Phil Jackson’s arrival in New York and to the Knicks meant big news for all the fans of the team. It finally gave a dose of joy to the entire Knicks nation, a hope for a better future. Knicks fans have all the reasons to be happy, since they acquired one of the most capable and knowledgeable persons around the league. After writing golden pages in the history of the NBA as player but mainly as a Head Coach, the Zen Master now took charge of a legendary team, which he’ll try to resurrect.
Thankfully, the Knicks have already started breaking out of their slump this season. New York currently holds the longest winning streak in the Eastern Conference, as they have won their last seven games and they are cruising all the way towards a playoff seed. It will still be difficult for the Knicks to actually make it to the playoffs, since we are just 14 games before the end of the 2013-2014 regular season and the eighth – seeded Atlanta Hawks lie four games ahead of them.
So what’s the next step for New York? What’s there to celebrate about?
In short words, almost everything.
The presence of Phil Jackson in the team’s front office, at the president position, brings a breath of fresh air to the team to start with. The Knicks needed a change, a big one. What they also needed and still need, is a plan for the future. It’s no secret that the Knicks are in a tough position, or at least they were up to two – three weeks ago. With the team tanking and the ticket getting more and more away and with Carmelo Anthony set to hit the free agency this summer, things looked really bad for the Knicks. On top of that, the team will carry the burden of a bunch of big contracts, as it has at least three greatly overpaid players in its roster, in Andrea Bargnani, Amar’e Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler.
Now, Phil Jackson will have to put order into the Knicks’ mess. Of course, he is no magician, the big contracts of those three players, which in combined exceed the $50 million mark, will still be there. That’s unless, of course, Jackson finds a team to absorb one of those contracts, which, at least for Amar’e is highly unlikely. However, there are some other things the Zen Master can go ahead and do.
First of all, he can implement a clever plan on the development of the youngsters the team possesses, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Iman Shumpert. Those two, if mentored and developed the right way, could work as significant pieces of a team that would, hopefully, revolve around Carmelo Anthony in the near future.
Of course, Phil Jackson’s arrival also increases the chances the Knicks stand to re – sign Melo. The megastar forward will step his 30th year of age next season and this means the championship window will start to close rather than to open. In general, if Melo chooses to re-sign with the Knicks, he will most probably sign a lengthy contract and this means he will be tied with a franchise for the remainder of his prime. That’s why, with Phil Jackson working as a “security blanket” for the team and its better course, Melo would be certainly more willing to sign with a team that has lots of potential. That’s what the New York Knicks currently seem like.
Talking about why he accepted the job offer, Phil Jackson stated that although he didn’t like the team’s course up to now in the season, he believes the Knicks can make it to the top. They can be an elite team. Of course, he likes NYC, who doesn’t after all? Oh, and did I mention he will become around $12 million richer every year, as long as he remains the president of the team? The Zen Master also added that he believes the new CBA will benefit the Knicks and will in fact help them perform all the needed changes and soon become a better team. And he is right. The NBA tried to close the gap between big and small markets with the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, punishing teams which exceed the luxury tax limit. Eventually, players, even superstars will be forced to accept smaller contracts as teams around the league won’t be able to overpay them in order to land them.
A change at the coaching position should also be considered almost a certainty for New York. This will most probably come after the end of the 2013-2014 campaign and it could depend on the team’s results, mainly the participation or not to the playoffs. Amongst of the names heard for the Head Coaching position we find Steve Kerr and Lionel Hollins, but we should expect some other candidates entering the mix soon.
With Phil Jackson onboard, the Knicks are now considered a top destination for potential free agents. In fact, the Los Angeles Lakers should now feel worried, even if they don’t want to admit it. LA was considered a top destination for Carmelo Anthony this summer prior to the Lakers’ struggles and particularly prior to Jackson’s addition to the Knicks’ front office. Now, the balance might have changed and New York seems like a better place for big – name stars like Melo and even LeBron James. Yes that’s right, there is a dreamy scenario for New York, which wants LeBron choosing to sign with the New York Knicks next summer, when he will have the opportunity to become a free – agent.
Of course, there is a long road until then and things could change sooner than later. However, the one thing that is not projected to change any time soon, is the Knicks’ firepower when it comes to the front office. Phil Jackson is a difference maker, he has always been. All that’s left for him is to prove it from another position now.
Thank you for reading. Ron Leyba is the lead editor of FantasyBasketballMoneyLeagues.com, and a LastWordOnSports NBA Analyst. For more of his articles, follow his updates at Google+ or follow him on Twitter – @ronniedare. Support LWOS by following us on Twitter – @LastWordOnSport and “liking” our Facebook page.
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