NBA: Grading the Atlantic Division for the 2019-20 season

New York Knicks: D-

The Knicks were…the Knicks.

The New York Knicks’ 2019-20 NBA season was, unfortunately, another dud. Problems occurred at every level of the organization: roster, coaching, management, and ownership. To no surprise, they even insulted one of their long-standing supporters in Spike Lee.  

They signed a bunch of bigs to the roster prior to the season (Julius Randle, Taj Gibson, Bobby Portis, and Marcus Morris), thinking they would play largish ball? Maybe they thought they could implement a medium-large style that would combat the trend of small-ball? All I know is that it was a mess throughout the entire season.

It’s very disappointing when young, promising players like RJ Barrett, Kevin Knox, and Mitchell Robinson are surrounded by poor ownership. James Dolan wants immediate results and because of this, he constantly makes changes top-down – avoiding all stability. He had a great coach in David Fizdale but decided to get rid of him after only 22 games (albeit his record was 4-18).

I’m sure the rest of the basketball world (included me) wants to see the Knicks doing well. They’re supposed to be the Mecca of basketball – a massive market for success and winning. Unfortunately, it was another crummy season as the Knicks ended with a 21-45 record and missed going to the Disney bubble.