dk7th wrote:

holfresh wrote:What's the point of these articles put out by Phil and Rosen?..Hook up a friend and help him stay relavent?..And at what expense..Why risk future free agent signings because we can't keep in house issues in house..How does that help the NY Knicks?

i think there needs to be more transparency and at the very least i think it's a great idea to screen for character. you don't seem to value content of character. at all. if i am right then please explain as i enjoy being educated.

Yeah, I sure this will do wonders to foster openness in meetings going forward..

CrushAlot wrote:

dk7th wrote:

holfresh wrote:What's the point of these articles put out by Phil and Rosen?..Hook up a friend and help him stay relavent?..And at what expense..Why risk future free agent signings because we can't keep in house issues in house..How does that help the NY Knicks?

i think there needs to be more transparency and at the very least i think it's a great idea to screen for character. you don't seem to value content of character. at all. if i am right then please explain as i enjoy being educated.

It isn't about valuing character. He doesn't like Phil as the Pres.

culture change basically centers around content of character... pretty straightforward but i am sure you will do your utmost to cloud the issue.

I don't see Phil Jackson going after STAT, Pablo, or even Felton
After Chandler made his early point, he let it go, and let his play speak
However, JR Smith had to use social media, while he was a part of the mess here in New York as he was unable to perform as the 2nd option

Smith didn't care too much for The Triangle and he showed it early in the game, not running the plays and constantly choosing to chuck it instead
Though he may have a point, in passing, moving, passing moving, which wasn't going anywhere in the system and was becoming predictable
It wasn't till later on after the trade, did Fisher tweak it a bit with more on ball screens...

Being Fisher is tough as a young coach that played with/against these players that were here in that 54 game win season
That is why he needs "YES SIR" type of guys in Lance Thomas, Lou Amundson, and many new faces with HIGH CHARACTERS

Smith, Iman Shumpert, both follow CA's lead though...
Not saying that CA didn't like the Triangle but it is a possibility with the lack of weapons we had last season
Lets put it this way, if CA wasn't happy with something, both JR Smith and Iman would do things on behalf of CA if needed to protect his image
For those reasons, in addition to salary flexibility, they are no longer here...

Woodson really set these guys back, giving them too much freedom and tolerating there BS for too long
Promoting and allowing both JR Smith and CA to jack up shots whenever they want and had to green light to do anything within his offense or lack of a system...

What JR Smith doesn't realize is that the teams can not focus on stopping him with the talent Cleveland has, in addition to Irving and Lebron demanding double teams
Iman Shumpert was suppose to be the starter however, JR Smith fitted in right away and gained confidence, while Iman took time to get back in NBA shape
By the time Iman was healthy, Coach Blatt and/or Coach Lebron didn't want to disrupt the confidence, rhythm/momentum, and chemistry the Cavs and the starting lineup built together along with the rotation players

Cleveland was HORRIBLE prior to the addition of JR Smith, Iman Shumpert, and MosGoV, to make them contenders
If Shawn Marion/Mike Miller/James Jones/Dion Waiters, all continued to start at SG/SF and play extensive minutes in those positions, they would have never even beat the Bulls

Tim Hardaway JR is another one, picking up the bad habits of JR Smith, along with his tempor
In Atlanta he has a chance to actually produce with the players that can create for him and help his DEFENSE
Kyle Korver will mentor Hardaway on quality shots and how to move without the ball to get open
The shot selection, poor BB IQ, and decision making of Tim Hardaway will be hidden within the talent, system, his team mates, and coaching staff in Atlanta
They also have Atkinson, one of our former development coaches that left after Lin wasn't matched, who Lin credited his development with here in New York

I hope Phil Jackson has spent the time and money to upgrade our development staff, trainers, doctors/physical therapy, and equipment needed for HIGH WORK ETHIC talents that want to improve like KP, Grant, Affalo, and our new additions...

THjr will do well in ATL. Its a good team, one that wants him and one that will likely pay him as well.

KNicks in the Jax era are not screwing their players. Dolan has a history of paying his guys and thus agents should not have a problem sending players here. A culture takes time but a culture of stability is important two.

9 coachs and 8 Gms since JVG era? That does not bode well. Stat, as much as I love the guy was about signing a NAME than filling a need. Our roster is rounding out to be one of the most fundamentally complete as we have had in a long time. Mixture of vets and Yoots with substance. We are not a contender and playoff talk is way premature but we have size up front and decent depth.

