Knicks' Hot Seat! Who's to Blame if They Miss the NBA Finals?

It has been a frustrating last few days for NY Knicks fans. After winning seven straight and getting in striking distance of the No. 2 spot in the conference, they are 0-3 on their current road trip. Furthermore, all three defeats have been by double-digits. It has reignited the discourse on whether this team will come anywhere close to reaching the goal of competing for an NBA title later this spring by getting to the finals for the first time since 1999. As well as who will take the fall if the NY Knicks come up well short of the ultimate goal.

As of now, most might assume that would be coach Mike Brown. He took over a talent-rich team with high expectations. But the NY Knicks have completely lost the defensive traits they had with his predecessor, Tom Thibodeau, and All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns continues to look like a poor fit in Brown’s offense. Firing him after one season would be a bold decision, but in today’s NBA, it certainly would not be shocking.

However, Knicks Film School host Jonathan Macri believes owner James Dolan will place the blame for the underwhelming results elsewhere. In a new conversation with the New York Post, Macri suggested that after the owner proclaimed in the fall that the team must make the NBA Finals, top executive Leon Rose will be the fall guy if they don’t get there.

“I’m not really looking at KAT or Mike Brown. I’m looking at Leon Rose,” Macri said. “He is the guy who went out on a limb and traded all those picks for Mikal Bridges a year and a half ago, and obviously went out and acquired KAT. And after last season, we know who the blame fell on [Thibodeau]. At the same time, when it came around to hiring a new coach, it seemed like the organization had other things on its mind.

“We’ve heard the word 'collaboration' used several times as the biggest difference between this year and last year. So I think, fairly or unfairly, the buck is going to stop with Leon Rose. He is the one who made the trades, and he’s the one who hired Mike Brown.” It certainly would make sense for the team president to take the fall instead of firing a head coach for a second straight season. However, it does come with risk. It can’t be overlooked that he has overseen the turnaround that NY Knicks fans badly wanted and got them back to being a yearly playoff contender.

Furthermore, Brown is showing he may not be the right fit for this roster. However, Macri did add he would expect major roster changes if the team did not reach the finals.

The pressure on Leon Rose increases as the end of the regular season approaches. The investment in star players like Karl-Anthony Towns and the coaching change generated high expectations, and failing to reach the Finals could have significant consequences. The final decision on who will be held accountable will rest with James Dolan, known for his impulsive decisions and impatience for success.

Mike Brown's future is also at stake, although Macri suggests that Rose would be the first to fall. If the Knicks do not perform well in the playoffs, major changes are likely in the organization, from management to the player roster.

The situation in the Knicks is tense and full of uncertainty. The coming months will be crucial in determining the future of the franchise and the fate of its key figures. Fans are eagerly waiting to see if the team can overcome its problems and reach the Finals, or if there will be a new change of course in the Big Apple. The decision to blame Rose could be seen as unfair by some, given his role in rebuilding the team and returning it to competitiveness. However, in the world of professional sports, results are what count, and if the Knicks do not meet expectations, someone will have to pay the price.