Being a Knick fan still sucks. James Dolan is still the team owner. However, it’s hard not to have fuzzy feelings about Phil Jackson, freshly minted as Knicks President. If James Dolan can keep his meddling hands and silver spoon ego away from team operations, we’re in good fucking shape. Phil said all the right things during today’s press conference. Just as people who know what they’re talking are apt to do. I am fucking elated. Maybe it’s because it’s my birthday. Or, perhaps it's that I just got back from SXSW in one piece (condolences to those that didn’t). But, it might be more. Action Jackson is a Knick again! And he’s posted in the Garden with “both feet in.”
According to what the dastardly Dolan said at the press conference, he finally realizes that he’s incompetent when it comes to basketball.
Donnie Walsh and Glen Grunwald did a hell of a job fixing Zeke’s mess until they were thwarted by our villainous owner. According to what the dastardly Dolan said at the press conference, he finally realizes that he’s incompetent when it comes to basketball. To that admittance I say, "It’s about damn time!" He said explicitly that he's ready to "willing and gratefully” concede to Jackson when it comes to the team on the floor.
Although Phil has never been an executive, he’s got an unshakable resume. Though he still has to prove that he can win with a team that doesn't include two of the best players in the game, he certainly knows how to control egos. Jackson has a track record we can trust. He also isn’t going to take Dolan’s shit.
Can we somehow get another star in New York this off-season? With no first round pick, and a strapped cap, that’s going to be difficult. What better way to flex than to have Melo take less money so that he can share the spotlight with someone else? Don’t mind me, I’m just a delusional Knick fan dreaming again.
Somehow Dolan managed to pry his evil claws into the hearts and minds of Knicks fans again. Let’s see if he can keep his mitts off the action on the floor now.
We made the right decision when we hired Donnie Walsh, we made the right decision when we replaced D’Antoni with Woodson, and we made the right decision hiring Phil. Somehow Dolan managed to pry his evil claws into the hearts and minds of Knicks fans again. Let’s see if he can keep his mitts off the action on the floor now. I know it’s a tall order, but us Knicks fans are like battered spouses: We believe that they can change even to the detriment of our well-being. But that’s what being a fan of these sons of bitches is all about. So bangwagon fans beware, being a Knicks fan entails high expectations mixed with the worst results imaginable and a hint of masochism.
I’m feeling pretty positive today, though. We’re on a six-game winning streak and five games out of the eighth spot with 15 games to go. But when I think about giving Denver a lottery pick if we don’t make the playoffs and the possibility of Melo’s exit, I remember that we’re fucked. Knicks fans are unstable creatures.
Two things that Phil said this afternoon made me happy: 1. “Jim [Dolan] came to me with this opportunity to pick a position you’d like to take. If I want to make this change, I have to jump in with both feet, move to New York and I have to do this job the right way.” And 2. “I have no problems committing to [saying that] Carmelo is in the future plans. … I think Carmelo, as great of a player as he is, he still has another level he can get to.”
But it's been less than 24 hours. For now, back to reality.
Angel Diaz (@ADiaz456) is a Staff Writer for Complex.
