The Week in Knickerdom

I am very close to a decree indicating that I am in no way, shape or form involved in any Knickerdom.

Last night's 121-91 blowout loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves punctuates what may very well be the New York Knicks' descent into the abyss. Walt Clyde Frazier often describes the Knicks as a "a team that cannot handle prosperity." His assessment holds true on many levels, as exhibited by The Proud Ones having blown a 22-7 first quarter lead. They allowed a 16-4 run to end the opening period and finished the half down 49-46. But, you knew why type of party this was going to be with about 3 minutes left in the first period.

The Knicks have effectively squandered a prosperous December in which they posted a 10-5 record and appeared poised to neutralize a 3-17 start. January saw a reversal of fortune to the tune of a 6-9 record. This is where an optimist might remind you that New York has played better than .500 basketball since the abysmal start. However, Knicker Lovers know we're likely at that point in the season where you cast your hope aside and peruse the list of draft prosp--

Oh. That's right. Utah owns New York's first round selection this year. Can't dodge the creditors' calls and mailings forever, can you? Oh, don't act like I'm the only one who's been in some damn debt. Those niggas from the Metro PCS Tech Talk commercial used to blow my shit up off the hook.

Losing to the Timberwolves is unacceptable under any circumstances. As for the rest of the week's games, I can somewhat understand getting into a dogfight with the Washington Wizards. They are in a similar situation as The Proud Ones. Even taking Javaris Crittenton's devastating season-long suspension into consideration, the Bullets are playing inexplicably bad basketball. However, that is still a must-win game for the Knicks given their alleged postseason aspirations. Falling behind by 17 points in the first quarter of any game usually spells doom, even for a team that needs "to get down to get up." Mike Miller made Mike D'Antoni pay through the Pringles mustache for his unwillingness to abandon the Knicks' signature 2-3 zone defense.

Somehow, the Knicks managed fall prostrate before the Toronto Raptors despite having a 5-point lead with 50 seconds to play. I don't know on what planet that kind of shit is acceptable. This collapse comes on the heels of The Proud Ones forwarding an asswhoopin' dealt them by the Dallas Mavericks to the same Timberwolves just a week ago.

As Sid V of Duo Live mentioned last night, everything "was all good just a week ago." Fuck. The entire Knicks organization should be "hit with the Rico" for conspiracy to bullshit.

The Knicks have lost 7 of their last 10--a figure that has remained constant throughout the week. The pace has maintained since tough road losses to the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder.

The inconsistency and lack of fortitude that characterizes the Knicks makes them nearly impossible to believe in. You can't even sneak into a first round push broom detail against LeBron 'n nem playing this way. Despite having arguably the best statistical line of any NBA center this season, David Lee is not an All-Star. This is likely because he plays for a team that not only bears a bad win-loss tally. Said team also amasses losses in embarrassing fashion indicative of the lack of a true star/leader. As of today, Jared Jeffries is our captain. He doesn't bear a "C" or "A" on his jersey, but is the only nigga busting his ass out there.

Given that fact, it looks like we'll have much more cannon fodder for the hate going forward. We're like the music and film industry that way. The Proud Franchise thrives in times of recession. I get the feeling I'm about to miss Isiah Thompson a lot less going forward.

Comments

[Mike Crown]

As the son of a former Knick-lover (Pops grew up in Jersey) it's to the point where my pops doesn't even acknowledge the Knicks anymore. He said he can't watch the games because it's painful. And with him having health problems over the past 6 years, I've got to believe the NY Knicks are bad for his health. Would we be able to bring up a lawsuit?

[ron mexico]

sorry to gear about pops' health, mike. i think with a company as big as MSG, class action suit is the way to go.

given their spending over the past while (james, jeffries, duhon) i think you and a few other knicker-lover loved ones can see a pretty penny or two. not as much as if you were a shitty or mediocre basketball player, but something still.

all jokes aside, i think the strain of following the knicks is bad for people's health.