FC Porto e NY Knicks - o fundo do mesmo poço

Este artigo sobre os New York Knicks foi publicado ontem no Bleacher Report, após mais uma pesada derrota da equipa de basket nova-iorquina, desta vez contra os Chicago Bulls (a época dos Knicks está a ser horrível). Curiosamente, mudando os nomes e um pouco do contexto, o texto aplicar-se-ia perfeitamente ao FC Porto actual. Foi o que fiz aqui. O ponto de partida foi a declaração da estrela dos Knicks, Carmelo Anthony (os Knicks destruíram a equipa interessante que tinham para o poder comprar, há dois anos), em como esta forma de perder "era embaraçosa".

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Embarrassing doesn't even begin to describe it.

The Knicks FC Porto are 1-7 since the All-Star break have only won 1 match in 8 on the European trail, and their last three losses have come by an average of 22.7 points four matches did not end in a win. Their defense is broken, the offense is inconsistent and, worse, there is no end in sight.

Mathematically, the Knicks FC Porto fare still able to clinch a playoff berth win the League title or other competitions. Realistically, though, nothing could be further from the truth. Nothing about the Knicks' FC Porto’s recent efforts suggest they'll be able to usurp three of the Charlotte Bobcats, Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons Napoli, Benfica or Sporting. Absolutely nothing.

Leadership is clearly an issue on this team. You don't need pessimistic postgame comments to understand that. Look at the standings. Look at the box score.

Look at the on-court product.

Head coach Mike Woodson Paulo Fonseca has lost the ability to inspire, Tyson Chandler Hélton is leading an individual mutiny on the defensive end, Raymond Felton Licá can no longer mask glaring offensive and defensive inadequacies and Amar'e Stoudemire Danilo is providing answers to questions he knows nothing about (defense).

Then there's Anthony Jackson Martínez, the once-optimisic superstar-turned-acquiescent skeptic.

"It's hard to keep coming up with excuses why it continues to happen," Anthony Jackson said.

At this point, there are no excuses. There are only reasons—effort, defense, heart, pride, dysfunction, effort, effort, effort, etc.—all of which bring us to an inevitable and irrevocable conclusion: The Knicks FC Porto are an awful, pride-lacking basketball football team, giving chase to a playoff berth title bid they don't deserve and, ultimately, that they won't even come close to catching.