Have we seen the last of Julius Randle in a Knicks uniform?

A depleted Cleveland Cavaliers team came into Madison Sqaure Garden and owned the Knicks.

It was embarrassing to watch New York get manhandled, and I hate the Knicks.

Even RJ Barrett could not finish at the rim today. He must work on this in the off season as well as his mid-range shot. If he can learn how to pull up and shoot that short jumper instead of his familiar pass or head to the basket moves, he'd easily score twenty per game next season and be helpful in the fourth quarter to close out games.

For those who thought that Barrett was better than LeVert I hope this game cleared that foolishness up for you. Caris' game is light years ahead of RJ.

Leon Rose really needs to evaluate his coach's season because he did a rotten job of preparing and developing his young players in my opinion.

Obi Toppin thrives when he is on the court with Quickley and yet the coach of the year started Burks again. I just don't get it.

Toppin got his career high today, but it meant nothing. 

At least losing today ties the Knicks for tenth place in the draft lottery. Should they throw the game against Orlando tomorrow? 

Have we seen the last of Julius Randle in a Knicks uniform?

All I know for certain is that the Knicks lose again, Cleveland 119 - Knicks 101.

Are the Knicks tanking?

Today, the Knicks starting point guard, Alec Burks, had as many assists as I did. Zero.

Again, in the fourth quarter the Knicks fell apart because there was no one running the ship. I was hoping that Raymond Felton would run out of the stands in his t-shirt, gut and all.

At least Raymond would demand that players are in position and running the sets that the coach knows give the team the best chance to win.

Despite being under powered facing a team with Joel Embiid and James Harden the Knicks kept the game close for three quarters.

But hasn't that been the memo of this team all season?

They have to lead the league in close but no cigar games in the NBA this season.

When will this coach learn that in the fourth quarter Julius Randle is reckless at handling the ball and inefficient from the field?

RJ Barrett was not accurate from the three-point line, but the fourth quarter would be a perfect time to run a two-man game with RJ and a solid point for easy buckets at the rim and mid-range shots.

Julius Randle should be a threat in the paint in the fourth quarter even if it means playing him at center if it forces him to get his rear end in the paint and not thinking about beating guys off the dribble or shooting terrible jump shots.

I mean for goodness' sake the Knicks can't bring up Jordan Allen or Kenneth Savage from the G league to give them a look? Either one would be better than Alec Burks who started at point guard this afternoon and had zero assists. 

Yes, it has gotten that bad with Kemba gone and D Rose injured. 

Are the Knicks tanking? I have a feeling they are. 

If tanking will get them a point guard high in the next draft and a good chance for the morbidly obese Zion Williamson, then this might be the best strategic move they made all season.

Knicks lose again, Sixers 125 - Knicks 109.

The Kings of New York lost again

Down the stretch of the final minutes of tonight's game you could clearly hear NBA Coach of the year Tom Thibodaux yelling "ISO, ISO".  Which meant that he wanted to run an ISO offense through Julius Randle. 

Of course this did not work as the Raptors could hear him yelling it also and collapsed on Randle the moment he touched the ball.

Randle scrambled to find an open man but the other Knicks could not find the basket when they did get the ball and the Knicks lost the brief lead it had in the final minutes of the 4th quarter. 

You need look no further than at the difference in fast break points to diagnose why the Knicks lost. The Raptors had 21 fast break points and the Knicks only 9. Again this team was out hustled. 

On the bright side, Evan Fournier must have gone vegan because he had a whooping 9 points and zero assists tonight.

The Kings of New York loss to the Raptors leaves both teams with the record of 12-14.

In the next three games the Knicks face the Bucks, the Warriors and the red hot Rockets at Madison Square Garden where the Knicks out right suck. Which in all likelihood means that the Knicks will be 5 games under .500 in the next few days.

Wait, Tom Thibodeau was really named coach of the year last season?

Knicks lose again, Toronto 90 - 87 Knicks

A bad case of the bubble guts

The Knicks fans showed more fight on YouTube and in the Discords than the

Knicks did against the Pacers tonight.

Everything was thrown at each other during the arguments. Kemba being banished by coach Thibs, the lack of chemistry between Randle and Fournier, the weak effort coming off a win the night before and sorry front office management.

I loved every minute of it.

Thibs didn't really explain why the Knicks played lifeless, but he did look emotionally drained. No more lies to tell his fans, I guess. Evan Fournier had a more visceral answer for his poor play.

Evan Fournier told reporters that he ate a steak in San Antonio the night before and had a bad case of the bubble guts which slowed him down. I am certain the trainers have Imodium AD if he really had the dookies that bad before the game tonight.

