Carmelo Anthony

Knicks Notes: Kerr, Jackson, Anthony

March 17th, 2014 at 10:18pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Steve Kerr hasn’t given his colleagues in broadcasting any strong signals that he’s itching to leave the broadcast table to take over the Knicks, writes Ken Berger of CBSSports.com. Kerr has indicated that he’d like to be a head coach someday, though. Also from Berger’s article, Kurt Rambis and Jim Cleamons, two former Phil Jackson assistants, are expected to get serious consideration for the position. So would Brian Shaw, whom Jackson groomed to take over for him with the Lakers, if he weren’t finishing the first year of a three-year deal as the head coach of the Nuggets. The article also notes that If Jackson was so inclined to look to the college ranks, he might consider Virginia coach Tony Bennett, the son of former Wisconsin coach Dick Bennett.

Knicks Notes: Jackson, Carmelo, MWP

March 17th, 2014 at 12:41pm CST by Zachary Links

Will Phil Jackson succeed at the helm of the Knicks’ front office? Bulls executive vice president John Paxson seems to think so, writes K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune. “Phil is a really smart basketball guy and I have no doubt, given time, he’ll do very well,” said Paxson, who played for Jackson and worked on his staff one season. “I’ve always felt he has a sixth sense about people and it’s one of the reasons he’s been able to blend different personalities into a cohesive unit.”

Carmelo Anthony told reporters, including Al Iannazzone of Newsday (on Twitter) that the Knicks are looking more attractive now for free agents thanks to the addition of Jackson. Of course, the Knicks are hoping that includes Anthony himself, who will hit the open market this summer.
Fellow Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown told ESPN Radio’s Mike and Mike that he hopes to see Jackson keep Mike Woodson on the Knicks’ bench, tweets Adam Zagoria of SNY. Brown went on to say that next year will be a struggle for New York but they’ll have opportunities after that thanks to cap flexibility (link).
Metta World Peace was willing to cooperate when Woodson pulled him from the rotation, but he wasn’t OK with being told to tone down his leadership role in the locker room, Marc Berman of the New York Post writes. “I didn’t mind playing any role, but I didn’t see myself having a role, not even a leadership role,’’ MWP said. “I was fine with being on the bench, but at times I wanted to help lead. But at times I tried to lead, it was met with resistance. I backed off a little and tried to blend in with the team. I tried to find where I could complement the players but I couldn’t find any room to complement.’’ Meanwhile, the veteran says that he won’t rule out returning to New York.
Earlier today, Marc Berman of the New York Post reported that Jackson is a fan of Iman Shumpert and it appears that he’ll be in the club’s future plans.

Knicks Notes: Jackson, Cleamons, Woodson

March 15th, 2014 at 10:16pm CST by Eddie Scarito

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.

Phil Jackson Revelations and Reactions

March 14th, 2014 at 8:09pm CST by Cray Allred

We learned earlier that Phil Jackson has signed an agreement to become the Knicks president of basketball operations. Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com tweeted that the contract being finalized is a five-year arrangement without any stake in ownership, to pay the coaching legend $12MM a year. The press conference announced by the Knicks for next Tuesday will indeed be the official introduction of Jackson as the new head of New York’s front office, a source tells Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press. Now that the news is more or less final, reactions to the deal are flooding in around the league.

Jackson’s discussions with the Knicks had been going on for several months before becoming a reality, reports Shelburne. Shelburne says that the Lakers had multiple internal discussions on the prospect of hiring Jackson, but never contacted his representatives because they knew they wouldn’t be willing to offer the amount of power that the Knicks were. A source tells Scott Cacciola of The New York Times that it was current Knicks GM Steve Mills who first met with Jackson to discuss him joining New York.

Carmelo Anthony, Amar’e Stoudemire, and J.R. Smith all expressed different levels of excitement and anticipation to meet Jackson and hear about his vision for the future of the team, per Peter Botte of The New York Daily News. Anthony says Jackson’s arrival won’t “have any effect” on his looming free agency decisions this summer, but Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPNNewYork.com thinks ‘Melo should stick around since Jackson has shown himself capable of unlocking greatness in stars.

