Who Faces Tougher Offseason, LA Lakers or NY Knicks?
It has been the worst of times and the slightly less worst of times for two storied basketball franchises—the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks. Two teams with giant fanbases have once again underperformed in their respective races back to respectability.
Knicks columnist Sara Peters and I have been debating the finer points of who is getting better faster, all season long. Topics of conversation have included an early glimpse of promise for New York, recalibration for the Lakers during Kobe Bryant’s farewell tour and the youth brigades on both coasts.
But as the final embers of two unsuccessful campaigns die out, our attention inevitably turns to the offseason, and perchance dreaming of how each organization can retool and prepare for better days ahead.
L.A. has lots of cash to spend and a probable lottery pick, while the Knicks have no draft pick, less cap space and a star who still commands attention in Carmelo Anthony.
There is also the question of head coaches, which seems like a good place to start. Byron Scott’s two seasons have resulted in historically bad records for the Lakers, while Derek Fisher was fired midway through his second year in New York, only to be replaced by longtime Phil Jackson operative Kurt Rambis.
It’s abundantly clear Scott needs to go. But the path forward for Rambis and the Zen Master seems infinitely more obtuse.
Break down the Knicks' thorny head coaching situation for us...
Peters: Comments Rambis made Friday, per the New York Daily News' Stefan Bondy, confirm what we suspected: Derek Fisher lost his job because he moved away from Phil Jackson's precious triangle offense. According to Bondy's sources, Fisher said overemphasis on the system was a "sabotaging factor" last season.
Rambis disagreed with Fisher, saying "it isn't difficult," but that Jackson and triangle originator Tex Winter "always felt it takes players a good year or so” to really understand it. Funny, because when head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2009-11, Rambis was given his "good year or so,"...and led the team to a 32-132 record.
Nevertheless, Jackson seems committed to it and is pushing to keep Rambis as HC on a multiyear contract, sources told ESPN.com's Ian Begley and Marc Stein.
Jackson said, “[Rambis] knows the ins and outs, what pleases me...We have a relationship that's much more tight.” So, Jackson’s making this about what “pleases” one front office executive, not about what’s best for 15 players.
What's Carmelo Anthony's role in this? None, yet.
Per Newsday’s Al Iannozzone, Melo said “I would love to have some type of input” when it comes to hiring, but “nobody has had any conversation about that.” Not surprising with the season ongoing, but will that conversation happen after Tuesday?
Murphy: It sounds like Phil has spoken. We'll talk about this in another year?
On the Lakers’ end, Scott’s staggering loss record and stubborn ways with his players have led to a situation that seems untenable going forward. My first choice for a replacement would be Luke Walton, but I’m not at all sure he's ready to leave the Golden State Warriors. Maybe Luke will join the Knicks in the fall of 2017?
Scott Brooks, Tom Thibodeau, Mark Jackson and Ettore Messina are other names likely to be bandied about in Los Angeles.
Lakers' strategy for free agency?
Murphy: The first option will be star power, with Kevin Durant as the clear top choice. That seems like a long shot for a peak player who desperately wants to win it all. But you can’t ignore the possibility.
The Lakers will have a couple of gaping holes at center and small forward next season, and it would be best to go after players with experience. After all, this is a young team—a fact that will be further emphasized given the probability for a draft lottery pick.
A name that has to be considered is Hassan Whiteside with his length, athleticism and insane rim-protecting skills. There’s also Al Horford who’s a model of efficiency and would bring a nice level of stability.
Harrison Barnes would be an amazing three-and-D wing for L.A. but he’s a restricted free agent, and I’m not sure he can be pried loose from the Warriors. Nicolas Batum has had a career year and will be an unrestricted free agent. Evan Turner also has to be considered with his multi-positional skills, even if his three-point stroke has been woeful this season.
As for a timetable, management needs players who will get them right back into the playoffs. Jim Buss and Mitch Kupchak could be gone in a year if that doesn’t happen.
Knicks' strategy for free agency?
Peters: The Knicks have so few trade assets. Considering the best they could get would be a second-round pick in a shallow draft class, a swap would be needlessly costly and, I think, unlikely.
As for free agency, I continue to believe their biggest need is a starting point guard, but my therapist says it's unhealthy to live in a fantasy land.
