CLEVELAND — We talk about GMs and trust a lot around here, but we’ve never actually qualified that in an honest-to-goodness index system. So let’s do it, with six categories:
Master Class
1. Leon Rose, Knicks: It’s hard to argue who the single-most-trusted man in New York sports is right now. It isn’t even a close vote. Here’s the thing, too: Leon didn’t construct this team via public consensus. Signing Jalen Brunson was considered a clever acquisition, but there was a lot of noise that he overpaid, and by a lot, as a favor to the son of an old friend (and his first client).
Every other move — Karl-Anthony-Towns (too soft!), Mikal Bridges (gave up too much!), OG Anunoby (what’ll we do without RJ & Quick!), even Josh Hart (yes, there were actually some angry Cam Reddish loyalists) — caused at least a beat of consternation, as did the firing of Tom Thibodeau.
Depends on Which Day of the Week You Ask
1. Brian Cashman, Yankees: OK, here’s where the fun begins, because I realize that by listing him so high I immediately declare war with an angry faction of Yankees fans.
