How’s it goink, Phil? It’s been a rough ride for the ‘Zen Master’ in NYC. The best thing he’s done was draft Porzingis and everything else has been ehhh. Yes, getting Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah are ehhh moves. Since, everything has been ehhh, mainly on his part, he’s going to play the blame game.
Back in December, Jackson had an interview with Charley Rosen of TFB that was published today. At that time the Knicks were struggling, they struggled the whole season, but the season was still young.
Jackson gave his thoughts on why the Knicks were struggling,
“Today’s players simply lack the skills to play the triangle. They know how to play one-on-one, catch-and-shoot, and they’ve mastered crossover dribbles, spins, playing off of screens and step-back shots. They don’t know how to execute things like inside-reverse pivots and other basic footwork. They have no sense of timing or organization. They don’t really know how to play five-on-five basketball. It’s strictly generational.”
Phil Jackson is adamant with that triangle offense. So far, that he’s blaming the skill of these NBA players. Once again, 80’s and 90’s players were so much better and we should feel lucky that these “modern” players at least know how to dribble.
Phil Jackson was the one who hired a rookie coach in Derek Fisher. Did he expect Fisher to run it effortlessly? Yes, he did play in the system but he had Shaq and Kobe with him.
Also, look at the roster? Jackson really thought those Knick rosters would run an efficient offense, let alone the triangle? Come on, Phil.
If Phil Jackson really believes that today’s NBA players lack skill to run the triangle, then why does he want the Knicks to run it?
That triangle offense is going to be harder to run with a new head coach who doesn’t really run it and Rose and Anthony wanting the ball. Joakim Noah could be the saving grace because he is a passing big man but we’ll see.
At least the Knicks have Porzingod.