When asked about Uncle Phil as GM of the Knicks and their recent struggles, he responded directly to the NY fan base,

"The people in New York need to trust the fact he knows more about the game than any of them put together."

When the old argument was posed that Uncle Phil only won championships as a coach with the best players on his team, i.e. Jordan, Pippen, himself and Shaq, he responded,

“I think we don’t win any of those championships without him, I don’t think Chicago wins any of those championships without him,” Bryant said. “And, I heard the argument that’s the silliest thing I’ve ever heard, that Phil won because he had great players. No s— Sherlock. What are you going to win with, a bunch of scrubs? It’s like the silliest argument in the world to me.”

And this is true. You cannot win in any professional sport--especially the NBA--without having great players, but having great players does not necessarily ensure winning a championship, and Phil has always won with having these great players on his team (and getting the most out of them).

My point? Perhaps we don't give Uncle Phil enough credit and we're not being as patient as we should with him? I know I fall victim to this, as well.

He's not only turning over the entire roster from scratch the last two years but he's instilling a winning culture that has not been present with the Knicks for years. Melo should heed the words of Kobe and try to develop a similar type of relationship with Uncle Phil, the GM, now. I think we fans should exercise a little bit more patience for someone with the pedigree and resume of winning as long as Uncle Phil's. He should be given the benefit of the doubt--especially after only two seasons on the job.

Hey reinman, how's it goin buddy?

OP will not be popular with the most active UK posters who, as the most active, lean towards the reactionary and knee jerk, unhappy, critical, yelling, bellyaching style of post like Isola, Berman, et al. Nonetheless for the thinkers and the patient, it might ring true. I'm happy that a Phil Jackson is running my favorite team, and I'm comfortable not knowing as much about NBA basketball as he does. That's why I'm just a passionate fan without delusions of infallibility as a NBA GM, with a career in an unrelated field. I actually *don't* know better than PJax. Not sure many of the daily posters here would say the same. They probably are proud of that, ridiculously.

mreinman wrote:

nychamp wrote:Yikes re: the billy joel quote. Source on the claim in your post rain man?

OP will not be popular with the most active UK posters who, as the most active, lean towards the reactionary and knee jerk, unhappy, critical, yelling, bellyaching style of post like Isola, Berman, et al. Nonetheless for the thinkers and the patient, it might ring true. I'm happy that a Phil Jackson is running my favorite team, and I'm comfortable not knowing as much about NBA basketball as he does. That's why I'm just a passionate fan without delusions of infallibility as a NBA GM, with a career in an unrelated field. I actually *don't* know better than PJax. Not sure many of the daily posters here would say the same. They probably are proud of that, ridiculously.

it was published by him in one of his books that I read. Can't recall which one but if you google it you should be able to find it pretty easily.

I am not smarter than phil (in re: bball) but I do trust that many/most others pro's are at least just as smart and none of them are choosing his hippie path.

Again, its all about chances of success. PJax is an old timer who believes in his gut as opposed to other new and proven data. Its like treating an ear infection with a method from 200 years ago. It may have been smart then but ...

CrushAlot wrote:

mreinman wrote:

nychamp wrote:Yikes re: the billy joel quote. Source on the claim in your post rain man?

OP will not be popular with the most active UK posters who, as the most active, lean towards the reactionary and knee jerk, unhappy, critical, yelling, bellyaching style of post like Isola, Berman, et al. Nonetheless for the thinkers and the patient, it might ring true. I'm happy that a Phil Jackson is running my favorite team, and I'm comfortable not knowing as much about NBA basketball as he does. That's why I'm just a passionate fan without delusions of infallibility as a NBA GM, with a career in an unrelated field. I actually *don't* know better than PJax. Not sure many of the daily posters here would say the same. They probably are proud of that, ridiculously.

it was published by him in one of his books that I read. Can't recall which one but if you google it you should be able to find it pretty easily.

I am not smarter than phil (in re: bball) but I do trust that many/most others pro's are at least just as smart and none of them are choosing his hippie path.