I think Phil was just tired of hearing that he got nothing for those guys and felt the need to defend his actions.

For all this talk about reducing the salary cap he only saved 2.5MM and added 7.7MM to next years cap. But, changing the culture is the most important thing this franchise can do. Obviously we had no talent last year but guys like galloway, amundson, thomas always competed. Which i think will serve this team well adding grant, affalo, lopez and quinn. I think the team is going to be in most if not every game with the defensive additions.

Again, every single GM, saw JR Smith zone out during the NBA finals at halftime, proving yet again what a cl******* the guy is. If you can't be professional two games away from a championship playing witht one of the top 5 players ever to play the game there is no hope for you.

smackeddog wrote:The Shumpert stuff was also said the previous season- he seems like a nice guy to have on your team when winning, but tough to endure when losing. I get that that is because he hates losing, so I'm not going to trash him for that.

And my favorite player for that very reason. Didnt put up with Woodson's favoritism & the organizations catering to Melo. Same with Tyson and he was also traded for in any trade where we got completely hosed taking on Calderon.

WaltLongmire wrote:Most of the Rosen article...

Pretty intriguing stuff about a lot of things that were going on...the Draft...Anthony's injury...consulting Anthony...etc. Have to think that they might have traded THJ during the season if he had seemed totally beyond hope...he was basically playing for his Knicks' career during the regular season.

The Knicks were winless on a November Southwest trip, losing to Houston, Dallas and Oklahoma City, but there was even worse news from his staff.

"J.R. had been exhibiting some delinquent behavior and had gotten into the habit of coming late to team meetings, or missing them altogether," Jackson says. "Also, Shump and Tim [Hardaway Jr.] were regressing, so I decided to meet with them separately and try to find out what, if anything, was bothering them."

Smith was first on the list. "We talked about his statement to the press that our shooting guard depth was going to be the team's asset, but so far it hadn't worked out that way," Jackson says. "He was supposed to carry the scoring load for the second unit and he wasn't doing the job. I also said that because of his unacceptable behavior, he had two strikes against him with this team. He didn't really respond. He's a very sensitive guy, with his big doe eyes. He looked like he was going to tear up. But he finally responded that he was going through some issues with his gal."

Shumpert was next in line. "After he suffered a hip injury in Dallas, his game went rapidly downhill. Did he have any other issues to explain his decline? He said, 'No. I don't know what has gone wrong with my game.' As with J. R., nothing got resolved."

Hardaway was more responsive, he says. "I told him he was casting the ball instead of shooting it. And if his man scored on him at the other end, Tim tried to get back at him by forcing up some kind of shot. Plus, his defense was hurting the team. He was not closing out on 3-point shooters and forcing them to put the ball on the floor, not trusting that defensive help would arrive on the second dribble. Still, [Derek Fisher] told me that Tim's defense was actually improving, so I didn't harp too much on that."

Hardaway seemed to take the comments to heart, Jackson says, and vowed to work on his flaws. "On New Year's Eve, we played an afternoon game in L.A. against the Clippers," Jackson says. "We stayed overnight in L.A. on New Year's Eve, so whatever might go on probably doesn't help that we have a game the next day. "I asked Fish what players were the biggest distractions. He said that although J.R. never talked back to him, he always walked around under a dark cloud. Derek was worried that negative energy was contagious."

Shumpert was another problem. "I like Shump," says Jackson, "but he has a very loud, big personality. It was difficult for most of the other guys to deal with, especially if things don't go well for him or the team."

The other nuisance, according to Jackson, was Sam Dalembert, who had fallen asleep in the pregame locker room sessions.

"These aspects presented problems that D-Fish doesn't think are going to get our season turned around and, more than that, won't establish this 'culture' we're trying to develop."

Jackson saw no other way. He had to make a deal.

"We made the trade to Cleveland because that was the best place to get J.R. and Shump playing ball the right way. The money that comes back to our cap situation is the benefit of these trades. We need to get out from under our obligations of contracts."

Did he consult Carmelo Anthony, who had played alongside Smith for almost his entire career, before pulling the trigger?

"Not at all," Jackson says. "If I had done so, Carmelo would have to lie to the media when they asked him about that possibility. If we ever had the opportunity to bring in an All-Star player, I'd certainly ask Carmelo if he thought he could play with the guy. Otherwise, it's appropriate to keep him out of the loop."

