The one thing I hate in sports is when teams overpay for players. Two New York teams with the highest payrolls in their sport are the Yankees and Knicks. The only difference between the two is that the Yankees are successful while the Knicks are disgraceful.
At this time last month, there were some people saying "playoffs" and "Knicks" in the same sentence. Today, that would be considered an outright lie.
With the NBA playoffs starting next week, the New York Knicks were officially eliminated from the playoffs thanks to their Friday night loss to the New Jersey Nets.
So I have to ask, why give a contract extension to your head coach when your team is winning and playing good ball in the middle of the chase for the playoffs?
All season, Isaiah Thomas had been under pressure from the media and fans to succeed if he wanted to remain as coach next year. His players enjoy having him as their coach and were fighting hard to win games every night. This was a major part of the recipe for success this season.
However, since Thomas was told he would remain with the team next year, the Knicks have gone on a woeful 3-13 run and dropped from ninth place, a half game behind the final playoff spot to 12th place, now out of the playoffs.
They have even fallen behind the lowly Philadelphia 76er's, at one time the worst team in the league, as well as the Charlotte Bobcats.
And no, Michael Jordan is not playing with the Bobcats and helping them win.
The Knicks' hard times can be pinpointed to upper-level management, specifically owner James Dolan. Dolan loves Thomas and wanted him to remain as coach next season, but should have waited to see the end of the season and the team's final standings before making the decision to have him stay.
The right way to win is not to overspend on veteran players. It is important to stack up on young talented players and hope they develop into future all-stars. The Bobcats drafted Emeka Okafor with the second draft pick in the 2004 draft and he is currently one of the best rebounders and shot-blockers in basketball.
Some fans will use injuries as an excuse. I will not give any credit to the number of Knicks players that are hurt because of their payroll. When you have a $130 million payroll, teammates should step up and fill in for others.
Steve Francis was an all-star in the past, yet since joining the Knicks he has not performed well. He is making way too much money for a backup point guard averaging 10.9 points and 3.2 assists this season.
There was no reason to acquire Francis last year in a trade that gave up young prospect Trevor Ariza, who has averaged 9.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in only his third season.
Every team has players that are hurt sometime in the season. The Heat lost their top two superstars, Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O'Neal, and still went on to win the Southeast division without them.
O'Neal has only played 39 games and Wade missed 23 games at the end of the season.
Another problem with the Knicks is that they do not play any defense. They give up 100.3 points per game and have not improved all season. Thomas brought in Jared Jeffries in the off-season for a five-year, $55 million contract as the Knicks' defensive stopper. Yet it still seems like every game, a lone scorer will rack up 30 points against the Knicks sloppy defense.
Now the Knicks hope to hit the jackpot in the draft lottery and somehow manage to get first or second pick. Top college stars like Texas freshman Kevin Durant and Ohio State freshman Greg Oden are going to be the real deal at the next level. Both are presumed to be the top two picks at this year's draft.
All I have to say to the Knicks management, players, and fans is to pray. Pray everyday and maybe the basketball gods will finally let you win the lottery.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
