Phil Jackson isn’t putting any pressure on the New York Knicks to win next season.
Psych!
From ESPN.com’s Ian Begley:
Phil Jackson sounds bullish about the Knicks’ playoff chances. In an interview with WNBC-TV, Jackson was asked if he still felt optimistic that New York could make the playoffs and “go even further.” “Why not?” he said. “I don’t see what’s so great about what’s here in the East. We can fill that role.” The Knicks finished 32-50 in 2015-15, in 13th place in the East.
So, um, yeah.
To be fair, Jackson has a point. Aside from the Cleveland Cavaliers, Toronto Raptors and the Boston Celtics, the East really isn’t anything special.
To be even more fair, the Knicks have won 47 games over the last two seasons.
For them to make the playoffs, they need more than Carmelo Anthony, Kristaps Porzingis and the arrival of Jeff Hornacek. They need a cast of quality supporting contributors around them. And with no draft pick to spare this summer, the Knicks will have to hope they get the requisite needle-nudgers through free agency.
Point guards are, obviously, at the top of the list. But the point guard well is fairly dry this year, and the Knicks also need to amass a steady rotation of three-and-D wings. If they can do that, if they can somehow add high impact wings and playmakers through free agency, Jackson’s expectations have a better chance of being met.