The three players sent to New York in the deal were promptly waived, and Amundson and Thomas soon signed 10-day contract. "They can help us," Jackson says. "Lou's experienced, he can bang, and he knows his role. Thomas is a good shooter, and Fish said he had gotten good reports about him from his contacts in Oklahoma City. I figured we'd have two 10-day periods to get a closer look at him, so we signed him as well. Kirk we simply cut loose."

The owner of the restaurant accompanies our waiter as the latter brings us poached cod fish. With it, the owner proffers a photograph of a much younger Jackson wearing a Chicago Bulls sweat suit. Jackson gladly obliges the owner's request for an autograph.

His time with the Bulls seems so long ago now, with the Knicks closer to picking at top of the draft than the top of the standings.

At best, the Knicks would get the first pick and tab center Jahlil Okafor, although Jackson thinks he might not be aggressive enough. "Also, if you look at the guys who came to the NBA from Duke, aside from Grant Hill, which ones lived up to expectations?"

At worst, New York will get the fourth pick. "If this happens, I like to know about that kid Emmanuel Mudiay, who's playing in China."

Jackson adds that the free-agent market is much more reliable: "There will be 193 free agents next summer. Some of them restricted but most of them not. So, really, we made the deal mainly because we needed more under-the-cap money to be able to sign some guys we like. The 8 million dollars or so that we picked up in salary exemptions will also help."

Even so, Jackson is not overly enthusiastic about adding five or more new players to next season's rosters. What he'd rather do is bring in a few NBA veterans ASAP: "The idea is to have the rest of this season to get them indoctrinated, to get them comfortable in Fish's game plan. Something might come along during the trading deadline."

Jackson ponders the trade bait the Knicks have left to offer. Pablo Prigioni, he says, is an obvious choice.

"He's 37 and has a small enough contract for next season to entice a contending team to want him as a backup. Same thing with [Jose] Calderon. ... If a team making a championship run needs some stability at the point, then we'd listen. Would anybody take a chance on [Andrea] Bargnani? I did and got no return whatsoever. Maybe he'd be another candidate for a salary dump. Maybe we'll just bite the bullet and waive him. Anyway, we're now in the hunt."

On the plus side, Jackson again makes sure to praise Langston Galloway. "He's got broad shoulders, long arms and the talent and work ethic to have a nice career in the NBA."

He also likes Cole Aldrich. "The problem with him is, that after sitting on the bench for four seasons, he's now being asked to play starter's minutes. So, especially since Amar'e [Stoudemire] has been out, Cole is really wearing down."

And what about Hardaway?

"We were hoping that Tim would establish himself as a bona fide starter, but he's been surprisingly inconsistent," Jackson says. "Sometimes the personalities of a coach and a particular player simply don't match. That could be the case with Tim and Fish, but I'll wait until the end of the season and see what Fish has to say. Tim still has a bright future -- he wants to be good, and if he learns how to improve all the aspects of his game he has a chance."

And Carmelo?

"He's the only player, besides Jose, on a long-term contract, and once we get moving in the right direction, he'll thrive in the Triangle. If it was up to me, I'd rather he had the surgery ASAP, since it'll take about six months to fully recuperate. And, really, what difference does it make if he plays this season or not? Winning 20 games or 25 games doesn't get us into the playoffs, and the aspect of him playing with a physical issue isn't in our or his best interests."

The fortune cookies arrive. Jackson's reads: "The shortest distance between two people is a smile."

Despite the frigid weather, and the gusting winds, we decide to walk the 10 blocks to his apartment building. The streets are filled with passers-by. Although several of them take a peek at Jackson, nobody smiles at him.

Glad that we have confirmation that Melo is a selfish prick for playing in the allstar game to further his brand when he could've had the surgery in December instead of Feb

meloshouldgo wrote:

yellowboy90 wrote:

nixluva wrote:

yellowboy90 wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:It is nice to read actual quotes from Phil and not what a writer thinks he would say.

I think it is a bad move for a President of BBO to put this stuff out there. Yes they know he did it in the past but the past is the past and you don't need to remind people of how the new culture you are implementing is about sullying players name giving out inside info.

That could hurt trying to get some FAs.

I don't think Phil is worried about that. The kind of players Phil is looking for aren't Knuckleheads and aren't gonna be put off by some frank words. I don't think it was necessary for Phil to allow his private meetings to get out there but in the end I don't think it's gonna really be a problem down the line. The main thing Phil has to worry about is whether his team will win. If they win he has nothing to worry about but if what he's done doesn't work then it all comes crashing down and no FA will come anyway.

