Courtesy: NY Daily News
Reports are circling that former Bulls and Lakers Head Coach, Phil Jackson, is considering taking a position in the New York Knicks front office. Though his legacy of one of the greatest coaches in all of sports history, with his 10 NBA titles, is already sealed, he would like to reignite his career in the league. Pat Riley and Larry Bird have been able to continue their NBA dream in the front office, so why not Phil? Right?
Well the only problem with the “Zen Master’s” master plan is he is choosing the wrong organization to do so. Simply put, the New York Knicks are the most overrated franchise in all sports. They are talked about among the best organizations in the league, with the likes of the Boston Celtics and Phil’s former team, the Los Angeles Lakers (who are both having their own problems at this point. Yet they do not have the history of those teams; and certainly not the consistency of being a contender.
Courtesy: Yahoo Sports
People in New York need to come to the realization that the Knicks are just mediocre at best. Many of the fan base would like to blame owner James Dolan, but this has been going on well before he took over the team. Their last championship was in 1973, while only having one other in 1970 (back when Jackson was still a player on those rosters). Since their last banner raising, they have only been to TWO Finals; one of which the year after Michael Jordon retired for the first time and gave the rest of the Eastern Conference a chance, the other in the strike shortened 1999 season.
Just to put things in perspective, small market teams, the Orlando Magic and Utah Jazz have reached the Finals the same amount within that span.
Oh by the way, since the Knicks last title, the Seattle Supersonics, Golden State Warriors, Portland Trailblazers and Washington Bullets all have rings.
Courtesy: ESPN
The Knicks have not, nor never will be, a perennial powerhouse in the NBA; a notion that will hit ultimate winner, Phil Jackson, like a ton of bricks (like the ones Carmelo throws up every game) if he does take the job. Their best player has the distinct label of “does not work well with others,” as Carmelo is nothing more than a black hole with NO ABILITY to carry a franchise; and now he can opt of his contract this off season. They are stuck with large contracts for bad players like Amare Stoudemire and J.R. Smith, while having no point guard or bench to speak of.
This team will need to be a complete overhaul if even to attempt to be relevant in the East, all the while still having to compete with the Miami Heat, Indiana Pacers and Chicago Bulls. At 68 years old, Phil Jackson may not have the time or patience to re-develop an entire roster. It will be a huge mistake for him to take the Knicks job, only to become the scapegoat several years down the road, when the team eventually becomes the ultimate loser it truly is.
