The Knicks are a joke, and Simmons is laughing all the way to his next contract.

Some might argue the Knicks are still figuring things out and Simmons needed time to adjust. They could say his performance is just a phase, not indicative of long-term failure for either player or team. But who’s buying into this?

This season could be critical for both teams but especially New York. If Simmons continues to underperform or looks like he’s already eyeing his next move elsewhere, fans and analysts alike won't hold back on their criticism. The Knicks need a turnaround soon if they want any hope of salvaging what little goodwill remains among the fanbase.

Human tribalism will split this debate down the middle. Fans loyal to either team or those who just enjoy seeing others fail will be firmly entrenched in opposing camps over whether last night was an anomaly or a sign of things to come. The reality is, if New York doesn’t show some improvement soon—both on and off the court—they'll find themselves facing not only losing seasons but also empty seats at Madison Square Garden.