For every OKC, building through the draft, there are 10 Minnesota TWolves- it's an absolute c***shoot. It's a gamble to get a top pick, it's a gamble you get a good player with that top pick, and then when the rookie deal is up you have to gamble on who to pay. We could spend the next 5 years tanking (news flash- we owe Denver 2 of our picks!), and still end up with a roster that is less talented than: Tyson, Melo, Amar'e, Lin, Shump, Jorts, JR Smith etc

Do you know why we've stunk for so long? Because of the 'what have you done for me lately' mentality where we turn on players at the drop of a hat and trade them. We never take the time to build up team chemistry, and have a stable system in place.

All that aside, please let me draw your attention to the Dallas Mavericks. I guess you've never heard of them, so let me explain my reasoning: they won a chip last year, so obviously Mark Cuban (who espouses brilliance like investing your money in lifetime supplies of toothpaste while the economy is down) was born as the prototypical owner. Despite the fact he's a toad who spends more time writing checks to the league for his inability to keep his fat pie hole shut than almost anything else, he's the last person I've heard of who owns an NBA team that won a championship. Plus doesn't this look more fun to hold than a guitar?

Let's recap shall we?

Dallas Mavericks - Cuban bought them in 2000. 1 chip in 11 years. That's really not that bad. He managed to catch lightning in a bottle with the 57-year-old Jason Kidd and got a real center in Tyson Chandler. That and Dirk playing out of his mind, and Voila! Chip city! See how easy that was?

So as you can see, you just need to trade the entire team, and get a top draft pick, then resign some quality free agents (I'll be glad to tell you which ones those are) and then you too will have brought the Knicks out of nowhere to get a trophy. It might take a decade or so, but hey, I'll be glad to help you deconstruct the whole thing and start over, because I just know this will work. Trust me.

Oh, but wait, you might say the Knicks did get a top draft pick all those years ago and signed free agents and still didn't win a chip. But you see, the difference is, today is today, and yesterday is yesterday. And I'm here telling you that my plan will work because I know today.

jrodmc wrote:Hi Mr. Dolan,
I know you're a rich guy, and I'm just another shmuck venting on a fan message board, but please, please realize that if I wasn't here typing, I'd be a captain of industry, or attending corporate board meetings, or organizing professional sporting events or maybe even curing cancer.

All that aside, please let me draw your attention to the Dallas Mavericks. I guess you've never heard of them, so let me explain my reasoning: they won a chip last year, so obviously Mark Cuban (who espouses brilliance like investing your money in lifetime supplies of toothpaste while the economy is down) was born as the prototypical owner. Despite the fact he's a toad who spends more time writing checks to the league for his inability to keep his fat pie hole shut than almost anything else, he's the last person I've heard of who owns an NBA team that won a championship. Plus doesn't this look more fun to hold than a guitar?

Let's recap shall we?

Dallas Mavericks - Cuban bought them in 2000. 1 chip in 11 years. That's really not that bad. He managed to catch lightning in a bottle with the 57-year-old Jason Kidd and got a real center in Tyson Chandler. That and Dirk playing out of his mind, and Voila! Chip city! See how easy that was?

So as you can see, you just need to trade the entire team, and get a top draft pick, then resign some quality free agents (I'll be glad to tell you which ones those are) and then you too will have brought the Knicks out of nowhere to get a trophy. It might take a decade or so, but hey, I'll be glad to help you deconstruct the whole thing and start over, because I just know this will work. Trust me.

Oh, but wait, you might say the Knicks did get a top draft pick all those years ago and signed free agents and still didn't win a chip. But you see, the difference is, today is today, and yesterday is yesterday. And I'm here telling you that my plan will work because I know today.

Very clever, except for the fact that you chose the Dallas Mavericks and left out... well just about every other championship team. Yea, thats right, virutally all of them since the installment of the draft lottery built their team by first having that drafted championship level player and then adding free agents.

