Normally, I don't get all that excited about exhibition games. My rule has always been if it doesn't count in the standings, it doesn't count. Period.
However, last night's win by the Knicks over the San Antonio Spurs in Las Vegas was much more than an exhibition game. In case you haven't noticed, New York sports fans haven't had a whole lot to celebrate lately. Both area football teams are an embarrassment; the Rangers window has apparently been nailed shut; the Mets front office seems determined to transform the franchise into the Milwaukee Brewers; and the Yankees front office isn't much better. The Knicks are about the only serious sports team in town right now; and with the exception of the Jets, no fanbase has suffered more. It was nice to celebrate a win, even an exhibition one.
But aside from the celebratory mood, the Knicks, in winning, sent a message to their front office; a very strong message. They're for real, and they don't need any help. Trailing 94-89 going into the fourth quarter, New York outscored San Antonio 35-19 to capture the NBA Cup Championship 124-113. While the win may have been symbolic, it was far from meaningless. Mitchell Robinson, who has been the subject of trade talks, out rebounded the entire Spurs team 8 to 6 in the fourth quarter; Tyler Kolek - another possible trade chip - scored 6 of his 14 points in the quarter and also picked up an assist on a beautiful pass to O.G. Anunoby, who drilled a three pointer with 1:56 left in the game to put the Knicks up 118-110; and Jordan Clarkson hit back-to-back threes early in the fourth to put the Orange and Blue ahead for good.
Sending a message is one thing; whether it got through to the folks who work at 4 Penn Plaza, specifically James Dolan, is another. For those who may have been living under a rock the last few weeks, Giannis Antetokounmpo's name keeps popping up in trade talks. And the number one destination appears to be the Knicks. To listen to the supposed "experts," it's not a question of if Giannis becomes a Knick, but when.
What last night's victory proved was that this team doesn't need a superstar, even one as great as Giannis, to rescue it. The Knicks are 18-7; 9-1 in their last ten. Over that stretch, they are second in the NBA in defensive rating, first in points allowed per game, and first in opponent three-point percentage. They are on pace to have their best regular season since 1996-97, when they went 57-25. If Leon Rose wants to tweak the roster, that's fine, but under no circumstance should he make any serious alterations to it, and that includes moving Robinson, or anyone in the starting five, in a package for Giannis.
I confess, I was one of those "experts" who was ready to ship him off to the Milwaukee Bucks for Bobby Portis, but after watching him last night, I am convinced that his presence will prove invaluable to this team come the playoffs. The Knicks had 32 second-chance points on 23 offensive rebounds against the Spurs; ten of those offensive rebounds came from Robinson. The man was an absolute beast on the glass. And to think, he only played 18 minutes. Imagine what he could do if he played 25 minutes per game. Yes I know he can't hit a free throw to save his life, but there are few players in the league who can do what he does on the boards. The Knicks are stronger with him than without him.
Fourteen years ago, Dolan by-passed his GM and overpaid to get Carmelo Anthony. That trade screwed up the Knicks for the next eight years. It has taken Rose five years to assemble this roster; five years of methodical trades and signings. When healthy, only the Oklahoma City Thunder are deeper.
This franchise is knocking on the door of what could well be its first title since 1973. The last thing it needs is for its owner to fuck things up again.
Get the message, Jim?
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