Schmeelk: Phil Jackson Gives Knicks Fans The Cold, Hard Truth
By John Schmeelk
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There wasn't any bravado from Phil Jackson when he addressed the media on Tuesday.
There were no brash comments or predictions about turning the Knicks into a championship-caliber team overnight. There was only cold, hard, logical truth.
This was stuff Knicks fans needed to hear and understand, especially since nobody else over the past 15 years (spare Donnie Walsh and Mike D'Antoni when the team was trying to get under the cap) was ever willing to admit it.
His words should be heartening. Jackson gets it. He understands what it's going to take to rebuild the franchise, how long it will take, and the best road to get there.
The highlights:
-- Jackson said it was crazy to think New York could win a title next year. It's something some rabid fans probably hate to hear, but it's the truth. The Knicks can get to the 30- to 40-win range if Carmelo Anthony returns healthy, they spend their money well, and they get a good player in the draft -- but they probably won't be much better than that.
-- Jackson said he was also more than willing to build the Knicks so they get to their final destination (a championship) after he leaves the franchise. That means there won't be any selling out in free agency to try to win with Melo right away. Jackson understands there are steady steps to get team from second-worst in the league to a title contender. He's more than willing to set up the Knicks to be there seven years from now, even if he isn't. That type of long-term plan, without relying on quick fixes, hasn't been attempted since Patrick Ewing was drafted.
-- Jackson referenced Ewing when speaking about the draft pick the Knicks have this year. He gets that the player they select, depending on where they pick, could be a generational talent -- a centerpiece of the franchise for the next 15 years. He wants that type of player (like Ewing) to build around. He mentioned the need for a steady big, especially defensively, which points to Jahlil Okafor and Karl-Anthony Towns (more likely) as his targets.
-- Jackson did mention potentially trading the pick if the right offer comes along, but he made it clear that he would not do it if the player he wants is on the board when the Knicks are on the clock. He indicated it was far more likely to move it if the Knicks pick fifth overall, which might indicate he thinks the draft is, in fact, only four players deep. There was also recognition that even if the Knicks got the top pick, that player would not be a star in year one and would have to develop. It points to patience.
-- Patience is something Jackson also plans to exercise in free agency. He once again indicated the possibility of targeting several mid-market players rather than going all-in on a max-contract guy. He said the team won't need nine or 10 players to fill out the roster, but instead more like three. I'm not sure I buy that one, but the Knicks would be wise to spread their money around to get several guys to surround Anthony and their pick.
-- Jackson also seemed to understand what a unique market this free-agent class will face, especially considering how much the cap is expected to jump in the summers of 2016 and '17. Players could want short-term deals to cash in the following two seasons, or teams might be more willing to throw crazy cash around because of the exploding cap. Jackson also said that all it takes is for one team to value a player to set the market. That means the Knicks might target a couple guys they want and try to strike early before someone else does.
-- But Jackson was also careful to note that guys are overpaid in free agency. It is the nature of the business. He definitely doesn't sound like someone who will rush into a big contract just for the sake of making a splash (Amar'e Stoudemire). That's how you avoid big mistakes (Stoudemire, again).
-- The Knicks president also spoke about the type of players the franchise needs to succeed. He bemoaned the team's lack of free-throw attempts this season, and knows he needs to find someone who can penetrate and get to the line. Jackson recognized that Carmelo Anthony is a tweener (SF/PF) and that will be taken into consideration when putting players around him. No one asked directly at which position Jackson thinks Melo is a better player.
-- The other goal Jackson talked about was getting the team better defensively. He cited the Hawks and Warriors as two teams that turned the corner because of their improved defense. He knows he needs players to play that end of the floor, whether it is the anchor in the middle to protect the rim or guards willing to run around and expend their energy at the perimeter. It's his goal to begin to find them this summer.
-- It's pretty clear to me from the tenor of Jackson's comments that he still has full autonomy. I could imagine Jim Dolan getting more and more infuriated with Jackson telling his paying customers that next year won't be awesome, and there are still hard times ahead. But it's the truth. And everyone, Dolan included, needed to hear it. Jackson needs time to build.
Now the Knicks need some luck in the draft lottery on May 19, and again in July when free agency opens. Maybe the Bulls get frugal and don't want to pay Jimmy Butler the max. Crazier things have happened.
Jackson has made it clear: the work starts now. This is what he will be judged on.
He's right, and the fate of the franchise depends on it.
You can follow me on Twitter @Schmeelk for everything Knicks, Giants and the world of sports.
