“Nobody ever picked Tex’s brain like Phil did, and the results spoke for themselves,” Krause said in a telephone interview hours after Jackson’s storied career ended...When Krause embarked on a 1985 plan to build a cast around Michael Jordan, one of his first calls was to Jackson, who was coaching in the basketball bushes, the Continental Basketball Association, in Albany.

A scout at heart (in basketball and baseball), Krause asked Jackson — whom he had followed as a player at North Dakota and throughout his years with the Knicks — if there was anyone in the C.B.A. who might be of use to him.

“He sent me detailed reports, well written, really comprehensive, and I thought, O.K., let’s just store this away in the back of my mind,” Krause said.

Krause had a feeling about Jackson. He thought his size would be an asset in relating to players, loved how he revered his old Knicks coach, Red Holzman, and cultivated relationships with the Bulls’ veteran assistants, Johnny Bach and especially Winter.

In 1989, he replaced Collins with Jackson, who installed Winter’s beloved triangle, emphasizing body and ball movement and putting a skeptical Jordan in better positions on the floor to shoot.

“People always said that I pressured Phil into doing it,” Krause said. “But that never happened. That was all Phil. He knew for himself what the triangle could do for Michael and he got Michael to buy into it. And that was why Phil succeeded — like Red Auerbach, he had a knack for getting great players to play.”[

The Knicks introduced Phil Jackson as team president Tuesday, and Jackson, while also detailing his vision for the future, strolled down memory lane.

SNIP

“As a coach (in Chicago), I was very tied to personnel,” Jackson said at his New York news conference. “One of the things Jerry Krause encouraged me to do was to speak my piece. I really went after Bill Cartwright when he was with the New York Knicks, and we traded (Charles) Oakley for Cartwright. That became the ability for us to move forward toward championships in Chicago.”

SNIP

“Jerry Krause, his attitude toward doing this job that I’m charged with doing is the map for me going forward,” Jackson said. “He was very thorough, very comfortable and very committed to finding out information about players that would help create teams that could win.”

SNIP

Jackson slyly brought up the Bulls’ six championships in eight seasons when discussing his relationship with Reinsdorf, who he said encouraged him to get into management when they sat together at a spring training baseball game last year.

BOSTON — When Michael Jordan came out of retirement for the first time in 1995, the Chicago Bulls had to assemble a championship roster from scratch, and one of their most important and iconic players was almost not in the picture.

Dennis Rodman, who completed the “Big Three” with Jordan and Scottie Pippen, was last on Phil Jackson’s wish list of power forwards, the coach said on Friday during a panel on dynasties at the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference.

“We had to start over when Michael came back,” Jackson said. “We had to start with Toni (Kukoc), Scottie and MJ, and I wrote out a list of seven power forwards.”

At the top of Jackson’s list was Derrick Coleman. “The mentality was not there,” he said. “The skills were there, but he was in the middle of a long-term contract.”

After missing out on their other options, the Bulls turned to Rodman — and made basketball history.

“That was the best we could do,” Jackson said, laughing.

As it turns out, he was right: Rodman played a crucial role in the Bulls’ second three-peat, leading the league in rebounding all three years.

“He had incredible athleticism,” Jackson said. “And incredible weirdness. And sometimes the weirdness followed him out to the bars after the game.”

Now, the Lakers can offer Ron Harper, who started for new Laker Coach Phil Jackson on three NBA championship teams when both were with the Bulls, their $1.1-million salary exception without increasing salary commitments.

SNIP

With Fisher having recently signed a long-term contract, and with Jackson wanting to add a bigger guard more familiar with the triangle offense, Ron Harper became a more viable player for the Lakers.

Horace Grant was traded on September 20, 2000 as part of a four-team trade. He was traded by the Sonics with Emanual Davis, Greg Foster, and Chuck Person to the Los Angeles Lakers;

Seeking depth in the frontcourt, the Los Angeles Lakers signed veterans John Salley... Salley, 35, hasn't played in the NBA for three seasons, but brings extensive playoff experience to the Lakers, should he make the team.

The 6-foot-11 Salley, a first-round draft choice of the Detroit Pistons in 1986, most recently played for new Lakers coach Phil Jackson with the Chicago Bulls in 1996.

