Knicks have plenty of developments last week, but what about player development?

Winning solves many problems

Sacrificing long term player development for wins now isn’t confirmed, but it’s a thought. I’m sure I’m not the only one thinking it either. There are many advantages and disadvantages of the New York Knicks playing well right now. Hunting down that eighth seed and trying to make the playoffs for the first time in the last seven seasons would be a huge lift.

Some of the advantages include obviously a winning culture. No team wants to tank (at least say it in public). But the Knicks tanked last season because they desperately needed a top-three pick to land an impact player. Winning culture’s help in free agency recruiting. No one with a desire to win wants to join a team going through the motions for a top draft pick. If they did, why would a team want them around anyway?

Also, young players don’t get indoctrinated into a negative locker room environment. Guys on the court start to believe in one another and chemistry builds. Players push each other to be their best. A winning mindset pervades the team.

Then the sixth man, the MSG crowd, kicks into gear. No building rocks like the Garden when the fans are excited. Lastly, it means you may have found something that works. But, this brings me to my next point, the disadvantages of winning now.