The New York Knicks are inadequate in many areas and identity is one of the most crucial. When the organization chooses that identity, they will finally be a real team.
The term “youth movement” describes the manner in which the New York Knicks are rebuilding their team. However, the age of the players fails to explain the identity of the team.
When individual players come together as a team, they choose an identity whether they know it or not. The young Knicks find themselves facing an old problem going into the 2017-18 season: Carmelo Anthony.
Unfortunately, the identity of the New York Knicks has been Carmelo and will continue to be until he’s traded. Every day the likelihood of any imminent trade involving Carmelo seems to lessen. As long as the stasis in New York stays, the ability to create a new team identity remains nearly impossible.
On one hand, the team has made positive moves this offseason for their future. Frank Ntilikina, Tim Hardaway Jr. and even Ramon Sessions all will bring legitimacy to the Knicks’ backcourt. On the other, Carmelo is still on the team and his replacement is journeyman bust Michael Beasley.
If the Knicks can avoid any unnecessary drama and keep the focus on basketball, this year will be a success. Fortunately, the future does look bright in New York. The team has some identity choices to make and the first should be mandatory.