IMO the worst of that he couldn't install a culture successfully. I think he learned it hard way that here people don't believe in "mentor-student" relationship. They'd rather believe in "buddy-buddy" relationship. We really don't believe in knowledge or traditions or cultures. We believe that when a superstar is sub par, it is because he is not motivated enough not because he doesn't know what to do.
In short, it is more about generation gap than anything. We believe in youth, smartness, trends and ideas like young-to-get-rich. Secretly, we really want to be GSW. Young guys, smart guys, etc.
Phil Jackson tried to bring in his older traditions which is closer to spurs. When he tried to teach, we thought it is arrogant. When he tried to discipline, we thought it is ego. We don't believe in what he believe, and this is the main point. Could he have been successful if he was given more time? I am not sure. Pop succeeded because Tim Duncan was always behind him. TD wanted to be treated like others. As a human being, TD is rare, especially as talented as he was. We have KP too, but can he really be the example of his teammates? At least he will never have the right to criticize other new teammates if they skip their exit meeting. It is entirely not about Phil, it is all about holding the ship tight and making everyone accountable.
But we do not believe it is important. We instead think it is bad. We assumed superstars need more special treatments, not less, to be better. It is one of reason we hate on Rambis because he tried to do the same thing in his 9-19. It backfired because Melo didn't think Rambis had right to teach him anything then media knew what to say then everything else is history. Yeah, Rambis can be bad, but can we really know that by his 9-19? He took a ship which was already sinking. He was the defensive coach last season but why did he take this part? Because we were already super bad on defense so he was tasked to fix it. Sure, he failed to do so.
In short, it is very hard to succeed here because the fans are not very mature. If the owner is strict and strong, it would be still okay. But Dolan is very sensitive, and actually are moved by fans and media easily.
It is said that "If a gm thinks like a fan, sooner and later he will sit with them." There is a lot of truth in it.
nyknickzingis wrote:yellowboy90 wrote:Phil would have had Rose back and went after Rudy Gay or something to ensure the win now/tank method he had perfected.
If Phil wanted Rose back he would not have drafted Ntilikina.
He wanted Rose back if they couldn't get a point in the draft. He said that a few times.I think the main reason Phil is gone is the drama that came with him.
The media magnified every move and statement he made.
He got into battles with Melo and KP's camp.
He put BOTH Melo and KP on the trade block (although with KP it was more a feeler than actual desire to trade).
At some point a guy is just not worth the drama he comes with.
He changed a few things in NY.
For one it seems we're going to keep his top advisor Gaines.
Second we're going to value our draft picks and be patient.
Third we're going to invest in the D league and farm system.
Finally, it seems the team is still set on trading Melo and building a fresh team.
Phil did many good things in his time. He made mistakes, but the media and some fans will pretend as if he was the worst GM ever. Far from the case. Phil in 3 years got the Knicks - Porzingis, Ntilikina, Hernangomez - and moving forward from 2018 onward the team should have massive capspace. I don't think there is any reason to have hate for the guy. I certainly hate the job Mills did before Phil got here more than what Phil did in charge when he was here. Phil didn't trade away two lottery picks for Bargnani. Or any move that set back the franchise longterm.
It just got to a point that it became almost all about Phil. Right now the way I see it the team is doing exactly what they would have been with Phil (trying to trade Melo, get younger, look to rebuild, use Gaines as top advisor) only without the drama. No more trashing Knicks every day. Media may still trash the Knicks, but not the same heat they were getting with Phil. Melo seems more cooperative with a trade without Phil and I think KP's camp is happier without Phil as well. If Phil were 60, I could see Dolan say "let him finish out and if it's what he says it would be, go for 2 or 3 more years". However with Phil definitely being out in 2 more years, they decided that they should get this done now before the strained relationships with the media, Melo and KP get even more out of hand.
From Phil's perspective. Man, $60 million for 3 years of work. Got to learn about the front office. He'll probably go back to a consultant role with the Lakers I think. But man, he really robbed Dolan. He got $60 million to just take the heat off Dolan and draft well. That's a ton of money.
Again? I give you one more reason. With Phil, It would have been impossible to sign an FA too.
7/5/2017 7:58 PM