After the laughter passed the talk then went to the trade deadline and who should be moved from this team and why.

It's too bad the chat was more interesting than the game. But we all know the result.

Knicks lose again, Pacers 122 - 102 Knicks

Right where I want them to be

Yesterday the Knicks set Frank Ntilikina free, thank goodness. I know Frank is relieved and so am I.

I am as tired of all the unfair bust talk that he is. Hopefully Frank's agent will find him a spot in the Western conference where his wide open fast paced style of game can finally find a good fit.

Today, the Knicks signed Evan Fournier, another player from France to a contract of 4 years 78 million dollars which is utterly ridiculous but I love it. I hope the Knicks sign Carmelo Anthony next.

Derrick Rose was resigned by the Knicks because he is a coach Thibodaux favorite. Good for him. But, the Knicks still need help at the point guard position. 

They could also use another big body center despite bringing back Nerlens Noel because I am not certain of how Mitchell Robinson's foot is going to heal.

So far, with the current picks, free agent signings and tougher schedule next season the Knicks are still a middle of the pack basketball team. Right where I want them to be.

Set him free

Over the weekend, the USA men's basketball team lost again. 

This time the defeat was to France who had too much length inside when they played two centers in the 4th quarter. France pulled away from the USA team that shot nothing but bricks in the final minutes.

One thing that you did not see from the France team was Frank Ntilikina playing a single minute.

Apparently he had some sort of leg injury that prevented him from playing. But for Knicks fans it was just confirmation that Frank is soft and turns down opportunities to shine in big moments.

That is possible or maybe Frank felt that by not playing and doing well the Knicks would completely sour on him, remove his restricted free agent status and finally set him free.

In December, when asked what he thought about the Knicks not offering him an extension before the season began, Frank replied saying 'It is what it is'. Not exactly the words from a guy eager to stay in a Knicks uniform.

The Knicks should do everyone a favor, renounce his cap hold now and let him walk.

We all know the Knicks will the looking for a point guard in the draft and in free agency so why continue the charade.

You have your own problems stop worrying about the Nets.

 

The rest of the Eastern conference no longer takes you lightly. Every game against you now has playoff consequences and your pesky defense is no longer going to sneak up on anyone to steal a game here and there that you have no business winning.

Add all that to the more difficult schedule next season and, Oh no Knicks fans you will not be making any kind of run remotely like the Phoenix Suns.

In fact, your team is going to be worse before it gets better.

I even heard some of you fools saying that the Nets are in turmoil and worse off than the Knicks because of some obscure Kyrie Irving trade rumors.

C'mon guys you cannot claim to own New York yet the Nets are in your mouths all the time.

You idiots even have the audacity to claim that the Nets window of opportunity for a championship is now closed when Brooklyn's big three have two years left on everyone's contract. A bunch of Nets role players came off the books after the season, so they are free to sign vets who want to compete for a ring immediately at veteran minimums.

Tell me, honestly, in what way does that make the Nets worse off and in turmoil. You guys are delusional.

No team could the Knicks put together next season that could come close to competing against the Nets.

It is one thing to be a fan but keep your wits about you, please or you don't sound like the informed fans you always claim to be.

Go ahead, continue to have Dame/Kawhi fantasies. Nothing wrong with that. Maybe someday your dreams will come true but, in the meantime, keep a sane head will you please?!?

Here are the things you sad Knicks fans need to ponder.

Will RJ become a toughened young vet and have a good season after all the trade rumors, or will he have a season like Ben Simmons because he is worried about his place on your team? 

Could your fan base recover from another off season that a superstar is not signed, and you have to lie to yourselves about "rebuilding" again? 

Can Mitchell Robinson's foot come back as good as new, or will he be a big man with foot problems and never reach his potential like many big men of the past? 

If everyone now wants to come to the Knicks as you claim, then you should have your choice of free agents and therefore not have any pressing need to make irrational trades for one star.... again.  

These are the things to concern yourselves with Knicks fans not what is going on in Brooklyn. Sheesh

Enjoy your summer

Welp, it's finally over.

No more delusional fans dreaming of a magical playoff run that would see them defeating Brooklyn in the Eastern Conference finals and on to a chance at a championship.

Yeah, I know, crazy talk right. But hey these fools were really on one just because the Knicks made the playoffs.

The most important source of angst for the Knick fan this morning is the realization that this team is not one "more" star player away from competing for a title. Unfortunately, this team... has no stars.