You cannot defend both positions, Phil Jackson is clearly being a troll if he isn't just trying to inspire GS
It is stupid as he can target some of GS talents in the future and this statement wouldnt help
We need shooters to spread the floor regardless and if that is the open shot, then we have to take the highest % shot especially if we get doubles/triples off POST up's and/or penetration
No team is just a 3pt shooting team that PJ is putting all in one catagory and he is just being naive and trolling if he wasn't trying to inspire his desciples team...

Take your position with either agreeing with Phil Jackson trolling 3pt shooting teams *in which he put all in ONE catagory despite it not being true*

or

Agreeing with the rest of the league that run's majority PnR's, uses stretch 4's, SF as PF's, and even have Centers that can shoot the 3pter now
In which Dantoni philosophy has changed the league BECAUSE it gives a lane to penetrate/finish as a TOP OPTION, along with more space to operate on 1v1 scenarios, etc...

With Phil Jackson's comments and trolling of 3pt shooting teams and coming after Memphis took a 2v1 lead over GS
OF ALL THE TEAMS REMAINING, He was TROLLING EVERY SINGLE TEAM left, besides Memphis, which are all still contending for a chance to advance, who I still considered the underdog to win the series despite that lead at the time with home court advantage
You have been a huge supporter of Dantoni and his philosophy whether as a Knick, on the Sun's, or even after with his system
While many would catagorize Dantoni's system as a 3pt shooting team, without defense, and to his credit, majority of teams in the entire league have evolved to using his system/philosophy with stretch 4's and BIG SF's to play PF to create a mismatch and allow more room to operate/along with a lane to always penetrate as a high % option
While it also hurts DEFENSES because it pulls out a PF/C that usually is a TOP REBOUNDER/DEFENDER/RIM PROTECTOR, or leading to WIDE OPEN 3pt shot with good ball movement/penetration

The league has changed and majority of the league run a PnR system and uses many more shooters to spread the floor

Taking what the DEFENSE gives you

Taking the best % shot, taking OPEN SHOTS

If the opponent goes under a screen, you simply have to make him pay, if he goes over, then penetrate and try to get a wide open shot, layup/floater

Playing to the strenghts of the lineup/team *in which many teams go small and can put 5 shooters on the floor and usually tend to put at least 4 shooters with the other setting the pick for the PnR or down low waiting to get the OFF rebound, set back screens etc....

Dantoni's system has never been about just chucking 3pters, just as many of these teams do not just look to shoot the 3pter, however, if it is a wide open shot, it is no longer a hard shot with many positions/players having the ability to hit the 3pter now
Whether it is with penetration to draw the double/triple team and then good ball movement to look for the best shot with the best shooter being open

Then there are also double screens, on or off the ball, to get a shooter like Kyle Korver open

Point is, ANY OUTCOME whether through the POST or off shooters, it could result in a 3pt shot
There are 2 many factors to justify NOT taking the 3pt or not as a good shot but both Curry/Klay Thompson are on different levels and are the best SHOOTING PG/SG combo that could both facilitate/defend/and do many other things that leads to high % shots, and Klay Thompson's defense is quite under rated

Now there is a possiblity, that Phil Jackson was trying to give GS some ammo to come out to perform as GS has many of Jackson and the Triangle desciples, not just Kerr
With Curry being a possible UFA in a couple of years, it isn't very smart to make such a comment if he wasn't trying to do a favor for his desciples and was simply just trolling them with many other teams in the league
If this was true, and Phil Jackon has been giving mentoring his disciples and giving advice the whole time, I hope at some point, Kerr would do the right thing by Phil Jackson by stating that he collobarated with Phil Jackson to give his guys some inspiration to play back GS ball, while not just settling for the 3pt shot in which they did do in GAME 3

GS - clearly GS is on a different level than the other teams, however, with Klay Thompson and Curry, they are GREAT SHOOTERS that can get their shot off at any point and get HOT, in addition to one of the best DEFENSE's in the entire league. Like a young Reggie Miller, Ray Allen, Glen Rice, Mitch Richmond, Brent Price, and a few others, I would have no problem building a 3pt shooting team and have those top tier shooters shoot if they felt it was a good shot
Especially with Miller/Ray Allen in their primes, along with some of the players on the list, they are great shooters that do not look to take bad % shots, with many other skills that play off their abilities to shoot, and NO GM should have a problem with that, they are no OJ MAYO or JR Smith

