Pressure Is Mounting For The New York Knicks To Turn Things Around

James Dolan (Google Images)

These are troubling times for the New York Knicks. With a record of two wins and eight losses, the Knicks are dead last in the Eastern Conference at the moment with no immediate improvement in sight.

In averaging only 99.2 points per game, the Knicks and Orlando Magic (98.1 points per game), are the only two teams in the NBA that do not average a minimum of 100 points per game when they come to the court. This lack of scoring is starting to frustrate not only faithful New York Knicks fans, but management and ownership as well. In recent days, there is talk that the Knicks are about to fire head coach David Fizdale and that Knicks executive chairman James Dolan would like to fire current general manager Scott Perry and bring in Toronto Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri.

There are some issues however. Ujiri has two years left on his contract and is very comfortable being the general manager of the Raptors. Yes, the Knicks could offer Ujiri more money, however Dolan does not have the best track record and has been the person in charge of a “culture so dysfunctional that it’s now actively repelling the game’s best talent” according to Josh Dean of Bloomberg Businessweek.

Yes, Ujiri needs to be highly praised for turning around the Raptors culture since leaving the Denver Nuggets to become the Raptors executive vice president and general manager in 2013. However one needs to ask if Ujiri did leave the Raptors, would he go to an Atlantic Division rival and see a loss of possible autonomy he currently has while working under Raptors chairman Larry Tanenbaum.

The Knicks lost out in free agency in attempting to acquire coveted free agents such as Kawhi Leonard and Kevin Durant. The inability to acquire Durant was very difficult because he ended up signing with the Brooklyn Nets, which are not very far away.

The Knicks offense is currently based around Marcus Morris Sr., Julius Randle and RJ Barrett. Without any star power and clear direction, it is really not that surprising that they are struggling and near the bottom of the NBA standings. The Knicks are becoming a footnote in a sports city with high expectations and a demand for consistent excellence.