Some people are puzzled over the signing. One NBA executive told J.A. Adande of ESPN that Jackson’s relationship with Knicks owner James Dolan is doomed. “Phil and Dolan will not work. Like, never,” the exec said. Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports thinks the Jackson signing is a confusing move for the Knicks. In a video segment, Spears predicts that there will be similarities to Larry Bird‘s setup in Indiana, where Jackson provides the final yes or no on team activities, but other team employees do the bulk of the front office “grunt work.” Spears doesn’t think Jackson will return to coach at any point, but he does think there will be constant pressure from Knicks fans to do just that, similar to the constant speculation of Pat Riley‘s return to the bench during Erik Spoelstra’s first seasons with the Heat.

Others are more optimistic about the deal. Mike Vaccaro of The New York Post thinks that characterizations of Jackson as successful only due to coaching the best talent are wrong, and that he has turned around imperfect teams like New York before. Zach Lowe of Grantland argues that the Knicks don’t actually need a complete overhaul in their front office because there are already good, progressive basketball minds in New York. Rather, Lowe says the Knicks need Jackson to add a calming personality to the team and put an end to their pattern of caving in to agents and making knee-jerk moves that undermine their otherwise smart team-building decisions. Lowe doesn’t think Jackson will relax his emphasis on the triangle offense in building the Knicks, pointing out that the system goes beyond Xs and Os for Jackson, connecting to his deepest philosophical beliefs. Howard Beck of Bleacher Report agrees with Lowe’s take, seeing this as the “Zen Master’s” opportunity to mentor an entire, unstable franchise, not just a handful of players.

Rockets To Pursue Carmelo Anthony?

March 13th, 2014 at 10:29pm CST by Alex Lee

They might not have ample cap space to sign him, but that won’t prevent the Rockets from pursuing Carmelo Anthony this summer, writes Marc Berman of the New York Post. Citing a league source, Berman says the Rockets inquired about Anthony at the trade deadline last month. They would have to work out a sign-and-trade for the Knicks superstar to make it happen.

While Anthony has never fared well under the microscope of advanced statistics — a guiding principle for Houston GM Daryl Morey — Berman writes that pairing Anthony with James Harden and Dwight Howard is too appealing a possibility for the Rockets to pass up.
Moving one or both of Jeremy Lin and Omer Asik, on the books for $15MM apiece next season, would be the biggest obstacles facing Morey prior to a move as significant as a trade for Anthony. The Knicks were one of many teams linked to Asik at times this season.

Berman mentions the Lakers, Clippers and Bulls as other possible destinations for Anthony, should he choose to leave New York. He also references a USA Today report from last month, where Howard had the following to say about the caveats of playing in a gigantic market such as New York:

“If you don’t win, you’re not going to get all the [off-court] stuff you want anyway,” Howard said. “I saw that last year [in Los Angeles]. I was in the biggest market for the NBA, and we lost, so those [companies] aren’t going to be coming to you for losing.

“When I was in Orlando, a small market, and we were winning, I was very popular with a lot of different deals on the table. So it’s more so about winning, and you’ve got to put yourself in a position to where you’re winning basketball games and you’re having fun doing it. Losing is not fun, and ‘Melo wants to win.”

Reaction To Phil Jackson’s Deal With Knicks

March 12th, 2014 at 12:34pm CST by Chuck Myron

Phil Jackson and the Knicks have reportedly reached an agreement in principle to have the Zen Master join the team’s front office, though the terms of the deal are apparently still in flux. The news has elicited response from Carmelo Anthony and others, as we detail here:

In an updated version of his story, Berman shares Anthony’s remarks about whether he had any input on the decision to bring in Jackson. “I don’t want to jump the gun as far as being consulted,” Anthony said. “They have to do what they have to do in the front office and make the moves. They brought it to me a couple of days ago. It wasn’t something [where] it was do or die based on my decision. Them guys were going to make the decision regardless of what I said. I kind of let the guys handle the situation, and I focus on basketball and hope and pray we all do the right thing to try to build a team here.’’

