The New York Knicks may have the better record, but the Brooklyn Nets are having a better season, and here’s why …
It is undeniable that this season has been a disappointment for both the Brooklyn Nets and the New York Knicks.One team is in the midst of a serious rebuild while the other is struggling with a roster of often injured players, that are unable to regain their all-star form.
The Nets record stands at a demoralizing 9-40 and because of the ill-advised Pierce/Garnett trade, they have no hopes of landing the overall number one pick in the draft. That alone should be enough for the Knicks to secure the better season by a landslide, but somehow that isn’t the case.
Despite it already known that the Knickerbockers are the city’s team and will finish with the better record this season, that doesn’t mean they’re equipped with the brighter future. In fact, is are the Brooklyn Nets who own the future.
Page by page, we’ll analyze why this is the case:
The New York Knicks Angle
After posting a 32-50 record last season, Knicks President Phil Jackson, the most decorated head coach in NBA history, was seemingly getting the franchise back on track. There were many reasons for Knicks fans to be excited; the emergence of Kristaps Porzingis, the trade for Derrick Rose, the scoring ability of Carmelo Anthony and the stability of their new head coach, Jeff Hornacek.
If expectations weren’t high enough, Derrick Rose, in his introductory press conference, called the Knicks a “Super Team,” a name reserved for the likes of the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors. That statement would haunt Rose and Knicks, as he quickly learned that the New York media isn’t very forgiving.
Entering the season, the Knicks were slated for a top spot in the Eastern Conference. Although there were questions regarding the use of the triangle, many around the NBA expected the Knicks to be able to lock up a top spot in the east. The additions of Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah and Brandon Jennings brought the excitement back to Madison Square Garden and the Knicks were once again a force to be reckoned with.
That was … until the season began.
The Anti-Super Team
The Knicks are 11th in the Eastern Conference and in danger of not making the playoffs with a record of 22-29. Throughout the season, the Knicks antics have been garnishing headlines worthy of an episode of “Keeping up with the Kardashians.”
From Derrick Rose’s sexual assault case to their current attempts to trade Carmelo Anthony, their best player and leading scorer, the Knicks’ have become must-watch television, and not for the right reasons. A dysfunctional roster combined with a clueless front office has provided surprises at every turn.
Carmelo Anthony has shouldered most of the blame for the Knicks underwhelming season. Knicks fans have started to chant “Trade Carmelo” and boo every time he touches the ball.
However, there are those who believe the fans’ frustrations are misguided. Over the years, Knicks’ ownership and front office have failed to put a quality product on the Garden floor. They have continued to make questionable personnel decisions that ultimately led the Knicks to have one winning season in fifteen years. With Phil Jackson at the helm, it has been business as usual as the Knicks have continued their losing ways.
Despite all of this, there is a light at the end of the tunnel for the Knicks, in the form of a seven-foot Latvian named Kristaps Porzingis.
It is indisputable that the Knicks currently have the better roster, but only the Nets possess the front office stability and talent to eventually turn their train wreck around.
The Brooklyn Nets Angle
Even without their own 2017 and 2018 first round draft picks, the Nets are in a good position to rebuild. General manager Sean Marks will be entering this offseason with a first round pick in 2017, although they will most likely have to swap picks with the Boston Celtics.
The Nets also have two protected second round draft picks, via trades with Boston and Indiana. The teams’ scouting department has already proven to have an eye for talent and in a deep 2017 draft, the Nets front office will be looking to turn their second round picks into the likes of Isaiah Thomas and Draymond Green.
Despite their record, the Nets have reasons to be optimistic. They have identified two young players; Isaiah Whitehead and Caris LeVert, who are poised to become foundational pieces of the Nets future. Led by Whitehead and LeVert, the Nets have established one of the best second units in the NBA, averaging in the top 10 in points, rebounds, assists and steals.
The Nets will also be able to make a splash in free agency, as they are slated to have the most salary cap space in the NBA. In an era where the league’s stars desire to play together, Marks will have the flexibility to sign several max salary players.
It’s expected that Nets management will evaluate every possibility to put together a winning product. With significant spending power and several draft picks, the Nets front office will have the tools necessary to build a successful Eastern Conference team.
The Phil Jackson experiment has failed
The Knicks are crumbling right before our eyes. The same acquisitions that once brought optimism to The Big Apple are now being vilified and chased out of the Garden.
Carmelo Anthony has one foot out the door and will likely be moved before the trade deadline. Derrick Rose and Brandon Jennings’ contracts are coming to an end and they are seemingly ready to get on the first flight out of New York. That leaves the Knicks with a core of Courtney Lee, Joakim Noah and Kristaps Porzingis.
The Phil Jackson experiment has failed.
New York is, once again, looking down the barrel of a rebuilding phase. However, this time, the rebuild comes with Phil Jackson’s credibility as a decision maker being questioned. The gleam of his eleven rings has diminished and it has become evident that he is unable to adapt to an evolving, much younger NBA.
Phil has recently been criticized by many around the NBA for his “posse” comments in regard to LeBron James’ business associates; a reference that has caused some of the NBA’s biggest stars to voice their displeasure with the Knicks’ President.
More importantly, Jackson has failed to turn the Knicks into a championship contender.
In nearly three years as the Knicks’ president, he has been unable to capitalize on the prime years of Carmelo Anthony’s career. Despite Anthony’s faults, he has arguably been the best Knicks player in the last twenty years however, their relationship is ending on a low note.
With Jackson’s integrity questioned, combined with a losing track record with the Knicks, it is questionable whether any prize free agents will agree to sign with New York.
The Verdict
Both franchises are now in rebuilding mode in a city that has little patience for losing.
Next season, the Knicks are likely to be without Derrick Rose, Carmelo Anthony and yes, maybe even the Zen Master, Phil Jackson; all moves that would leave the Knicks roster and front office in disarray.
One the other hand, the Nets have already started their rebuild and possess the assets necessary in order to turn things around; a general manager with a championship pedigree, a head coach that has been groomed by two former NBA Coaches of the Year, Mike D’Antoni and Mike Budenholzer, and a group of young players that seem to be getting better after every game.
The Nets and Knicks are facing similar challenges, but only one team is in a position to immediately bounce back.
The Knicks fall from grace will leave the Nets as the last team standing in New York.