haven’t been waiting that long.  The funniest part to all this is we are most likely going to watch all of this hype suddenly fizzle out when every major free agent ends up staying put.  That would be funny wouldn’t it?   

 

If you enjoy my writing, follow me over to intheneutralzone.com where I am a contributing author there as well. Also you can 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!     

 

The “Zen Master” Strikes Again

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Wednesday afternoon, the “Zen Master” showed us once again why he earned such a prestigious nickname.  Don’t know what I’m talking about?  That’s okay, I’m going to fill you in.  Who needs ESPN when you have DaveTalksSports right??  Phil Jackson made a splash yesterday by making his first trade as New York Knickerbockers President.  You would be hard pressed to find some one with a brain to tell you this was a bad deal for the Knicks.  The Knicks will be shipping Tyson Chandler back to the Dallas Mavericks along with Raymond Felton for Jose Calderon, Samuel Dalembert, Shane Larkin, Wayne Ellington, and 2 2nd round picks (34th and 51st) in tonight’s draft. 

For starters, I can’t believe the Knicks were able to offload Raymond Felton (Hey Ray, don’t forget to register those guns in Texas…..oh what it’s Texas, never mind).  The Knicks get a definitive upgrade at the point guard position in acquiring Calderon.  Calderon is going to do exactly what a “true” point guard is supposed to do.  He is going to manage the floor, limit turnovers, knock down the open 3-pointer (which he showed he can certainly do), and most importantly keep the ball out of Carmelo Anthony’s hands (assuming Melo is still on the Knicks next season).  The other thing that most people probably don’t realize is that Calderon is one of the best free throw shooters in the NBA.  Now, you’re probably saying that’s not a big deal, but when you think about it, clutch free throw shooting is often the difference between winning and losing.  The Knicks do commit to Calderon for 3 years seeing as he is under contract, but this is the type of point guard Phil Jackson wants in his “Triangle” system anyway, thus making the $8 million per year easier to swallow.  The Knicks do take an obvious downgrade at the center position by bringing in Dalembert, but he can play some semblance of defense and give you 8 points and 8 rebounds on a consistent basis.  And most importantly, he is an expiring contract.  Even if Tyson Chandler goes back to Dallas and returns to his 2011 form, the Knicks still cleared his $15 million from the salary cap.  As for Larkin and Ellington, these are 2 young players that could turn in to solid role players.  They are in the wait and see category, which is exactly what this Knicks franchise NEEDS!!  Rebuilding while also having a solid foundation if Melo comes back?!?!  Who could have thunk up that genius idea? 

Now that Phil Jackson has gotten his feet wet, I am excited to see what he does with his 2 draft picks this evening.  This is easily the best part of this trade by the way.  No, it’s not that the Knicks are going to find the next Michael Jordan with the 34th or 51st pick, but it is the concept of draft picks that I love.  That sounds silly to say, but if you are a Knicks fan then you know EXACTLY what I mean.  I am also intrigued to see how many more tricks Phil has up his sleeve.  I wouldn’t be surprised if he finds a team with plenty of salary cap space to take on Amar’e Stoudemire or Andrea Bargnani a year earlier than anticipated.  This would give Phil immediate flexibility to chase free agents.  I think the moral of the story is: Never Doubt The “Zen Master”.

 

If you enjoy my writing, follow me over to intheneutralzone.com where I am a contributing author there as well. Also you can 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!       

One-Liner Fridays

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Every Friday I like to infuse a little humor into everyone’s day.  Here you will find a one-liner on a topic from this past week.  These gems will be one line and one line only (we’re gonna dance to one song and one song only).  Enjoy.

 

 

Aaron Hernandez is the 2014 version of OJ Simpson….only dumber.

If I had essentially gotten away with double murder, I wouldn’t commit another murder to cover-up the first 2 murders that I already got away with; I would lay low for the REST OF MY LIFE.

Anyone else want Donald Sterling to go away?

