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New York Knicks Finish Last In NBA Management Rankings

By Kenneth Teape

Feb 12, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks president Phil Jackson and general manager Steve Mills look on during the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 12, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks president Phil Jackson and general manager Steve Mills look on during the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Knicks management finished in dead last of ESPN’s rankings.

The New York Knicks are once again a running joke. They have turned into a circus this season as they heading back to the lottery once again. Phil Jackson was hired with the expectation of putting together a roster that could reach the postseason. They have fallen woefully short of those expectations.

The Knicks were closer to a playoff spot before Jackson got here than they are currently. The Knicks won 37 games in Mike Woodson‘s final season, falling one game short of the postseason after making it to the Eastern Conference Semifinals the previous season. The Knicks haven’t come that close to the playoffs since.

In Jackson’s first full season at the helm, the Knicks had the worst season in franchise history. They won only 17 games under Derek Fisher, finishing with the second-worst record in the NBA. Things barely improved in 2015-16, as the Knicks went 32-50, finishing 13th in the Eastern Conference.

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It wasn’t a great season, but it was a step in the right direction as the Knicks improved by 15 games. This season, they have taken another step back. The Knicks currently have a 29-47 record, already eliminated from the playoffs.

A lot of the blame has to be placed on Jackson who has struggled to put together a competitive roster in three years. That is why the Knicks front office with Jackson as President and Steve Mills as general manager was ranked so poorly.

ESPN took a look at all the management positions in the NBA. The head coach, front office, and owner were all ranked. Jackson and Mills came in 29th, only ahead of the Sacramento Kings’ Vlade Divac.

Second to last is as good as the Knicks would do in any of the spots. Head coach Jeff Hornacek was ranked 29th, ahead of only the Chicago Bulls’ Fred Hoiberg. Owner James Dolan was ranked last by voters, finishing 0.71 behind the Kings’ Vivek Ranadive.

It should come as no surprise then that the Knicks finished dead last in the overall rankings. The Knicks and Kings were the only two teams that did not break 3.0 overall; only eight teams didn’t reach 5.0.

This should not come as any surprise to anyone that has watched the Knicks this season. Hornacek has been handcuffed by Jackson, who is pushing the triangle offense down the coaching staff and player’s throats. Dolan has always had a negative vibe around him. Jackson and Mills track record speaks for itself and ranked accordingly.

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Jackson and Mills do deserve some credit. They did pull the trigger on Kristaps Porzingis and have done well with overseas scouting. The Knicks own all of their draft picks going forward, something that hasn’t been said in a long time. But, the tenure with Jackson and Mills has been overwhelmingly negative. That is why the Knicks are so down all of the management rankings.

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