Phil Jackson To Be More Involved With Knicks Coaching Staff
New York Knicks president Phil Jackson handed the team over to head coach Derek Fisher to be coached under the Triangle offense. Now, however, it seems that Jackson is going to have a bigger say in what goes on in practice and beyond.
Ian Begley of ESPN.com is reporting from Knicks Media Day that Jackson talked about being more involved with the staff this season, and admits he may have been too distant from the team last season.
Phil Jackson says he plans to be more involved with coaching staff this season. Said he may have pulled back too far last year.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) September 25, 2015
Jonah Ballow of NYKnicks.com also added that Fisher “asked him to be more involved with the team this season,” but Ballow later clarified his tweet saying that it means Jackson will attend more film sessions and speak with Fisher one-on-one on a more consistent basis.
.@PhilJackson11 says @derekfisher asked him to be more present this year. Jackson said he'll be more active with team this season.
— Jonah Ballow (@jonahballow) September 25, 2015
To clarify my tweet on Phil helping Fisher this yr: It’s more in the film room & 1-on-1 convos the 2 have about coaching/adjustments.
— Jonah Ballow (@jonahballow) September 25, 2015
Let’s face it, the Knicks struggled to learn the Triangle last season under Fisher. Given that the offense is a more complicated system than just running a general spread pick-and-roll, it figures that someone who’s acting as a head coach for the first time in his life might have a little trouble explaining it to players who haven’t run it before.
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Nevertheless, Jackson has 11 championship titles and knows a thing or two about coaching big-time talent, meaning that he’s dealt with players on another level than even Carmelo Anthony.
Jackson should’ve been offering more advice to Fisher from the start, but if he’s serious about having this team contend for more than a lottery slot this season, he may have to begin attending practices and helping out around the facilities more instead of watching everything from a distance.
The time is now for Anthony in particular, seeing as though he’s already on the downside of his career and isn’t getting any younger. Jackson needs to help this team in any way he can, or else he may be out of a job quicker than people might believe.
Next: New York Knicks Season Outlook
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