Julius Randle, whom I like to call Regular Season Randle, is not on the level of Trae Young when it comes to performance in the playoffs. This team is still two stars away from vying for a championship.

Will the Knicks have enough cap room for two max contracts, Julius, and RJ Barrett? I don't know but that is the only way for this team to be competitive sooner than later.

Derrick Rose tried his best to will the team forward but if he is your best player, as he was this playoff season, you cannot count on being more than a one and done team.

Is there a veteran point guard willing to step in and take control of this team while being young and healthy enough to be the corner piece for the next five years? Oladipo maybe? Trade for Caris LeVert maybe? I don't know but that is the position that needs to be addressed first.

When Randle lost his confidence and the offense needed to make adjustments there was no point guard to direct this team on the fly and put players in position to be effective as well as showing ultimate leadership.

All I know is the Hawks of all teams came into the Garden game 1 and punked the Knicks out of homecourt advantage before running them out of their own building and the playoffs last night.

I don't ever want to hear a Knicks fan talk about how tough a team this is and how great they play defense. Clint Capela ripped your hearts out and laughed in your faces. Your team sucks. Its okay to admit that. It's the first step towards healing and getting better.

Knicks Lose Again and for the last time, Hawks 103 - 89 Knicks. Enjoy your summer. 😅

Tough Out My Ass

The biggest fear of Knicks fans was not potentially losing last night. The fear was Julius Randle was going to be exposed and proven not too big a cornerstone piece to building a championship. With Randle's play in three games, I think that the fear has become reality.

All season the offense ran through Randle, and not only did he put up big numbers but the other players learned their roles on the offense which helped to propel the Knicks team into the playoffs. However, in the playoffs Randle has played with little or no confidence and the most improved player in the league has choked when games matter the most.

If not for the play of Derrick Rose, the Knicks would be down 3 to 0. Rose's good play on offense had Thibs forced to start him om game 3. However it is the most important cause for concern. 

All regular season the supporting players grew comfortable in their roles following the lead of Randle on offense. But now that Rose has become the focal point on offense the past two games the offense is in disarray. The team, including Randle, are now standing around watching Rose because they don't have a clue what to do.

I don't know if Randle is just in a slump or is really a choke artist when it comes to being the leader of a team in big games. But I do know that he is not playing like he is worthy of a franchise player level contract right now and his future as a Knick might be in jeopardy.

Let's give Atlanta a little credit also. They not only came home and hit the shots they missed in game two, but they also played Knicks style defense more than the Knicks did. Giving the Knicks a taste of their own medicine by stepping into passing lanes and being more physical around the basket made mice out of men and the Knicks looked like they can't handle a team that isn't afraid of them.

A lot of media people and YouTubers swore this was going to a tough series because the Knicks are so much trouble on defense and not an easy out. All that "We play hard" doesn't scare anyone and it certainly doesn't scare Atlanta. 

Did they not think that the Hawks were grown men and they had no coaches that could make an adjustment to the Knicks juggernaut defense? Atlanta made an adjustment which worked. Give them credit.

Ironically, the only thing the Knicks could do that might be of help is the Triangle Offense, the pinch post part in particular. I don't know if coach Thibodaux however has the guts or the ability to teach and implement it in the next two days. Great teams and coaches adjust in the playoffs, let's see if the Knicks and coach Thib are ready to begin functioning like a great team.

This playoff run for the Knicks was never about making a run to the championship. This series was all about finding out if Julius Randle was the man. And now, it is clear that he is not going to be the cornerstone of a championship franchise in MSG. Julius can be a solid piece  but let's face it, the Knicks don't even have a big one yet let alone a big two or three like most teams vying for a ring.

Knicks lose again, Hawks 105-94 Knicks.

I didn't think the first round would be so entertaining.

Awww Knicks fans, don't cry. It's just one game. You guys will be okay.

Will you please now stop with all the fake tough talk about how you are the best team in New York City? 

Will you please now stop with all the defense wins championships stuff and your team will be a tough out? No you won't. Your star had an awful game and the rest of the team has no playoff experience.

Don't blame Frank Ntilikina because Trae Young got around him for the winning shot. Trae goes around everyone. 

It is not fair to ask a guy who only played about 90 seconds to come off the bench cold and no feel for the game to save the day with a stop on defense. Blame Julius Randle whose shot was tighter than Lizzo's waist band. Julius couldn't hit an elephant in the ass with a 2 by 4 tonight.

If Julius doesn't find his confidence in his day off the Knicks will get swept.

