Right Move, Wrong Time: Phil Jackson out with the Knicks
By Patrick Zeng
@Roundtripper891
Early this morning it was reported by Ramona Shelbourne that the Phil Jackson executive era is over in New York. Jackson and the Knicks mutually parted ways in year three of his five year contract. Jackson was the head of the Knicks for 1,200 days, earning a staggering $50,000 per day as the Knicks president per @DarrenRovell.
Jackson's legacy as an executive will be looked at as nothing more than a laughing stock for his player personnel decisions, stubbornness and lack of work ethic. Phil's first choice a New York head coach was the disastrous Derek Fisher who coached the Knicks to a 40-96 in just over one and a half seasons.
The Zen master's one bright spot during his time in New York was the draft pick of Kristaps Porzingis. The Lithuanian star gives the Knicks a legitimate force in their front court with his size and versatility. But even with that, Jackson found a way to alienate his best player to the point where trade rumors were swirling around the star just a week ago. Jackson will also be remembered for his blatant disrespect of Carmelo Anthony, doing anything he could to publicly pressure Melo out of New York. The treatment of these two players have surely only damaged an already incredibly poor reputation for the Knicks with free agents.
The acquisition of Derek Rose, a past his prime and injury prone scorer as well as the signing of Joakim Noah to an albatross of a contract only furthers Jackson's place in infamy as one of the worst executives to ever pick up a pen leading the Knicks to an 80-166 record in three full seasons as president. For reference, the Warriors of last year won 73 games in one season(though a historic one) in comparison to Phil's 80 wins in three years.
While removing Phil from power is undoubtedly the correct move for the franchise, everything is not coming up rosy in Knicks land. Phil's dismissal comes less than a week after the Draft, allowing a man that is no longer here to dictate the Knicks crucial top ten pick for an outdated triangle system that will no longer be in effect at the Garden this winter. Making things worse, the Knicks passed on the explosive talents of Dennis Smith Jr and Malik Monk in order to select Frank Ntilikina.
The move also comes three days before NBA free agency, throwing any plans they had into the wind. If the Knicks knew they were going to move on from Jackson, it should have been done months ago, not six days removed from the NBA draft and three days prior to NBA free agency.
Dysfunction has been the buzz word around the Knicks for years and this move only furthers that notion. It is surely the right call, but it comes at the wrong time for a franchise that cannot seemingly get out of its own way. The Phil Jackson era was a disaster in New York and while it is time to move on from him, brighter days for the New York Knicks still feels light years away.
@Roundtripper891
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| 📸: ABC News |
Early this morning it was reported by Ramona Shelbourne that the Phil Jackson executive era is over in New York. Jackson and the Knicks mutually parted ways in year three of his five year contract. Jackson was the head of the Knicks for 1,200 days, earning a staggering $50,000 per day as the Knicks president per @DarrenRovell.
Jackson's legacy as an executive will be looked at as nothing more than a laughing stock for his player personnel decisions, stubbornness and lack of work ethic. Phil's first choice a New York head coach was the disastrous Derek Fisher who coached the Knicks to a 40-96 in just over one and a half seasons.
The Zen master's one bright spot during his time in New York was the draft pick of Kristaps Porzingis. The Lithuanian star gives the Knicks a legitimate force in their front court with his size and versatility. But even with that, Jackson found a way to alienate his best player to the point where trade rumors were swirling around the star just a week ago. Jackson will also be remembered for his blatant disrespect of Carmelo Anthony, doing anything he could to publicly pressure Melo out of New York. The treatment of these two players have surely only damaged an already incredibly poor reputation for the Knicks with free agents.
 |
| 📸: NY Daily News |
The acquisition of Derek Rose, a past his prime and injury prone scorer as well as the signing of Joakim Noah to an albatross of a contract only furthers Jackson's place in infamy as one of the worst executives to ever pick up a pen leading the Knicks to an 80-166 record in three full seasons as president. For reference, the Warriors of last year won 73 games in one season(though a historic one) in comparison to Phil's 80 wins in three years.
While removing Phil from power is undoubtedly the correct move for the franchise, everything is not coming up rosy in Knicks land. Phil's dismissal comes less than a week after the Draft, allowing a man that is no longer here to dictate the Knicks crucial top ten pick for an outdated triangle system that will no longer be in effect at the Garden this winter. Making things worse, the Knicks passed on the explosive talents of Dennis Smith Jr and Malik Monk in order to select Frank Ntilikina.
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| 📸: NY Times |
The move also comes three days before NBA free agency, throwing any plans they had into the wind. If the Knicks knew they were going to move on from Jackson, it should have been done months ago, not six days removed from the NBA draft and three days prior to NBA free agency.
Dysfunction has been the buzz word around the Knicks for years and this move only furthers that notion. It is surely the right call, but it comes at the wrong time for a franchise that cannot seemingly get out of its own way. The Phil Jackson era was a disaster in New York and while it is time to move on from him, brighter days for the New York Knicks still feels light years away.
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