This isn't about knuckleheads, it's more about trust. It's one thing for a coach to say things it's another thing for a President to say something. It is about can a FA trust you.

am not saying it will be a problem but that it could be and if it is possible why do things that could effect your ability on getting a player you want. Players and agent talk.

It's about setting the record straight to fans and media going ape $h!t with speculation on why we didn't get more "value" back for Shump and JR. These guys were hurting the team - plain and simple.

And what about Tyson. He just signed a another big deal with Phoenix. Who do you think is more valuable?

Tyson or Calderon

Or Tyson, Calderon or Lopez?

RonRon wrote:Yeah, CA had a level of comfort with JR Smith and Iman Shumpert
Most importantly, CA got the ball whenever he wanted and they would give it to him, and get out of the way
However, even if Iman Shumpert and the rest of the team were not happy with the style of play/lack of a system, it allows CA to put up his numbers and was leverage for his next contract

CA fully understands how to manipulate STATS, FANS, CONTRACTS, LEVERAGE, and $$$$$$$, WITH BOXCORES
When Lin was here, he did not appreciate being challenged in any way, even if Lin's intentions were to WIN and not fight for boxscores...
His EGO is apparently his biggest flaw

Even when Lin was here, the support for Lin vs CA's style of play was apparent, after winning with Lin and a lack of talent but played tough DEFENSE and hitting the open man, while Lin was the 1st option to penetrate/facilitate, as the rest of the team was at least able to play off that, knowing that the ball would get to them if they were open

The Knicks were divided with PRO Dantoni/Lin and PRO ISO/Woodson/CA and JR Smith

However, with CA, no one knows how he will try to score, if he will try to drive it in or just pull up with a contested shot, thus Iman and others being stagnant in the OFFENSE and standing in the corner
JR Smith became the team's #2 option and got to fire his shots whenever he wanted as well

Woodson played favoritism with his roster and sided with CA instead of trying to get the entire team to play as 1, which Lin was trying to do...
CA was not going to listen to orders by Lin and felt Lin must adjust to playing with CA, not the other way around

What happened next was Felton returning and CA had to reclaim the Garden, with the fans and trusts of his team mates like Tyson Chandler
All had a chip on their shoulders to perform and the veterans were constantly being MOCKED at being OLD with Kidd, Wallace, Thomas, Wallace, etc...

They did provide "leadership" however, were no longer able to contribute on a high level vs LEGIT play off caliber teams and play off defense in The Pacers
That year we won because we played in a weak conference with many injuries, however, in the play offs the lack of legs/speed/quickness was apparent to go with Woodson's "philosophy" on DEFENSE, with switching, and OFFENSE, with ISO MELO

Iman Shumpert might not have realized then but he was manipulated with CA so that CA could get his shots whenever he wanted and Shumpert was playing SF with no help on DEFENSE as a scapegoat with Tyson Chandler being the only other defender
Had Iman not been traded with JR Smith to Cleveland, Iman would struggle to get a decent NBA contract despite Lebron acknowledging that he is one of the leagues TOP YOUNGER DEFENDERS
JR Smith would not have had the balls to opt out of his contract with the way he struggled in the Triangle and was the #2 option behind CA, and #1 option when CA was not in
Both players play much better with actual talent around them and a leader in Lebron James in addition to his lock down defense abilities
With Lebron/Irving/Love, JR Smith and Iman play as the 4th or 5th options while the attention wasn't on them, leading to wide open looks consistently
Both Irving and Lebron draw double teams at all times and Triston Thompson and MosGoV are solid defenders/rebounders to protect the paint
You need talent to win in this league with players that can draw double teams, end of story...

JR Smith would be smart to just suck it up and take a contract to prove himself once again with Cleveland, even if it is for less
If not, he will be the next Sprewell without the DEFENSE and his OFFENSIVE game
Smith is a volume scorer with bad habits

He will be out of the league very fast if he doesn't change this perception and continues on his immature ways
Instead of trolling Phil Jackson, he should have seriously Thanked him for sending to a team that allowed him to shoot as much as he did as the 4th option in the lineup
Smith was offended as Iman Shumpert was the player Cleveland actually wanted while New York no longer wanted to deal with his immature ways
However, since Iman was hurt during the trade, JR Smith got the start and did well, so Blatt kept him in the starting lineup...

Great points as always Ron