Game 63 Recap: Thunder (39-24) def. Knicks (19-44) 126-103

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A report came out yesterday that the Knicks were interested in trading for Chris Paul.

After tonight’s performance from both CP3 and the whole of the Knicks roster, Sam Presti just did with CP3 what Amazon has done with hand sanitizer: raised the price.

The business world is simple supply and demand. A liquid that kills the Coronavirus is in high demand but in short supply, so the cost is going through the roof.

And while the worrisome virus has caused Wall Street to take a hefty hit, Chris Paul stocks are at an all-time high. Before this resurgent season, Paul’s health, age and salary meant his massive contract was viewed as a negative asset. What a difference a year of eating plants makes. To a team desperate enough for a superstar player, Presti may leverage CP3 into not just neutral expiring contracts, but likely positive assets like young players and/or draft picks.

Enter the New York Knicks.

The Knicks are in short supply of good players, and impatient fans who haven’t seen their storied and proud franchise in the playoffs since 2013 are demanding that owner James Dolan sell the team. After years and years of losing led by an inept front office unable to land any superstar free agents, the tension between the organization and their fans has reached a boiling point.

How can the Knickerbockers pacify the Knick backers and improve in the short term?

Free agency? The 2020 free agent class has as many stars in it as a Hallmark movie.

The draft? Even with a projected Top 5 pick, the 2020 draft class is supposed to be one of the weakest all time in top tier talent.

Trades? Pretty much every All Star in the league is off the table in a trade as almost no team with a top 25 player has any desire to trade away that kind of talent.

“Pretty much” and “almost” being key words because there’s one team and one player who may be the exception to the rule for the right price.

Enter the Oklahoma City Thunder and Chris Paul.

Common sense already dictates that CP3 is definitively better than anyone on the Knicks’ roster, but watching the Point God toy with the Yankee youngsters revealed how far and wide that talent gap stretches. The Madison Square Garden crowd ooh’ed and aah’ed at Paul’s ball handling, playmaking and silky smooth jumper while witnessing their 19 win squad brick and airball 20 of 24 3 point attempts.

How much better is Paul than any Knicks player? Let us count the ways.

Chris Paul can shoot better than any player currently on the Knicks.

Chris Paul can pass better than any player currently on the Knicks.

Chris Paul can defend better than any player currently on the Knicks.

Chris Paul can lead better than any player currently on the Knicks.

Chris Paul can mentor better than any player currently on the Knicks.

Chris Paul can coach better than any coach currently on the Knicks.

Chris Paul can sell Madison Square Garden tickets better than any player currently on the Knicks.

Chris Paul can convince other stars to join the lol Knicks better than any player currently on the lol Knicks.

As newly ex-Knicks superfan Spike Lee would say, He Got Game.

Nobody knows how much truth there is to the rumor that Dolan and newly minted Knicks President and longtime Chris Paul agent Leon Rose are interested in trading for the 34 year old, new OKC fan favorite. But the fit makes sense for both sides.

New York is home to countless legendary performers, both in the world of sports and stage.

If Chris Paul’s performance tonight was an audition for New York’s front office, then CP3 just got cast in the leading role in next year’s production of the New York Knicks.

Its working title for the past decade and counting? Les Miserables.

Notes:

• Oh and if you want a game recap: Thunder are way better than the Knicks.
• OKC is now 1.5 games back of the 4 seed and 1 game back of the 5 seed.
• CP3’s official pitch to Leon Rose: 21 points, 12 assists, 3 steals, 8 of 13 shooting and 4 of 6 from 3 point range.
• For what it’s worth, taking Paul’s quotes at face value, he doesn’t really seem all that interested in playing for the Knicks.
• CP3 when asked pregame about the Knicks rumors: “They trying to take some of that attention away from that Spike Lee stuff”
• CP3 when asked postgame if he’s ever imagined playing for the Knicks: “I imagine playing in Boston on Sunday.”
• It’s so bizarre to play against a team that is missing all their 3s and free throws. So this what it felt like to play against OKC the last few years.
• Hamidou Diallo out here playing like it’s November 2019. He’s a hard worker that looked great earlier this season but has struggled since his injury. Really nice to see Hami have a great game.
• Shai is clearly so much better than any young player on the Knicks. Big market New York hasn’t made the playoffs in 7 years & have had lottery pick after lottery pick. Small market OKC made playoffs 9 of the last 10 seasons & have the best young piece + a much better future.
• Knicks were 0-8 from 3 at the break. Or as I like to call it, a Harden Half.
• It’s gotta hurt Knicks fans watching Shai up close and personal. They chose Kevin Knox at #9 in the 2018 draft. Shai went at #11.
• Knox tonight: 1 of 7 for 3 points. Shai tonight: 6 of 10 for 18 points.
• Nerlens Noel absolutely dominated this game. He’s been the Thunder’s most underrated player and an unsung hero all season. Still blows me away he signed with OKC on a minimum contract TWICE.
• If Sam Presti uses this game in his summer Chris Paul trade negotiations, the Thunder will own every Knicks draft pick until 2030.
• Hamidou Diallo trying to win his dunk title back tonight. Someone send this game tape to Dwyane Wade, Scottie Pippen and Common.
• The Thunder only had 4 turnovers tonight. Or as I like to call it, a Harden Half.
• Up next: at Boston on Sunday.