New York Knicks: Has the constant criticism been unfair?

The New York Knicks have been the butt of the joke in the NBA for the past two decades, but has the criticism been unfair?

On April 1, Giannis Antetokummpo supposedly had a little fun with New York Knicks fans when he posted and then deleted a picture on his Instagram of him in a Knicks jersey. Like most April Fool’s jokes, especially in the sports-less climate that we find ourselves currently in, the joke wasn’t well-received.

It was funny, but in the end, it was just another dig at the Knicks’ franchise.

I think this is the moment where we should point out that there’s really no way of confirming one way or another if Giannis actually posted this picture on his Instagram – with the exception of a screenshot that could easily be doctored. Either way, the point here is not the April Fool’s joke.

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Regardless of the fact the team has been so grossly mismanaged over the past two decades and has never attracted a star free-agent player in their prime, the Knicks are basically the only team in the NBA you are allowed to openly troll.

The New York City-based franchise usually settles for stars past their prime like Amar’e Stoudemire (whose knee gave out less than a season) and Carmelo Anthony, who quickly became one of the most overpaid stars.

Despite that, the Knicks, more often than not, get the short end of the stick and are generally the butt of the joke in the NBA. Is it unfair? Uncalled for?

The Knicks are like Nick Cage, both have won the top prize in their field but that was decades ago. Both have made some not great decisions over the past few years and are polarizing in the year 2020. For the most part, fans now only associate the two parties for their failures and misfortunes that were the product of their decision-making.

With that said, the Knicks still have such an arrogance – or confidence – that props up people to want to call out their misfires.

The team openly talks about positioning themselves to land star free agents like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Kevin Durant, and Kyrie Irving; only to watch them sign with other, better-positioned franchises.

That makes you wonder if the Knicks were quiet during their constant rebuild would things – mostly, the way that they’re talked about or perceived – be different? Perhaps. Maybe they would be viewed the way the Phoenix Suns or Cleveland Cavaliers are looked and thought of?

Overall, the Knicks have compiled a 2799-2988 (48.4%) record with 42 playoff appearances in their 72-year history. The Knicks are tied for 9th in the league with the most NBA championships with two.

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The Knicks might be easy to poke fun at, but there is a way for the team to change the conversation. A top to bottom rebuild might be the only way to do it. You know, along with winning a few more games here and there. And, hey, maybe we should all cool it with the criticism too?

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