Jimmy Butler.
What is it with Knicks fans?
No functioning retentive memory engrams?
FIRST ATTRACTIVE SET OF TITS TO AMBLE DOWN THE STREET AND BINGO, YOU RIP OFF THE WEDDING BAND, TOSS YOUR WIFE INTO THE GUTTER, AND SWEAR FEALTY TO THE LATEST BIG NAME SAVIOR.
I like everything about Butler's body, his body of work.
He is a fierce competitor, good defender, gets to the line and shoots a high percentage, an authentic inside/outside game, will get you 20-5-4 night in an night out.
So why am I resistant.
He just turned 29, and wants a max contract.
Okay.
Now Kiid can explain to me why it makes sense and why this is not MELO 2.0
Minny not giving him the max this past summer is what apparently triggered his disdain for the franchise.
I do not like the idea of cashing in assets, most significantly, #1 picks.
I do not like the idea of repeating the MELO 2.0 template where we commit the lion's share of our cap space to a contract that carries him well into his mid-30s.
I do not like the idea of changing horses in mid-stream, and basically contradicting all of the moves we made over the summer to make a mercenary our bell cow.
Kiid is right about one thing. A sign-and-trade right now is probably the best chance of getting him to the Knicks.
Would I trade Hardaway-Noah and a lottery protected #1 for Butler?
Sigh.
Probably. No...definitely.
Would Scott Layden accept such an offer.
I seriously doubt it.
It would take a significantly more tasty package to gather Jimmy Butler into the fold.
We have been down this road before.
We are still recovering from INSTANT GRATIFICATION SYNDROME.
I am most def prepared to follow the process through, and redefine our culture. Free agents are not the be all and end all.
Took Danny Ainge, what, a good four years to double down on free agents. But first he let Stevens develop his culture, develop his youth, develop a winning template. THEN AND ONLY THEN, did he go the free agent route.
I recognize that I am in the minority here.
So be it.
I love Jimmy Butler's game and his competitive edge.
But he WANTS THINGS HIS WAY, not the least of which is 40 Million per when he is 34.
Let Coach Fizdale develop his own guys. I do not wish to gift him a coach-breaker who wants things done his way.
I mean, Butler cannot abide Coach Thibs, who helped make him the player he is, in Chicago.
Butler cannot abide Towns & Wiggins, two of the more gifted young players, who are still going and growing through their evolution.
AND THIS IS THE MOTHERFUCKER YOU WANT TO HAND THE KEYS TO THE FRANCHISE WITH ALL OF OUR KIDS?
No Sale.
Stay the course. Get another talent with our #1 pick in 2019, and if a free agent is to be had, terrific. If not, 2020.
Meanwhile, let's see what we have, and how Fizdale's developmental chops can nurture what we have and put a positive stamp on the evolution of this franchise.
No More Wire Hangers.
Excuse Me.
No more quick fixes and instant fucking gratification.