The Zenmaster hasn’t enjoyed much Zen in his first year as President of the Knicks.
Phil Jackson

In an interview with Harvey Araton of the New York Times, Phil Jackson said the Knicks’ season is “Like nothing I’ve seen before. So far, my experiment has fallen flat on its face.”

The Knicks began the season 5-36 before winning five of their last seven to improve to 10-38. They remain in the mix for the NBA’s worst record and a shot at the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft.

Jackson told Araton that he’s committed to the triangle offense, which, along with guys like Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, helped him win 11 NBA titles in Chicago and L.A.

But former Bulls GM Jerry Krause said the Knicks don’t have the talent to win with the triangle.

“It’s really hard to run the triangle with bad players because most bad players don’t understand the game,” Krause said. “You’re not going to win with bad players running any system. But with the triangle you particularly have to have intelligent players who can be patient. And I’m not talking about math intelligence. I’m talking about basketball intelligence.”

The Knicks have more than $30 million in cap space this summer to get players like Marc Gasol, LaMarcus Aldridge, Rajon Rondo, Reggie Jackson, etc., but Jackson conceded he’s concerned that fear of the triangle’s complexity may discourage some free agents from coming to New York.

“Of course it’s a concern of mine, the perception that it’s too difficult to learn or too difficult for today’s players to embrace,” he said. “But I think anyone that believes he’s a total basketball player is going to want to do it. A sound offense incorporates all the basic skills of any player you have, whether you’re a center, a power forward, whatever. There are isolation spots in the triangle, but the only thing that precludes a player really fitting in is someone who has to have the whole side of the court to go one on one.”

On the subject of Carmelo Anthony, Jackson told Araton that the All-Star forward may shut it down after the All-Star Game to rest his balky knee. Still, Jackson gave Anthony a vote of confidence in terms of helping the Knicks win going forward.

“He has the capability of being a fourth-quarter guy who is going to make the shots,” Jackson said. “You need that kind of guy when you’re in the playoffs to win close games. You can run your triangle for three and a half quarters and it still comes down to having someone who is a little extra special down the stretch.”

As for shuttling back and forth from his home near L.A. to New York, Jackson said, “It isn’t ideal,” which may foreshadow him leaving his current gig before his five-year, $60 million contract ends.

Of the Knicks’ overall plan to rebuild, Jackson tried to reassure fans by saying, “This is just the first chapter.”

Anthony, meantime, turns 31 in May and has said he wants to rebuild “now.”

I just think he's feeding Zen pablum to the media who are enamored of some broken down old has-been coach who has no idea what to do with draft picks, bad contracts and cap space.

I actually get a little scared reading what Jerry Krause has to say.

mreinman wrote:

jrodmc wrote:I just think it's a sure sign of a no-nothing pretender who's going to collect all that money and then die.

I just think he's feeding Zen pablum to the media who are enamored of some broken down old has-been coach who has no idea what to do with draft picks, bad contracts and cap space.

I actually get a little scared reading what Jerry Krause has to say.

why don't you contribute a thought or an opinion Jrod?

Some substance dude

Sarcasm is lost on some. I'm agreeing with knicks1969 in a veiled and thoughtful way, while pointing out the assets Mr. Jackson has procured/preserved for us thus far. I also offered my own personal trepidation about the insights of someone known unaffectionately as "Crumbs".

Stop with the substance abuse, reinman.

mreinman wrote:

jrodmc wrote:

mreinman wrote:

jrodmc wrote:I just think it's a sure sign of a no-nothing pretender who's going to collect all that money and then die.

I just think he's feeding Zen pablum to the media who are enamored of some broken down old has-been coach who has no idea what to do with draft picks, bad contracts and cap space.

I actually get a little scared reading what Jerry Krause has to say.

why don't you contribute a thought or an opinion Jrod?

Some substance dude

Sarcasm is lost on some. I'm agreeing with knicks1969 in a veiled and thoughtful way, while pointing out the assets Mr. Jackson has procured/preserved for us thus far. I also offered my own personal trepidation about the insights of someone known unaffectionately as "Crumbs".

Stop with the substance abuse, reinman.

Crumbs?

Not the greatest of businessmen I'll admit, but MJ used to run his own negotiations with Krause, and called him that, due to the fact he often apppeared ill-prepared and sloppy.

A little history lesson for you.

I just want Phill to add guys to the roster that can stretch the court. We need a Paxton/Kerr/BJ Armstrong; and we need a Horrace Grant/Rodman/ type players.

mreinman wrote:paxTon was awesome

What I see from the knicks since sweet lou joined is much more hustle and defense out of everyone else.

Agree, even THJ is defending the perimeter now. I think the coaching staff changed its prior defensive approach

Knicks1969 wrote:I believe Phill will be successful in NY. I am beginning to see semblance of improvements from Fisher the coach; perhaps with more "all around" talents, we might finally turn the page.

I just want Phill to add guys to the roster that can stretch the court. We need a Paxton/Kerr/BJ Armstrong; and we need a Horrace Grant/Rodman/ type players.

This off season will be crucial in regards to the players picked up in free agency as well as who/where we pick in the upcoming draft.

djsunyc wrote:y'all should be lucky your president is running an "experiment".

Isn't that what all teams GMs and presidents are essentially doing?