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Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know... I'm being really obvious with the title of this post, perhaps even pessimistic, BUT I am a Knicks fan. It pains me to have to write this, but my therapist, Dr. Leo Marvin is on vacation up in New Hampshire. He's going to shoot a segment for "Good Morning America," you know. Anyway, can the Knicks get their ish together? At this point, it doesn't even look like it'll happen if they took baby steps.
For a bit of time now, the New York Knicks have sacrificed putting a winning product on the court anticipating the "down below stiffness" that's also known as the 2010 NBA free agency class. However, recently the NBA released its 2010 salary cap projections and it's looking grim for the Knicks. Many thought, especially the Knicks, the cap would be around $60+ million, but the projections say, "Nope, think $8-10 million less, dummies!"So, basically when you thought you'd have a one-night stand with Megan Fox, instead you get to punch holes with Debra Messing. Still, not anything to throw out of the bed, but nowhere near as hot as Ms. Fox.
In any case, if the salary cap does work out the way the league is predicting, it's looking like the Knicks, and any other NBA team for that matter, will only be able to sign one max-contract player and not two as they hoped. Well, not without going over the luxury tax limit and paying double on whatever they're over. Yup, the tax is dollar for dollar, so if the Knicks are over and they sign a player to a $10 million contract, the contract is essentially worth $20 million. Ouch.
So, let's say the Knicks sign LeBron James in the summer of 2010. In all likelihood, they will miss out on everyone else, such as (potentially) Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Amar'e Stoudemire, Joe Johnson, et al. However, I don't see James signing with the Knicks without the Knicks having something resembling a team and supporting cast for the King. The Knicks are nowhere near being a playoff team and the Cleveland Cavaliers have a much better supporting cast in place. Although that contract Anderson Varejao signed was stupid on the Cavs' part. He'll be making about $7 million a year over six years, but could be more if he makes his incentives.
Trust me, I love the hustle, heart, and the dead animal on his head, but Varejao will be making more than Ron Artest and Trevor Ariza, two free agents that many teams wanted this offseason. And he'll probably only make a little over $1 million less a year than Lamar Odom once he (re-)signs. Consider the talent levels. Consider the contracts. Consider shooting yourself for being short and not being able to do a really great Vlade Divac impersonation with your ass.
Anyway, I don't expect James to sign with the Knicks unless they somehow sign another superstar player first. Unless, it really was all about the money and marketing afterall. But, how bad would that dent James' credibility about wanting to win a title? It would be equal to the impact of about ten swift kicks to the nuts in a row... bare pickled. However, I don't see it happening and, maybe, just maybe, Cleveland won't commit mass basketball enthusiasm suicide because the hometown boy decides to re-sign with the Cavs. They can only hope.
But, what hope do the Knicks have at this point? Not much. Jason Kidd got a great offer from the team, but decided that he would rather stay with the Dallas Mavericks because, well, they're such a better team that can actually make the playoffs. The same goes for Grant Hill who also rejected the Knicks' overtures. It's so bad that the Knicks are seriously considering Andre Miller, a 33-year-old veteran well past his prime to a one-year contract. What's wrong with the one-year contract offer considering it doesn't affect the Knicks well-publicized plans to have a lot of money in the summer of 2010? Nothing. The problem is that signing Miller would be the biggest news and acquisition for the Knicks in some time. That's like being ecstatic about buying two beef hot dog packs for only five bucks. Seriously, who cares? You eat it (play one year) and then you crap it out (gone after said one year). To quote the greatness that is Derrick Coleman, "Whoop-dee-damn-do."
And it gets worse. The player being mentioned as the guy that can entice LeBron to join the Knicks is Danilo Gallinari. Holy crap! Really? Gallinari is going to be the bait to lure LeBron? I think Gallo is a talented player, but really? It would be like being attracted to a chick's personality. And I'm thinking, like every normal guy, James is a boob and/or butt man. I think Wilson Chandler, if he can play the two guard position more consistently, would be a better option to get LeBron's attention. Or, how about this crazy idea? Sign David Lee, a proven double-double machine in coach Mike D'Antoni's system, to an extension just a bit above the mid-level exception, even, dare I say, Varejao money. Lee is worth it and would be a common sense pre-emptive signing when the cap goes down for the 2010-11 season.
However, when it comes to the Knicks, common sense is really hard to come by these days.
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