I was just thinking about how for years and years we were told that we couldn’t get deals done because of bias against the Knicks. For instance, Toronto will never deal with us because Ujiri hates us. Or New Jersey Nets will never deal with the Knicks because of the rivalry between the two teams. Yet Leon managed to do blockbuster deals with both. So what changed? Is it that the previous GMs sucked at their jobs and were using it as an excuse for not getting deals done? Or is it that teams are being more friendly with us because of the CAA connection? Maybe they are trying keep a good relationship with CAA and their clients so that they don’t burn any bridges? Maybe it is lowkey known around the league that if you shut us (Knicks) out then we’ll (CAA) shut you out. What do you guys think?
Yes it’s likely something like that. A good combination of CAA influence and well-respected front office leadership. The CAA thing has been there from the start but seems more impactful since the Brunson and Hartenstein signings.
KEEPCAMBYNY wrote:I was just thinking about how for years and years we were told that we couldn’t get deals done because of bias against the Knicks. For instance, Toronto will never deal with us because Ujiri hates us. Or New Jersey Nets will never deal with the Knicks because of the rivalry between the two teams. Yet Leon managed to do blockbuster deals with both. So what changed? Is it that the previous GMs sucked at their jobs and were using it as an excuse for not getting deals done? Or is it that teams are being more friendly with us because of the CAA connection? Maybe they are trying keep a good relationship with CAA and their clients so that they don’t burn any bridges? Maybe it is lowkey known around the league that if you shut us (Knicks) out then we’ll (CAA) shut you out. What do you guys think?
I think it was good media fabrication and fans propagated it further by repeating it over and over.
If you read up on Leon I believe he makes good trade proposals that help the other team as well. Ainge does a lot of deals but some are like what Zillow used in real estate labeled "Make me move". By that, if you pay me enough I will sell you my house, but its not really for sale. Agents that wanted their players paid or moved had to create win-win situations. Ujiri really don't hate us, we just never had reason for him to deal with us or he got better deals elsewhere. I think it was rumored knicks would want to hire him but for the most part who'd want to work with Dolan prior? Besides, Ujiri is a good dude and very talented but not quite the miracle man we thought he was. He made the Kawhi deal and if that don't work he'd have really been seen in a different light. It worked, they finally got a chip and his rebuild has been a bit clumsy since. Not awful, just not quite up to his reputation. Imagine the crush he'd face if he took a massive salary here and did not produce?
Dealing with Nets? Makes sense to not trade cross town because if it blows up its a relentless media shit storm either side. The deal for Mikal was a high price and Leon paid it. We made them a fast great offer and I'd suspect Leon put a time stamp on it if they put it out to bid. Fact is If they did maybe knicks pull it off the table and nets end up with less. A good offer where both are happy is a good way to do business.
Lets not forget CAA is the worlds largest talent agency and represents many touring acts which is the core business of MSG with the Sphere, Radio city, the LA forum (sold) and few other theaters. With the Nassau Coliseum renovated, the Barkley center and the USB arena there is competition were little existed in NYC. Dolan wanted to stay tight with CAA also. Basketball fans need to consider the scope of CAA massive operation outside of pro basketball. Go to their website or read up on all they do. Impressive company. I have a friend that sits on their board that bought his/her company and let me tell you they are on it!!!
Important that Leon had assets and cap space to work with and demonstrate continuity. Knicks philosophy need be attractive for teams to call us and see if we can help them and by doing so help ourselves. I thought Ujiri got a very nice package in IQ and RJ to build with with. This for a player who was a pending UFA as well. Not like we fucked them over at all.
Remember we had new team presidents and GM's in and out, new coaches nearly every other year seemingly (on avg.), and Lebron and team laughed at us when presented with the keys to the city. We deserved that disrespect in my opinion. We had Donnie here by league decree in the aftermath of Isiah and Dolan stubbornness at the time. He Kept Isiah on to run the liberty!!!! Knicks house was a joke. Donnie here was a joke. Dolan kept Grunwald who was buddy with Isiah and then gives him the job! Isiah lived on by proxy. That was a joke!!!
Phil and the triangle? It was laughed at. Phil sucked at trading. He was not respected. Phil opted in to his two years at 12mm per and Dolan fires him right after.
Mills was respected and super smart guy who maybe in time would have risen to the challenge. Phil wanted to trade KP, Mills and Dolan did not wan that. Mills rode KP but his ACL killed that momentum. Remember the team was over .500 and inline for playoffs. Mills back stabbed him to get his job back had banked on that working. Dolan fires him when Mills apparently was going to make deals to save his ass. Thats not what we needed. Perhaps when Scott Perry was called to ask what Knicks needed to be done he went against Mills as it was the right thing. Perry was the Adult who bridged the Mills to Leon eras and did a graceful job.
I think the FO is now respected for many reasons and Knicks have assets teams want. Apparently our assistant coaches and scouts are now attractive also!
What's awesome is not just the product we put on the floor, but the "feel good" story of "family" with our Villanova guys, players taking less than max to be here, and this in the big media market. Fans thirst for the starphuch are loving this organic growth and Leon is leveraging it thru media. Winning makes it all work BTW! Teams like SAS are not winning but have years of cred with their culture to carry them thru. Knicks have along way to go still before they get close to sniffing that kind of respect. But we on the right path and its fun!!!!
I like the theory. I think the Lakers have gotten some pretty sweet deals since Lebron and Klutch got there.
It may be CAA or it may be the fact of what Rose has built in order to put the Knicks in a position to make these moves. Rose has been able to build a roster and staff that had a significant amount of trade capital (both players and picks) AND was good enough to contend over multiple years. Further, he has a really good strategy and cap guy in Aller that is creative enough to fit everything together and make the moves work. When you get to this position, you are more apt to go for it and move all your trade capital to make a run at a 'ship.
Let's see CAA divine us a center
Alpha1971 wrote:Let's see CAA divine us a center
Hartenstein was that guy. It’s so unfortunate we didn’t sign him for 3 years to gain the bird rights. We just have to find a new Hartenstein soon. Something to keep in mind is Walker Kessler is CAA and really fits the mold of what we seek in a center. I wonder if there may be some influence to land him in NY if things don’t go well in Utah.
Knixkik wrote:Alpha1971 wrote:Let's see CAA divine us a center
Hartenstein was that guy. It;s so unfortunate we didnt sign him for 3 years to gain the bird rights. We just have to find a new Hartenstein soon. Something to keep in mind is Walker Kessler is CAA and really fits the mold of what we seek in a center. I wonder if there may be some influence to land him in NY if things don;t go well in Utah.
This.
AND still confounded by that rule that prevented the Knicks from offering as much as other teams. Just makes NO logical sense.
