Dolan's Knicks last made the NBA Playoffs in the '12-13 season, losing in the second round NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
Rangers and Knicks Owner James Dolan was adamant yesterday that neither team will "ever tank games in an attempt to secure a better draft pick," according to Colin Stephenson of NEWSDAY. Dolan, who attended Rangers practice yesterday, said, "Teams that tank are giving away something really big. ... They’re giving away that emotional development for the team." He added, "None of my teams are going to tank. I’ll never tell a team to lose." Dolan said that he "doesn’t believe in having his teams tank games because, No. 1, the team has a responsibility to produce the best product it can for the ticket-buying fans, and No. 2, because he believes losing games on purpose hurts a team’s spirit." Dolan: "That hurts more than getting a better draft pick helps." Dolan acknowledged that the Rangers, currently 17-17-7, "don’t expect to challenge for the Stanley Cup this season," but he "insisted that the team expects to be competitive nightly." Dolan last month "raised the possibility of selling the Knicks or the Garden." But yesterday he said that "isn’t something he is interested in doing." He added that he "hasn’t had any offers for any of the properties" since his comments (NEWSDAY, 1/8).
ROSTER MAKEUP: In N.Y., Stefan Bondy notes Dolan "believes there’s an important difference" between the Knicks and Rangers. The Rangers have G Henrik Lundqvist, while the Knicks do not have the "star equivalent" with Kristaps Porzingis injured (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 1/8). Dolan: "The real big difference between the Knicks and Rangers is Henrik. If the Knicks had a Henrik, they’d probably be competing for a playoff spot. No Henrik, no playoff spot." In N.Y., Larry Brooks writes, "Halfway through the first season of a dramatic and directed reset, there is no turning back for the Rangers." Meanwhile, Dolan said he is "very happy with how the organization is organizing itself around development." Dolan: "We’re staying the course" (N.Y. POST, 1/8).