Perhaps P-Jax undervalues point guards because, while coaching, he was spoiled by the two greatest shooting guards in history. With Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant in your backcourt, who needs an elite PG?
Unfortunately, the Knicks don't have MJ or Kobe, so Jackson should consider making a play for Mike Conley or Jeremy Lin (or—gulp—Rajon Rondo)...but he's already signed a new point guard.
Last month, the Knicks signed Tony Wroten, 22, for an unguaranteed contract through 2016-17. Wroten, whom the Philadelphia 76ers released earlier this season (after an injury that now has him sidelined again), is a two-way talent and could win the starting job. Yet I fear he’s another example of what we've seen for two years: While Carmelo Anthony ages and the losses pile up, Jackson wastes time mixing and matching untested PGs he fishes out of the bargain bin.
What are your top priorities in the draft for the Lakers?
Murphy: L.A. first has to survive the bouncing lotto balls—falling below No. 3 means forfeiting the pick to the Philadelphia 76ers. But a huge priority is finding a quality small forward. Fortunately, the top of the draft is thick with them.
Ben Simmons from Louisiana seems an obvious choice with great size at 6’10” and multi-positional versatility. He has athleticism, great court instincts and a nose for snagging boards. What he doesn’t yet have is a reliable jumper, which is a bit of a concern considering he’d likely play alongside Julius Randle who is similarly challenged.
On the other hand, Brandon Ingram has a much-sweeter stroke as well as the ability to slash through traffic. Ingram can also cause defensive nightmares with his a 7’3” wingspan and a true competitive zeal. The 18-year-old from Duke needs to pack on some muscle, but that’s not a huge concern at this point.
Dragan Bender would be an intriguing pick if the Lakers slip to third. The question is where the 7’1” Croatian power forward would fit on the roster with Randle and Larry Nance Jr. already in place.
How do the Knicks get back to .500 in a more competitive East?
Peters: No. 1: Continuity.
In the past five seasons, the Knicks have had four head coaches and 63 players, including Wroten, only one of which was on the original team (Carmelo). In comparison, the Spurs have had one head coach and 38 players, eight of which were on the original team.
Since New York is now running an offense that supposedly takes over a year to master, the Knicks need to stop burning through rosters so quickly or they'll be condemned to remain league bottom-dwellers.
No. 2: A real starting-caliber backcourt. I'd prefer to see the Knicks sign a true cut-and-slash point guard and back off on the triangle. The Knicks were winning early by using Fisher's hybrid-triangle approach. Since Jackson's rebuild is still in progress, and there are more key pieces being added along the way, an offensive system that is more adaptable makes sense.
No. 3: Defense. When injuries hit Lance Thomas and Carmelo Anthony, and Kristaps Porzingis hit the rookie wall, the defensive intensity took a hit and the losses started to pile up. If the Knicks regain the scrappy, snarling D they had earlier this season, the triangle will become an afterthought.
What's your favorite Kobe Bryant moment of all time?
Murphy: My lasting and favorite image is actually more of a composite—nailing some impossibly contested clutch jumper and running back, arms spread through the incandescent wash of lights.
But for me, there’s more than a moment—it’s his fourth championship, and it paints such a redemptive picture.
Bryant had gone through so much anger and frustration during the post-Shaquille O’Neal rebuild, including the Smush Parker and Kwame Brown era. But the Lakers landed Pau Gasol in February 2008, and that changed everything.
Before training camp even began, there was a gold medal for Bryant in the Beijing Olympics. And then the 2008-09 NBA season happened.
That was a monster squad, going 67-15 with the Mamba alongside Gasol, Andrew Bynum, Trevor Ariza, Derek Fisher and sixth man Lamar Odom. They roared through the Finals in five games against the Orlando Magic, and Bryant was on fire—winning the series MVP award with an average of 32.4 points, 7.4 assists and 5.6 boards.
Wednesday at Staples Center will be an emotional night. It has been hard to watch the quintessential warrior bow out with a team that’s dead-last in the West. But I’ll always remember 2008-09 as a time when all the stars aligned for Kobe.
Follow Sara Peters on Twitter @3FromThe7 and David Murphy @davem234.
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