Since the 2000s the Knicks have struggled to acquire homegrown talent.
It was really a combo of poor drafting and trading young assets like trading Nene for McDyess
Then we did have some young pieces with promise we never kept like Ariza or Channing Frye. Guys like Wilson Chandler and Galinari were sacrificed for Melo.
Melo era had some talented dudes like Landry Fields and Shumpert but they didn’t stick around.
2012-2018 was horrible drafting and asset management.
No firsts in 2012, 2014, 2016, so the only first rounder we drafted from 2012 to 2018 were
2013 Tim Hardaway Jr: solid piece who we traded for Grant for no reason
2015 Kristaps Porzingis: was an all-star but we moved on from him
2017 & 2018: Frank and Knox. Both these guys SUCK for Top 10 picks. Some of y’all still defend them somehow. I love them as a Knicks fan but I’m not gonna lie and say they still have potential.
But since Knox, it’s been pretty smooth sailing.
2018 2nd round: Mitchell Robinson.
2019: RJ Barrett
2020: Obi and IQ
2021: Grimes, McBride and Sims
From 2018-2021 we drafted 7 guys who played a solid or main role on the team. For once in the 20th century we had HOMEGROWN KNICKS. Now Obi is gone and tbh I think it’s good to see him go off on Indy some nights but I don’t think that was a necessary trade
Randle and Brunson are NOT homegrown but their legacy is being made here. Similar to Oakley, Starks, Allan Houston and arguably Camby and Melo. Oak, Starks and Houston played elsewhere before the Knicks but will be remembered as Knicks. Melo bounced around a lot after and had solid Nuggets year BUT does seem like he’s coming to a lot of Knicks games and not Nuggets games. The franchise he made his first couple all-stars with just won the title and he’s no where to be found but the franchise he’s traded to he’s sitting court side for regular season games.
Randle had some solid years on La and a good year on Pelicans but nothing special. He’s had multiple All NBA and All Star season and his MIP award here. Climbing up the Knicks leaderboards
Brunson is the same way, backup for Mavs for 4 years and making a name for himself as a Knick.
6 of our 7 minutes per game leaders: Randle, Brunson, RJ, IQ, Mitch, Grimes are Homegrown or Knicks Legacy guys.
We’ve made the playoffs 2 of the last 3 years looking like it’s gonna be 3 in 4 years now. Won a playoff series, have all our future picks (unlike Melo years with no 2012, 2014, 2016). The future is bright, the players are young, the assets are there.
MAN ITS GOOD TO BE A KNICKS FAN
Obviously the goal is homegrown but feels like everyone moves on in the NBA.
Both Walt and Ewing played multiple seasons on other Franchises. What really matters is where you legacy is made and if you play on that team for like 75% of your career you’ll be remembered for it.
Wade went to Bulls and Cavs, but will always be remembered as a Heat legend
Hakeem went to the Raptors.
People wrote off Jordan on the Wizards but he played for the Wizards for 2 years!
Malone was a Laker
Paul Pierce known as a Celtic, went to Wizards and Clippers.
So it’s possible to carve out a legacy on one franchise and not ONLY play for that franchise. Being drafted there helps, heck Kareem won a RING in MIL, but he’s also very synonymous with the Lakers.
So it just feels good to have a lot of our guys be only Knicks or likely be remembered as Knicks given their trajectory
For once, it Feels good man