Since taking over as team president of the New York Knicks, Phil Jackson has made drastic changes. Most notably, he traded former Defensive Player of the Year Tyson Chandler, parted ways with Amar’e Stoudemire and dealt both Iman Shumpert and 2013 Sixth Man of the Year J.R. Smith.
The Knicks of today look nothing like the Knicks of a not-so-distant 2013-14 NBA season.
Some have applauded these moves, heralding Jackson for doing what it takes to immediately hit the reset button. Others have questioned the timing of the blow-up given the decision to re-sign Carmelo Anthony to a long-term deal before the 2014-15 campaign.
According to Charley Rosen of ESPN, Jackson believes that his decisions were not only necessary to create a better team, but instrumental to building a winning culture in the locker room.
"“I’ve always had a love/hate relationship with the Knicks since I left here. Love, because playing here was such a joy. Hate, because the Bulls always had to get past the Knicks in some very contentious series to advance in the playoffs. But I had to break up the team for us to move forward in the right direction. That means getting talented players that fit with each other on and off the court. Also getting players who understand that while playing basketball is fun, this is also a business. So we need guys who will ice after practice, watch what they eat, avoid having those three extra beers when they party, and get the rest they need. I think we succeeded in getting this particular cultural change."
It’s difficult to argue with what Jackson is saying.
The Knicks won 54 games in 2012-13, but saw a massive drop-off to a record of 37-45 in 2013-14. Injuries played a role, but truthfully, New York wasn’t banged up enough to account for a 17-win drop-off.
From the No. 2 seed to missing the playoffs, the Knicks’ joyride had clearly come to an abrupt and harrowing end.
Going 17-65 in 2014-15 wasn’t very inspiring, but that was more by design than anything else. New York still managed to miss out on the No. 1 overall selection in the 2015 NBA Draft, and that may live on as a blemish on Jackson’s resume, but the past can’t be changed.
What can be altered is New York’s approach to the game.
"“Certain other things will also have to change next year, namely our defensive game plan. I’d like us to exert more pressure in the backcourt. Press, trap, push sideline. Make opposing guards work to get the ball across the timeline, something that will tire them out late in the game — this is extremely important. And after being pressured hard for eight feet or so, it will also be difficult for guards to continue their dribble deep into the attack zone. Pressure defenses also require opposing bigs to come help their guards and subsequently make quick decisions far away from their comfort zones. Of course, we’ll need a deep, quick roster, but that’s another thing we’re aiming at. In addition, whenever our screen-roll defense allows a guard to penetrate, I’d like us to shift into a zone."
No Knicks fan in their right mind will oppose New York improving its defensive consistency.
Zone defenses are scoffed at by basketball purists, but they’ve become both prevalent and effective in today’s NBA. They drastically limit the effectiveness of dribble penetration and are catered to players who close out well on shooters.
Players such as Arron Afflalo and Jerian Grant should thrive in such a setting.
Without a true—or, at the very least, established—defensive ace, the zone will mask many of New York’s flaws. The same can be said about the Triangle Offense and the way it highlights strengths and hides weaknesses.
Much as he did with the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers, Jackson is building a culture of accountability while methodically weighing the pros and cons of every move he makes.
11 NBA championship rings say it will pay off.
Derek Fisher has been relentlessly criticized, but he deserves the benefit of the doubt. The Knicks were built to lose in 2014-15 and rebuild in 2015-16.
Jackson’s final quote illustrated that perfectly:
"“Anyway, as I said. I did what I had to do, and Fish did what he had to do, so the season wasn’t as calamitous as many think it was.”"
Just try to remain calm, Knicks fans. Jackson has a vision.
Let it play out before you crucify it.
Next: Jerian Grant to wear No. 13 in honor of Mark Jackson
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