Why, you ask? A big reason is owner James Dolan.
James Dolan in 2014 with the Rangers (photo courtesy of the NY Times)
In 2014, beleaguered Rangers and Knicks owner James Dolan and Rangers president of hockey operations Glen Sather chatted during a Stanley Cup Final practice. They were enjoying what they were witnessing, with the Rangers just four wins away from winning the Cup for the first time since 1994.
But the sight of Dolan hoisting the Stanley Cup terrified me, and it surely looked like he would achieve his goal.
Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist was going great at the time, and the Broadway Blueshirts found ways to win, including a couple of Game 7 winners against the Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins. But then Lundqvist played awfully in the championship round, blowing leads in Games 1, 2, and 5 against the Los Angeles Kings, resulting in overtime losses.
So, in the end, it wasn’t to be: the Rangers kept the championship drought alive. Dolan was denied his moment, and 32 years later, his team is undergoing another rebuild. Now, Dolan gets another chance at glory with the Knicks, three wins away from ending a hideous championship drought that is at 52 years as we speak.
As in 2014 with the Rangers, this is Dolan’s best opportunity. But it won’t be easy to achieve what Dolan covets. Portland, Minnesota, and Oklahoma City couldn’t stop Victor Wembanyama, and he plays on a very talented, well-rounded team.
Of course, the local media here is ga-ga for the Knicks. They believe Mitchell Robinson will handle Wemby. They also either fail to see or acknowledge that breezing through Eastern Conference competition to get to the big series isn’t the same as what the Spurs had to do in the West. Do they actually believe that the Knicks would sweep past OKC?
Me? Wemby is a big reason why I’m picking the Spurs in five. He can score, pass, and defend. He’s a game changer. Think Kareem Abdul-Jabbar when you think of his game.
James Dolan
But this column isn’t about either the Spurs or their star; it’s about Dolan. To say he is a jerk isn’t without provocation.
The Madison Square Garden boss has a history of treating employees like peons, whether they’re head coaches, executives, or anyone working for him. Go ask Donnie Walsh, Larry Brown, John Davidson, Jeff Gorton, Jeff Van Gundy, Anucha Browne Saunders, and other good people who put their heart and soul into their jobs. He’s also nasty towards the fans who dare to criticize him, whether it’s an email or something in his face. Just ask Knicks great Charles Oakley, who is banned for life from attending Knicks games, never mind that he gave his heart and soul to that team in the 90s.
Dolan hasn’t changed one bit from what he was decades ago. That’s one reason I’m ticked that so many Knicks fans are okay with him. Favoring winning over dignity isn’t my choice.
I used to be a Knicks fan, but that was 30 years ago. It was a glorious time, too. Every regular-season and playoff game was an event, and the Knicks were the Kings of New York sports.
That was then. Today is now. I can’t root for Dolan, and that outcome is made easier because of my antipathy toward the NY sports media and a good share of the NYK fan base.
I hope the Knicks go down. For me, at least, it would make the NBA Finals worthwhile.
