FanPost

Who's in worse shape: the Knicks or the Lakers?

Laker fans--with reason--are optimists.

Knick fans--with reason--are fucked.

The Lakers and Knicks have existed since the NBA began in 1947. Since then, the Lakers have acquired via trade, draft, or free agency, at least 8 players who could be considered the best in the league at the time: George Mikan, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem, Magic, Shaq, Kobe. The Knicks have never had the best player. Only one Knick has ever won MVP--Willis Reed in '70.

The Lakers and Knicks both suck right now. The Knicks are hoping to re-up their best player. The Lakers did re-up their best player, who then suffered his 2nd serious injury in less than a year and will cost the Lakers nearly $50M over 2 years he may be falling apart.

The Lakers have what should be a lottery in this year's superdraft. The Knicks have what should be a top-5 pick, only it belongs to Denver because of the time the Knicks traded for that best player they're hoping to re-up.

Taking everything into account--Dolan vs. Buss Jr., LA's ability to recruit vs. NY's, the draw or d'oh! of playing beside Kobe vs. Melo, future free agent crops, etc.--do you, as Knick fan, envy the position the Lakers are in? Or do we count the rare blessing of being in a better position than our Cali rival for once?

These are the hypotheticals one ponders when the season is hopeless 30 games in.