So, I've taken up watching the Knicks these days, and boy what a lot of fun. Today they went 0-11 to start the game, Isiah got tossed, and Yao made Eddie Curry look like a fatter blob than usual, but this gem tops them all.
Walt Frazier on Luis Scola's bad free throw percentage said something like, "It's rare that you see a European player that isn't good a shooting free throws."
... long odd silence ...
(For those scoring at home Scola is from Argentina.)
I got spoiled early this season, as it seemed most Knickerbocker games were either on NBA TV or the 1 channel from the NBA Package that hasn't been blocked out locally for those who don't subscribe. There are nights when you think Breen is trying to get fired by MSG by actually stating that the Knicks and Isiah are not beloved by the multitudes in attendence. But, they have won their game for the month, so Isiah must be due an extension to help carry the Knicks to the title that he has placed them on the path towards. If not for the teams that host the refugees of the '06-'07 Celtics I'd say that title would be worst team in the league, but, a title is a title to Isiah. Every Knick game needs to be broadcast nationally just for the comedic nature: Is this the night someone takes a punch at Isiah? Does Zach Randolph only bounce the ball for 23 seconds before shooting? Can Nate Robinson set the NBA record for shots per second played? All these questions and many others will be answered on the next episode of The Flight of the Hindenburg.
Long story short, everybody (and I mean EVERYBODY) on the Knicks is out for themselves. They play for their own individual stats and not for the betterment of the team. That is why they likely never become a competitive team anytime in the forseeable future.
That said, if you're looking for things to change soon, good luck. James Dolan is way too close with Isiah as a friend to fire him before the end of the year, at least. The player's salaries are going to keep the Knicks from signing real quality athelites in the future. Heck, even their fans, as much as they bitch about the team, still buy tickets to nearly sell out MSG almost every night. The worst was a story I read in the Daily News about a front court fan who got cursed at by Isiah, thrown out by him, and got roughed up by security in the process, all for having a 'Fire Isiah' sign. The fan's response to this abuse of power? He says he will still pay top dollar for the season seats. You think the fans would wisen up about this: if you don't like the perfromance of the team, DON'T GIVE THEM MORE MONEY TO KEEP DOING IT.
It's true that most of the Knicks are out there for themselves ... except for David Lee and Ranaldo Balkman when he plays. Of couse they are probably two of the cheapest guys too.
I love the Knicks, too...particularly when they inevitably give Miami their much-needed bailout of giving Shaq a place to land. A player who is basically at the end of the line with two years after this one and $40 mil on the table? This was the trade that Isiah Thomas was born to make.