Earlier updates:

Anthony doesn’t believe his free agency this summer hinges on Jackson’s hiring, as the star forward told reporters today, including Peter Botte of the New York Daily News. “I don’t think it’ll have any effect on me, just as far as what I’m thinking or my decision or anything like that,” Anthony said. “Like I said, I haven’t talked to Phil yet, just to get his insight on a lot of things, what’s his plan, what’s his future plan, because everything’s in his hands now.”
Still, Anthony admitted he’s never spoken to Jackson before, as Marc Berman of the New York Post notes. Anthony said Saturday that the Knicks hadn’t told him about their pursuit of Jackson, but the Leon Rose client said today that the team informed him two days ago. “You can’t take for granted what he knows about basketball, whether he’s on the sideline or in the front office,” Anthony said. “I’m pretty sure he’ll try his best to do what he has to do to build a championship here.’’
Jeanie Buss, Jackson’s fiancee and co-owner of the Lakers, told Nancy Dillon of the New York Daily News that she had no intention of keeping Jackson from taking the Knicks job, saying, “It’s his decision to make, of course.”
Ken Berger of CBSSports.com can’t envision Jackson making the kind of full-time commitment to the Knicks necessary to change the franchise’s sagging fortunes.

Knicks Links: Carmelo, Kerr, Jackson

March 11th, 2014 at 9:23pm CST by Ryan Raroque

Earlier tonight on Twitter, Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders shared some thoughts about Carmelo Anthony‘s possible free agency this summer. To paraphrase, he doesn’t see Anthony leaving the Knicks unless it’s a sign-and-trade, and while some may speculate that the hometown star will take less money to stay in place, it almost never happens that way. Kyler is also uncertain if any other team would be willing to offer four years and $22.4MM per to land the soon-to-be 30-year-old forward.

If the Bulls show interest, Kyler adds that the only way he can see Carmelo going to Chicago is if they’re able to unload Carlos Boozer‘s deal in a sign-and-trade, and even if that materializes, he isn’t sure if they’d be willing to pay the former Syracuse star max money over the final two years of his deal (Five Twitter links to share).

Here’s more out of New York tonight:

Former player and current TNT analyst Steve Kerr is aware of the speculation that he’d be considered a coaching candidate for the Knicks if Phil Jackson were to take a front-office position with the team, writes Justin Terranova of the New York Post. Coincidentally, Kerr was in New York today for a CBS/NCAA Tournament press conference and commented on the situation: “I understand the speculation…I’ve said I wanted to coach at some point in my life, I know Phil, I played for him [with the Bulls]. People are sort of connecting the dots, but it’s very uncomfortable commenting on speculation, especially when it comes to someone else’s jobs.”
More from Kerr, who confirmed that he’d be interested in coaching at some point: “I was the general manager in Phoenix for three years, and I loved being on the court with the players…That’s when it piqued my interest…I’m always going to keep my eyes open. I think it’s important in life to always keep looking forward and being open to new things.”
Kerr told Al Iannazzone of Newsday that based on his conversations with Jackson over the years, he knows that the former Bulls and Lakers coach wants to be working in a front office at this point: “Well, I’ve stayed in touch with Phil over the years and I know just from being with him at times that this is what he wants to do is build a franchise.”

Broussard On Jackson, Dolan, Mills

March 11th, 2014 at 7:11pm CST by Ryan Raroque

ESPN’s Chris Broussard was a guest on 98.7 ESPN’s The Michael Kay Show earlier today to share a few noteworthy points on Phil Jackson and the current state of the Knicks. In addition to reiterating an earlier report that an announcement of a finalized deal between New York and Jackson may not come until next week, Broussard further touched base on the possible impact Phil will have on Steve Mills’ position in the organization, if the Lakers are also in play for Phil’s services, and what this process means as it relates to Carmelo Anthony‘s future. You can read more from Broussard’s radio interview with Don Le Greca and Dave Rothenberg (filling in for Kay) below.

On James Dolan’s ‘meddling’, the strict media policy, and if Jackson understands how those factor into accepting a position with the Knicks:

“From what I understand, Dolan will still be Dolan…Phil’s going to be the final say guy in terms of basketball operations, but Dolan still owns the team…everything that’s done (he’ll have to approve at the end of the day), but as far as dealing with the media, we saw that Isiah Thomas had a lot of freedom to talk with the media and to do things, and he got that because he was a superstar…we know that Dolan likes superstars, (and) Phil Jackson is a superstar. So, I think (Phil) will get the freedom to run the team the way he wants to…and we know Phil, he’s a guy who likes to deal with the media; he’s a guy who likes to manipulate (situations) through the media and I think to a large degree, maybe not to the degree he has in the past, he’ll still be able to do that.”

