Leon Rose

The New York Knicks should prefer Atkinson over Thibodeau

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Brooklyn Nets, Kenny Atkinson

The new president of the New York Knicks, Leon Rose, will need time to evaluate current personnel.  It seems like interim head coach Mike Miller, most likely, won’t be returning.  Rose will be looking for a more experienced coach.  But what he should be looking for is a developmental coach.

Kenny Atkinson was let go by the Brooklyn Nets.  This news came as a shock considering he’s doing the best possible job with the roster he has.  Coming from Knicks fans, that’s saying something.

Before the arrival of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, Atkinson was able to take a young Nets roster to the playoffs.  And while fans probably won’t want to admit it, he put a better, younger product on the floor than the Knicks.

Last season, Atkinson had a group of young, role players that earned the 6th playoff spot in the East.  While it might not mean much in the East, he still developed a playoff team.  This season, his roster is even worse with the injuries to Irving and Durant and they’re still in the playoff picture, the Knicks are not.

Irving and Durant are headaches, so being relived of his duties isn’t on Atkinson.  It was more player driven, allegedly, well Irving driven.

Atkinson coming to the Knicks would be the best case scenario.  He can develop young players and that is what the Knicks need the most.  Tom Thibodeau remains high on the list for the position but isn’t high on developing youth.  Jeff Van Gundy is a pipe dream and shouldn’t want to leave his comfy job for the mess that is the Knicks anyway.   Atkinson should be the New York Knicks number one priority for developmental purposes.

The New York Knicks should not party like it’s 2012

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New York Knicks, Carmelo Anthony

The new team president of the New York Knicks, Leon Rose, is trying to bring back old 2012 rumors and make it a reality.  Rose is, allegedly, connected to Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul becoming Knicks.

The Knicks are “gathering intel” on Paul for the possibility of, finally, bringing him to New York.  First off, what does that even mean?  What intel do they need to gather?  Paul has been in the league for awhile and consistently a top tier guard.  They should have everything they need.

Paul gets big money with 2 years left on his current deal.   He’ll earn $41.3 million next season then $44.2 million in 2021-22, player option.  Paul is having a great year averaging 17.5 points on 48.8% shooting, 6.7 assists and 4.9 boards.  He also has the Thunder as the 6th seed in the West.

Rose wants to pair Paul with Anthony, which was a Knicks fans dream in 2012.  Bringing back Anthony on a veteran minimum contract would be fine.  He would be looked to teach the younger players, but that isn’t Anthony.  That isn’t his style and it would be 2015 all over again.

But, to get Paul, the team would most likely have to give up first round picks and young players.  Not ideal, considering the Knicks finally have first round picks, 7 in the next 4 years.  Plus Paul’s contract is a lot of money for an aging star.  Let’s not go down that road again adding older players.

Paul would be able to teach the younger players also and would have a different effect as compared to Anthony.  But, the New York Knicks don’t need to fill the roster with former clients of Rose.  That’s not how to build a winning team, especially a team that’s currently rebuilding.

The NBA needs to step in on how fans of the New York Knicks are treated

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New York Knicks

The New York Knicks went from having a decent start to the week to a disaster.  As if the Spike Lee fiasco wasn’t enough, there’s more reports of fans being harassed.

A fan in attendance to last nights pounding by the Utah Jazz began a ‘Sell the team’ chant.  That fan was interrogated and threatened with possible arrest over the chant, reports Stefan Bondy.  This isn’t the first time this has happen to Knicks fans.

A video surfaced last season of a fan recording the Knicks owners walking into the tunnel saying just that.  The owner asked one of his officials do something with that fan, most likely was escorted out of the building.

There must to be several other incidents similar to these.  This is very on brand for the Knicks in regards to how their supporters have been treated.  First was Charles Oakley, more fan interrogations, Spike Lee, more fans situations.

It’s ridiculous already.  The NBA and Adam Silver need to realize that this bad for business.  Not just for the New York Knicks but entire association.  The league’s most valuable franchise harassing fans is not a good look.

Fans come to the Garden, or any other game in that matter, to have a good time.  While some fans take that ‘fun’ to a different level, chanting ‘Sell the team’ is petty.  And if others don’t believe that it’s a trigger for the owner then something’s wrong.

Fans need to realize that this has to be one of the main factors to why big name free agents don’t choose the Knicks.  The way they’re run is the issue and it starts from the very top.

