The New York Knicks have not traditionally been a desirable destination for NBA stars. Historical trends show that marquee players rarely leave their teams to join the Knicks. The most notable example is Amare Stoudemire, the first significant player to move to New York. However, even his signing turned out to be less successful than expected. The Knicks offered him $100 million to join, a figure that the Phoenix Suns were unwilling to match. I would like to give the top three reasons that NBA Stars don’t come to New York.
The Media
New York has some of the most challenging sports media in the world. When teams win, they receive plenty of praise, but when they lose, the press calls for changes. For example, the media was talking about winning a Championship when Carmelo Anthony was traded to the Knicks. However, after Melo spent seven years with them, the narrative shifted to how he was hindering Porzingis’ growth. This is just one of many examples of how the New York media will turn on you.
The Fans
The rhetoric from the media influences the fans. The New York Knicks have some of the most overzealous fans in the world. After defeating the Boston Celtics in the second round, you would’ve thought they won a championship. I’m unsure if they realized there were still two more series to win, but New York was already planning a parade down Fifth Avenue. Much like the media, the fanbase tends to “love you when you win and hate you when you lose.” I’ve even had arguments with fans who claim Jalen Brunson is an NBA Superstar.
The City is a Distraction
New York is truly a city that never sleeps, offering a place to party every day of the week. However, athletes may face numerous distractions if they don’t stay focused. The traffic is heavy, the streets are crowded, and finding parking is nearly impossible. Rent is expensive, the crime rate is high, and the Knicks don’t have a strong reputation for winning. Besides trying to satisfy some ungrateful fans, why would NBA stars want to play here?
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