2010-11
Dallas Mavericks
Miami Heat
4-2
Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas
2009-10
Los Angeles Lakers
Boston Celtics
4-3
Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles
2008-09
Los Angeles Lakers
Orlando Magic
4-1
Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles
2007-08
Boston Celtics
Los Angeles Lakers
4-2
Paul Pierce, Boston
2006-07
San Antonio Spurs
Cleveland Cavaliers
4-0
Tony Parker, San Antonio
2005-06
Miami Heat
Dallas Mavericks
4-2
Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat
2004-05
San Antonio Spurs
Detroit Pistons
4-3
Tim Duncan, San Antonio
2003-04
Detroit Pistons
Los Angeles Lakers
4-1
Chauncey Billups, Detroit Pistons
2002-03
San Antonio Spurs
New Jersey Nets
4-2
Tim Duncan, San Antonio
2001-02
Los Angeles Lakers
New Jersey Nets
4-0
Shaquille O'Neal, Los Angeles
2000-01
Los Angeles Lakers
Philadelphia 76ers
4-1
Shaquille O'Neal, Los Angeles
1999-00
Los Angeles Lakers
Indiana Pacers
4-2
Shaquille O'Neal, Los Angeles
1998-99
San Antonio Spurs
New York Knicks
4-1
Tim Duncan, San Antonio
1997-98
Chicago Bulls
Utah Jazz
4-2
Michael Jordan, Chicago
1996-97
Chicago Bulls
Utah Jazz
4-2
Michael Jordan, Chicago
1995-96
Chicago Bulls
Seattle SuperSonics
4-2
Michael Jordan, Chicago
1994-95
Houston Rockets
Orlando Magic
4-0
Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston
1993-94
Houston Rockets
New York Knicks
4-3
Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston
1992-93
Chicago Bulls
Phoenix Suns
4-2
Michael Jordan, Chicago
1991-92
Chicago Bulls
Portland Trail Blazers
4-2
Michael Jordan, Chicago
1990-91
Chicago Bulls
Los Angeles Lakers
4-1
Michael Jordan, Chicago
and the list goes on...

Oh, but please, dont let logic and facts get in your way. Lets continue to do things the way we have been because it has been so successful for us. This year was great wasnt it, we've been wracked with injuries, lost a coach, and are trying to avoid a sweep in the first round. What an improvement from last year, right. The knicks have to change the way they are building the team.

jrodmc wrote:

subzeroO wrote:Oh, but please, dont let logic and facts get in your way. Lets continue to do things the way we have been because it has been so successful for us. This year was great wasnt it, we've been wracked with injuries, lost a coach, and are trying to avoid a sweep in the first round. What an improvement from last year, right. The knicks have to change the way they are building the team.

Yes, of course, and you leave out all those other teams (like the Knicks) who did the same thing and did not win a chip.

Drafted Patrick Ewing. Signed free agents. Did not win a chip.

Bulls, drafted Rose, signed free agents. Didn not win a chip...

OKC, drafted Durant, signed free agents, Did not win a chip...

Denver, drafted Melo, signed free agents, Did not win a chip...
and the list goes on.

You act like drafting people like MJ and Kobe and Duncan can happen every year.

And how does your Lakers...Shaq...examples fit your equation?

Seriously, Detroit won chips because they drafted Chauncey Billups?

What does your list prove? That you can cut and paste and pick a star player on the team that won?

This is professional basketball, it's not the Cooking Channel.

And I suppose changing how the team is built will keep us from coaching changes and being wracked with injuries?

Good points.

There are many ways to win.

Kobe was the 13th pick and was traded.

Boston won with a starphuch.

You need luck. Bulls ran out of it with Rose this year. tough stuff.

Durant and OK are still young still in contention. Lakers are fragile as are the Spurs.

The west is tougher.

Knicks inabilty to move up to 6th spot, Shump going down, Lin going down, Stat going down (lose 3 starters)and Rose going down paves a smooth road for the heat.

If Spurs and Lakes are healthy they can beat OK. If not, they advance.

Miami wins. Why? I think you need to understand how to win sometimes by experience. Talent usually trumphs it, but not always.

Anyway, back to point, we can win with Carmelo but im not sure we can win with StarMelo.

If Lin can open things up we'll be much better.

jrodmc wrote:

subzeroO wrote:Oh, but please, dont let logic and facts get in your way. Lets continue to do things the way we have been because it has been so successful for us. This year was great wasnt it, we've been wracked with injuries, lost a coach, and are trying to avoid a sweep in the first round. What an improvement from last year, right. The knicks have to change the way they are building the team.

Yes, of course, and you leave out all those other teams (like the Knicks) who did the same thing and did not win a chip.

Drafted Patrick Ewing. Signed free agents. Did not win a chip.

Bulls, drafted Rose, signed free agents. Didn not win a chip...