However, with both Klay THompson and Curry, they both have much more skills to faciltiate/defend/and do other things in addition to being able to get their shot off in different ways

Washington *going small ball with Pierce and the length/athleticism of Otto Porter playing the SF/PF together with either Nene or Gortat at Center and he would even Washington would often use a 3guard lineup this series as well with PG Wall or backup PG, Beal, Will Bynum/Sessions

Atlanta with many versatile players, though lacks a LEGIT CENTER, Horford as a HUGE/WIDE BODY in addition to his strength, mid range game, ability to handle the ball/facilitate/post

Teague
Korver/Dennis Schoredder
Carroll
Millsap
AL Horford

Shelvin Mack
Kent Bazemore
Mike Scott
Mike Muscula
Pero Antic

Cleveland, this is where Kevin Love's ability to spread the floor is missed to spread the floor and actually have a bench player to contribute

JR Smith *He is someone you do not build around and would fit what Phil Jackson was digging at as he can get hot and cold with poor shot selection, though he has hit many 3pters/shots for Cleveland*
Iman Shumert *clearly is showing that he isn't "CHUMPERT that many took stabs at him while on our poor roster, lack of leadership/defenders/facilitators/talent"

Irving/Lebron both haven't had the best STATS in this series and you must give credit to the DEFENSE of The Bulls and Coach Thibs for his years of imputting/developing his priniciples
Matthew Belladova/James Jones/Mike Miller even *Shawn Marion's fugly shot* these guys are going to get wide open shots with the and with shot clock they must shoot it if they are open

Bulls, they play TEAM BALL and off 3 talents of

Gasol *injured*, Rose, Butler, in general while they have other players that can shoot the ball if open with ease like Dunleavey/Mirotic/Aaron Brooks/Snell
With Gasol hurt, Noah gets more opportunity to run the PnR and playing point Center with the skills he has developped with his passing ability and timely cuts/shooters on the floor

Houston - they have 2 40year olds playing PG and the loss of Beverely was HUGE, in addition to losing DMO, as some players are probably not in their best shapes due to injuries with Terrence Jones/D12
No, their 3pt shooting isn't working, though you must credit the Clippers DEFENSE in addition to Reddick/Jordan on negatting Harden's strength with his ability to score/finish/facilitate
With DMO, they would have had another 7footer, that has the best size/OFF scoring/with 3pt range/ability to play in the post and faciltate as a PF or Center *though Clippers didn't have CP3 for the first 2 games as well*
However, with Beverely/DMO, I believe the series would be a lot closer, though McHale is a horrible coach like Brooks, IMO

Clippers, they are a 3pt shooting team that has other skill sets as well
Reddick, Barnes, CP3, Rivers *penetrate first and shoot if open* if cannot give the ball to Blake*, Crawford, Turkeglu, Spencer Hawes
That is how Blake Griffen gets the assist he does and his faciltiating game with the shooters to spread the floor with him in the mid post, along with his improved mid range game, and ability to handle the ball as a PF/PG, with superios athleticism/strength, and has great chemistry with Jordan/Reddick/Barnes and CP3 as well

Crawford is another player that a team shouldn't build around, yeah, so bits and parts it could make sense, however, Phil Jackson being vague as he was after a Memphis win, it was a low blow
And rather than playing in the 2nd round, we need to acquire much talent and build as a team before he should make such statements

So if Durant takes 10 3pters a game, would anyone have a problem with that with his unlimited range along with CA if they are open shots?

I wouldn't and do not have a problem with them shooting if they are open, keeping in mind there is a 24 second shot clock
However, it was JR Smith and Jamal Crawford, dribble/dribble shoot off balance and semi contested, HELL NO!

nixluva wrote:

yellowboy90 wrote:I see nothing that wows me except having Coleman on top of his list and Rodman near 7. Of course a coach of his stature will have some say.

It wasn't meant to "wow" you. It was just a very long history of a man who has a sharp mind not only for how to get players to work together but he also has been very interested in how and why his teams won and what parts are needed for his teams to be successful. He was never the GM but he did have input and interest in the Player Personnel side of things. Not all coaches have the clout or acumen to get the players they want from their GM.
Phil's GM's knew he had good ideas.