Yes, it’s the owners team and he has the right to run his team however he wants.  But there has to be a line.  Harassing loyal supporters and fans is bad business.  The NBA should step in on how the New York Knicks are run because it’s indeed toxic.  Best of luck Leon Rose.

The New York Knicks are so good at looking so bad

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A day after the New York Knicks gave new team president, Leon Rose, a thrilling victory, more negative news comes out.

The Spike Lee fiasco is the top story on Sportscenter.  This is our attempt of trying to not shed even more light on a story that shouldn’t have been a story.  This is what journalism has become, trying to make things out like that to be bigger than they should be.

Whenever the Knicks finally do something good.  They always find their way back into the negative limelight of the sports world.  A simple misunderstanding makes things a lot worse for the Knicks and has the basketball laughing at them, yet again.

This comes as no surprise to the die-hard Knicks fans.  Like we said, something good happens then they take two steps back.  This shouldn’t be anything new to fans.

Just after the Knicks look like an entirely different team, in a good way,outside distractions make them really good at looking bad.  This is why the team has trouble attracting free agents.  Player see how the organization treats the their biggest supports/players so, in turn, they players can’t be treat much better?  It may not be the case but it’s possible.

Leon Rose is going to have his hands full with this New York Knicks organization and their owner.  The roster situation won’t be his biggest problem, it’ll be everything but that.

The New York Knicks and Leon Rose era has officially begun

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New York Knicks, Carmelo Anthony

Leon Rose has officially taken over as the new president of the New York Knicks.  No press conference was held but Rose sent out this message to season ticket holders and fans.  His letter was mature, genuine and, hopefully, brings a new hope to the franchise.

Fans took to social media voicing their opinions over the non-presser.  Some were in favor and some weren’t.  It’s a good change for the Knicks.  Rose will have enough one his hands to start with.  No need to hammer this man with questions about who’s he going to hire and/or try to sign or trade for.

While a press conference, is good and exciting, talk is cheap.  Rose stated that he’s going to more ‘behind-the-scenes‘ when it comes to his decisions.  With a lot of new decisions to be made and coaches/players to arrive, there will be plenty of press conferences.  Unless, this is how Rose is going to do things.

Rose thanked Miller for his ‘leadership & professionalism’.  While it’s nice to hear, Miller will most likely not return as the head coach next season.  Rose will be looking for a coach with experience to help him right the ship with the Knicks.

There were also reports of Rose possibly bringing back Carmelo Anthony.  Another thing that’s nice to hear, but the Melo era didn’t end well so there’s no need to go down that path again.

A press conference isn’t going to change things for the Knicks anyway.  Rose’s actions are going to.  He’s going to run his operations quietly, that’s how best GMs in the league conduct their business.  They aren’t flashy or try to bring more attention to themselves or their team then what’s needed.  It’s a new time for the New York Knicks, or we hope.

The New York Knicks need a new ‘Amar’e Stoudemire & Carmelo Anthony’

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New York Knicks, Carmelo Anthony

The New York Knicks need a lot more than just a new team president and “re-brand.”  Well, the team doesn’t need a “re-brand” at all.  The Knicks are currently valued at 4.6 billion, the most expensive team in the league.  The brand is doing just fine.

This season Knicks continue to be a roller-coaster.  After a 4-game win steak, fans were thinking playoffs.  Then after a miserable performance against the Wizards, the playoffs float away.

A new team president would help over a “re-brand.”  Bringing in a new team president will give the Knicks the opportunity to start fresh and target new free-agents.  Can Leon Rose be that guy once he takes over?  That’s still up for debate but we hope.

When Rose takes over, the Knicks need to hope that he can bring in free-agents or players that can change the course of the franchise.  The Knicks need players like Amar’e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony.

Those two players were the only two that had the drive and determination to try and resurrect the New York Knicks.  Most likely the Knicks will have to build through the draft.  But, getting some free-agents, or through trades, would also help.

Players say that they want to come to New York because it’s the ‘Mecca’ of basketball, which it is.  However, when players come fans will get excited but those players don’t have that ‘it’ factor.  Stoudemire and Anthony had the ‘it’ factor.  They changed the course of the Knicks for the better and while it was only a short time, they did.

If the Knicks want turn around their franchise they need players like those two.  Yes, a team president will help get those players, but the players are the one’s who perform on the court.  Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving were suppose to be the next two and look how that worked out.

