Phil Jackson isn’t solely to blame for the disarray surrounding the New York Knicks. We the fans have contributed to the dysfunction. Allow me to explain.
Several years have passed since the New York Knicks have had a successful season. Decades have passed without a championship.
Legends have had marvelous careers in their time spent in New York, yet a winning recipe hasn’t been cooked up since 1970 and 1973.
The list of reasons for why the Knicks live in a culture of unwinningness and disappointment builds year after year. There are two things Knicks fans should understand and hopefully digest by next season and it’s this: Phil Jackson is not solely to blame.
We have contributed to this dysfunction, as well, and we often take part in it. Allow me to explain.
Tanking Is An Absurd Idea and Assumption
The idea that any group of players would work together to intentionally perform miserably on any given occasion is false. Of course, we’re talking about self-respecting professionals who found themselves in the positions they’re in because they love the sport.
It just seems much more possible that some teams can just be plain old bad. If you watch long enough, the stats and players will prove just how good or bad they are time and time again.
In any sense of the word, “tanking” isn’t so terrible when referring to a team that’s just incapable of playing well. But how could you be a fan when you want your team to lose on purpose? A draft pick can’t buy your star players integrity back.
The Circus Needs To End
Carmelo Anthony and the fans see the writing on the wall. The New York Knicks need to end the circus, and that starts with team president Phil Jackson.
Knicks owner James Dolan should surely be evaluating a 77-162 record since Phil Jackson arrived in New York. During a recent appearance on ESPN’s The Jump, Scottie Pippen went as far as saying that Jackson should step down
"“I just think he hasn’t put the right pieces on the floor. I give a lot of credit to Carmelo, who has been very professional in getting through this 82-game season, and now he’s being benched to some degree, they’ve taken a lot of his minutes away.”“But this team really just hasn’t had it,”“They haven’t had it since Phil Jackson landed there.”"
That’s exactly right.
The Knicks haven’t had it and Anthony was never meant to be the King of New York. That isn’t to say he doesn’t belong. If he’s surrounded by players who can live up to their potential for consecutive years, anything can happen.
But by no means is he capable at this age of playing at the level where he can carry a team on his own.
At this stage, he needs strong components: quality defenders and skilled perimeter shooters. He’s surely a special player, and has been a sensation ever since his introduction to the league.
Check out this classic gem:
Even If Rose Leaves, We Still Need To Change The Garden
Its hard to wonder what a talented free agent must think of stopping by New York this upcoming offseason. It also must feel strange to be Derrick Rose. Fans were ecstatic about his acquisition, accompanied with groans of the MVP being far too injury prone to be his old MVP self again.
Rose would barely be given a chance before the howling of the rumor mill ran rampant. It certainly didn’t help the Knicks gain any momentum or build chemistry.
With that being said, if Rose doesn’t resign with New York, it must not make the same mistake with whoever may fill the point guard position next year.
We as fans need to make Madison Square Garden feel like the Mecca of Basketball again. How can we as fans expect our team to be confident when we are not confident in them and the star player is booed at home?
Still Playing With Class And Style
To their credit, Derrick Rose, as well as Carmelo Anthony, have both handled the media in stride with class and as professionals, often answering with their play on the court. Rose has quietly revitalized his career with jaw-dropping drives to the glass and solid numbers.
He still has plenty of time on his side.
Of course, his season was indeed plagued by minor lingering injuries, and off-court issues that would pile up into a media circus. Regardless, whether he chooses to take a pay cut or sign with another team, it should be noted that New York barely made him feel welcome.
Perhaps the Knicks find some luck in the draft this year, or execute a notable free agent acquisition to provide balance to Kristaps Porzingis and Carmelo Anthony.
Must Read: 2017 NBA Mock Draft: Final Four Edition
But whatever New York Knicks fans do, please let the players play. Don’t hope for your team to lose. Be a fan.