The point is that he wasn't just coaching and not paying attention to how his rosters were constructed. Even before he got to the Lakers he was assessing the roster as he did for other teams.

Phil Jackson:

But then, if someone like the Lakers comes after me and wants me to coach a team that's ready to pursue a championship -- what can I do? I have to admit, I watched a little of the Lakers on TV last night.

They lost at home to Phoenix. I watched Shaq, and he got taken out of the game for committing his fourth foul -- a brutish kind of foul -- because he was angry. He comes to the bench, and he's arguing with Del Harris, the coach. Del is saying, "You can't do that." And Shaq is saying, "What the f--- you mean I can't? The f---ing ref didn't call a foul at the other end!'' Harris says, "Doesn't matter." Shaq can't get it through his head. It didn't frighten me, but it was a warning signal: Is this kid smart enough yet to know what he can and can't do in this game to become a winner?

I see that as a challenge. But the challenge also would be to have him submit to the triangle offense. And I believe in its principles. It's nothing more than overloading one side of the floor. It's a center -- in offense. And here with the Bulls, we never really had that center. It's amazing. Who's the perfect center for the triangle? Shaq. SHAQ! Throw the ball in to this guy; what's the defense going to do?

As I write this, I'm thinking there were things written in the first installment of this diary that were misconstrued and out of character. I am doing this diary more as a remembrance of the season than as a way to discuss my job future or other coaches. The comments have caused a lot of second-guessing, hurt feelings and rebuttals. I need to set some of the record straight.

My comments about the Lakers and Del Harris, for instance. I was not in any way lobbying for a job. I believe in the triangle -- or triple post -- offense, and I sometimes look at other teams and ponder how they might do under its principles. In fact, I think Del Harris handled the angry situation I referred to rather well. He didn't get intimidated, and he didn't intimidate Shaq or berate him. Charlotte has players who would fill out a triangle offense also, with good shooters and good post-up passers. They have Glen Rice and Dell Curry, guys who can shoot well without having to dribble to create a shot. And they have Anthony Mason and Vlade Divac, guys who can hold the block and make passes to open players.

As a coach, you look at things like that. Denver, for example, had a disastrous year, but they have Bryant Stith, who can shoot, and LaPhonso Ellis, who can hold the block and is a pretty good post-up player. The sideline triangle offense needs mature, selfless players, and the NBA is short on them.

One of my biggest worries at the start of that series was our bench, which scored seven points in Game 1. It was my fault as much as anyone's. We fell behind, and I let the first unit stay in too long. We got the lead back, but it put the bench players at a disadvantage because they didn't get a feel for the game early. So I got them in earlier in Games 2 and 3, before they could get stiff, and that helped. Plus, we tried to get some shots for them. It's important that our shooters like Scott Burrell and Steve Kerr are on, because we have penetrators like Michael and Scottie and Ron Harper, and we need some perimeter shooters to complement them.

Is phil coaching next season, if not, this means absolutely nothing

TripleThreat wrote:

nixluva wrote:For months now we've had a very vocal group of posters who don't think Phil has any experience or knowledge of making decisions on player personnel.

Phil Jackson is a 70 year old first time rookie GM pushing a notably difficult offense that no other NBA or major college feed program is using. He's operating with ONE FIRST ROUND DRAFT PICK in at three year span, with the likelihood of a major lockout within the next couple of years, with four years to go on his contract, on the the least talented roster in all of the NBA, with a one dimensional no defense chucker eating 40 percent of his cap and a limited asset base, all while working for one of the noted "worst owners" in all of professional sports, in a rabid and vicious major media market.

The best you can do nixluva is talk about team construction that happened TWO OR THREE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS AGO, in a different GENERATION OF PLAY AND TALENT.

You use "context" only when it suits you.

Phil's knowledge of the Triangle and what kind of players it takes to make it work best and his knowledge of what it takes to win overall has not diminished. It's all still relevant and gives him a very clear guide to building a team. He knows what he needs to make it all work based on twenty years of first hand experience.

Only here is 20 years of excellence devalued. 20 years of running the same system with different players and combinations which Phil has clear memories of what worked best. If you were looking for someone to build a team his combination of having a proven system and what kind of players we would need to make it work is a great benefit.

Phil didn't need any feeder systems to teach the triangle and win with it as he did just 5 years ago. Many of the top players in the league now were playing 4 years ago when he left the Lakers.
It's still basketball.

