Playoffs or lottery
While the Knicks are enjoying a drizzly off day in Portland, we can discuss the poll I’ve purposely left up for the last couple of weeks.
It was close, but 53 percent of you are truly hoping for things to get worse in order to secure a high lottery pick. Wow. Do the fans have more patience that this organization wants to give them credit for? A high pick will not guarantee a turnaround.
Does anybody remember Michael Olowokandi?
Jerry Sloan was talking on MSG last night about the importance of picking up playoff experience, but he’s got a young team on the verge. I’m not sure the Knicks have reached that stage. And that’s why this debate is so interesting.
Thoughts?
• Eddy Curry and Quentin Richardson are both still a little weak from the flu and are listed as questionable for tomorrow in Portland.
• Zach Randolph has apparently been answering questions about his new team and old teammates the entire road trip. We’ll get a full dose in tomorrow’s papers.
January 31st, 2008 at 5:44 pm
The lottery is the only way to go.
If the knicks happen to make the playoffs – Isiah will probably be given a 10 year extension by Dolan – and that’s something we definitely don’t want.
With Isiah at the helm, the knicks will become a mediocre team at best.
The best plan for the knicks is to head to the lottery, get a high draft pick – take Beasley, Rose or Greene – whichever quality player remains when their number is called.
Then fire Isiah after the draft.
Let Steph’s and Malk’s contract expire.
Trade Eddy for expiring contracts and a draft pick.
January 31st, 2008 at 7:41 pm
The lottery is not a sure thing, but it’s our best chance at improving this team. We’ve given up a ton of draft picks (we still owe another in 2010) and we don’t even have an all-star to show for it. Oh yeah, we also can’t get a big free agent because we won’t be under the cap for 2 more years… So this team scrapes out 36 wins and makes the playoffs…. BIG DEAL. That’s more proof that the conference stinks; not that we’re improving as a team.
Worst case scenario: we just miss the playoffs and are stuck with a pick in the 10-12th range. Also, there’s a fairly deep draft coming up and it’s loaded with good PGs. We can potentially end up with a franchise changing player. We shouldn’t tank but what we need to do is play the young guys a ton of minutes (including Chandler and Morris), let them develop and see what you have.
Anybody who doesn’t think the lottery is the best LONG TERM benefit for this team, is still blinded by the Isiah/Dolan/MSG propaganda that they’re feeding everybody: “Everything is OK!”, when the worst is yet to come…
January 31st, 2008 at 11:24 pm
This is off topic, but I noticed this on the Knicks’ website:
“For the third time in as many games on their five-game road trip, the Knicks were competitive against one of the Western Conference’s best but came up empty.”
Wow. You know the standards have dropped to a new low when they’re proud that they were competitive in 3 straight losses.
I hate this team.
January 31st, 2008 at 11:46 pm
Mike,
Are you familiar with the word triage? That’s what needs to be done to this franchise. It’s not worth salvaging.
February 1st, 2008 at 12:13 am
True, there’s always a chance you can get Olowakandi in the draft..but then again, the draft didnt work out too bad for Cleveland, Orlando, San Antonio, Portland, Miami, New Orleans, or Utah recently has it?
February 1st, 2008 at 9:17 am
I agree with Trin, but why are we talking playoff anyway 14 and 31, with 37 games to go. This is embarrassing. Get me Beasley or Rose. I say no to Gordan and Jordan. I haven’t seen enough of Mayo or Greene yet. But I’ll be watching to see what we could possibly get.
February 1st, 2008 at 9:53 pm
The draft is the only place for the Knicks right now. Greene looks good, since we need a SF!!!!
February 2nd, 2008 at 4:18 am
This is a joke, right? Why would I want to make the playoffs with 35 wins? It’s disgraceful and pathetic and does nothing to help the franchise. This team needs a complete rebuild, not a half-assed playoff berth that will save Isiah’s job and get the Knicks the 13th pick in the draft.