The disappointment of the New York Knicks so far this season has everyone talking and nothing is positive.
It didn’t take much time for the many NBA fans, players and media members to share their thoughts on the disturbing New York Knicks season.
The poor play mixed with drama involving Derrick Rose‘s disappearance, Joakim Noah‘s effectiveness as a starter and head coach Jeff Hornacek rarely running the triangle are child’s play compared to the past few weeks.
One of the two big stories out of Knicks camp has dealt with the odd relationship between Knicks president Phil Jackson and star forward Carmelo Anthony.
Knicks “super fan,” film director Spike Lee, weighed in on the ongoing battle with some very choice words for Jackson in an interview with Tencent-ESPN:
"“I’ll pack Phil’s bags for him, I think I still believe in Carmelo, but Phil Jackson is making it very difficult for him.”"
Jackson who recently supported an article bashing Anthony’s playing style quickly recanted the tweet as being misunderstood.
So after starting a 🔥storm with a misunderstood tweet, I offer this✌🏻our society is torn with discord. I'm against it. Let It Be
— Phil Jackson (@PhilJackson11) February 9, 2017
FS1’s Chris Broussard shared his thoughts on Jackson’s antics comparing him to a child and that he is embarrassing himself with the tweets.
The second big Knicks drama is the altercation involving team legend Charles Oakley during the home matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers. The back and forth between the Knicks and Oakley has been endless since the 19-year veteran was released from jail that night.
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Many current and former players besides LeBron James‘ Instagram post showed support to Oakley via social media.
Hope that he gets some help soon? Not the right way to portray Oak...always had my back and the realest person our league has seen #UncleOak
— Chris Paul (@CP3) February 9, 2017
If true James Dolan hasn't wanted @CharlesOakley34 around organization, DAMN SHAME. Oak sweated ❤ for Knicks.. Pacers respect ya brotha..
— Reggie Miller (@ReggieMillerTNT) February 9, 2017
KG & @BigTiggerShow share their thoughts on Charles Oakley, Melo and the Knicks... #KGArea21 pic.twitter.com/ysvZfDqMsE
— KG's Area 21 (@KGArea21) February 10, 2017
Spike Lee returned with a message via his Instagram talking about having lunch with the Knicks veteran the next day.
"“Just Had A Great Lunch With My Brother Mr. Charles Oakley Of The Beloved Orange And Blue. Last Night At Da Garden Was Not A Good Look For All Involved. Last Thing Oak Said To Me Is “All I Want To Do Is Sit Down With Mr. Dolan, Man To Man And Work This Out”. Once Knick Always A Knick?”"
Oakley during an interview with FOX 5 in New York City spoke about his thoughts on the feud with Knicks owner James Dolan.
"“Life is too short, There’s too much going on in the world. We got to fix things in life. Not try and break things in life.”"
The Knicks continue to keep their stance on the altercation after releasing yet another update to their side of the story.
— NY_KnicksPR (@NY_KnicksPR) February 9, 2017
All of these comments and more continue to darken the black eye on a franchise that is known around the world. The Knicks are celebrating their 70th anniversary and instead of enjoying the great moments in the team’s history, fans are subjected to currently the worst of times.
The public perception has the Knicks quickly looking like the team to hate in sports and ironically it’s not for winning rather for the embarrassment many see it’s done in the league.
As weird as it may be the Knicks are still in playoff contention in the Eastern Conference and a rare hot streak could lessen the blow of all these problems.
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The All-Star break is looking more and more like the perfect time to rebuild the franchise and figure out a way to keep an always loyal fanbase strong.