Back in 2015, The New York Knicks experienced a challenging period, marked by significant losses. On January 5, the team suffered their 12th consecutive defeat against the Memphis Grizzlies, with a final score of 105-83. This loss placed the Knicks at a 5-32 record, tying them for the worst performance in the league at that time. That night, the team decided to trade two of its leading players, effectively signaling an end to their season ambitions.
Scott Cacciola, then covering the Knicks for The New York Times, reported on this trade. His writing captured the dire situation: “Futility was the preferred replacement for fluidity, surfacing in plays defined by an almost inexplicable level of ineptitude,” he noted. Yet, this was one of the last pieces he would pen about the Knicks for a while.
Just four days later, The Times published an article by Cacciola focusing on the Emporia State Lady Hornets from Kansas, the top team in Division II women’s college basketball. This piece launched the ‘Not the Knicks’ series, chronicling Cacciola’s quest to find well-played basketball beyond the struggling Knicks. During the 2014-15 season, this level of play was elusive at Knicks games unless one observed their opponents.
As the Knicks now stand a win away from a championship, memories of the 2014-15 season might seem distant to newer fans. However, long-time supporters recall that year vividly amidst a long title drought spanning 53 years.
Recently, Times Insider revisited the origins of the ‘Not the Knicks’ series, speaking with members of the Sports desk involved in its creation. These discussions have been edited for clarity and brevity.
What was the motivation behind starting ‘Not the Knicks’?
JASON STALLMAN, Sports editor: The Knicks were performing poorly, which caused significant dissatisfaction among fans. Around January 5, the situation escalated when they traded J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert. The team president, Phil Jackson, emphasized focusing on the draft. This highlighted an ongoing issue in the NBA, where some teams discontinue efforts during a season to aim for better draft picks.
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