MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, February 6, 2018 — A little after 8 p.m., whatever Phil Jackson had in mind for the post-Carmelo Anthony Knicks died at the feet of James Dolan. Not literally, though Kristaps Porziu0146u0123is tearing his ACL was the death of a dream. Ahh, such a dream, though — one that inspired real faith, fresh on the heels of a 17-win, six-month thousand-yard stare.
The injury comes four months after the Knicks traded Carmelo Anthony, christening the rebuild around Kristaps Porziu0146u0123is. No one knew it at the time, but that’s how fast it took one era and its successor to end.