RonRon wrote:NixLuva, you are probably the 100% most optimistic NYK's fan in the entire world and at the very least on the UK boards here
However, you also like to defend any moves that the Knick's make and suggest there is no reason why we couldn't think it would be a good move, IE, trade for AB *which really hurts your credibility on giving unbiased assestments*

You cannot defend both positions, Phil Jackson is clearly being a troll if he isn't just trying to inspire GS
It is stupid as he can target some of GS talents in the future and this statement wouldnt help
We need shooters to spread the floor regardless and if that is the open shot, then we have to take the highest % shot especially if we get doubles/triples off POST up's and/or penetration
No team is just a 3pt shooting team that PJ is putting all in one catagory and he is just being naive and trolling if he wasn't trying to inspire his desciples team...

Take your position with either agreeing with Phil Jackson trolling 3pt shooting teams *in which he put all in ONE catagory despite it not being true*

or

Agreeing with the rest of the league that run's majority PnR's, uses stretch 4's, SF as PF's, and even have Centers that can shoot the 3pter now
In which Dantoni philosophy has changed the league BECAUSE it gives a lane to penetrate/finish as a TOP OPTION, along with more space to operate on 1v1 scenarios, etc...

With Phil Jackson's comments and trolling of 3pt shooting teams and coming after Memphis took a 2v1 lead over GS
OF ALL THE TEAMS REMAINING, He was TROLLING EVERY SINGLE TEAM left, besides Memphis, which are all still contending for a chance to advance, who I still considered the underdog to win the series despite that lead at the time with home court advantage
You have been a huge supporter of Dantoni and his philosophy whether as a Knick, on the Sun's, or even after with his system
While many would catagorize Dantoni's system as a 3pt shooting team, without defense, and to his credit, majority of teams in the entire league have evolved to using his system/philosophy with stretch 4's and BIG SF's to play PF to create a mismatch and allow more room to operate/along with a lane to always penetrate as a high % option
While it also hurts DEFENSES because it pulls out a PF/C that usually is a TOP REBOUNDER/DEFENDER/RIM PROTECTOR, or leading to WIDE OPEN 3pt shot with good ball movement/penetration

The league has changed and majority of the league run a PnR system and uses many more shooters to spread the floor

Taking what the DEFENSE gives you

Taking the best % shot, taking OPEN SHOTS

If the opponent goes under a screen, you simply have to make him pay, if he goes over, then penetrate and try to get a wide open shot, layup/floater

Playing to the strenghts of the lineup/team *in which many teams go small and can put 5 shooters on the floor and usually tend to put at least 4 shooters with the other setting the pick for the PnR or down low waiting to get the OFF rebound, set back screens etc....

Dantoni's system has never been about just chucking 3pters, just as many of these teams do not just look to shoot the 3pter, however, if it is a wide open shot, it is no longer a hard shot with many positions/players having the ability to hit the 3pter now
Whether it is with penetration to draw the double/triple team and then good ball movement to look for the best shot with the best shooter being open

Then there are also double screens, on or off the ball, to get a shooter like Kyle Korver open

Point is, ANY OUTCOME whether through the POST or off shooters, it could result in a 3pt shot
There are 2 many factors to justify NOT taking the 3pt or not as a good shot but both Curry/Klay Thompson are on different levels and are the best SHOOTING PG/SG combo that could both facilitate/defend/and do many other things that leads to high % shots, and Klay Thompson's defense is quite under rated

Now there is a possiblity, that Phil Jackson was trying to give GS some ammo to come out to perform as GS has many of Jackson and the Triangle desciples, not just Kerr
With Curry being a possible UFA in a couple of years, it isn't very smart to make such a comment if he wasn't trying to do a favor for his desciples and was simply just trolling them with many other teams in the league
If this was true, and Phil Jackon has been giving mentoring his disciples and giving advice the whole time, I hope at some point, Kerr would do the right thing by Phil Jackson by stating that he collobarated with Phil Jackson to give his guys some inspiration to play back GS ball, while not just settling for the 3pt shot in which they did do in GAME 3

