New York Knicks: Highlights from Phil Jackson’s Media Session
By Scott Davis
Mar 19, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks new president Phil Jackson looks on from the stands during the first quarter of a game against the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
It’s still taking a little to get used to the clarity of the New York Knicks organization these days. After years of holing up and never letting a word of internal affairs out to the public, Phil Jackson’s three-month long tenure has turned things 180-degrees.
In Phil Jackson’s short tenure, he’s been very open with the media about his plans and the general goings-on of the Knicks. This offseason alone, Jackson has had two press conferences to keep everybody up to date.
Today, somewhat unexpectedly, Jackson held a media session to let everybody know what the Knicks are up to. Here are some of the highlights:
(Thanks, as always, to the crew of Knicks reporters who covered and tweeted the session)
Phil says he'd like to have a prior relationship with the #Knicks next coach.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) May 30, 2014
Phil's interested in some college coaches & coaches w/past experience but sounds as if his preference is to hire someone w/out experience.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) May 30, 2014
On Derek Fisher, Phil says he's "definitely" on his list of potential candidates. He's unsure if Fisher wants to coach at this point.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) May 30, 2014
Phil says Kerr verbally committed to the Knicks' job the day before Kerr took the coaching job with Golden State.
— Chris Herring (@Herring_NBA) May 30, 2014
Phil said he suggested to Carmelo to not opt out and wait the year to see what changes are made. He said Carmelo said he'd think about it.
— Al Iannazzone (@Al_Iannazzone) May 30, 2014
Phil: "Im not losing sleep over [Carmelo leaving], but I am concerned about this guy" opting out and hitting free agency.
— Chris Herring (@Herring_NBA) May 30, 2014
Phil says he hasn't told any players that he's trying to trade them. But he's open to discussions with other teams.
— Scott Cacciola (@ScottCacciola) May 30, 2014
.@PhilJackson11 said they'll approach teams to buy a draft pick if they target a player they're interested in. #Knicks
— Jonah Ballow (@jonahballow) May 30, 2014
This is all very useful information, and it both confirms some ideas about Jackson’s plans and also answers some open questions. For instance, in the Buckets Over Broadway Roundtable the other day, we wondered if Jackson should expand his search beyond his former disciples. Jackson admitted today that he’d like a prior relationship with the next coach (probably because Phil will be micro-managing somewhere off the court), and that he’d like a first-time coach because they have no track record to analyze (probably because they’re easy to mold, too).
In regards to building the team, he sort of reiterates his past thoughts on Carmelo Anthony’s free agency. He wants to keep ‘Melo (it’s hard to replace a guy of Anthony’s talent), but it seems Jackson isn’t willing to give him the max., and if Anthony does leave, then Jackson will continue on building the team. He’s open to trades (Raymond Felton? Tyson Chandler?) and he’s interested in buying a second-round draft pick; Jackson said getting into the first-round will be nearly impossible.
In Jackson we trust.