Former NBA coach Stan Van Gundy called out the New York Knicks organization for their 'arrogance' as a franchise in an appearance on "The Dan Le Batard Show".
Amid rumors of Zion Williamson's interest in playing for the team, Van Gundy explained why fans shouldn't hold much stock in whispers about any player being attracted to Orange and Blue.
"It's possible," said Van Gundy, according to The New York Post. "But listen. The Knicks have this thing and it's amazing. No matter how many times people have proven they don't want to play for the Knicks, the Knicks have this idea that everyone in the league is going to play for the Knicks." Wants to play for the Knicks. Now what's the last time someone tried to come and move to New York? Like, never in the last 20 years? But still Knicks & Knicks fans think everyone is trying to get to the Knicks I'm not saying [Zion] won't end there - there are all kinds of ways people could end up somewhere - but the idea that everyone wants to be New York Nick, I mean if it were , so don't be as bad as they have been for the last 20 years."
In this season, it is Zion. Last season, it was Gordon Hayward. Before that, it was Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. Every year, the Knicks seem to be at the center of free agency rumors, only to eventually burn out.
For Van Gundy, the narrative that the Knicks have done anything worth top-tier free agents borders on nonsensical.
- "No one has gone through signing the extension yet," Van Gundy said. "None yet. It's very profitable. So he has to sign first. And then it usually takes a year or two for people to force themselves elsewhere. So I guess we're kinda on all of this. are premature. And I don't know what the Knicks will have that New Orleans jump right now. I just don't. Who would they want? Evan Fournier?"
"The Knicks' arrogance as an organization has baffled me throughout the league I've been in. You'd think it's a perennial champion, this great organization that everyone wants to play for. Please. Come on. Shall we? Can stop it? Just because Knicks fans want a player, doesn't mean everyone is trying to get there."
After showing growth and promise last season, such was the thunder that the Knicks had transformed themselves into a desirable spot for star players.
After a few relatively minor stints over the summer, the Knicks reverted to their old habits, becoming the clumsy mess we've known them for the past few years.
It remains to be seen how long the team will last without a top-class player. But, for now, they'll continue to grab the straw and hope for a hero to save their franchise.
Read also:-