GS - clearly GS is on a different level than the other teams, however, with Klay Thompson and Curry, they are GREAT SHOOTERS that can get their shot off at any point and get HOT, in addition to one of the best DEFENSE's in the entire league. Like a young Reggie Miller, Ray Allen, Glen Rice, Mitch Richmond, Brent Price, and a few others, I would have no problem building a 3pt shooting team and have those top tier shooters shoot if they felt it was a good shot
Especially with Miller/Ray Allen in their primes, along with some of the players on the list, they are great shooters that do not look to take bad % shots, with many other skills that play off their abilities to shoot, and NO GM should have a problem with that, they are no OJ MAYO or JR Smith

However, with both Klay THompson and Curry, they both have much more skills to faciltiate/defend/and do other things in addition to being able to get their shot off in different ways

Washington *going small ball with Pierce and the length/athleticism of Otto Porter playing the SF/PF together with either Nene or Gortat at Center and he would even Washington would often use a 3guard lineup this series as well with PG Wall or backup PG, Beal, Will Bynum/Sessions

Atlanta with many versatile players, though lacks a LEGIT CENTER, Horford as a HUGE/WIDE BODY in addition to his strength, mid range game, ability to handle the ball/facilitate/post

Teague
Korver/Dennis Schoredder
Carroll
Millsap
AL Horford

Shelvin Mack
Kent Bazemore
Mike Scott
Mike Muscula
Pero Antic

Cleveland, this is where Kevin Love's ability to spread the floor is missed to spread the floor and actually have a bench player to contribute

JR Smith *He is someone you do not build around and would fit what Phil Jackson was digging at as he can get hot and cold with poor shot selection, though he has hit many 3pters/shots for Cleveland*
Iman Shumert *clearly is showing that he isn't "CHUMPERT that many took stabs at him while on our poor roster, lack of leadership/defenders/facilitators/talent"

Irving/Lebron both haven't had the best STATS in this series and you must give credit to the DEFENSE of The Bulls and Coach Thibs for his years of imputting/developing his priniciples
Matthew Belladova/James Jones/Mike Miller even *Shawn Marion's fugly shot* these guys are going to get wide open shots with the and with shot clock they must shoot it if they are open

Bulls, they play TEAM BALL and off 3 talents of

Gasol *injured*, Rose, Butler, in general while they have other players that can shoot the ball if open with ease like Dunleavey/Mirotic/Aaron Brooks/Snell
With Gasol hurt, Noah gets more opportunity to run the PnR and playing point Center with the skills he has developped with his passing ability and timely cuts/shooters on the floor

Houston - they have 2 40year olds playing PG and the loss of Beverely was HUGE, in addition to losing DMO, as some players are probably not in their best shapes due to injuries with Terrence Jones/D12
No, their 3pt shooting isn't working, though you must credit the Clippers DEFENSE in addition to Reddick/Jordan on negatting Harden's strength with his ability to score/finish/facilitate
With DMO, they would have had another 7footer, that has the best size/OFF scoring/with 3pt range/ability to play in the post and faciltate as a PF or Center *though Clippers didn't have CP3 for the first 2 games as well*
However, with Beverely/DMO, I believe the series would be a lot closer, though McHale is a horrible coach like Brooks, IMO

Clippers, they are a 3pt shooting team that has other skill sets as well
Reddick, Barnes, CP3, Rivers *penetrate first and shoot if open* if cannot give the ball to Blake*, Crawford, Turkeglu, Spencer Hawes
That is how Blake Griffen gets the assist he does and his faciltiating game with the shooters to spread the floor with him in the mid post, along with his improved mid range game, and ability to handle the ball as a PF/PG, with superios athleticism/strength, and has great chemistry with Jordan/Reddick/Barnes and CP3 as well

Crawford is another player that a team shouldn't build around, yeah, so bits and parts it could make sense, however, Phil Jackson being vague as he was after a Memphis win, it was a low blow
And rather than playing in the 2nd round, we need to acquire much talent and build as a team before he should make such statements

So if Durant takes 10 3pters a game, would anyone have a problem with that with his unlimited range along with CA if they are open shots?

