New York Knicks: How we know Steve Mills has no idea what he’s doing

He’s a Dolan guy

How do we already know Steve Mills has no idea what he’s doing? We know because he is completely immersed in the James Dolan way of running the New York Knicks. This 18-year immersion has no doubt taught Mills all the wrong lessons on team management.

Surviving for the better part of two decades working under James Dolan is an accomplishment. To work for anyone that long obviously means trust is a strong part of the relationship. The trust and loyalty Mills and Dolan have to each other is the main reason why Steve Mills will be a horrible team president.

Furthermore, Mills walks the company line and knows how to be the corporate hack Dolan wants. History has shown that the marriage of Dolan and Mills is an unsuccessful bond that destroyed the New York Knicks. As Stefan Bondy of the NY Daily News writes:

"“Mills fits into that trusted circle, having been employed by Dolan for the majority of the last 18 years as a Garden executive…Mills was appointed by Dolan as president and GM of the Knicks in 2013 despite having no experience in such a position. During his brief tenure as the head honcho before Phil Jackson was hired, the Knicks spiraled downward to a 37-45 record in 2013-14 — one season after winning 54 games.”"

Cultural change within a business must come from the top and must make it clear that change is a priority. The unfortunate realization for Knicks fans is that Steve Mills is not an agent of cultural change. He earned an A+ from the James Dolan school of business and that is a very bad omen for fans of the New York Knicks. How else do we know that Steve Mills has no idea what he’s doing?