Phil Jackson Got It Right at the 2015 NBA Draft
If you watched the broadcast of the 2015 NBA Draft, you heard what New York Knicks fans think about Kristaps Porzingis. They showered him with boos, overwhelmed their own minds with anger and, in some cases, gave up on the organization.
Little did they know, Phil Jackson and Steve Mills got it right at the 2015 NBA Draft.
Porzingis may not be the dream pick amongst the fan base, but he’s a 7’1.5″—without shoes—big man whose size, length and skill is tough to compare. His shooting is on par with the best guards in this draft class and his fluid athleticism creates significant upside.
And, if you didn’t already know, it is possible for a skinny 19-year-old to put on weight and muscle mass. Breaking medical news.
Of course, there is risk involved. New York simply wouldn’t be New York without reaching for the sky.
That goes for the city as much as it does the organization.
New York admittedly shocked the world when it took Porzingis at No. 4 over the likes of Emmanuel Mudiay and Justise Winslow. For what it’s worth, Mudiay slipped to the Denver Nuggets at No. 7 and Winslow fell to the Miami Heat at No. 10.
Whether it’s any consolation or not, Jackson and Mills weren’t the only executives who overlooked the two fan favorites.
Later in the draft, Jackson executed a trade that sent Tim Hardaway Jr. to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for No. 19 pick and Notre Dame Fighting Irish star Jerian Grant. Some have expressed anger at Hardaway Jr. being traded, but it followed his regression.
As for Grant, he believes that he can start at point guard for the Knicks in 2015-16.
I like Jerian Grant's confidence. He says, humbly, that he thinks he can come in and start right away for the #Knicks.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) June 26, 2015
With all due respect to Jose Calderon and Langston Galloway, there’s not much of a reason why he couldn’t.
Grant is a 6’5″ point guard with a 6’7.5″ wingspan and a complete skill set. He’s a competent shooter, a dynamic dribble-penetrator, a respectable defender and one of the top facilitators in this draft class.
No matter which way you cut it, that’s great value.
Grant may not be Mudiay, but landing two Top 20 prospects is generally better than landing one—that’s just basic math from a Mudiay supporter.
New York later executed a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers, thus securing the No. 35 overall selection. The player taken was Guillermo Hernangomez, who comes from Liga ACB powerhouse Real Madrid’s developmental system.
It took two future second round draft picks and cash to get the deal done.
#Knicks traded 2 future second round picks and cash considerations for 6-11 center Hernangomez, who will likely remain in Europe in '15-'16
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) June 26, 2015
The 21-year-old is a big 6’11” and 255 pounds with a 7’1.5″ wingspan, a relentless approach to rebounding and experience as Baloncesto Sevilla’s primary post player. Yes, that Baloncesto Sevilla.
The team Porzingis played for.
Despite entering the night with the hope of landing one player, the Knicks ended up with three. Two of those players, Hernangomez and Porzingis, played alongside one another in the ultra-competitive Liga ACB.
The other, Grant, was a First Team All-American who stands at 6’5″ and plays point guard—arguably New York’s biggest position of need.
Yes, Porzingis could take a few seasons before he evolves from his current status as an upside project. Yes, Hernangomez is expected to remain overseas for the 2015-16 season.
No, Grant alone does not guarantee New York will be a contender in 2015-16.
What Jackson has maintained since the day he took over, however, is that he’s building for the long-term. If that isn’t rewarding in the short-term, so be it; winning for the next decade is far more important than being able to compile 50-win seasons without championships over the next three-to-four.
Jackson reiterated that point before the 2015 NBA Draft:
On @MikeAndMike, Phil Jackson says he anticipates staying in NY long enough to create a winning culture & then turning things over to Mills.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) June 22, 2015
If Knicks fans are incapable of being patient, then sadly, that’s too bad; it won’t change Jackson’s vision.
Jackson is attempting to build a championship contender. He may not have any prior experience as an executive, but 11 championships as a head coach and two as a player for the Knicks—the only two this franchise has won—gives him some significant clout.
If it doesn’t work out, reflect upon it. Until then, maintain your faith; before we as Knicks community pulled a complete 180, the criticism was that Jackson couldn’t trade Tyson Chandler, Raymond Felton or J.R. Smith.
Then he did.
If Jackson continues to defy the odds and reload the roster with developable talent, the Knicks may actually be contenders again in the next few seasons.
One way or another, Jackson got it right at the 2015 NBA Draft.
Next: Kristaps Porzingis is looking to turn boos to cheers
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