The
Boardroom
It's Donald Trump time...we're bringing it back 'Apprentice Style' because it’s time to make some changes. Not just A change but NUMEROUS changes before it’s
too late. At 5-15 the Knicks are following the steps to successfully tanking.
Except there’s one problem; they have no draft pick to tank for...typical Dolan move, always keeping us on our toes. With that said let's all pretend we are in a dream world where guaranteed contracts are no more. Let’s go through the
roster and staff to see who should remain hired or who should be fired.
James
Dolan, Owner: If only you can fire owners.
Verdict:
HIRED
BY DEFAULT, but go touring with your band for a few months and leave the team to your wife. I'm sure even she could do a better job.
Steve Mills, GM: Mills has done as much work as the Knicks City Dancers this season. Dolan replaced Glen Grunwald right before the season because Grunwald was too ‘classical’ in his thinking and didn’t embrace the analytical side. Seems like Mills doesn’t embrace winning in his thinking. However let's give him until mid-December to see if he can get creative.
Verdict: TENTATIVELY-HIRED
Mike Woodson, Head Coach: I would not have imagined myself questioning if Woodson could coach this team last year. He was a Coach of the Year candidate. He got the Knicks the two seed and got them out of the first round. Sadly this is a ‘what have you done for me lately’ league and Woodson has done close to nothing. Coaches are hired to be fired and fe refuses to give younger guys more play. He is hell-bent on ruining Shumpert’s development in favor of J.R. Every coach has ‘their guy’ and Woodson’s is Smith. Not a wise choice, Woody. We know you’re not the chief problem, but you didn’t do much to help.
Verdict:
FIRED
Raymond Felton, Point Guard: Rip City Raymond is back and it looks like he isn’t going anywhere. Felton has been borderline unwatchable this year and is in the top five worst starting point guards in the league. Any point guard with a decent first step is good for 20 against him. To be fair he has been banged up and said he pulled a hammy last night chasing Kyrie around. Why don’t you take the rest of the year off Raymond, seriously think about it.
Verdict:
FIRED
Iman
Shumpert, Shooting Guard: I have never seen a team’s only young asset
get treated like this. The Knicks should be thankful Shumpert doesn’t have
J.R.’s “f**k this” switch and stop trying. Woodson has been benching him late in games for reasons unclear to everyone. It’s known that Melo thinks highly of
Shump as does everyone in New York not named James Dolan and Mike Woodson. If
the Knicks have any hope of being good in the future they need to hold onto
their young assets.
Verdict:
HIRED
Carmelo Anthony, Small Forward: Do I really have to go through this? He is the best player the team has by a mile. But he also needs to ignite this team from the inside. He proclaims to be the leader now let's show that you can lead this bunch of misfits out of the fire.
Verdict:
HIRED, but may fire himself at season's end.
Andrea Bargnani, Power Forward: Despite all the bad that has happened, Bargnani has been a pleasant surprise. He’s the second best scorer this year and has a nice mean streak in him. If Bargnani can play like “Bargnani Sabonis” as Shaq calls him, he can be a really nice bench piece. If he can figure out how to consistently play defense the Knicks can get some return on that trade.
Verdict:
HIRED
Tyson Chandler, Center: If there is one Knick who assured himself a job in this disaster it’s Chandler. Since he got injured on November 5th the team defense has reached Dallas Cowboys level. Opponents are getting to the paint like they have EZ-Pass and rebounds have come at a premium. The sooner Tyson is back, the better.
Verdict:
HIRED
J.R. Smith, Sixth Man: J.R. has proved his haters correct time after time this season. Since he chin checked Jason Terry in Game 3 of round 1 in last year’s playoffs he hasn’t been the same. He has gone backwards. He’s back to shooting fade-away midrange shots. He’s shooting 20-percent from the field. With the emergence of Tim Hardaway Jr. Smith has become replaceable. If the Knicks can find a team to take J.R. and his brother Chris the Knicks should not even hesitate.
Verdict:
FIRED
Amar’e Stoudemire, Power Forward: Standing Tall And Talented. What used to be. His body has betrayed him. Stoudemire’s significance cannot be overlooked. He helped bring the Knicks back and that should never be forgotten. There is no Melo without Amar’e. Unfortunately like with Woodson this is a “what have you done for me lately” business and Stoudemire has looked like a grandpa. He looks like Uncle Drew in the opening minutes of his video. I wish Stoudemire the best.
Verdict:
FIRED
Kenyon Martin, Power Forward: Martin has done a good job in his minutes. He’s brought toughness and overall energy. He rarely takes a play off. The problem with Martin is his health. He’s on the wrong side of 35. It’s a tough decision, but don’t expect Martin back after this year.
Verdict:
FIRED
Tim Hardaway Jr., Shooting Guard: Hardaway Jr. has joined Shum in the young asset department. He’s shot the ball well and has provided a spark for the team when he’s been given minutes. I get confused when reports come out saying Hardaway Jr.’s emergence spells death for Shumpert. How? His game more resembles J.R., good scorer and not so good on defense. Moving forward if Hardaway Jr. can work on his defense he looks like he can be the sixth man of the future.
Verdict:
HIRED
Pablo Prigioni, Point Guard: Let’s get this out of the way, he should be starting. Kyrie did make him look just as silly as Felton, but Prigioni has played better than Felton. He’s in the top five of three-point shooting percentage and is always good for a couple of steals. The team just resigned him in the offseason for three years, give him a shot. Platooning him and Murry might be the move the Knicks have to make.
Verdict:
HIRED
Metta World Peace, Small Forward: It’s always good to have a guy like Metta. He never takes a play off. He plays tough defense and knocks down shots on occasion. He’s a world champion and someone you want on your side in the playoffs when things start getting physical. When Kobe says your one of the few players he will go to war with, that’s saying something.
Verdict:
HIRED
Beno Udrih, Point Guard: He’s not bad, but he’s not good. He’s just kind of there. He did have a superb effort against the Pacers, but has done nothing since. No disrespect to Udrih, but he can be replaced with relative ease.
Verdict:
FIRED
Toure
Murry, Combo Guard: I’ve been saying Murry should get a shot since
the regular season started. What can he do that will hurt the team any more
than Felton and company already have? He can stay in front of these quick guards
better than any other point guard on the team. If history says anything, then
Murry can be part of the Knicks 14th guy trend that has worked out
lovely the past two years with Lin and Copeland. Give the young buck a shot
damn it!
Verdict:
HIRED
Cole Aldrich,
Center: When Tyson Chandler went down some thought Aldrich would get
a look. Wrong. Woodson has used the seven-footer in garbage time only. In
fairness to Woodson, Aldrich didn’t exactly bound and astound in the preseason,
but why not put him in for at least six fouls? When Jeremy Tyler begins to improve in the D-league,
expect the Knicks to bring him on board and send Aldrich packing.
Verdict:
FIRED
Chris
Smith, Point Guard: One unnamed member of the Knicks staff said
Smith might be the worst player in the league. Enough said.
Verdict: ALREADY FIRED...enjoy taking up $1 mil in cap space in the D-League. Good move again Jimmy D. Nepotism at it's finest.
It remains to be seen which moves the Knicks will make to
help turn things around, but something needs to be done. New Yorkers, not known
for their patience have already voiced their displeasure. It’s
time for a change to be made.
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