Literally no one looks at the 2016-17 New York Knicks and says, “Hey! They need more drama!”
Except, apparently, team president Phil Jackson.
Bleacher Report’s Kevin Ding penned an intriguing piece about how Jackson has failed the Knicks by expected Carmelo Anthony to, essentially, be a player he’s not. The article was more critical of Melo than Jackson, but the Zen Master felt compared to weigh in anyway…while throwing his star under the bus:
Bleacher's Ding almost rings the bell, but I learned you don't change the spot on a leopard with Michael Graham in my CBA daze.
— Phil Jackson (@PhilJackson11) February 7, 2017
Michael Graham is a standout Georgetown product Jackson coached in the CBA (Continental Basketball Association). So he’s basically saying he knew Melo wouldn’t change—even though he intimated differently at his introductory presser.
Which, whatever. If that’s true, then Jackson is still on the hook for the Knicks’ free fall. He re-signed Melo knowing the type of player he is, and that he wouldn’t change, then gave him the no-trade clause and near-max deal anyway. From that moment on, it was on him to tailor New York’s roster accordingly, assembling a supporting cast that would jibe with Melo, accentuating his strengths and masking his weaknesses.
Phil Jackson has failed to do that—infinitely so. Melo is a flawed player, and he’s taken a step back this year as a facilitator. But the damage he has inflicted upon the organization gets dwarfed by the man who’s been in charge for long enough to make this mess his own.
