KnicksTape

This is Knicks-related since at least once an offseason, you’ll hear about him in a trade rumor tied to the Knicks. I can’t tell you how much I would hate that.

There are like 5-6 players who I never want even close to the state of New York. I wish Eric Adams would make himself useful and start working on some sort of law banning these folks from crossing the Hudson. I can’t think of all of them right now, but it’s like Jordan Poole, Ayton, Zach LaVine, KAT, etc. Yes, I understand (most) of these guys don’t suck and in KAT’s case, is a legit star. But my issue is more so that they have an atrocious “Salary to Winning Contribution” ratios.

However, guys like KAT and LaVine obviously are good and seem like they do actually care to some extent. And Jordan Poole – in some ways I feel a little bad for the Draymond thing. Guy got sucker punched, then everyone on his team took the crime-doers side, then he left and his career fell apart. Then, I start watching him on the Wizards and I stop feeling bad… but at least there’s some excuse.

With Deandre Ayton, there’s none of that. I genuinely just think he hates basketball and couldn’t care less. Fine, more power to him. Just keep him away from Knicks. Here’s why:

• He couldn’t make a game because he was snowed in. This is a new one. People have been playing NBA basketball for almost 100 years in snowy climates and never did I once hear of a player not making a game because the road was too icy. Give me a break. This excuse worked for my friend when he was picking up shifts at Chipotle during high school winter break – I can’t fathom how dumb the Blazer’s coaching staff had to be to buy this. Also, he’s in Portland, so not like he’s in Siberia.
• He blamed his bad early season performance on sleeping on an air mattress. I genuinely couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw this. He blamed his poor play on moving to a new city and needing to sleep on an air mattress until he got a bed. The contract he signed with Portland was ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY TWO MILLION DOLLARS. It is unfathomable to me he went more than one night sub-optimal sleeping arrangements, and he apparently did this for quite a bit. If he needs me float him some cash, I just found a Portland, Oregon Comfort Inn on Expedia for $80.
• Phoenix had no issue with him leaving. This is a team with a new owner paying hundreds of millions a year to compete, an aging KD, and Beal on a ridiculous win-now contract. You’re telling me they had the former #1 overall pick at center, and they were okay going with *checks notes* Jock Landale instead to try to win a championship? Okay.
• His NBA goal. This was the most insane thing for a player of his pedigree to openly say. They asked him, as a #1 pick, what was his goal in the NBA. This dude literally said “Definitely getting to my second contract; that’s my success”. Right then and there, I’m taking him off my board. Phoenix took him #1 over Luka, watched him do the bare minimum for 4 years needed to get a 2nd contract, Portland gave him that contract, and he went back to sucking (and taking snow days during games). Can you blame him? He told you that’s all he cared about.

Obviously I haven’t even talked about his play, which is infuriating and shows no effort. But that’s all I have for today – an impassioned plea to keep this man away from NYC.