New York Knicks: A letter to the “Zen Master” Phil Jackson
By TJ Wengert
An open letter to New York Knicks President Phil Jackson with some ideas to improve the team in the offseason.
Dear Phil Jackson,
Mr. Jackson, on behalf of Knicks fans everywhere, we have just a few requests.
First, please be smart in the draft. I know it’s tempting to try to outthink everyone, but please don’t try it. We need help at almost every position, so draft someone who can come in and fill a void.
Draft De’Aaron Fox or Dennis Smith to have a young point guard for the future. Draft Malik Monk to provide scoring and shooting. Draft Jayson Tatum if he falls to us, or Johnathan Issac to have a small forward to replace Carmelo Anthony.
You haven’t done anything crazy in the draft yet, in fact, it’s been one of your few bright spots. So please, don’t change that, and draft someone to pair up with Kristaps Porzingis, and give Knicks fans hope for a bright future.
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Secondly, please bring in an impactful free agent. I’m not even asking for a superstar, just someone who will be a solid starter and that can help whoever we take with our first round pick and Kristaps Porzingis win games.
Rumors have been saying that the Knicks are interested in Jrue Holliday and Jeff Teague. If you don’t go point guard in the draft, then bring them to the Big Apple. Or even if you do draft De’Aaron Fox or Frank Ntilikina, bringing in one of these veterans wouldn’t be the worst outcome.
Or let’s say you do draft a point guard, with the $19 million available to spend in free agency, you can target players like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Otto Porter, or Nerlens Noel.
Porter had a good year and will command a strong market, but Caldwell-Pope and Noel both had problems last season. That could open up an opportunity for the Knicks to make a competitive offer. Heck, if Melo is traded, depending on Pope’s and Noel’s market, you could possibly get both.
Lastly, Phil, please give up on the triangle offense. For Phil Jackson, the triangle offense is like that friend who helped you a lot as a kid and you feel indebted to them so you try to repay the favor.
Phil, it is not the 90’s or early 2000’s anymore. The time for the triangle offense is long gone. The triangle is as much of a fad as overalls and boy bands were in the 90’s.
Basketball evolves and changes and that’s what it’s done to the triangle offense. So don’t become a prisoner to the past Phil, let’s move on.
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If you can do this for us, then we can become a quality team with a strong future, and that’s all we’re really asking for.
Sincerely,
Knicks fans