New York Knicks: Phil Jackson’s Triangle Could Sabotage Season
New York Knicks team president Phil Jackson upgraded the roster talent, but he could also run the team off the rails by micromanaging the offense.
Have you ever worked at a job where you listened to your direct supervisor until his boss came downstairs to monitor the day-to-day activities? Who do you listen to when the higher-ranking manager provides a different message compared to your direct contact? It’s exactly what happens when team president Phil Jackson decides to direct traffic at practices, per New York Post reporter Marc Berman.
As the team president, who went outside the organization to hire Jeff Hornacek as the head coach, Jackson must live with his decisions.
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Hornacek has a bright offensive mind, which he illustrated during his time with the Phoenix Suns. Rambis face-planted as the head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves between the 2009-11 seasons. He also recorded a 9-19 record as the Knicks’ interim coach last year. In fact, the triangle factored into his downfall in Minnesota, per New York Daily News reporter Stefan Bondy:
"Ironically, a source who was involved in Rambis’ 32-132 disaster with the Timberwolves said part of the problem was that he spent too much time teaching the triangle offense, rather than defense."
As the defensive coordinator for Knicks, Rambis will focus on helping this team shut down the opposition late in games. The Knicks defense held the Brooklyn Nets to 96 points Wednesday night.
The Zen Master Needs Self Control
Point guard Derrick Rose has looked impressive through seven games. He’s playing more than 30 minutes per contest, penetrating defenses at will and finishing strong at the hoop. He’s the player Hornacek needs to push the pace in New York.
However, Jackson’s unhappiness with less frequent homage paid to his triangle concept tells another story. The Knicks team president continues to insist the offense run out of his beloved offensive formation in half-court sets.
Maybe it’s ego, or the inability to let past successes go, but it’s time to allow Hornacek room to spread his wings as the head coach. If Jackson wanted to coach the team, he should have taken the role or promoted Rambis into the position. Instead, the Knicks team president took the passive aggressive route and labeled his confidant a defensive coordinator while still occasionally chirping about the triangle during practices.
Rose has excelled in a fast-paced offense, which features frequent pick-and-rolls. Obviously, that’s not what Jackson has in mind as an optimal offense. He must come to terms with the reality.
The Knicks have an attack-first point guard on the floor with two forwards who can easily roll to the basket or spot up for a jump shot off the screen. If Jackson doesn’t acquiesce to his team’s strengths, the triangle could lead to several frustrating losses this season.