Feb 22, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) celebrates after shooting a three in the second half against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 107-98. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
With Phil Jackson headed to the New York Knicks it will almost assure Anthony will stay in New York.
First, Jackson is used to big egos, he handled Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen in Chicago, as well as Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal in LA.
Ian Begley of ESPN reported, that Charles Barkley said, “He’s someone with a brand, an ex-Knicks player, 11 championships — he’s got the whole resume. Having him is like taking a test and already having the answers. You can’t go wrong when his hand is involved in what you’re trying to do.”
Bryant and the Lakers can recruit Carmelo all they want, but the Lakers franchise could have more turmoil than the Knicks. Why would Anthony leave the fire, to jump into the frying pan?
Anthony is loved in New York; this is his team. The Lakers are Kobe’s team and he will not subjugate his ego the way Amar’e Stoudemire did when Anthony arrived. Kobe could not get along with O’Neal, he struggled with Dwight Howard and he is coming off major injuries. Who knows what Kobe has left in the tank. The Lakers have less talent than these Knicks.
Today I spoke with former Northern California Hoop star and blogger Gary Patterson, he stated, “Anthony and Kobe will not get along because both want the ball and need the ball in their hands.” He went on to say, ” the Lakers are in trouble and Kobe’s two year, 48 million dollar contract hurts the team. Who would they have to play with them, the three stooges? They like the Knicks have limited cap space and no place to turn.”
Bryant, speaking to reporters after the Lakers announced that he would miss the rest of the season with a knee injury he sustained in December, made clear that he was not pleased with the team’s direction despite receiving a two-year, $48.5 million contract extension in November. “If Bryant was sincere about winning, he would have taken less than 24 million per year,” Patterson stated.
Patterson said, ” in what direction are the Lakers going? Their point guard is old and hurt, their center is unhappy, their bench is thin, even Jackson knew he was better off with the Knicks. He may love Jeanie Buss ( his fiancé) but he knew there is dysfunction in LA and the Buss’s will never give him the title(President) and the control the Knicks will”
Bryant said Wednesday that the Busses needed to repair their relationship and articulate a vision for the franchise.
“It’s got to start at the top,” Bryant said.
The NY Times reported, “Jim Buss is viewed, like James L. Dolan with the Knicks, as the root of the franchise’s problems. A former horse trainer, Buss began apprenticing under West and Kupchak in 1998 and was gradually handed more responsibility. He was a prominent voice in the team’s decision to draft Andrew Bynum with the 10th overall pick in 2005 and also in the ill-fated decision to hire Rudy Tomjanovich as coach a year earlier. When Jackson retired, Buss also swept the organization of familiar faces, from scouts to locker room attendants. Included in the purge was Alex McKechnie, the team’s athletic performance coordinator. Coincidence or not, the Lakers have had a rash of injuries since.
Owner James Dolan may be stubborn at times, but hiring Jackson is genius. He give the Knicks hope and hope is huge. He has won 11 rings as a coach with the Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago Bulls. He knows how to handle the star athlete, his coaching never hindered Bryant’s or Jordan’s game. Jackson has often been been critical of the Knicks’ offense and sometimes Anthony. However the New York Times reported, “three people who have worked with Jackson believe he would relish the opportunity to integrate Anthony into the triangle offense. Anthony only needs look at Jordan’s success on and off the court to know NY, is the right place to be.
According to the NY Times, “One of Jackson’s old confidants offered the opinion that Anthony — if he would buy into the system — could thrive, as Jordan did, winding up with shots in superior positions, especially in late-game situations when defenses tend to stiffen. That would presuppose that Jackson could find the right coach for the triangle and systematically add the right players to execute it”
Jackson has appeal and the pedigree to bring in quality players. As for Anthony it makes sense. I know of 33 million reasons he will stay in NY. Anthony will be able to sign a max deal worth $129 million over five years with the Knicks versus taking his talents elsewhere for only four years and $96 million, according to an ESPN report.
Jackson will have an immediate impact on NY, CAA and Anthony. They all know at 68 years old Jackson has no desire to engage on any five-year rebuilding plan. Jackson’s winning track record alone would give Anthony every reason to think that implementing the triangle would make him the player he longs to be. The triangle will help Anthony be a more selective and team-oriented scorer in the same way it allowed Michael Jordan to shed his early-career reputation as a selfish scorer, a solo act.
So Phil, we welcome you and today Mr. Dolan we praise you.
Dr Eric Kaplan is a Bestselling Author www.5minutemotivator.com
Follow him on Twitter @ drekaplan