Why do I hate New York teams?

Exhibit 457 is linked above. Not to sound like a Republican or anything, but how can "The Paper of Record" publish this ill-reasoned, elitist dreck?

Here's a brief translation: "I live here in New York City, the center of the known universe and the city on the hill for the wretched masses in the rest of the country to ogle at jealously. (They wish they could pay $2,500 per month for 900 square feet and a view of a brick wall.) It makes me sad that I don't have anything to talk about during the NBA Playoffs, what with my non-existent knowledge of teams outside of the Northeast. I would really like to cover a local team doing well in the Playoffs because that would give me a purpose in life. NBA, please go back to rigging your system so the Knicks and Lakers will do well. I'm a whiny bitch and I demand that LeBron come to New York."

Here's why his point is so weak:

1. Of the three major pro sports leagues, the NFL gives the least benefit for major market teams because of a hard salary cap. Not surprisingly, it's also the healthiest of the three major sports leagues. Parity hasn't exactly doomed that golden goose. Additionally, Rhoden's ludicrous argument that major markets don't tolerate rebuilding is belied by the fact that the Giants and Jets have retained their fan bases despite recent rebuilding periods. Or, take the Bulls, who went through a six-year rebuilding period, but they've developed a good team now and their fans are back. I guess waiting for a winner is beneath New Yorkers.

2. If it ever came out that the NBA was rigging its Draft to help its bad teams, it would be done. There would be a mass exodus of fans. What a great business strategy that would be.

3. Remember the '94 NBA Playoffs, otherwise known as the year that basketball almost died? The Knicks did very well that year, but that didn't stop the viewing public from being revolted and running from their sets in droves.

4. The fundamental problem in New York, which Rhoden apparently refuses to confront, is that Isiah Thomas is an idiot when it comes to running anything larger than a lemonade stand (and he could probably screw that up.) Give him top Draft picks and he'll probably trade them for another mediocre combo guard or undersized power forward. Or maybe he'll take another run at Frederic Weis. Why should New York be insulated from the dreadful decisions of their GM (and by extension, their ownership, which hired and continues to employ Isiah)?

Per Rhoden's insane rhetoric, since Michigan draws more fans than any other college football program and is the biggest TV draw this side of Notre Dame, opponents should only be allowed three downs to make ten yards rather than four. After all, I shouldn't blame Michigan's bad defensive coordinator and head coach for the team's defensive struggles; I should demand that the deck be slanted in UM's favor. Right, Bill?