For Christmas, I doled out some holiday gifts for the Knicks to try to get the team back on track.
For New Years, I started to write a year in review, but as it turns out nothing very good happened to the Knicks in 2019. So rather than sending Knicks fandom into a terrible depression heading into the New Year, I am going to put forward some potential New Years resolutions for the Knicks. If the Knicks stick to these resolutions, they will maximize their chance at future success.
1) Achieve Self-Realization: "Know Thyself." It was written on wall of the Oracle's apartment in the original Matrix Movie when Neo showed up to find out if he was "The One." The point of the sign was that what the oracle told him really didn't matter unless he believed he was "The One." Whether it requires James Dolan to start doing some Yoga, or utilizing some of the zen philosophy techniques left behind by Phil Jackson, their needs to be a realization that the Knicks are not even close to being contenders.
They need to maximize their future draft assets, even if they are only additional second round picks. Knicks players on only one or two-year contracts at this stage of their development are virtually insignificant. The organization has done well with some lower picks like Mitchell Robinson, so the more picks they acquire to draft potential impact young players the better. Once the Knicks are willing to accept these facts, everything else they have to do will come into focus.
2) Embrace Modern Basketball: This doesn't mean the Knicks need to shoot more three pointers than the Rockets. It does mean they can no longer be in the top five in mid-range shots, which has often been the case since Phil Jackson was put in charge of the franchise. The best NBA teams take most of their shots at the rim and behind the three-point line and the Knicks need to start playing that way.
This also extends to other simple strategic things like roster construction and spacing. Since becoming head coach, Mike Miller has improved spacing on offense but he has been hamstrung by the dearth of shooters on the roster and abundance of big men. The Knicks are playing 'three players' that are best suited to be fours or fives at a time, while other teams are playing only one or two.
3) Establish a Proper Organizational Power Structure: It seems like James Dolan is beginning to realize that Steve Mills is not the person to lead the person long term. It is possible, however, that Miller's success with the roster might buy Mills some more time. If that's the case, the Knicks should extend Miller at a low cost to be Mills' coach in 2020-2021.
Mills cannot be allowed to select the Knicks new head coach. The team is already on the hook financially for David Fizdale for three more seasons. Allowing Mills to hire another big name coach to a long term contract when he is on thin ice is not prudent and could force an awkward situation where the new team president is stuck with someone else's selection at head coach
The most important thing the Knicks will do, other than make their draft pick in 2020, will be to find the right person to run their organization. James Dolan, who has already stepped back from day to day team operations, needs to find an accomplished NBA personnel person with a good track record and completely let go of the reins. Whoever that new hire is, he needs to be able to be empowered to hire whomever they want as head coach and within the organization to fulfill his vision for the basketball team.
4) Prioritize The Correct Things In A Head Coach Hire
Based on prior reports, the Knicks are considering coaches that have big names and can handle the "spotlight of New York." None of that should matter. If the Knicks win games, the coach's name and Q-rating before he arrives won't matter. His success in New York would make him a big name. Jeff Van Gundy was no one before he became the Knicks head coach. The priority needs to be someone that will play a modern and consistent brand of basketball that allows for the developments of the team's young pieces.
5) Don't Do Dumb Stuff
The Knicks should simply follow the Hippocratic oath: "First do no harm." They can end a lot of the "LOLZ KNICKS" talk if they can get out of their own way. That means no more ejecting fans from the arena for chanting, "sell the team". It means no more picking fights with former players. It means no more impromptu press conferences from the front office after a random loss. It means no more press releases five minutes into free agency. It means no more depending on cap space, wings and prayers to find a savior to save this thing. Act like a professional franchise and that's how people will view you.
Happy New Year!
Follow John on Twitter: @Schmeelk
