Carmelo Anthony is one of the players on the Knicks who is excited about Phil Jackson joining the organization, writes Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com. Anthony said, “I’m a chess player. That was a power move right there. You know what I mean? So, now we’re going to see what’s the next move, but that was a great power move.” Whether or not Anthony re-signs will play a huge part in shaping the team’s future, so any endorsement could be considered a positive sign, opines Begley.
More from New York:
- Mike Woodson continues to be defiant when asked about his future with the team, writes Peter Botte of the New York Daily News. Asked if he believes he needs to prove himself to the team’s new executive, Woodson replied, “I don’t think I need to prove anything as a coach. I’ve never felt that way. I try to do my job the best I can do, and if you’re gonna judge me on 16 games, then that’s on you. I’ve tried to do the best I can do, in terms of my everyday approach to the game.“
- Marc Stein of ESPN.com notes that one prominent Eastern Conference scout thinks Jackson will be a terrible fit thanks to his inexperience. The scout also opined that the Knicks would have been better off trying to lure Thunder GM Sam Presti or the Spurs’ R.C. Buford instead.
- Jim Cleamons could be on his way to the Knicks after the season as an assistant coach, and might be a candidate for the head coaching position, writes Marc Berman of the New York Post. Berman cites Cleamons’ long time relationship with Jackson and in-depth knowledge of the triangle offense as selling points for bringing Cleamons to New York in either position.
- Steve Mills isn’t being pushed out. He’s just “scooting over,” writes George Willis of The New York Post. Landing Jackson was part of a plan he endorsed to get the Knicks in position to not only stay competitive in 2014/15, but also take full advantage of the 2015/16 free-agent market. Mills is also still part of that plan, writes Willis. Mills still will be in charge of the business of basketball, especially when it comes to dealing with the agents, for whom Jackson has little patience, according to the article.