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New York Knicks: Five Reasons To Love Phil Jackson’s Offseason

By Maxwell Ogden

Apr 5, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks general manager Phil Jackson smiles against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks defeated the 76ers 101 - 91. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks general manager Phil Jackson smiles against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks defeated the 76ers 101 - 91. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 10, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks president Phil Jackson addresses the media before the start of game against the Charlotte Hornets at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks president Phil Jackson addresses the media before the start of game against the Charlotte Hornets at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Flexibility

Entering the summer of 2016, the No. 1 knock on team president Phil Jackson was that he was stuck in his ways. Many believed that he was unwilling to adapt to the changes that have been made to the game.

Throughout the 2016 offseason, Jackson has proven that he’s ready and willing to embrace the way the game is played in the modern era.

Jackson began the process by hiring Jeff Hornacek as his head coach. It was a departure from Jackson’s coaching tree, and an unexpected turn of events after most projected Kurt Rambis as the lock to shake his interim title.

In hiring Hornacek, Jackson embraced the need to modernize the Triangle Offense, embrace the 3-point shot, and push the pace.

Furthermore, mere months removed from stating that point guard wasn’t a top priority, he signed two high-quality point guards. He publicly acknowledged the need to create penetration from that position, which was a massive departure from the previous strategy.

If nothing else intrigues you about what Jackson has done this summer, you should be excited about the fact that the, “He’s stuck in his ways,” narrative has finally died.

must read: Breaking down the 2016-17 starting lineup

Jackson is studying the trends of today, preparing to set some of his own, and progressively building a sustainable contender in New York.

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