Teams in Transition
What often gets lost in Knicks history is the job Ernie Grunfeld did to keep the team at an highly-competative level at the end of the Patrick Ewing era.
Obviously the biggest mistake the team made was getting into a fierce ego clash (we’re talking to you Dave Checketts) with Ewing and trading his deal instead of letting it come off the books. It was a decision that should be looked at as the single root to the Knicks demise shortly after the turn of the century.
Sure Layden (egg) made his mistakes, as did Isiah, but organizations who remain at the top of the NBA food chain have to make hard short term decisions for the sake of the future. Unfortunately, coaches are programmed to worry about day-to-day activities so often times a rift can cause a parting of ways.
Take the Suns. Steve Kerr made a very wise move, I believe, in taking on Shaq’s massive contract. Mike D’Antoni disagreed, and much like Jeff Van Gundy, whose stomach turned when he thought about the prospects of moving forward with the Knicks and resigned, D’Antoni sought out another job.
So the secret here is to make the playoffs, all the while positioning yourselves to get back to the level you had played for several years. It’s the old, one step back in hopes of two steps forward.
So as D’Antoni looks at the other bench, the one he manned for years, and frankly should have led to an NBA Championship, he’ll see an older Nash, a disgruntled Amar’e and some pieces that may land them the 8th seed in the West or slightly better. They’ll be lucky to get out of the 1st round.
And he has to be very thankful that he’ll be a visitor.
I hope Phoenix gives Mike his props, much like the Garden did when Van Gundy returned. Guys should be applauded for giving their all, and having time run out. Kerr made a decision to pull the plug on the team’s make up, and although D’Antoni didn’t agree, he has to know now that it was the right decision.
It was time to move on.
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