Yea, me too, so here’s what we’re going to do: stop talking about him.

Michael Sam is living proof of something I say every day; everything is about money.

Unbelievably hypocritically, Michael Sam has decided to do a reality tv show about his path to the NFL as a gay player because, HE JUST WANTS TO BE SEEN AS A FOOTBALL PLAYER AND NOTHING ELSE. 

With Marlin’s pitcher, Jose Fernandez, adding to the long list of pitchers needing tommy john surgery, MLB teams should just offer the surgery as an option on draft day.

Phil Jackson at the plate, and the pitch, he swings, and misses.

You know it’s bad when Phil Jackson can’t even convince his protégé to come work for him.

Now, Phil Jackson will be scouring middle schools across the country for his next coach.

I happen to like Stan Van Gundy as a coach, but you picked Detroit over Golden State?

Really?!?!

Must be the weather in Detroit that lured him in.

So let me get this straight, Johnny Manziel has the most jersey sales in the NFL since April 1st, people are actually excited and talking about the Cleveland Browns (for the 1st time in eternity), and in turn the organization will make more money, and you Jimmy Haslam, the owner of The Cleveland Browns, decide to tell Manziel to ‘act like a backup?!?!’

That makes about as much sense as the NCAA bylaws.

Oh yeah, there are hockey playoffs going on, I almost forgot.

In all seriousness, although I am not a New York Rangers fan, I fully appreciated the comeback that they pulled off to come back from being down 3 games to 1 to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

I’m sure that Martin St. Louis will give it his all throughout the rest of these playoffs for himself, his teammates, and most importantly his mother.

 

 

This has been another edition of One-Liner Fridays.  If you have a One-Liner of your own, please feel free to leave them in the comment section below.  Thanks.

If you enjoy my writing, follow me over to intheneutralzone.com where I am a contributing author there as well. Also you can 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!

 

One Liner Friday’s

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Hello everyone and welcome to another edition of One Liner Friday’s. After a 3 week break, I’m back!! Here you can find the past week in sports wrapped up in One Line and One Line only. Enjoy!!

All I have to say about the Jacksonville Jaguars idea to give any fans who purchase tickets to their game this weekend 2 free beers is: MMMMMMMMMMM BEER.

And, where can I buy some Jag’s tickets?

I wish everyone would understand that this 10 year/$305 million number Robinson Cano is “asking” for is just a bunch of white smoke.

No one is going to give him more than 7 years/$196 million (which is still absurd but it’s quite a bit less then $305), I mean the guy literally walks to 1st base on groundballs.

Hey Jay-Z, I know you like money because it ain’t a thang but stop trying to steamroll The Yankees and let’s get real.

Speaking of The Yankees, let’s get serious.

Thursday night marked the last time the best closer of all-time, Mariano Rivera, would ever step foot on the mound in Yankees Stadium.

His career is unparalleled and is one of the finest human beings to ever play the game of baseball.

Good luck filling those shoes David Robertson.

Andy Pettite is also hangin ’em up after this season, making his final start this weekend in Houston.

He had a very solid career and will be missed in the Yankees organization as well.

Let me preface the next few statements by saying I Love The New York Jets.

But, they are NOT as good as everyone thinks.

I repeat, they are not very good.

The Defense is very good, but this is still a 6 or 7 win team at best, and for people to think they are going to make the playoffs all of a sudden because they are 2-1 is RIDICULOUS!!

Oh they beat The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and The Buffalo Bills, both at home, yeah you’re right they’re great what was I thinking?!?!

Is it awkward for The Sacramento Kings organization to have Shaquille O’ Neal be part owner now considering he called them The Sacramento Queens back in the day??

I hate Floyd Mayweather Jr. with a passion!!

But, he is the best in the world right now, so you gotta give him credit where it’s due.

Bye Bye Bud Selig, you will not be missed.

I think he wanted to retire before Major League Baseball’s squeaky clean name got tied to Steroids, haha.

