The Zen Master is already planting early seeds. The New York Knicks are going to have a high lottery pick for the first time in years.
Phil Jackson has been out and about — checking out all the top college talent. The Knicks president came away so dazzled with Ohio State freshman wing D’Angelo Russell — Jackson likely subjected himself to a fine for commenting on a player that is not yet draft eligible.
Upon leaving Ohio State’s game on Thursday night in Columbus, Jackson told Cleveland.com that Russell was a “great looking kid. Great prospect.”
The NBA forbids league officials from making public comments on draft-ineligible players, and sources told Yahoo Sports that the league office was beginning to look into the matter Friday morning.
After winning 11 NBA championships as a coach, this is Jackson’s first year as an NBA executive. The Knicks will have one of the highest picks in the 2015 NBA draft, and Russell is considered the No. 1 point guard prospect in college basketball.
If your unaware of who D’Angelo Russell is — shame on you — and you need to get up on your hoops. Russell has the highest offensive rating for freshman guards in last 10 years. The two he’s better than — only James Harden and Stephen Curry.
%Possessions Off. Rating
1. D’Angelo Russell, Ohio State 29.4 118.0
2. Stephen Curry, Davidson 28.5 116.9
3. James Harden, Arizona St. 28.3 115.7
Russell is averaging 19.0 points a game — 5.8 assist per game — while shooting a blistering 42.8% from the beyond the arc.
I don’t think Phil Jackson’s worried about that fine — pairing Russell with Melo — that’s priceless.