I told you guys that making the playoffs was the accomplishment to build on and not have false hopes about a playoff run. That was ridiculous. Now all the pressure is on the Knicks who have lost the homecourt advantage.

I didn't think the first round would be so entertaining. 

The Knicks kept the game close until the final seconds I must admit. The home crowd thought they were on the verge of witnessing the first playoff win in damn near a decade.

We saw Spike Lee jumping around, Tracy Morgan dancing, all up in the videos. Or so they thought until Trae Young crossed up Frank and gave the fans the kiss of defeat with the tear drop of death.

I'm loving this.

Knicks lose again, Atlanta 107 - 105 Knicks.

Don't make me go HAM on you kid

Before Jeremy Lin restores peace to Syria and makes Zero Point energy a reality would someone mind asking him to cut the turnovers in half?

Any point guard that throws more turnovers than assists sucks at the position no matter how much the world loves him.

The Knicks Lose Again, Hornets 89 - Knicks 85

Knicks are nothing more than hype

The battle of the two worse sub .500 teams took place last night in Madison Square Garden and the Bucks, who hadn't won a road game all year, came out the victors.

Playing with no sense of urgency or realization that they are truly a poor basketball team the Knicks were taken advantage of by the Milwaukee Bucks who took it to the Knicks in the second half to once again prove that Carmelo Anthony and this cast of characters are nothing more than hype.

Every team in the NBA feels that the New York Knicks get all the publicity and notoriety it does simply because they play in New York City and are motivated to whip them in the Garden every chance they get. For the better teams it is a chance to appear the bigger bully for the lesser teams beating the Knicks is their playoff and championship game. Unfortunately Mike D'Antoni and the Knicks players don't seem to grasp this fact and begin games with a sense of urgency and importance. The rest of the league is happy to take advantage of them.

Last night when it became apparent that the Knicks were going to lose again Carmelo Anthony showed a new low in class by fouling and mouthing off to Brandon Jennings resulting in his second technical foul which got him tossed from the game in the fourth quarter. I think he didn't want to be on the court to hear the boos after the final buzzer sounded and purposely got tossed.What a leader.

Can someone explain to me in what way Carmelo Anthony is better than Zach Randolph? That's what I thought, nothing but hype.

Tonight the Knicks play the Denver Nuggets and will face Danillo Galinari and Timofey Mozgov and if you are a Knicks fan prepare for another whupping.

The Knicks Lose Again Bucks 100 - Knicks 86

You are going to have to suffer through this for the next six years

You would think that a professional basketball player of average intelligence would recognize an evening when his shot wasn't falling and decide that if he isn't going to get thirty points, he'd try his damndest to get thirty rebounds. Well, Carmelo Anthony is not of average intelligence and was hell bent on forcing poor shots whether or not he was double teamed or off balanced.

Since he has arrived in NYC the Knicks have a losing record and Stoudemire and Fields have become shells of themselves. Instead of uplifting the players around him Carmelo Anthony has lowered everyone's game.

Are you waiting for my solution to the problem? There isn't one. You are going to have to suffer through this for the next six years. Good luck with that.

So let's recap shall we. In order to acquire Anthony and make room for his salary the Knicks traded to Denver Danillo Gallinari, Raymond Felton, Timofey Mozgov and Wilson Chandler along with two second round picks the Knicks acquired in the trade of David Lee to Golden State. The Knicks also traded Anthony Randolph and Eddie Curry's expiring contract, which probably would have been enough to get Chris Paul, to Minnesota for Corey Brewer, who would have made a nice two or three for the Knicks but was promptly sent to Dallas. Brewer was able to cash that bright idea into a championship ring. Do you still think it was a good idea to give up all that talent and cap space for Marshmelo?

But I digress, the Knicks Lose Again Phoenix 91 - Knicks 88

The D'Antoni watch has officially begun

With the best record in the West and coming off a five game winning streak I didn't bother to watch this game because I knew what the outcome would be when the Knicks faced the Oklahoma Thunder tonight. The score was closer than I had expected until I saw the box scores. It was never really close at all.

The D'Antoni watch has officially begun.

The Knicks Lose Again, Thunder 104 - Knicks 92

Baron Davis

Why did the Knicks sign Baron Davis when they already have Andy Rautins? I don't understand.

Are we going to start this fucking shit all over again?

November 27, 2011 It was a cool and bright Sunday morning and I had just finished my coffee and bacon, egg and cheese on a toasted roll sandwich. I saw a couple of cute hookers when I went to the veggie stand and all was right with the world.

Well, all was right with the world until the sports talk on the radio shifted from the particulars of the NBA agreement reached yesterday to Knicks talk and my rage began.

