New York Knicks: Phil Jackson has revealed a troublesome pattern

Biggest Takeaways

Phil Jackson has a sweet tooth for European and fundamentally developed players. He prefers players who are characterized as being selfless and without an ego or edge. He wants players who, “Follow directions.”

This may show that he feels American players are considered aggressive, with an edge, and egotistical to a fault, despite a clear and steady level of productivity (i.e., Carmelo Anthony).

Juxtaposed to Jackson’s drafting of Frank Ntilikina, Malik Monk seemed to be an antitheses to what he actually wanted out of a player. Ironically, Monk was taken 11th on the board, by none other than ex-Bulls Hall of Famer Michael Jordan—more Rich Cho, of course—and the Charlotte Hornets.

The all-time great was accused of having an aggressive style of play early in his basketball career, much to Phil Jackson’s dismay during the beginning stages of his coaching tenure in Chicago.

The methodology of Jackson’s referenced “project” is simple. Stock up on as many International players as possible, so they can play a “European brand” of unselfish team basketball.

Or more specifically: Acquire the players who are conducive to playing within the confines of his enforced Triangle offense.

“Enforce” is exactly the type of word that applies. And the reason lies within his dilemma with the Knicks’ franchise cornerstone: Kristaps Porzingis.

With this blunder, Jackson exposed his hypocrisy, in what has been led on as a disappointment for the Knicks’ organization. When Porzingis skipped his exit meeting, Jackson retorted with what has been speculated as a shameless contradiction to enact revenge for putting the Knicks’ in an embarrassing situation.

Porzingis isn’t the only player to skip one of Jackson’s exit meetings, even if The Zen Master claims he is. Shaquille O’Neal joined the party by doing exactly that.

The crutch for that Jackson has utilized to hold Porzingis accountable is fractured.