Again, its all about chances of success. PJax is an old timer who believes in his gut as opposed to other new and proven data. Its like treating an ear infection with a method from 200 years ago. It may have been smart then but ...

His team has won 1/3 of the titles over the last 15 years. The only other teams to appear as repeat champions are the Heat and Spurs during that time period. The Knicks have changed with the flavor of the month approach in the past (I.e. big three). I don't see them ever becoming the warriors. I think Phil will continue to improve the team and get them competitive. Believing in something other than the current trend doesn't mean it can't work.

of course it CAN work. You can put 100 bucks on a one outer to win 50 and it CAN work, but is that the pot odds that you want?

StarksEwing1 wrote:I trust phil as a head coach....he is one of the best ever. However his career as a executive has been a mixed bag so far. Not saying he cant be a good executive but i need to see more first

You want to see results but before that can happen you have to have to make changes. We will likey double our win total from last year and we have a young franchise talent. Fans are frustrated because there is a hunger to win, but to build this right takes time.

Can't trust Kobe because of things he did in the past? He is flawed. Jordan also. And Magic. And most players who were young arrogant but they understand winning and often learned as experience is a great teacher in life. Kobe for all his arrogance just admitted his coach has a lot to do with his success as a champion. I would imagine this was not always the case.

In any event "Yes, you need great players to win chips!!!". I often argue with some of you that Jordan and Kobe never won without phil. Maybe they do win some, but not as much as they did without him.

Rebuilding is not easy, even when Phil Jackson is at the helm.

StarksEwing1 wrote:I trust phil as a head coach....he is one of the best ever. However his career as a executive has been a mixed bag so far. Not saying he cant be a good executive but i need to see more first

You act as if Phil had nothing to do with the players the Bulls and Lakers brought in.

By the way he did have input.

As someone stated in another thread. The core is being built and it is young. They will grow together and be anchored by Melo and this years FA's.

Fans have been asking for a rebuild for years. Walsh tried it until the Melo move then he left.

Pjax is doing it. Melo decided to be part of it. Let them finish the job.

We should trust in Phil too.

fishmike wrote:

mreinman wrote:

nychamp wrote:Yikes re: the billy joel quote. Source on the claim in your post rain man?

OP will not be popular with the most active UK posters who, as the most active, lean towards the reactionary and knee jerk, unhappy, critical, yelling, bellyaching style of post like Isola, Berman, et al. Nonetheless for the thinkers and the patient, it might ring true. I'm happy that a Phil Jackson is running my favorite team, and I'm comfortable not knowing as much about NBA basketball as he does. That's why I'm just a passionate fan without delusions of infallibility as a NBA GM, with a career in an unrelated field. I actually *don't* know better than PJax. Not sure many of the daily posters here would say the same. They probably are proud of that, ridiculously.

it was published by him in one of his books that I read. Can't recall which one but if you google it you should be able to find it pretty easily.

I am not smarter than phil (in re: bball) but I do trust that many/most others pro's are at least just as smart and none of them are choosing his hippie path.

Again, its all about chances of success. PJax is an old timer who believes in his gut as opposed to other new and proven data. Its like treating an ear infection with a method from 200 years ago. It may have been smart then but ...

more like treating an ear infection with tried and true antibiotics that worked 5 years ago while passing on lasers that work for some and not for others. But carry on.

If anything this quote speaks volumes for Phil, because as mentioned Kobe/Phil's relationship has never been kum ba ya. However when things end and eras end and you get older you reflect and are able to see things that you didn't when you were in the moment. The fact that Kobe has come full circle to acknowledge the greatness of someone he struggled to coexist with speaks of Kobe's maturity and Phil's body of work.

eh ... speaks of kobe maturity? Have you watched the fukker play this year?

Nalod wrote:Kobe is not 22 years old anymore. His life experiences have taught him some humility as well. Kobe might be arrogant but he is not stupid.

Besides, he is nearing the end in a few weeks and wanted to say good things about his coach and mentor. I had teachers I hated and then when I grew a bit I come to realize what they did was in my best interests.
We grow and learn.

Steph is not the king of China. Things change.

he is not stupid at all. Just a narc.

if he was so mature, he would play that way.