RG3 says he doesn’t know how to slide, and to that I say: What are you retarded?

Way to grow some cojones Carlos Gomez!!

I mean Brian McCann would have kicked your ass, but at least you didn’t back down or hide behind an umpire in a scrum like Chris Johnson.

Dwyane Wade and Kevin Durant don’t have real beef with each other, rather they are in cahoots in some major marketing scheme….just wait and see.

So The New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets are going to split the 2015 All-Star Game Festivities right down the middle???

Yeah, nothing says heated rivalry like a little sharing.

Have you ever seen someone take a bigger beating in a victory before in your life?

Don’t know what I’m talking about just see exhibit A: UFC Champion Jon Jones’ face after defeating Alexander Gustafsson.

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Someone let The New York Football Giants know what time their game is this week because I don’t think they knew last week; that’s why they didn’t show up!

Ouch!

Have you ever watched (or not watched) a more pathetic display of football in your life?

Maybe they’ll put forth a better effort in Kansas City this week….eh probably not.

Yeah, we believe you Colin Kaepernick when you say you don’t care what anybody has to say about you.

So is that why you SAVED AND FAVORTIED all of your hate tweets online last week?

Idiot.

Well, this has been another edition of One Liner Friday’s. I hope you enjoyed them!! If you have your own One Liner’s you want to leave me, please write them in the comment section below. Thanks.

If you enjoy my writing, follow me over to intheneutralzone.com where I am a contributing author there as well. Also you can 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!

We Take The Good With The Very Bad

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Just when you think the New York Knicks are heading down the right path, they turn around and drive the wrong direction on a one way street. On the heels of good news comes devastating news. With a smart pickup comes a head scratching decision. There is simply not enough time in New York Knicks land to enjoy one of their managerial moves. For those of you who aren’t quite sure what I’m talking about, the Knicks have agreed to a 2-year deal with Metta World Peace (a deal worth $3.2 million and has a player option on the second year). At the same time the news of this signing broke, the horrifying news of J.R. Smith’s knee surgery hit “news stands”. All you twitter children out there are probably saying uhhh, what’s a news stand? Now I know it’s hard to figure out which is the good news and which is the bad, but rest assured I’ll clear it up for you.

Metta World Peace is a slight risk at all times, but if he plays the gritty physical defense we know he can then the reward will outweigh the risk. Personally, I like the signing because he brings to the floor exactly what the Knicks lack; psychotic tendencies. Even at the ripe ‘old’ age of 33, the artist formerly known as Ron Artest can still contribute at the defensive end. Now while I like the signing, World Peace is not the savior for the Knicks franchise (like some unrealistic and over zealous Knicks fans think). J.R. Smith is also not the Knicks savior, but he is an integral part of the Knicks game plan. And that is why it was horrifying to learn that just weeks after the ink dried on his 4-year, $24.7 million extension, Smith is currently laid up after patellar tendon surgery and arthroscopy on a torn meniscus. Such a surgery will require 3-4 months recovery time, and trust me Smith will never be the same again. Of all the absurdly stupid decisions the Knicks have made in the past, this is by far the most ridiculous. The Knicks claim to have known that Smith would need surgery for his chronic and gradually worsening injuries. ARE YOU SERIOUS RIGHT NOW?!?!?! Did the Knicks not learn anything from the Amar’e Stoudemire disaster? To answer my own question, obviously not! This is worse than the Amar’e Stoudemire deal by a landslide because even if Smith returns healthy and produces at a high level, you should learn from your mistakes. That is the first thing parents teach their children, but obviously Glen Grunwald’s parents nanny didn’t remember to teach him that one. Here’s a bit of advice for every president or general manager of a club thinking ofsigning a player with a chronic injury to a long term deal; DON’T DO IT! The Knicks are as poorly a run franchise that you’ll ever find. The end.

If you enjoy my writing, follow me over to intheneutralzone.com where I am a contributing author there as well. Also you can 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!