I am here tonight to make an impassioned plea to Mr. James Dolan. For far too many years(16 and counting), my beloved Madison Square Garden has failed to raise a championship banner to the rafters. The Knicks have been woeful for well over a decade, riddled with cap missteps and one Isaiah Thomas. The Rangers, while competitive and a perenial favorite to reach the playoffs, have been mismanaged by the same cap malfecence perpetrated by the notorious Glen Sather. These franchises have remarkably found themselves ready to crack open Dolan's endless check book for two big money superstars. In each case, I think Dolan should hold on to his assets and wait for the right fit rather than the big splash.
-> The Knicks: Lebron James. Will he leave his home town? Will he go establish a championship dynasty in Miami on Wade's Heat? Or will he embrace Broadway? I am in the minority that thinks the Knicks should stay well away from this egomaniacal blowhard. "King James" has made a mockery of the free agent process with this three ring circus, complete with formerly self respecting owners, GM's and coaches groveling at his feet. While his talent is undeniable, his maturity and motivation are suspect. Besides, D'Antoni's style would be far more effective with a superstar point guard, a la Chris Paul. Grab CP3 in a trade, surround him and Amare with some more jump shooters and outscore everyone until you hit the playoffs. Then hit the market next year for that one last crucial piece to put the Knickerbockers on that championship level.
-> The Knicks: Lebron James. Will he leave his home town? Will he go establish a championship dynasty in Miami on Wade's Heat? Or will he embrace Broadway? I am in the minority that thinks the Knicks should stay well away from this egomaniacal blowhard. "King James" has made a mockery of the free agent process with this three ring circus, complete with formerly self respecting owners, GM's and coaches groveling at his feet. While his talent is undeniable, his maturity and motivation are suspect. Besides, D'Antoni's style would be far more effective with a superstar point guard, a la Chris Paul. Grab CP3 in a trade, surround him and Amare with some more jump shooters and outscore everyone until you hit the playoffs. Then hit the market next year for that one last crucial piece to put the Knickerbockers on that championship level.
-> The Rangers: Glen Sather has a reputation of overpaying for players that are ill-suited to the organization. The problem is that during Glen's reign the Rangers have lacked an on-ice identity. Throwing Ilya Kovalchuk into such a situation would only exacerbate his worst attributes. Ilya is the king of the garbage time goal, amassing impressive goal totals in the least pressure filled situations. Invisible in the playoffs, practically invisible in his stay in Newark. You'd only know he was there when you watch him turn the puck over on the PP from the blue line. Kovalchuk has shown either an inability or complete lack of interest in developing a two-way game. The fire and passion Ilya brings to the ice is great to sell tickets, but such a flashy cap-choking contract is all fans will point to when the Rangers lack a center to feed him (or Gaborik) the puck or one of a half dozen other problems signing Kovalchuk does not address. If Glen's considering banishing Redden to Hartford to bid on Ilya, sack up, demote Redden, and use the cash to lock up Staal and Girardi.
So maybe Dolan shouldn't stray from shelling out the big money, he should really consider spending wisely. Making the playoffs every year fills the coffers, the financial and emotional rewards of a few championship runs to this city make it worth considering.
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