New York Knicks: The Five Harsh Realities Of The Current Situation

3. The Rebellion Is Justified

Carmelo Anthony hasn’t fully bought in, but that doesn’t give Phil Jackson the right to publicly admonish his franchise player. Even if Anthony weren’t the face of the New York Knicks, this public feud would have been equally as unforgivable.

Coupled with a troubling combination of poor communication and an insistence upon a system that has been inadequately taught to the players, the current rebellion is justified.

On a personal level, players are tired of seeing someone they respect, Anthony, have his name dragged through the mud. It would be one thing for Jackson to tell Anthony behind closed doors that he believes the soon to be 33-year-old should accept a trade elsewhere.

It’s an entirely different conversation when the team president of the organization is publicly advising the locker room leader to leave New York.

Beyond the Anthony situation, Jackson continues to insist upon the execution of the triangle offense as the primary system. Some players have been receptive to it, including Kristaps Porzingis, but the common theme appears to be that it’s been inadequately taught to them.

If no player on the roster has a clue as to how to properly run the system after three years with Jackson as team president, the finger should be pointed to the leader up top.