We are halfway through Phil Jackson’s first season in New York and it seems like he’s in full rebuilding mode; not exactly what Knicks fans expected when he signed on.
”In anticipating that we were going to be better, that we were giving hope to our fans that maybe there was a possible playoff opportunity here, that goes on me,” Jackson said.
”That we have to now take responsibility and move forward and make things happen, that also goes on me and now I have to do the job that I was brought in to do.”
Phil at least understands that the old way of Knicks thinking wasn’t working and that he needs to bring a whole new mentality to their front office.
”We’re going through this period of time and for some of the people that have been fans of this team have told me many times that there’s been this impression that maybe the team should blow it up and should start over again and it’s never happened,” Jackson said. ”It’s always been going after the next big star.
”We kept searching for the big star to change our fortunes which has never happened in the last 45 years or so, so reality is that this is probably the best way to go about the business and to begin and to restart and do it the right way and put it together in a way that really makes sense.”
I know that’s not very promising for fans that want the team to instantly become contenders but it is what’s best for the long run. Phil knows that and is prepared to take all of the heat for it.
”We hope we’re on the right track, even though this isn’t the track we anticipated,” Jackson said.