Tsk, tsk, Adam Silver. Don’t you know you’re not supposed to cross the Zen Master?
Guess not. Obviously.
Ahead of the New York Knicks’ loss to the Brooklyn Nets last Friday, the NBA commissioner was asked about Orange and Blue’s struggles under Phil Jackson. His answer was kinda, sorta, maybe, pretty much diplomatic.
From the New York Daily News‘ Frank Isola:
“Clearly, they’re still learning the triangle,” Silver said with a laugh. “I still don’t understand it, but they’re learning it. But that’s what the game is all about. You have a new coach, you have a new president of basketball operations in Phil Jackson; you have a couple new players on the team.”
Buuuuuurn.
Okay, fine, not really. Actually, forget not really. This is the farthest thing from a burn. Silver is basically just stating facts.
And it turns out Phil Jackson hates facts.
Here’s what he had to say in response to Silver’s (not-so-)scathing commentary, per ESPN New York’s Ian Begley:
“I wasn’t so humored by the commissioner actually jumping in on top of that, too,” he said. “He doesn’t need to get in on that. There’s enough focus on [the] triangle. It’s not anything. It’s a system. It’s simple basketball. Just play the game. We’re over the triangle; let’s get to business and play the right way.”
Jackson, unprompted, offered his thoughts on Silver during a session with reporters before the Knicks’ 91-85 loss to the Atlanta Hawks.
The nerve of Silver, right? Crossing Jackson like this. That’s so un-American. He is the anti-Zen. He is…not at all wrong.
Perhaps Jackson wasn’t amused by Silver answering with a laugh, I don’t know. I don’t even know how legitimate Silver’s laugh was. Like, was it a maniacal cackle? School-girl giggle fit? One of those half-second laughs that aren’t really meant as disrespect?
Doesn’t matter. Jackson isn’t down will Silver’s, um, trash talk.
Maybe he just took Silver’s comments out of context. Or maybe he’s just unaware that his team is 2-6, in the habit of blowing second-half leads, shooting far too many mid-range jumpers and playing defense only when the mood strikes. So, never.
Growing pains were inevitable as the Knicks began their systematic overhaul. I’ve said that before and will continue saying it until the Knicks aren’t enduring growing pains anymore. (So, never.) But Jackson cannot expect the outside world to be pleased or content with the “progress” they’ve shown. Likewise, he cannot expect Silver to sidestep innocuous questions and answers that only offense those who believe the Knicks are actually showing progress.
Respect comes later—when the Knicks actually deserve it.
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.