OKC, drafted Durant, signed free agents, Did not win a chip...

Denver, drafted Melo, signed free agents, Did not win a chip...
and the list goes on.

You act like drafting people like MJ and Kobe and Duncan can happen every year.

And how does your Lakers...Shaq...examples fit your equation?

Seriously, Detroit won chips because they drafted Chauncey Billups?

What does your list prove? That you can cut and paste and pick a star player on the team that won?

This is professional basketball, it's not the Cooking Channel.

And I suppose changing how the team is built will keep us from coaching changes and being wracked with injuries?

The lakers had a draft day acquisition in someone named Kobe Bryant. Maybe youve heard of him? Shaq was a free agent that they signed to the team and together they won some championships. The detroit pistons drafted Tayshaun Prince and signed Chauncey Billups.

Thank you for helping me prove my point.

I have given you over 20 teams that have won that way and you tried to give me two. Tried, the operative word. If you dont get a championship level player and things dont pan out, clean your slate and get back to the lottery. Yes, the chances of getting that player and winning a championship that way maybe 1/30 but they are a hell lot better than 0% chance.

The problem with operating the way the knicks are operating is they will never be good enough to beat the best and always be bad enough to not get a top draft pick. Its called limbo and it only lends itself to team mediocrity. The cycle has to be broken. Unless ofcourse you like the way the Knicks are going?

subzero0 wrote:

jrodmc wrote:

subzeroO wrote:Oh, but please, dont let logic and facts get in your way. Lets continue to do things the way we have been because it has been so successful for us. This year was great wasnt it, we've been wracked with injuries, lost a coach, and are trying to avoid a sweep in the first round. What an improvement from last year, right. The knicks have to change the way they are building the team.

Yes, of course, and you leave out all those other teams (like the Knicks) who did the same thing and did not win a chip.

Drafted Patrick Ewing. Signed free agents. Did not win a chip.

Bulls, drafted Rose, signed free agents. Didn not win a chip...

OKC, drafted Durant, signed free agents, Did not win a chip...

Denver, drafted Melo, signed free agents, Did not win a chip...
and the list goes on.

You act like drafting people like MJ and Kobe and Duncan can happen every year.

And how does your Lakers...Shaq...examples fit your equation?

Seriously, Detroit won chips because they drafted Chauncey Billups?

What does your list prove? That you can cut and paste and pick a star player on the team that won?

This is professional basketball, it's not the Cooking Channel.

And I suppose changing how the team is built will keep us from coaching changes and being wracked with injuries?

The lakers had a draft day acquisition in someone named Kobe Bryant. Maybe youve heard of him? Shaq was a free agent that they signed to the team and together they won some championships. The detroit pistons drafted Tayshaun Prince and signed Chauncey Billups.

Thank you for helping me prove my point.

I have given you over 20 teams that have won that way and you tried to give me two. Tried, the operative word. If you dont get a championship level player and things dont pan out, clean your slate and get back to the lottery. Yes, the chances of getting that player and winning a championship that way maybe 1/30 but they are a hell lot better than 0% chance.

The problem with operating the way the knicks are operating is they will never be good enough to beat the best and always be bad enough to not get a top draft pick. Its called limbo and it only lends itself to team mediocrity. The cycle has to be broken. Unless ofcourse you like the way the Knicks are going?

Remove the greatest player of all time and how many chips are we talking about?

jrodmc wrote:

CashMoney wrote:

subzero0 wrote:

jrodmc wrote:

subzeroO wrote:Oh, but please, dont let logic and facts get in your way. Lets continue to do things the way we have been because it has been so successful for us. This year was great wasnt it, we've been wracked with injuries, lost a coach, and are trying to avoid a sweep in the first round. What an improvement from last year, right. The knicks have to change the way they are building the team.

Yes, of course, and you leave out all those other teams (like the Knicks) who did the same thing and did not win a chip.

Drafted Patrick Ewing. Signed free agents. Did not win a chip.

Bulls, drafted Rose, signed free agents. Didn not win a chip...

OKC, drafted Durant, signed free agents, Did not win a chip...

Denver, drafted Melo, signed free agents, Did not win a chip...
and the list goes on.

You act like drafting people like MJ and Kobe and Duncan can happen every year.

And how does your Lakers...Shaq...examples fit your equation?

Seriously, Detroit won chips because they drafted Chauncey Billups?

