New York Knicks: The Five Harsh Realities Of The Current Situation
5. The Stage Is Set For A Breakthrough
This is less of a truth and more of a theory.
As the New York Knicks prepare for an open rebellion, one can’t help but feel as though this is a beautiful opportunity for the players to finally come together as a team.
The players being in rebellion against the team president is terrible on multiple levels, but this is the first time in 2016-17 that they seem to be on the same page about—well, anything.
As the players and coaches acknowledged, everyone seemed to be out for themselves in 2016-17. That resulted in New York ranking No. 3 in isolation possessions, No. 25 in points allowed per 100 possessions, and No. 21 in points created via assists per game.
In other words: as Kristaps Porzingis himself stated, the Knicks played for themselves instead of committing to a common goal.
Kristaps said NYK doesn't trust each other often enough: 'It’s kind of everybody for (themselves) a lot of times. Both ends of the floor.'
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) February 7, 2017
Although this rebellion ranks amongst the worst moments in franchise history, it may actually be the perfect turning point.
Carmelo Anthony has become both a pariah and a sympathetic figure, and following Jackson’s press conference, the players are finally taking a side. In other words: the players are finally being given something to commit to.
For as complex as this situation is, the reality is quite simple: if the players played for one another like they rebel for one another, the Knicks would be in the playoffs right now.
Must Read: The Pros and Cons of Phil Jackson's tenure as team president
With the New York Knicks walking on broken glass, however, one false step could spell the end for The Zen Master and the team he’s attempting to construct.