A new NBA season is upon us and I’m at a crossroads. As a lifelong Knicks fan, it has become increasingly difficult to root for them. Why? Two names; Isiah Thomas and James Dolan. They have managed to alienate so many fans, that we now have web sites such as Sell The Knicks dedicated to the idea that they can persuade Little Jimmy to give up ownership of the once, proud franchise. I am with the majority of frustrated fans that would like to see this happen.
To be successful, any ownership group is faced with unique challenges for which they seem ill prepared at the time they purchase a franchise. Their former careers and management styles are so different from the entity that they now own, they usually fail before they learn how to succeed (if they ever succeed, Peter Angelos). They must find key personnel who understand the nature of sports management, can make intelligent decisions and work within a financial framework that provides an opportunity for success both on and off the field. Another key structural point is that the most successful franchises have owner(s) who let their staff run the show and remain in the background (see the Boston Celtics under Walter Brown (1946-1964), the Dallas Cowboys under Clint Murchison & Tex Schram (1960-1984) and of course, the gold standard, the Dodgers (1942-1998)).
Let’s examine the most successful of these franchises, the Dodgers under the stewardship of first Branch Rickey and then Walter O’Malley. This was a franchise that did things right. In fact, they were the model organization. Every player, coach, manager or scout did things the “Dodger Way” or you were politely asked to find a new line of work. Continuity was the goal. A minor leaguer playing at Bakersfield in the Class A league practiced and played the game the same way that the major league club did. And for 50 years, they were the best organization in terms of finding talent, training that talent and competing for championships, year after year. During the years 1947-1998, they won 15 NL Championships and 6 World Titles. Nobody else in the NL came close. In fact, only one other team was able to compete with them at that level. And that was the greatest sports dynasty ever, the Yankees.
A similar case can be made for the Celtics and the Cowboys. Both remained at the top for a long, long time. You did it their way and you were rewarded with a chance to compete at the highest level. Both featured coaches who were considered innovators and went against the flow. Players were considered team players and flourished in these systems. Both had trouble maintaining that level of excellence once the team was sold and new ownership decided a new direction was needed. Legendary coaches were fired (Landry) in an attempt to shake things up. Auerbach became so disgusted with his owner’s demands, he left the organization for a time (1997-2001). The Celtics, immediately slid back to the rest of the pack and have remained there with little hope of competing for a world title in the near future.
In the case of the New York Knicks, I would submit that the organizational structure is flawed to the point where attaining the level of excellence needed to compete is impossible. It starts at the top with Little Jimmy. His choices for running the Knicks organization have been poor. In today’s NBA, it is impossible to wear the multiple hats of General Manager, Director of Player Personnel and Coach. Yet, that is what he asks of Isiah, that Jack of All Trades, but Master of None! Isiah has demonstrated over and over that he does not have the ability to succeed at the role of GM or Player Personnel Evaluator. Poor trades, a roster that stockpiles individual talent over team chemistry, and a mortgaging of future draft choices points towards a glum future as far as the eye can see.
What can be done? How about identifying 3 key individuals to start. First, let’s get a real GM in place who has a proven track record and has more than a passing knowledge of the salary cap. It is folly to think that former NBA players can succeed in this role. Jerry West is the exception to the rule, not the standard. For every West, there are 10 Elgin Baylors, Danny Ainge’s, M.L. Carr’s, and so on.
Second, let’s identify an individual who can evaluate talent. This person is the key to the future. He must be willing to hold onto draft choices until a solid talent base is in place, so that the inevitable high draft choices are kept within the organization. We can not trade a potential lottery draft choice for another Eddie Curry.
Lastly, let’s identify someone from within the college ranks or an assistant coach in the NBA who can communicate with today’s player. This role is crucial for working the young talent of today into the lineup so they can become productive team members.
The remaining ingredient for this recipe is that all three members work together as a team. That means communication, and respect for the decision that each has to make based upon input from the other two. It will take a few years, but as a fan, I would welcome this change. Will it happen? I would say no, because Little Jimmy has shown a remarkable inability to identify these types of individuals previously. He is arrogant, condescending and ill-informed when it comes to running this organization. Our only hope is that his father, Mr. Dolan, the Senior, will wake up one day and see that Little Jimmy needs a new toy, and consequently, takes away the current one.
As for Isiah, melding talent is not the strong point. Nor is evaluating talent. How do you build a team around two of the most selfish players in the league. Yes, I’m talking about Steve Francis and Stephon Marbury. This ain’t the second coming of the Pearl & Clyde. They can shoot, but that’s it. Defense? Forget about it! Pass the ball to an open teammate? Ha! Trade them? To whom? What GM in his right mind would take them?
Isiah created this mess and he will go down in flames with it. My guess is that he doesn’t make it to the All-Star break. The bet here is that the Knicks will go 25-57. And with that, we will have seen the last of Isiah in the NBA.
