We learn this morning that Phil Jackson and the Knicks will be parting ways. Many in the SU intergalactic subscriber base will be smiling today as they have been calling for his departure for many months now. The preliminary reports make it sound like the tipping point was management not wanting to buy out Carmelo’s contract and the treatment of Porzingis. SU agrees with the Porzingis criticism; that is not how you treat the future of the franchise and you don’t look to move him after two years. Even if Porzingis doesn’t turn out to be the savior of the franchise, he is still someone to build around and refreshingly new in New York.
The buyout of Melo’s contract is the only solution to this problem. As pointed out by several in their comments, he has become untradeable and the Knicks really need to swallow some dollars and move on. Apparently, ownership did not agree and here we are. But Knick fans, do not fret. Derrick Rose is interested in returning to go another season or two without passing to anyone. What is wrong with this team? How do they not get it? It’s not a problem for SU as I abandoned the Knicks a long time ago thanks to Isiah Thomas and Stephan Marbury. Still have my eye on the Nets and can save you a seat on the bandwagon. Just let me know.
Older Yankee fans may recall Dave Righetti’s tenure as the closer in the 1980s. Back then, the Yankees had great hitting with Mattingly, Ricky Henderson and Dave Winfield but pitching was an ongoing challenge. They were pretender contenders back then. And just when they would finally go on a run and be poised to get into the thick of things, Dave Righetti would blow a save in such painful fashion that it caused a 5-game losing streak. It happened so many times. Well, last night, Betances was this year’s Righetti. The team battled back as it always does and survived Tyler Clippard’s painful to watch 8th inning to carry a 1-run lead into the bottom of the 9th. But Betances was out of rhythm or whatever and allowed the walk-off hit after loading the bases with no hits. SU invested 3 and a half hours into that game. Just can’t do that again. They are down Holliday, Castro, Bird and Hicks now and the line up is not very threatening. That is why you need to win games like last night’s. However, SU was excited to see Tyler Wade make his major league debut and Refsnyder is likely a day away from being designated for assignment now to clear another spot for a youngster. They need to stay the course with youth.
So, Knick fans, you need a new GM/Team President. SU says Isiah Thomas may be about to return to a theatre near you. Watch this one.
Sports Update Intergalactic 
Like you and many Knick fans, I grew very disillusioned during the Isiah/Stephan circus. They might as well go into full tank mode a la the 76’ers and build a young core. Their latest draft pick reinforces this as he is 2 years away from panning out. Sadly retaining Rose would help that goal as he wants his points and nothing else.
The Nets made a good deal on draft day but it is painful to have to give next years likely Top 10 pick to the C’s again. I’m sure Paul Pierce will take credit for that pick too.
The Knicks just made clear what the problem with the team is. Ownership. Sure, at any moment we can blame Jackson or Anthony or Isaiah or DAntoni or Marbury….The real problem is Ownership. Clearly they know how to run a cable monopoly. They also know how to run an arena (also a monopoly) and a TV station (forced on consumers by the monopolies) and maybe even a hockey team. But they make no good decisions with the Knicks. Had enough of Jackson? That makes sense. It made sense two years ago and it makes sense now. But now is one week after the draft where Jackson had a chance to influence yet another year’s worth of the Knicks future. How can you let him manage that process and then get rid of him?
I have one defense of Phil Jackson. It was clear that he didn’t want to re-sign Anthony. (Donnie Walsh didn’t want him either.) Yet pressure from ownership and the media forced to General Managers to commit big money to a player that both knew doesn’t fit in the system. Actually, Anthony doesn’t fit in any system. I happen to appreciate Anthony’s skills and effort but think he is a net negative on any NBA team. Really, his only meaningful team success came during his one year of college. Since then he has been unhappy and unsuccessful with a wide variety of styles, coaches, systems and teammates. Jackson was stubborn and disengaged as General Manager. But he arrived with a roster that included Anthony. And he was forced to keep him. To me this had a greater impact on the team and on-court play than the coach or the triangle or any other levers at the GM’s disposal. Jackson had no chance to succeed.
Not ready to dump on Betances just yet. Over the past couple weeks, Clippard has been the problem. They need to stop using him in close games. He gets demoted to mop-up duty and the 5th or 6th inning in blowout games. I don’t now what’s wrong. He was good last year. And he was good early this year. But now he is reliably bad. He cannot take the mound late in a close game.
The Yankees lineup is so much worse than a month ago. One month ago they had zero holes. 1-9 hitters were doing damage…or at least 1-8. That has changed so quickly. Still, the offense is not the problem. And watching Judge and Sanchez is a joy. It’s not just the HRs. Judge’s singles are exciting. And Sanchez followed one with a double that game them the lead. Was not thrilled by Sanchez celebrating out of the box on that double though…would rather see him run hard on a double.
Growing tired of the media focus on Carmelo Antony’s no-trade clause. As if that is the reason he cannot be traded. What about being overpaid and having a style of play that is a net negative to just about any team. At this point, the only thing the no-trade clause is doing is protecting Carmelo’s image where we we are supposed to pretend that his love of NY and shrewd contract negotiation are keeping him here.