In 2015, the New York Knicks suffered a dismal season, prompting a unique response from The New York Times. The team, struggling with a 5-32 record, lost its twelfth consecutive game to the Memphis Grizzlies. That same night, the Knicks decided to trade two of their top players, signaling a surrender for the season.
Scott Cacciola, a Knicks beat writer for The New York Times, covered the trade. He wrote about the team’s poor display in Memphis, noting, “Futility was the preferred replacement for fluidity, surfacing in plays defined by an almost inexplicable level of ineptitude.” After this, however, Cacciola shifted his focus away from the Knicks.
Just four days later, an article by Cacciola featured the Emporia State Lady Hornets. This marked the beginning of a series known as Not the Knicks, where he explored well-played basketball elsewhere. It was a response to the team’s poor performance, which seemed pervasive at their games, save for the opponents.
Fast forward to today, the Knicks stand on the brink of a championship win. Contrast this with the 2014-15 season, a time older fans remember all too well, as part of the team’s lengthy 53-year title dry spell.
Reflections on Creating ‘Not the Knicks’
Reflecting on the decision to start the Not the Knicks series, Jason Stallman, then Sports editor, explained. The team’s poor performance and fan discontent had reached a peak. Around early January, the team effectively conceded the season by trading key players J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert. Team president Phil Jackson even hinted at focusing on the draft. This situation, where teams abandon the current season for future prospects, remains a challenge in the NBA.