Do NOT Trade R.J. Barrett!

What the hell is wrong with these New York sportswriters? Why are they trying to goad Knick fans into giving up on the talented R.J. Barrett in exchange for a scorer who could mess up the delicate chemistry the team is developing? Is it for kicks? Do they get their jollies this way? The whole idea is inane. Barrett's only 20 years old, for crying out loud! He's a budding star, like CJ McCollum and Bradley Beal (two names the writers floated in bogus trade rumors) were in their first two seasons. This whole "Win Now" thing is getting ludicrous. The very last thing the Knicks need to do is revert to what they've done for the last 50 years when they either signed the biggest name free agents or traded young talent and draft picks for high scoring superstars. How many times has that worked out over the decades?

Think about it now. From Spencer Haywood and Bob McAdoo to Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire and all in between is proof that the quick fix via star power is not the answer.

The Knicks are finally building a team the right way for once. The system of building a team through the draft and making key acquisitions along the way is how the Boston Celtics of the 1960s and '80s, the championship Knicks, and the San Antonio Spurs built and maintained their great teams. The Derek Rose trade is a very good example of adding a veteran player for the right role at the right price. Legendary Celtics coach and executive Red Auerbach excelled at that practice. 

This isn't to guarantee the Knicks are going to become a dynasty, but right now they have one of the best coaches in the game in Tom Thibodeau and he has his players believing in themselves as a unit and looking as good with very similar fascinating potential as the Knicks did when Hall Of Fame coach Red Holzman, young talents Willis Reed, Bill Bradley, Walt Frazier (draft picks), Dick Barnett and Dave DeBusschere (crucial trade acquisitions) began patrolling the Madison Square Garden court in the late 1960s.

NBA Hall Of Famers Dick Barnett, Walt Frazier, Bill Bradley, Dave

DeBusschere and Willis Reed celebrating the Knicks' 1969-70 world championship.

Think of it as a newborn baby. Patience is essential to help a baby grow up to be a successful adult. Why should it be any different for a promising young team that's just starting out? The Knicks are going to grow up to be something special. And if they do indeed become a dynasty, the tried and true method they're wisely using now will be the reason.

Or, as Knicks star Charles Oakley once said, "If it ain't broke don't break it!"