Phil Jackson and the New York Knicks – NBA Feature (Part 2)
Phil Jackson’s Los Angeles Lakers tenure came to an abrupt end last season and Jackson has re-iterated time and time again that this is the end of the road for him as far as the coaching is concerned. However, the celebrated coach
has a history of making comebacks and if Shaq’s words come true, the Madison Square Garden can be in for a real treat.
Coaching New York Knicks would be ideal for Jackson.
The team is blessed with stars like Carmelo Anthony, Amar’e Stoudemire and Chauncey Billups, the trio which many refer to as New York’s version of the big three. The problem though arises when you consider that Billups is on his
last legs and won’t be a prominent feature in the years to come.
And when it comes to Stoudemire and Anthony, it was clear late last season that the roles which the two stars have to follow have not yet been defined.
Stoudemire was the ace man of the Knicks when the season started and was pretty much the reason why the Knicks managed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time in seven years. However when Anthony arrived, Stoudemire was
left stranded. Amare is a power forward and playing in that position requires more time on the paint, an area which is crowded and difficult to find a man in. When Anthony was still at the Denver Nuggets, the Knicks didn’t have a choice on the offense and
they had to pass on the ball to Stoudemire come what may.
However it all changed after the mid season block buster trade.
Anthony became an easier outlet on the offense and with Chauncey used to passing the ball onto Carmelo at Denver; Stoudemire was often left catching thin air.
Mark D’ Antoni, the present Knicks coach tried different combinations on the offense last season, but always came short of fully utilizing the capabilities of both Stoudemire and Anthony. He is also week on the defensive acumen
and as such the next NBA season might be an acid test for him to deliver.
Jackson on the hand has a history of handling the superstars. He did it first at the Bulls, with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, and then at the Lakers, with Shaquille O Neal and Kobe Bryant. The Zen Master knows how to run
his offense and how to use his ace players in doing so. He might exactly be the tonic that the Knicks need if they are to win NBA championship any time soon.
As far as Chauncey and his age are concerned, unlike in most of the offensive systems prevailing in the league, the point guard is not that a pivotal part of the triangle offense and even an average option at that position can
deliver. Derek Fisher of the Los Angeles Lakers benefitted from that fact all decade long and Billups, even in his twilight, can be more than handy.
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