Almost every informed observer believes the Knicks are positioned for a step backward this season. So what does it say about Knicks owner James Dolan that he expects his team to win it all this season?
Dolan told his coaching staff in a preseason meeting that he is setting the bar extremely high this year, the New York Daily News reports. High expectations are not a bad thing, but they can lose their impact when they come across as straight delusional.
“He said he believes the team is good enough to win a championship,” a source told the Daily News. “That’s what he thinks.”
With Carmelo Anthony, Tyson Chandler and J.R. Smith, the Knicks could contend for the conference title, but they are far from the favorite. The Knicks were the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference last season, but since then, Derrick Rose has returned to the court with the Bulls, the Pacers improved their bench and the Nets added a trio of former champions in Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Jason Terry.
The Knicks’ biggest offseason move, meanwhile, was adding shooting center/forward Andrea Bargnani in a move that was curious at best.
If Dolan’s bold statement is simply a matter of confidence, that’s fine. But if he meant it as an ultimatum to coach Mike Woodson and the coaching staff, Dolan probably will be highly disappointed — and Woodson probably shouldn’t get comfortable in the coach’s seat at Madison Square Garden.
