The Sack of King's Landing: A Story of Kingslayer Kristaps, Carmelo Lannister, and the Mad Zen

It’s funny how fiction parallels real life.

During Robert’s Rebellion, Tywin Lannister and his mighty army stood outside of the gates of King's Landing. He proclaimed loyalty to the Mad King Aerys and requested entrance into the city. Upon entering the city, Tywin began sacking the city in betrayal with the aim of facilitating the overthrow of the Mad King.

Carmelo Anthony sort of tried the same thing with Phil Jackson. Despite Phil Jackson’s (the Mad Zen) undercutting and public criticism of Lord Carmelo, he said all the right things to endear himself to New York fans and, and thus, painted Phil the villain.

Carmelo agreeing to discuss a buy-out was, in essence, Phil opening the gates.

While Phil was skeptical of Carmelo, what Phil hadn’t anticipated was the Kingslayer standing close to him. Phil Jackson putting Kristaps Porzingis in the trade market is the equivalent of Mad King Aerys threatening to burn all of Kings Landing with wildfire. You simply cannot even entertain the thought of trading a 7’3, three point shooting, stretch-four. The thought is sheer lunacy.

So while Carmelo was trying to overthrow the Mad Zen internally, Porzingis said fuck this shit, this dude has to go! Times have changed since Phil was big shit in the NBA. Phil Jackson was accustomed to great players showing him unquestioned fealty. Jordan, Pippen, Shaq and Kobe all praise him.

The new era of NBA players could care less about his eleven rings. LeBron and his posse being the ringleaders. So when Phil crossed Kristaps Porzingis, he got a rude awakening as to what party truly wields power in the NBA.

Make no mistake about it, Porzingis, not Carmelo, has Phil’s blood on sword! The Knicks as an organization have no love for Carmelo and would have preferred he waive his no trade clause in order to move him out of New York. Phil’s job was safe as long as Porzingis remained the focal point of the Knicks.

If Porzingis wanted Phil to stay, Phil would still have his job. You don’t pay 24 million dollars to fire someone unless there is a greater risk to your organization. That risk in the alienation of Porzingis.

The moment the Phil explored a future without Porzingis, he had to go!

Kingslayer Kristaps, sword bloodied, now sits on the Iron Throne awaiting the next General Manager to appear and claim himself king.

As we learned with Jamie Lannister, they slaying of the King was not an act of cowardice but an honorable act that saved the city from burning.

What Next for the Knicks

Hire Big Name President of Basketball Operations

Rumors are already circulating that the Knicks are interested in Toronto’s Masai Ujiri. Former Cavaliers general manager David Griffin’s name will surely come up in the near future.

But these are the Knicks and many NBA executives want no part of reporting to MSG Chairman James Dolan. If the Knicks get shunned externally, expect to hear the like of Allen Houston and, ahem… Isaiah Thomas to be in consideration for the role.

I personally like Ujiri for the role. Ujiri, a basketball without border alum, is as plugged in with international talent as any NBA executive in the league. The Knicks best three assets (Porzingis, Hernangomez, and Ntilikina) are all international prospect so the assumption here is that Ujiri should have a unique insight to form a team around the trio.

Hire New Coaching Staff

With Phil gone, the nepotism should cease so we should see Jeff Hornacek and Kurt ushered out of New York immediately. Hopefully, they won’t meet the same faiths as Rhaenys Targaryen and Elia Martell.

This is New York City, so the next coach will have to have some cache with his name. Mark Jackson or Jeff Van Gundy are logical choices.

Mark Jackson, New York native and the franchises best point guard, was given a raw deal in Golden State. It is absolutely criminal that he hasn’t had an opportunity in the NBA these past three years. New York would welcome their native son with open arms.

Jeff Van Gundy is also a bug name. Van Gundy has quietly attempted to get back into coaching the past couple years. He’s interviewed for jobs in New Orleans and Houston but was not selected. A return to New York was never in the cards as Jackson and Van Gundy absolutely detest each other from their Bulls-Knicks rivalry days in the 90’s.

Sign a Big-Name Free Agent

With the trade of Chris Paul to the Houston Rockets, Blake Griffin is almost assured to sign with a different franchise. The Knicks will face stiff competition from Boston and Miami so they have to offer everything to Blake. If that includes a full length max deal, with an opt out, and a no trade clause, the Knicks have to do it.

The Knicks need a free agency win to remind players across the league that New York City is still an appetizing destination.  I would even go as far as to as to offer Hernangomez in a cap clearing deal if a team will take Noah’s contract with it.

If the Knicks make some smart decisions, a lot of the damage Phil inflicted over the past three years could be reversed this summer. If not, they can better prepare for enemies to the east… enemies to the west… enemies to the south… enemies to the west!