From NBA’s Worst Owner to Semi-Competence: The Surprising Turnaround of James Dolan
James Dolan, once the NBA’s most criticized owner, has surprisingly led the Knicks to playoff success in recent years, marking a significant turnaround.
James Dolan, New York Knicks, NBA, Leon Rose, Playoffs, Basketball, New York, USA
New York: Can you believe how far James Dolan has come with the Knicks? Back in 2006, things were a total mess. That year, the Knicks were involved in a wild brawl with the Denver Nuggets at Madison Square Garden. It was a chaotic scene, with players throwing punches instead of making plays. It felt like the team had hit rock bottom.
Under Dolan, the Knicks had some truly awful seasons. Sure, there were worse records, but 2006 was a disaster in every sense. They fired Hall of Famer Larry Brown after just one season, and their 23-59 record was the worst in the Eastern Conference. Dolan was spending big bucks on players who were way past their prime, and fans were not happy.
His reputation took a hit, too. Dolan was known for being petty, kicking out fans who criticized him and even using facial recognition to keep rivals out of the Garden. The drama with Charles Oakley, a Knicks legend, only added to the dysfunction. Oakley was removed from a game, and he still won’t return without an apology.
Then there was the lawsuit from Anucha Browne Sanders, a former executive who accused Isiah Thomas of harassment. That case exposed a lot of the issues within the organization. Dolan had a rough time managing the team, and it showed in the results.
But fast forward to today, and things are looking up. Dolan hired Leon Rose as president of basketball operations in 2020, and that move has paid off. The Knicks have made the playoffs in three of the last four seasons, and they’re currently fourth in the Eastern Conference. It’s a huge turnaround from the chaos of the past.
So, what changed? Maybe Dolan realized he needed to step back and let someone else take the reins. Rose, who has a solid understanding of the Knicks’ history, has brought a sense of calm to the organization. Players like Jalen Brunson have thrived under his leadership, turning into stars.
Fans are hopeful that this new direction will lead to a championship. If that happens, Dolan’s biggest win might just be knowing when to let someone else take charge.