Now, I know I said last season that I'd never write another post for this blog again and I was really hoping to keep my word but these fuckers on the radio have pissed me off again and I need to say a quick word or two which is a better alternative to going outside and shooting cats with my BB gun.

It wasn't the idiotic Mike D'Antoni talk that set me off today. I think the hiring of Mike Woodson is Jim Dolan's way of putting Mikey on notice about what will happen if the team starts off poorly and I am good with that. Defensive coach, lol, yeah right.

Nor was it the foolish 'Chauncey Billups will lead us to the promised land' claptrap from callers. If the Knicks don't pull off a deal to move that 14 million dollar contract of Billup's for Marc Gasol they are officially a bunch of retards.

The fucks on the radio are still wondering if there is another free agent center out there that would be a better fit than Amare Stoudemire. Umm, dick wads, Amare is not a center and he broke down physically last year because he is constantly playing out of position. Are we going to start this fucking shit all over again this abbreviated season? Really?

If the Knicks don't address the point guard and center position look for them to repeat the one and done playoff appearance of last season and will repeat every season going forward.

Are these fans and "analysts" ever going to get it?

Let's hope that Landry Fields put up at least 50 thousand 18 foot jump shots during the off season so that someone can take advantage of the mid range opportunities that will present themselves when Amare and Carmelo are on the court at the same time. We shall see.

Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to fire up my new Hector Lavoe playlist and practice my new Salsa steps.

Mr. Anthony, are you that selfish?

You know, I have purposely refrained from commenting on the past two losses for the Knicks because I don't want to come off as just a complainer.

However, it has been difficult to do while I watch the Denver Nuggets box-scores to only to see Raymond Felton and Wilson Chandler doing so well.

And watching the evening news and witnessing Deron Williams, who I have stated in past posts would have been a better fit for the Knicks, take the hapless Nets on a five game winning streak and improving the players around him isn't helping either.

It is obvious that if the Knicks are going to give up on the D'Antoni system then he has to go because he knows no other way of coaching. But no matter the coach one thing must happen beginning today, Carmelo Anthony has to stop being a selfish baby.

Mr. Anthony, you got your extension and all the money you asked for, there is no reason to continue to play as if you don't have a fucking working synapses in your brain. Refusing to buy into moving the ball on offense and moving your ass on defense makes you look like a selfish idiot of the highest magnitude.

Why can't you just defer to the system that the majority of your new teammates know and buy in to being a team player? Why does it have to be all about you?

I can't say you have a case of Al Harrington's Disease because that disease forces a player to attempt to do too much to prove his worth on the team. Your problem is different.

You have your contract, you have your money and you are playing "at home", which I always thought that was some bogus BS from your camp but whatever, you have everything you wanted. Why can't you give this team and fans some of what it wants which is team basketball within the confines of D'Antoni's passing philosophy and effort on defense?

Dude, are you that selfish?

It is time to make drastic changes

The Knicks attempted to fight back and win this game but they got nothing out of Chandler and Fields, both of whom may have checked out mentally because of their names mentioned in trade rumors earlier in the day for Carmelo, and the rest of the team missed a lot of open shots.

It is time for this franchise to make drastic changes with or without Carmelo Anthony. Well, it was fun while it lasted.

The Knicks Lose Again Spurs 101 - Knicks 92

Let's make it happen Donnie

From what I understand the Knicks showed up at an arena in Houston tonight but decided not to play so the Rockets ran circles around them and got a victory.

I also heard that the Russian has broken off talks with the Nuggets so I am sure Donnie Walsh knows that Denver will be open to taking a bag of bagels for Carmelo Anthony right now. But Donnie is a nice man and will probably offer Fields, Gallinari, Curry and one of the two 1st round draft picks he acquires for trading Randolph to a third team. Personally I wouldn't even go after Carmelo.

I would work on getting Marc Gasol and Iguadala which would make the Knicks contenders for the East today. Unfortunately my opinion doesn't matter, except to you nice folks.

Whatever deal you can make Donnie let's make it happen immediately and move forward, I can't watch much more of this.

The Knicks Lose Again Houston 104 - Knicks 89

The wheels have officially fallen off

I have to admit, I didn't watch today's game. I figured that since the Knicks couldn't beat the Kings at MSG they certainly can't beat the Suns at home either. And I was right.

Donnie, make your trades now since the wheels have officially fallen off. Get as much value out of the current roster on the trading block that you can while the getting is good.

The Knicks Lose Again Suns 129 - Knicks 121