arkrud wrote:

nixluva wrote:I wouldn't really say anything to Phil for fear of being TOTALLY embarrassed by him once he responded. It's amazing how fast people are convinced that they know more about this than Phil just because of the way the team has played. We didn't get to see how things would've developed if we had a chance to see the team start the year with Jose and Bargs as part of the rotation rather than having to play so many games with Larkin and relying on Jason, Acy and Wear. It may not have made a difference or maybe it would've made a difference to have developed the chemistry with the Starting Lineup that Phil and Fish envisioned. Instead they had to go thru the expected early adjustment period without the guys they had in mind to start and that only made things harder.

It was always going to be a bit of a struggle to start but I think they might have been more competitive to start the year if they had a healthy Jose and Bargs to start the season. This isn't to say they'd be world beaters, but the difference has been VERY, VERY small in many of their losses. It's not impossible to imagine that they could've won with just a small increase in efficiency and execution from the very start of the year. Instead they are still behind in developing their chemistry, which many fans seem not to understand. Jose hasn't even played or practiced that much with the team due to his being out with injury.

In the end this season will be about seeing who Phil will keep and who will go. The cap situation is clear that there will be major changes. There's no reason to panic when we already know that we have a pick and plenty of cap space ahead. Not to mention the ability to make an in season trade. Phil says "What we have to do is protect our future.'' Jackson said opportunities aren't "jumping out at us."

Fair enough.
What Phil is saying we have a bunch of junk on our hands so no one wants it.
The junk will expire by itself and will open space for players who are up to the system and ready to go to war in NY.
Money will not be an issue so it is up to Phil to get the right cast for the movie.

What Phil is also saying is he's not going to IT his way out of this mess.

And people on here thought they knew more than Phil even before this record setting losing record.

New York City is no longer the Mecca of basketball; as such is no longer an attractive venue for guys to come and showcase their talents. Therefore, I believe it is imperative that Phil uses all available tools to reconstruct this roster. Use the trade deadline to bring in a good player if available, Secure a high draft pick, and finish the year strong to give the Knicks the allusion of a decent team that might get better.