New York Knicks: A Reason To Be Thankful For Phil Jackson
If you’ve run out of reasons to be optimistic about Phil Jackson running the New York Knicks, there’s one truth that you should remind yourself of.
Over the past four years, the New York Knicks have returned to being the laughing stock of the NBA. They’ve missed the playoffs in four consecutive seasons and forfeited two first-round draft picks, including one that was traded for Andrea Bargnani, who’s no longer in the Association.
As Knicks fans search for reasons for optimism, then the next two months should serve as a constant reminder of the progress that’s been made.
Team president Phil Jackson has failed to build a postseason-caliber team through free agency, and there’s no rational way to dispute that. Whether you chalk that up to Jackson, the coaching staff, or the star failing to bring it all together, it’s the reality of the current situation.
Fortunately, Jackson has done something that no regime in recent memory has committed to doing: he’s kept his draft picks.
New York is currently in possession of every single draft pick it has from hereon out. Jackson could include a draft pick in a future trade, of course, but Knicks fans should breathe a temporary sigh of relief knowing the organization isn’t mortgaging the future on any one player.
Keep in mind: Jackson has been without a first-round draft pick in two of his three offseasons as team president.
If you want to point the finger at Jackson for that disastrous situation, don’t; it was the previous regimes that traded both picks. The 2014 draft pick was included in the Carmelo Anthony trade, which is understandable—on the surface.
That trade, of course, also included three starters—Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, and Danilo Gallinari—from a team that was on pace to make the playoffs. It also included Timofey Mozgov, who has started 246 regular season and and 25 postseason games since being traded by the Knicks.
Throw in a first-round draft pick, which was used to select 2016-17 Rookie of the Year candidate Dario Saric, and New York gave up an overwhelming amount of talent for a player who was going to become a free agent later that summer.
Jackson hasn’t made those type of decisions.
The second of the two first-round draft picks that Jackson was stripped of was unforgivable. New York traded its 2016 first-round draft pick as a part of the deal that brought Andrea Bargnani to The Mecca.
Once again, don’t blame Jackson—it was the previous regime that thought trading a chance to build a sustainable future for an injury-prone veteran on the decline would be a wise idea.
The players selected at or after the No. 9 pick that New York would have been in possession of include Thon Maker, Dejounte Murray, Taurean Prince, and Domantas Sabonis.
Those may not be household names, but they’re all examples of quality young players who have flashed the potential to be respected performers in the NBA.
In 2017, the Knicks will truly begin a new era under Jackson. It will be in possession of every first-round draft pick it has from hereon out, meaning Jackson will have a long-awaited opportunity to build something sustainable through the draft.
Although the draft may not provide the instant gratification of free agency, it will enable Jackson to build a team of young players who are more likely to buy in than established veterans.
The trouble with building through free agency is, to paraphrase Jackson, “Changing the spots on a leopard.” Most unrestricted free agents have upwards of six seasons of NBA experience, and have thus resigned to the belief that their way is the most effective way to play.
Players are willing to buy in to a system that’s going to yield postseason-caliber results, but how many free agents would realistically opt to repair the fractures in a rusted hull when structurally sound vessels are welcoming them aboard?
Had Anthony and the Knicks made the playoffs in 2015-16, big-name free agents would have given New York more consideration. Instead, Jackson has been forced to play the role of a St. Mark’s Place vendor, promising that his vision for a ring won’t turn your finger green.
You may find the occasional steal of a purchase, but when all you have to go on is a promise with a poor track record, keeping your head down and passing on by is a natural reaction.
By holding on to his draft picks, Jackson has positioned the Knicks to escape mediocrity. Drafting the right players is much easier said than done, and New York’s seventh-best lottery odds aren’t exactly reason for comfort.
If Jackson, Steve Mills, and the front office continue to draft well, however, the Knicks could do something even the 54-win Knicks of 2012-13 failed to do: become and remain relevant.
Keep in mind: New York missed the playoffs in 2013-14, which was before Jackson began his reign as team president.
New York has already acquired two of its franchise cornerstones on draft night: Kristaps Porzingis and Willy Hernangomez. Both project to be starters at the interior positions, which leaves New York with the responsibility of finding the ideal perimeter playmakers.
If Jackson manages to do so through the 2017 NBA Draft, then his predictable shortcomings in free agency will soon be forgiven.
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The New York Knicks have underwhelmed through three seasons under Phil Jackson, but he’s positioned them for a sustainable turnaround by keeping his draft picks close.