The Knicks needs to find their next Stoudemire and Anthony, wherever and however that may be.  Otherwise, it’s going to be another long decade.

New front office for the New York Knicks next year could change everything

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New York Knicks, James Dolan

The New York Knicks need a change.  A change for the better.  With all of the commotion of the trade deadline, the Knicks have begun to make that change.

The Knicks will bring in CAA agent Leon Rose as the team’s next president.  Before that news broke, the organization hired Steve Stoute, a music executive and the founder of the ad agency Translation.  Stoute will help ‘re-brand’ the Knicks.  The team doesn’t need a re-brand.  They’re still one of the biggest names in the league but the way things have been going, anything helps.

With those two exciting hires for the Knicks, there could be one more looming.  Incoming team president, Leon Rose, reportedly wants to bring back one of the most beloved Knick coaches.  Jeff Van Gundy.  While this is just a rumor for now, it would be the best case scenario for the team.

Those three individuals could change the course completely for the New York Knicks.  While it won’t be quick or easy but the organization can’t get any worse.

All three are very well-respected which is something they Knicks haven’t had in a while.  Well, David Fizdale was and still is respected around the league he was a little to buddy-buddy with his players.  He even admitted yesterday his flaws when leading the Knicks.

Rose, Stoute and Van Gundy gained recognition in their own way whether that’s through music, agent-player relationships or coaching.  Whatever it may be the Knicks needs a lot of fresh new voices and these could be them.

Bringing back Van Gundy would take a lot.  There’s always been rumors of him returning to coaching especially to the Knicks but, again, they’re all rumors.  He has one of the best gigs going currently being the lead calling games and he’s very good at it.  The stress of bringing the Knicks back to life would take a pretty penny.  However, Rose and ‘World Wide Wes’ might do whatever it takes.

A wild roller-coaster of a trade deadline for the New York Knicks

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New York Knicks, Marcus Morris

The New York Knicks had one roller-coaster of a trade deadline.  Rumors were swirling of all kinds of trades but the organization only had one.

The Knicks traded Marcus Morris to the Los Angeles Clippers for Moe Harkless, 2020 first-rounder and a second-rounder.

Scott Perry was the one orchestrating the trades as the news broke of the Knicks adding a new team president.  Perry did an ‘ok’ job in this trade deadline but more could have been done.

Getting a first-round pick back was a victory in itself but the Knicks were trying to get some young prospects out of the deal as well.  Other players that were speculated to be on the move were Bobby Portis, Dennis Smith Jr., Kevin Knox, Elfrid Payton and Allonzo Trier all stayed put.

The bigger victory, however, still remains the Knicks parting ways with Steve Mills.  The franchise is now looking to add Leon Rose as the next team president.  A deal was being finalized but there’s been no official report.  The Knicks owner also made it clear he would not be selling the team, Ian Begley reports.

After the roller-coaster of a day, the Knicks still had a game to play.  They came back to defeat the Orlando Magic 105-103. The team had a good team first half.  They played together and had more pep in their step.

However, the Knicks had to scratch and crawl their way back at the end for a thrilling victory.  The comeback victory wouldn’t have happened if it was for team defense and another great all-around game by Elfrid Payton.  Also, the return of RJ Barrett gave the team something extra.

The New York Knicks are now on a 3-game win steak and are looking to give the younger players more time, or we hope.

New York Knicks may have found their new team president in Leon Rose

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The New York Knicks are finalizing a deal that will make CAA agent Leon Rose the next team president.  This comes as a quick shock for Knicks fans with the trade deadline looming at 3pm today.

Besides this seeming like it was rushed to find the new president, Rose is ‘low-key’ one of the most powerful people in sports.  He represents a lot of superstar players in the association.  For example, Karl Anthony-Towns and Devin Booker.   Some fans already have the thoughts that Rose could lead him to the Knicks.

Rose also is suppose to have a close relationship with D’Angelo Russell’s agent.  Which gets us thinking that the Knicks still could deal for Russell by the deadline.

Along with Rose will come William “World Wide Wes” Wesley.  He, along with Rose, will be in charge of basketball operations looking to turn around the Knicks.

As for now, Scott Perry will still be looking to make some decisions before the deadline.  However, this seems so rushed that Rose could ready to make moves for the Knicks today.

But, this is could be smart move for the New York Knicks.  It was mentioned that Anthony-Towns, Booker and Russell want to team up one day in the league.  Could this president move bring a young big 3 to New York?  Only time will tell.