I wouldn't and do not have a problem with them shooting if they are open, keeping in mind there is a 24 second shot clock
However, it was JR Smith and Jamal Crawford, dribble/dribble shoot off balance and semi contested, HELL NO!

very good post ron ron (aside from the Harden being negated comment LOL)

nixluva wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:Phil didn't just win a championship 5 years ago. He also won a championship 6 years ago and lost in the finals 7 years ago. The only coach to have more finals appearances in the last 7 years then Phil is Spoe by one. Phil and Spoe are tied for the most titles. Many of the players from those title runs are still very productive nba players. Not sure why there is such an effort to discredit a guy that won a ton when he was on the bench as a coach not that long ago.

Yup and not only that but listen to the arguments for why Phil won't succeed:

1. Ageism. Phil being older somehow means he's not capable.

2. No one else runs the Triangle. It was the same 4 years ago when he lost in the 2nd rd of the playoffs and 5 yrs ago when he won the title, etc.

3. He has only one 1st rd pick in a 3 year span. Only thing is that he still has made the team younger regardless of this fact. Next year is the last time we don't have a 1st rd
pick. So one season without a 1st somehow means we can't improve the team?

4. There's probably going to be a lockout. SMH at this one. Don't see what the point of this could possibly be unless only the Knicks are locked out.

5. He's only got 4 years left on his contract and the Knicks have the least talent at this point. Thing is this summer we do have our 1st and we have plenty of cap space soooooo...

6. We can't succeed in revamping the team cuz you know... MELO. Melo currently taking up 22 mil of the 67 Mil cap which it turns out is about to explode soon.

7. Dolan. Much as he has been responsible for the disasters of the past so far he's stayed away giving Phil the Sather treatment soooooo...

8. Rabid and Vicious Media in New York. SMDH

Talk about scraping the bottom of the barrel to find the lamest arguments against Phil. I can't take these kind of critiques seriously when weighed against his decades of experience and winning record. IMO at least what he's trying to replicate here has some proven history behind it. A lot of 1st time GM's would just be winging it. We're not left to guess at what Phil is trying to do with no frame of reference. Sure there's no guarantee but there never is a guarantee of success.

who is more close minded, the fans and media who kill him for everything that he does?

Or you who praise him for the length that he can hock a loogie?

mreinman wrote:

nixluva wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:Phil didn't just win a championship 5 years ago. He also won a championship 6 years ago and lost in the finals 7 years ago. The only coach to have more finals appearances in the last 7 years then Phil is Spoe by one. Phil and Spoe are tied for the most titles. Many of the players from those title runs are still very productive nba players. Not sure why there is such an effort to discredit a guy that won a ton when he was on the bench as a coach not that long ago.

Yup and not only that but listen to the arguments for why Phil won't succeed:

1. Ageism. Phil being older somehow means he's not capable.

2. No one else runs the Triangle. It was the same 4 years ago when he lost in the 2nd rd of the playoffs and 5 yrs ago when he won the title, etc.

3. He has only one 1st rd pick in a 3 year span. Only thing is that he still has made the team younger regardless of this fact. Next year is the last time we don't have a 1st rd
pick. So one season without a 1st somehow means we can't improve the team?

4. There's probably going to be a lockout. SMH at this one. Don't see what the point of this could possibly be unless only the Knicks are locked out.

5. He's only got 4 years left on his contract and the Knicks have the least talent at this point. Thing is this summer we do have our 1st and we have plenty of cap space soooooo...

6. We can't succeed in revamping the team cuz you know... MELO. Melo currently taking up 22 mil of the 67 Mil cap which it turns out is about to explode soon.

7. Dolan. Much as he has been responsible for the disasters of the past so far he's stayed away giving Phil the Sather treatment soooooo...

8. Rabid and Vicious Media in New York. SMDH

Talk about scraping the bottom of the barrel to find the lamest arguments against Phil. I can't take these kind of critiques seriously when weighed against his decades of experience and winning record. IMO at least what he's trying to replicate here has some proven history behind it. A lot of 1st time GM's would just be winging it. We're not left to guess at what Phil is trying to do with no frame of reference. Sure there's no guarantee but there never is a guarantee of success.

who is more close minded, the fans and media who kill him for everything that he does?

Or you who praise him for the length that he can hock a loogie?

Wait... Are you bashing me for being supportive of a man who won 11 titles?

