New York...We Have a Problem.

In the midst of a four game losing streak it is time for the Knicks to change course. This team is not cut out to compete. The Tin Man has more heart than this team. It is time for the Knicks to realistically look ahead for once. No more pipe dreams please. They need to cut their losses early.  Selling a Rondo, Love and Melo nucleus is a dream, not a reality. To help make that a reality Steve Mills and company need to blow this thing up and go into all out reconstruction mode. There are two routes the Knicks can go at this: with Carmelo Anthony or without him. Let’s map out which ways the Knicks can take this. 

Route 1: Anthony on Board

Let us not forget that the reason the Knicks are in the predicament they are in is because Anthony was hell bent on getting his money sooner rather than later. Instead of waiting to sign in the offseason Anthony told the Knicks now or never. You know the rest of the story. If Anthony is still about his money the Knicks give him the max contract this summer. On the trade front every player not named Iman Shumpert or Tim Hardaway Jr. should be for sale. It was reported last week by Frank Isola of the Daily News that teams have inquired about Chandler, but the Knicks are not interested in dealing him. The team owes it to Chandler that he no longer has to suffer with being the lone defender and deal him to a contender.

A team like the Clippers or Trail Blazers would be nice trade partners for the Knicks. The ideal scenario would be for one of these teams to take Chandler and J.R. Smith’s contract in exchange for a young player or draft picks. However, getting any team to take on J.R.’s contract is as likely as someone taking Amar’e Stoudemire’s. This is where the team would have to part ways with a Shumpert or Hardaway Jr. Teams have already inquired about Shumpert and the Knicks have already shown they are willing to part ways with their best two way player. Shumpert will likely yield the greatest return, but they should make that trade only if there are no takers for Smith (a likely case). Mills can add Felton to any offer with the point guard making a paltry $3 million over 3 years. If Mills can somehow unload Bargnani he should get the key to the city and free up even more cap space to go after Love and maybe entice LeBron James to jump ship. It’s a stretch, but so is saying the Knicks are a playoff team.

Route 2: Anthony Flees

If Carmelo Anthony has finally had enough, which it looks like he has, then the Knicks need to start shopping their star. Anthony is easily their best asset and can flip him to a contender that is willing to roll the dice on him re-signing in the summer. In this scenario the Knicks objective is get young players and draft picks. The building blocks would be Shumpert, Hardaway Jr. and maybe even Jeremy Tyler and Toure’ Murry depending on how they perform down the stretch. The team has treated draft picks with little to no importance and its big reason why they are where they are right now. If the team can turn Melo into a draft pick for this year or next year’s draft (both expected to be deep drafts) then they have to pull the trigger. If Mills can make the team eat Smith’s contract then it’s an even bigger win. Chandler would be the second player traded, if not included in a deal with Anthony. Chandler’s contract is good enough for teams to make a trade with Felton attached. Shedding Bargnani and Stoudemire would likely happen in the summer or next season when they become expiring deals.

Best Route?

Whichever route the Knicks decide if they actually go into reconstruction mode will be dependent on how successful Mills is in the trade market. If Mills can’t wheel and deal then keeping Anthony is unlikely and will have to build with younger guys like Hardaway Jr. and Shumpert. If the Knicks bottom out and get a high pick next year they can run out a nucleus of Jabari Parker or Joel Embiid, two players who have been indecisive of whether they are going to declare for the NBA Draft. This may be another pipe dream, but Parker is more likely to stay at Duke another year giving the Knicks more incentive to bottom out and hope they strike gold.

If Mills is able to wheel and deal, shedding Smith’s contract in a Chandler deal then convincing Melo to stay is the best option. Kevin Love and LeBron James are free agents in 2015 and a core of Melo, Shumpert and Hardaway Jr. doesn’t sound bad. Lakers Nation reported that Love intends to become a free agent and his hometown Lakers and Knicks are two likeliest destinations. Stephen A. Smith said on First Take that if LeBron James leaves Miami the Knicks and Cavs are only places he would consider going. Whatever James Dolan ends up deciding let us pray he lets the basketball people do what he pays them to do.  It’s time he gives the loyal Knick fans a straight answer. We’re tired of dreaming.

Heat will Prove to be Melo's Biggest Test Thus Far

via USA Today

Late Oakland Raiders Owner, Al Davis, said it best, “just win baby”. Last night the Knicks did just that, getting a much needed home win against the Pistons. It wasn’t the prettiest win in the world, but it got the job done. 

You aren’t awarded style points in this league, just wins and losses. Carmelo Anthony proved for a fourth straight game that he is the leader of this team. Without the Knicks only real rebounder, Tyson Chandler, they were able to hold off the big front line of the Pistons. When those tough minutes reared their ugly head late in the fourth Anthony kept his team’s head above water. He hit the big shot, made the big stop and grabbed the game sealing rebound. That’s what Melo was brought here to do. When Dolan gutted his nucleus to get him from Denver it was with the expectation that he could be the man that leads New York out of basketball irrelevancy. Last night was a reminder of that potential.

Tomorrow night is the ultimate litmus test for Anthony and his squad. LeBron James and the Miami Heat come to town and all bets are off when someone with James’ stature comes to the Mecca. If the Knicks do not come out crisp, James and the Heat will laugh their way to a blowout victory. Melo has quietly played well against James throughout his career going 10-7 against the King in the regular season. If Chandler is a no go once again Kenyon Martin and Anthony will have to pick up the slack on the interior. On the perimeter J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert have to get going in The Garden. The duo shot a combined 4-14 last night. Shumpert, coming off a hot streak in Texas was unable to recreate a similar shooting performance, but still managed to make an impact in the game. J.R. on the other side is still struggling shooting the rock, but has also taken notice of his slump and reduced his shot attempts.

The recipe for a Knicks victory is simple, hit threes and control the glass. The Knicks will not win if Anthony is the only person scoring. The second leading scorer last night was Andrea Bargnani with 13 points. That’s not going to cut it against the defending champs. Coach Woodson is going to have to mix it up (FOR ONCE) and will need to go back to the rotation he used in Texas. giving Torre Murry and Tim Hardaway Jr. at least 15 minutes. Murry only played five minutes on Tuesday comared to Raymond Felton's 30. Felton played well last night, but the only thing he can stay in front of is a refrigerator. Quick-footed guards blow by Felton with such ease it’s a joke. Woodson needs to give Murry those minutes, let him slow down those quick Miami guards and force them to beat you shooting jump shots. The Knicks have given us a reason to believe in 2014 and tomorrow night will show us if this turn around is real or just a smoke screen. 

YOU'RE FIRED: Knicks Edition

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 5^th 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 14^th 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.