What does your list prove? That you can cut and paste and pick a star player on the team that won?

This is professional basketball, it's not the Cooking Channel.

And I suppose changing how the team is built will keep us from coaching changes and being wracked with injuries?

The lakers had a draft day acquisition in someone named Kobe Bryant. Maybe youve heard of him? Shaq was a free agent that they signed to the team and together they won some championships. The detroit pistons drafted Tayshaun Prince and signed Chauncey Billups.

Thank you for helping me prove my point.

I have given you over 20 teams that have won that way and you tried to give me two. Tried, the operative word. If you dont get a championship level player and things dont pan out, clean your slate and get back to the lottery. Yes, the chances of getting that player and winning a championship that way maybe 1/30 but they are a hell lot better than 0% chance.

The problem with operating the way the knicks are operating is they will never be good enough to beat the best and always be bad enough to not get a top draft pick. Its called limbo and it only lends itself to team mediocrity. The cycle has to be broken. Unless ofcourse you like the way the Knicks are going?

Remove the greatest player of all time and how many chips are we talking about?

Don't worry, he loves to repeat himself. It's called cut and paste disease.

All any team has to do is draft 17th and sign possibly one of the most dominant centers in the history of the sport, and Voila! Chip.

Every team could do that. Ask Portland.

Well actually trade Vlade Divac for #17!

Between that trade and the Gasol trade it seems to me that you just need to look for the idiot GM/Owner to help change your franchise.

mrKnickShot wrote:

jrodmc wrote:

CashMoney wrote:

subzero0 wrote:

jrodmc wrote:

subzeroO wrote:Oh, but please, dont let logic and facts get in your way. Lets continue to do things the way we have been because it has been so successful for us. This year was great wasnt it, we've been wracked with injuries, lost a coach, and are trying to avoid a sweep in the first round. What an improvement from last year, right. The knicks have to change the way they are building the team.

Yes, of course, and you leave out all those other teams (like the Knicks) who did the same thing and did not win a chip.

Drafted Patrick Ewing. Signed free agents. Did not win a chip.

Bulls, drafted Rose, signed free agents. Didn not win a chip...

OKC, drafted Durant, signed free agents, Did not win a chip...

Denver, drafted Melo, signed free agents, Did not win a chip...
and the list goes on.

You act like drafting people like MJ and Kobe and Duncan can happen every year.

And how does your Lakers...Shaq...examples fit your equation?

Seriously, Detroit won chips because they drafted Chauncey Billups?

What does your list prove? That you can cut and paste and pick a star player on the team that won?

This is professional basketball, it's not the Cooking Channel.

And I suppose changing how the team is built will keep us from coaching changes and being wracked with injuries?

The lakers had a draft day acquisition in someone named Kobe Bryant. Maybe youve heard of him? Shaq was a free agent that they signed to the team and together they won some championships. The detroit pistons drafted Tayshaun Prince and signed Chauncey Billups.

Thank you for helping me prove my point.

I have given you over 20 teams that have won that way and you tried to give me two. Tried, the operative word. If you dont get a championship level player and things dont pan out, clean your slate and get back to the lottery. Yes, the chances of getting that player and winning a championship that way maybe 1/30 but they are a hell lot better than 0% chance.

The problem with operating the way the knicks are operating is they will never be good enough to beat the best and always be bad enough to not get a top draft pick. Its called limbo and it only lends itself to team mediocrity. The cycle has to be broken. Unless ofcourse you like the way the Knicks are going?

Remove the greatest player of all time and how many chips are we talking about?

Don't worry, he loves to repeat himself. It's called cut and paste disease.

All any team has to do is draft 17th and sign possibly one of the most dominant centers in the history of the sport, and Voila! Chip.

Every team could do that. Ask Portland.

Well actually trade Vlade Divac for #17!

Between that trade and the Gasol trade it seems to me that you just need to look for the idiot GM/Owner to help change your franchise.

So it's very simple:
1) Draft one of the top 10 players to ever exist.
1a) Get an idiot GM/Owner to trade you one of the top 10 players to ever exist.
2) Sign a top 10 player as a free agent. Two, if they happen to be available. See the Celtics and Kevin McHale
3) Ensure there are a steady stream of 20 or so idiot GMs/owners who will provide you with 1a and 2.

Life is so simple when you only see one side of an equation.