The Knicks new front office is bringing a new culture to Madison Square Garden, immediately showing that they have the intellect, power, and guts to rebuild the franchise and the full support of owner James Dolan.
The Knicks‘ blockbuster, 7-player trade with the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday was orchestrated by the first All-Black front office in NBA history and marks a new era in Knicks basketball.
James Dolan is still the owner and one of the most hated men in pro hoops, but the guys pulling the strings have already shown that they have independence and ability to make gutsy moves that actually set the Knicks up for future success, not temporary mediocrity or all out putridness.
Knicks president Steve Mills said owner James Dolan gave he and GM Scott Perry the flexibility to trade Kristaps Porzingis. An owner has to sign off on a move of this magnitude.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) February 1, 2019
The black power at MSG is oozing from the leadership positions and fans already see that businesses is being conducted at a different pace. Meet the team that finessed the Kristaps Porzingis trade and is tasked with MNYGA (Making New York Great Again).
Steve Mills, President
Mills worked for the NBA for sixteen years beginning in 1984 and eventually became Chief operating officer and Sports Business President of Madison Square Garden in 2003. In 2009, Mills left MSG and joined Magic Johnson Enterprises where he helped create the Athletes & Entertainers Wealth Management Group, LLC (A&E).
Steve Mills on the Porzingis trade: "We feel like we did the right thing" https://t.co/slZSNnmiNe pic.twitter.com/tO7NQ04V3k
— SNY (@SNYtv) February 1, 2019
In 2013, the Knicks brought Mills back in the role of executive vice president and general manager of the organization.
Then in 2017 as Scott Perry became the Knicks’ newest general manager, Mills was promoted to president of the organization, replacing Phil Jackson.
Scott Perry, General Manager
Perry, 57, has been an executive with the Pistons, Supersonics, and Magic. He was in Seattle’s front office when they drafted Kevin Durant and worked in the Detroit’s front office under Joe Dumars for six years.
Knicks reportedly meet with Kings executive Scott Perry on Thursday about making him team GM, via @SBondyNYDN https://t.co/lmO5MRlytu pic.twitter.com/dHR4W7ETlD
— Amara Grautski (@AmaraGrautski) July 13, 2017
He started in 2001 and helped oversee a roster overhaul, including the acquisitions of Ben Wallace, Richard Hamilton, Chauncey Billups, Rasheed Wallace and the drafting of Tayshaun Prince, that would eventually produce a franchise resurgence and excitement that hadn’t been experienced since the Bad Boys era. Those shrewd moves resulted in the team winning the 2004 NBA championship.
As GM, Perry’s first order of business was to trade the disgruntled Carmelo Anthony. It’s been all chess from there.
Gerald Matkins, Assistant GM
In July of 2017, Perry has made his first front office hire.
Former NBA player Gerald Madkins is departing from the Clippers to be the Knicks' new assistant GM, sources told @TheUndefeated.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) July 23, 2017
Madkins worked as a scout for the Knicks from 2003 to 2007. He also went on to work for the likes of Daryl Morey and Sam Presti before spending a few years with the Clips. Also, Madkins’ time at MSG was pretty damned successful. Madkins, a former NBA player, was highly regarded during his first stint with the Knicks which began in 2003. The former UCLA guard was credited with advising Thomas to draft Trevor Ariza in the second round.
David Fizdale, Head Coach
Via The Shadow League:
“Before the Knicks even consider contending, the exorcism has to be complete and the old, lingering culture of the team has to be gutted, certain winning principles re-established. Fizdale, who was 43-39 and took the Memphis Grizzlies to the playoffs in his only full season there, has brought a young, relatable flavor to the franchise and it’s paying early dividends.”
The development of young draft picks Michael Robinson, Kevin Knox and Allonzo Trier this season reflects positively on Fizdale’s coaching acumen because young talent blossomed under his wing despite an incorrigible amount of losing.
The success of the Knicks rookies is also a good reflection on the front office’s ability to find gems in supposed piles of rubbish filled with long shots and projects remaining in the NBA Draft.
Allan Houston, GM of Westchester Knicks (G-League), Asst. GM Knicks
Houston is still General Manager of the G-League affiliate and a rising star in the executive world. Despite running the G-League franchise, Houston is also considered an Assistant GM with the Knicks.
Black To The Future
While the Knicks fans were lamenting another lost season, the front office was planning to shock the NBA world and show how serious they are about going for the gusto in 2019 free agency.
Rather than relive the Carmelo Anthony situation and be held captive by Porzingis, who was threatening to sign a qualifying offer. The Knicks dumped him for building blocks. If Porzingis signed the offer it eradicates any kind of leverage the Knicks had, because he was basically letting them know he has no intention of remaining here.
Steve Mills: Kristaps Porzingis no longer wanted to be a Knick https://t.co/Yt9H1sZDXD
— We Are Knicks (@weareknicks) February 1, 2019
He and his brother’s less than respectful comments about the dysfunction of the organization wasn’t positive for the future. Porzingis was still brainwashed by the toxicity of the Phil Jackson Era and he didn’t look like a willing participant in the new culture that the Knicks front office is implementing.
With the cap space to acquire two max free agents and a Top 3 pick this year almost in the bag, plus the two first-rounders acquired from Dallas, the Knicks finally have a definitive starting point in a rebuild that they hope will make Madison Square Garden a star attraction again.
The real action starts this summer.
Kyrie Irving asked if his mindset has changed regarding re-signing with Boston: “Ask me July 1.” He says he’s going to do what’s best for his career.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) February 1, 2019
The journey isn’t going to be easy and Scott Perry said the team wasn’t taking any shortcuts. This season’s Eastern Conference-worse 10-40 record is an accepted part of the plan to hopefully grab a No. 1 pick this season.
