Phil Jackson bleeds confidence.
Neither you nor me nor James Dolan nor that inebriated guy at the bar undressing himself whilst screaming “Come see my beer muscles bitches!” at the top of his lungs has more confidence than Jackson.
It’s been easy to forget that in recent years, mind you. Since Jackson has been out of the coaching and NBA spotlight, he hasn’t been idealized—he’s been mythologized. He’s been this concept you pay homage to or believe in, this living legend that popped up every now and again to make comments, but would never really impact your life or fandom the way he did with the Lakers and Bulls.
Then he assumed presidential control with the Knicks. There was a charismatic press conference, during which Jackson stood before reporters, calm, cool and collect, without a speech prepared. He spoke coherently, optimistically and without the slightest trace of hesitation. It was, for people like myself who aren’t necessarily old enough to appreciate Jackson’s past accolades and methodology fully, enlightening.
And the learning hasn’t stopped.
Most new executives might upsell the importance of patience. Even more of them would think twice before waxing unbridled confidence with regards to a franchise slogging through the throes of a four-decade-long championship.
But Jackson isn’t most executives.
Speaking with the New York Post‘s Steve Serby, Jackson pretty much guaranteed he would be successful in New York:
Q: Do you have any fear of failure? Does that drive you in any way?
A: No, it doesn’t. All my life, winning and losing is a fear of failure in losing. So there’s always that part that motivates a player, the distaste that comes from losing. But … I don’t see us losing. I don’t see us being failures. I see us being successes here, and that’s comforting.
Sweet mother of Zen, Jackson really knows how to foster hope.
Those words will come as music to Knicks fans ears. The Knicks haven’t entertained the idea of success—real, legitimate success—since the days of Patrick Ewing. That’s when they were last genuine championship contenders who played a brand of basketball that didn’t demand they exhaust hope and resources in superteam models that toed the line between unrealistic and impossible.
Everything Jackson says there really just reinforces his first six months on the job. He came in and began cleaning house, firing Mike Woodson, hiring Derek Fisher and, most shockingly (by Knicks standards), trading his way into the draft while unloading Raymond Felton and Tyson Chandler in exchange for a real point guard. Convincing Carmelo Anthony to re-sign at a discount—however inconsequential—has also been a boon for his front-office mystique.
Yessirree Bob, Jackson’s time in New York has been successful thus far. Of course, this isn’t the kind of success the Knicks need, nor is it the kind he’s talking about. He’s thinking championship. Eventually. And if he gets that championship, he’ll be endeared to the Knicks and their fans, and secure his place in team history, more so than he already has.
Dan Favale is a firm believer in the three-pointer as well as the notion that defense doesn’t always win championships. His musings can be found at Bleacherreport.com in addition to TheHoopDoctors.com.