What exactly have I written that was over the top praise of Phil? I have basically posted facts and quotes. I haven't said Phil is some great GM. All I've posted is that the man has a system, a plan and options to bring in the kind of players he needs to improve the team. No hyperbole or promises of a title. Just a framework for building a team based on very clear criteria.

mreinman wrote:

nixluva wrote:

mreinman wrote:

nixluva wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:Phil didn't just win a championship 5 years ago. He also won a championship 6 years ago and lost in the finals 7 years ago. The only coach to have more finals appearances in the last 7 years then Phil is Spoe by one. Phil and Spoe are tied for the most titles. Many of the players from those title runs are still very productive nba players. Not sure why there is such an effort to discredit a guy that won a ton when he was on the bench as a coach not that long ago.

Yup and not only that but listen to the arguments for why Phil won't succeed:

1. Ageism. Phil being older somehow means he's not capable.

2. No one else runs the Triangle. It was the same 4 years ago when he lost in the 2nd rd of the playoffs and 5 yrs ago when he won the title, etc.

3. He has only one 1st rd pick in a 3 year span. Only thing is that he still has made the team younger regardless of this fact. Next year is the last time we don't have a 1st rd
pick. So one season without a 1st somehow means we can't improve the team?

4. There's probably going to be a lockout. SMH at this one. Don't see what the point of this could possibly be unless only the Knicks are locked out.

5. He's only got 4 years left on his contract and the Knicks have the least talent at this point. Thing is this summer we do have our 1st and we have plenty of cap space soooooo...

6. We can't succeed in revamping the team cuz you know... MELO. Melo currently taking up 22 mil of the 67 Mil cap which it turns out is about to explode soon.

7. Dolan. Much as he has been responsible for the disasters of the past so far he's stayed away giving Phil the Sather treatment soooooo...

8. Rabid and Vicious Media in New York. SMDH

Talk about scraping the bottom of the barrel to find the lamest arguments against Phil. I can't take these kind of critiques seriously when weighed against his decades of experience and winning record. IMO at least what he's trying to replicate here has some proven history behind it. A lot of 1st time GM's would just be winging it. We're not left to guess at what Phil is trying to do with no frame of reference. Sure there's no guarantee but there never is a guarantee of success.

who is more close minded, the fans and media who kill him for everything that he does?

Or you who praise him for the length that he can hock a loogie?

Wait... Are you bashing me for being supportive of a man who won 11 titles?

What exactly have I written that was over the top praise of Phil? I have basically posted facts and quotes. I haven't said Phil is some great GM. All I've posted is that the man has a system, a plan and options to bring in the kind of players he needs to improve the team. No hyperbole or promises of a title. Just a framework for building a team based on very clear criteria.

then maybe its only me that thinks that you are a tad over the top. nevah mind

I'd just like for one of you guys to point out where I've gone beyond what is reasonable when defending Phil. Aside from a preseason prediction which we all admit the team failed to live up to. Since Phil scrapped that roster it's been all about this summer and starting over.

We're days away from the lottery which is going to be HUGE for the plan going forward. Everything will be predicated on which pick we end up with. We can go in various directions based on this draft position.

misterearl wrote:Knicks president Phil Jackson 'not happy' about Isiah Thomas' return to the Garden

The Daily News reported last month that Jackson is targeting Detroit free agent forward Greg Monroe but those plans could be altered by Thomas’ presence. Monroe is represented by David Falk, the agent for Michael Jordan who has had a three decade-old feud with Thomas.

When Thomas first joined the Knicks, he traded Falk’s client Keith Van Horn within seven weeks. Falk then warned another client, Dikembe Mutombo, not to be surprised if Thomas traded him.

The NBA Draft could be a defining moment for the Jackson regime. If the Knicks have either the first or second pick, Jackson would be position to draft either Duke’s Jahlil Okafor or Kentucky’s Karl-Anthony Towns. However, if the Knicks finish with the third, fourth or fifth choice there is no telling which way Jackson may go.

There was a report on Friday that Jackson may consider trading down to draft Wisconsin’s Frank Kaminsky. That’s the type of move that Jackson may have to run past Dolan first. Dolan could then ask his advisor, Thomas, for his thoughts.

And that’s precisely what Jackson didn’t sign up for.

Uncle Phil will not last past two seasons in New York

I don't see why Falk wouldn't deal with Phil just cuz of IT. This is mostly just rumor mongering and conjecture based on the past. Dolan scares the crap out of people. In the end it all really depends on the Lottery. Until we see what pick we'll get I'm not panicking.