In staunchly defending his triangle offense, Knicks president Phil Jackson went on the offensive and chided commissioner Adam Silver for his recent dig at the Knicks still struggling with the complex offense.
Jackson, in a State of the Zen Address before the Knicks faced Atlanta Monday night at the Garden, went on to say patience is needed and he’ll know which players won’t ever get it by December. Trades pick up on Dec. 15, when all players in the league are eligible to be dealt.
Jackson indicated he is tired of all the nitpicking of an offense that brought him an NBA record 11 coaching titles. In doing so, he sounded willing to give up some of his $60 million contract to the strict league office.
“It was fun to have Spike [Lee] do the little piece on it and the humor part of it,’’ Jackson said. “I wasn’t so humored by the commissioner actually jumping on top of that, too. He didn’t need to get on that. There’s enough focus on the triangle. It’s a system, simple basketball. We’re over the triangle, and let’s get to business and play it the right way.’’
Last week, after the Knicks’ collapse in Detroit, Silver, when asked about a different topic, brought up the triangle, saying, “I watched the Knicks game last night. Clearly, they’re still learning the triangle. I still don’t understand it. But they’re learning it.’’
Jackson seemed to issue a warning to his team he could make changes if he doesn’t see great progress next month.
“There’s still quite a ways from their execution capabilities as a team,’’ Jackson said. “This is going to happen, all part of the process. We think in terms of basketball-wise, Thanksgiving, December, it’s time to really say, ‘If you haven’t gotten it by now, maybe we’ll have to think of you as a learner or not a learner as a ballplayer at that time.’ ’’
Earlier Monday, coach Derek Fisher said “a lot of guys’’ are playing too “passive’’ in the offense and not allowing their “basketball instincts’’ to take over. Fisher appeared to be referring to, among others, J.R. Smith, whom Jackson has considered trading.
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Carmelo Anthony
Photo: EPA
Jackson also addressed Carmelo Anthony’s alarming four-game slide, revealing he had a talk with him Monday morning about the offense and his role in it.
“He seemed very upbeat today when I talked to him,’’ Jackson said.
Jackson said Anthony needs to focus on other things than shotmaking, getting to the basket when the triangle is set up on the other side of the court as he did in Atlanta in the first half on Saturday. Jackson also would like to see Anthony get more offensive rebounds.
Jackson hasn’t traveled to any road games, but has been giving input. In fact, he made a point to step on the court during the morning shootaround Monday to impart wisdom about showing more fight against physical defense.
In the process, Jackson may have ticked off the league office some more when he criticized the officiating in Saturday’s loss to the Hawks. The league is highly sensitive to any form of referee bashing and usually fines coaches or players. It’s rare when a team executive goes that route — unless his name is Mark Cuban.
“I stepped on the court today to say if guys lean on you and put their nose in your business, you have a right to protect yourself,’’ Jackson said. “I was disappointed in the refereeing the other night, letting Atlanta slap the ball out of our players’ hands.’’
Jackson said “the coaching staff is doing a great job’’ in face of the injuries to Jose Calderon, Andrea Bargnani and Pablo Prigioni. Fisher said they speak every day but Jackson doesn’t “micromanage.’’
“I came back to impart what I learned,’’ Jackson said. “I’m constantly giving off ideas in the form of writing notes, communicating in various forms, some things we can try, some things we can initiate. We’ve touched just a very small part of our offense and adding bits and pieces as we go on.’’
Jackson said not having “a lead guard’’ such as Calderon has contributed to the 2-5 start.
What if Melo doesn't get it by December. Does Zen master go iso-Melo or do the Knicks continue to put a square peg into a triangle.
Vmart wrote:What if Melo doesn't get it by December. Does Zen master go iso-Melo or do the Knicks continue to put a square peg into a triangle.
they move on from melo and sign the next best thing.
STAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
mreinman wrote:Vmart wrote:What if Melo doesn't get it by December. Does Zen master go iso-Melo or do the Knicks continue to put a square peg into a triangle.
they move on from melo and sign the next best thing.
STAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It looks far worse without Jose on the floor for 30 minutes a night. On top of what could be expected in terms of early struggles to adjust. Our best players aren't ball movers or high IQ players so that means this team was already in a hole to start. Losing Jose and then Prigs didn't help. Phil is right that patience is the right move.
nixluva wrote:It looks far worse without Jose on the floor for 30 minutes a night. On top of what could be expected in terms of early struggles to adjust. Our best players aren't ball movers or high IQ players so that means this team was already in a hole to start. Losing Jose and then Prigs didn't help. Phil is right that patience is the right move.
--->Our best players aren't ball movers or high IQ players
Then you understand that this team scks?
LMAO
I could've told Phil that 4yrs ago and he still caved in to all of Melo's demands
before anyone goes crazy. I was fine with keeping Melo at a significant discount
BRIGGS wrote:nixluva wrote:It looks far worse without Jose on the floor for 30 minutes a night. On top of what could be expected in terms of early struggles to adjust. Our best players aren't ball movers or high IQ players so that means this team was already in a hole to start. Losing Jose and then Prigs didn't help. Phil is right that patience is the right move.
--->Our best players aren't ball movers or high IQ players
Then you understand that this team scks?
To Melo's credit he had 7 assists which is very good. His problem is he doesn't know what a good shot is in the system. Shumpert has been getting decent amount of assists and shooting very well. I can see when and if Calderon comes back ball movement getting better and assists increasing even more. The interior players need more touches and their play is hurting the most with Calderon's absence. A true PG after is a true PG.
You can't impact todays game without getting to the FT line, and hitting 3's. The knicks are playing way to passive
mreinman wrote:Vmart wrote:What if Melo doesn't get it by December. Does Zen master go iso-Melo or do the Knicks continue to put a square peg into a triangle.
they move on from melo and sign the next best thing.
STAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Next best thing? Everyone knows Amare is our true leader! Yo STAT,
gunsnewing wrote:LMAOI could've told Phil that 4yrs ago and he still caved in to all of Melo's demands
before anyone goes crazy. I was fine with keeping Melo at a significant discount
I still think 5 years 100 million would have been a good statement by melo. He gets a good contract and gives us more flexibility. I mean 124 million isnt exactly a discount its only a few million for than the absolute maximum.
StarksEwing1 wrote:gunsnewing wrote:LMAOI could've told Phil that 4yrs ago and he still caved in to all of Melo's demands
before anyone goes crazy. I was fine with keeping Melo at a significant discount
I still think 5 years 100 million would have been a good statement by melo. He gets a good contract and gives us more flexibility. I mean 124 million isnt exactly a discount its only a few million for than the absolute maximum.
Knicks1969 wrote:Jackson is spot on
Pretty much..... it's from the horses mouth. Thanksgiving, December 1, Christmas.... these are check points. If guys are still struggling, Phil will eliminate the players that just aren't getting it. Simple as that. That's what he said. We're in good hands.
So stop complaining and making stuff up. Enjoy the process
