14 Comments

At the time, Brown talked openly to the press about the idea of starting guys in their hometowns. It was definitely in game stories and such. And at the time, people shrugged, because who were they to question one of the all-time greats?

Also, he was clearly right about Matt Barnes, as opposed to the exec who got rid of him. Hmm... I wonder who that was?

But, yes, Brown was a catastrophe.

Expand full comment
author

Doing this list was like ranking the most rancid bowls of excrement.

Expand full comment

No complaints here. But you'd better not get too cute with the executive rankings. Pretty much everyone was a disaster in between the Checketts and Leon administrations, but there is an incredibly clear number one choice.

Expand full comment
Sep 5, 2023Liked by Jonathan Macri

This comment has me questioning my fanhood because in my mind, there are three with legit claims to the top spot. Can’t wait to see how Jon ranks ‘em.

Expand full comment

There is one who almost seemed to have contempt for first round picks, who had no idea about team building, whose alleged greatest strength (drafting) was highly overrated, and who got the franchise embroiled in a mortifying, disgusting public/legal scandal.

It is not remotely close, bad as all the other idiots were.

Expand full comment
author

Without spoiling, I will just say that I too feel there is a clear No. 1.

Expand full comment
Sep 5, 2023Liked by Jonathan Macri

That last bit is a factor I hadn’t considered, so when you put it all together, you make a great case.

My personal “favorite” is the guy who took over and promptly destroyed the franchise’s best run since the 70s, made one horrific trade after another, gave away first rounders for Othella Harrington and washed Mark Jackson, couldn’t draft an NBA player if his life depended on it, and replaced one of the best coaches in franchise history with a man from today’s list, all of which came together to create the desperate circumstances that birthed the ensuing ----- ------ era.

The off-court stuff will be the difference here, but from a purely basketball standpoint, no Knick executive has ever been worse.

Expand full comment
author

The person of whom you speak will also appear quite high on the list.

Expand full comment
Sep 5, 2023Liked by Jonathan Macri

Looking forward to Thursdays list. I have my top 3 curious to see if Jon sees it the same

Expand full comment
Sep 5, 2023Liked by Jonathan Macri

Thanks Jon for answering my question! Great article as always!

Expand full comment
author

Curious what you think of the ranking!

Expand full comment
Sep 5, 2023Liked by Jonathan Macri

No disagreements at all! Was there for the Larry Brown era and it was just simply a complete disaster so he deserves #1. Fizdale brought me so much hope when he was hired but just his weird comments after getting blown out and losing game after game with his positive takes.

Never forget that picture of him smiling during the game being blown out by almost 40 against the bucks.

Expand full comment
author

It's arguably THE indelible Knicks image for the entire time between JVG and Leon/Thibs.

Expand full comment
Sep 5, 2023Liked by Jonathan Macri

That and the press conference that Mills and Perry did after that 20 point loss to the Cavs 10 games into the season.

Expand full comment