On what Jackson’s presence as a decision-maker would mean for Steve Mills:

“Mills will still be in the organization at a high level…whether or not he’s in the basketball department or more business, he will still be in the organization at a high level…(I’m) not exactly sure what his title will be, I’m not (even) exactly sure what Phil’s title will be at this point…but Mills is not losing his job, and I think there’s a good chance that he’ll still be in the basketball department.”

On the possibility that Jackson is using the Knicks to get the same type of offer from the Lakers or elsewhere:

“(It has) definitely been speculated about around the league, and I think with good reason just because we know Phil loves the Lakers and obviously (because of) his history with them, but (I’m told) there is no way that he and Jim Buss are going to reconcile…there’s just too much division between those guys…one person told me today that if it was going to happen it would have already happened…I don’t see (Phil holding out for an L.A. offer) being the case.

I know the Knicks’ feeling is that they are not being used…obviously until you have Phil Jackson’s signature, you can’t say that this thing is 100% done, but the Knicks are very confident that it’s going to happen, they’re very confident that Phil wants the position, and (that) he’s not using them. It would be a shocker if Phil Jackson ended up going up with another team, obviously it would have been a shrewd move on this part…but (New York doesn’t) have any feeling or any inclination at this point that that’s the case.”

On what this all means for Carmelo Anthony and his future in New York:

“…’Melo genuinely likes playing here, he likes what playing in New York has afforded him, and there’s a part of him that would love to stay. He doesn’t want to be a bad team the rest of his career, but bringing in a Phil Jackson gives you a better opportunity to bring in top-level free agents here with you in 2015…(Phil) called Carmelo a terrific player – that’s a direct quote – and said ‘he can compete for championships if he makes a few tweaks here and there’…so I would think that Phil, judging from that statement last year, would be excited about having a Carmelo Anthony there, and that him being excited about it would certainly have a lot of impact on ‘Melo…It certainly enhances the Knicks’ chances of keeping him…you can’t say 100%, but there’s a good possibility of that.”

On Mike Woodson and if he can use the remainder of this season coach his way into being an option for Phil Jackson next year:

“That’s hard to see. I think they’d have to have some type of miracle run in the playoffs…barring that, I don’t see any type of great run for the Knicks in the playoffs if they get there…I think they’re going to have a new coach. You would think it’s going to be somebody that wants to run the triangle.

I know the Knicks and Phil haven’t gone too deeply into who would coach the team…I know Carmelo does like Mike Woodson, but I think at the end of the day you’re going to see a new coach here…even though a guy like Steve Mills and Allan Houston will remain in the organization, Phil is going to do some degree of house cleaning, and I think Mike Woodson will be (let go in that process).”

Phil Jackson Rumors: Monday

March 10th, 2014 at 8:16pm CST by Chuck Myron

The top story across the NBA as the week begins is Phil Jackson‘s job offer from the Knicks, which he’s reportedly leaning toward accepting. There’s plenty of chatter surrounding that decision, so let’s dive in:

There’s no guarantee that Jackson will take the job and those in his circle do not believe that an agreement is close, writes Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports. Meanwhile, one source claims that owner James Dolan will not give complete autonomy to anyone in the front office.
Frank Isola of the New York Daily News (on Twitter) says that Steve Kerr could be a head coaching candidate if Jackson takes the job.
Adam Zagoria of SNY (on Twitter) hears that Jackson would get a deal worth ~$10MM per season.

Earlier updates:

In a full story, Broussard writes that Jackson will “definitely” not coach the Knicks, and says that owner James Dolan would retain a voice in the club’s decision-making even with Jackson around. Jackson’s hiring would also likely please the team’s non-CAA clients, one of whom complained to Broussard about the preferential treatment that the Knicks give to players affiliated with the agency.
All indications are that Jackson will take the job, a source tells Chris Broussard of ESPN.com. The title of the position remains unclear, but Jackson will not coach or become a consultant. The possibility of a last-minute change of heart remains, but the Knicks have the sense that he’ll accept their offer (Twitter links).
Jackson is expected to let the Knicks know his choice today, notes Peter Botte of the New York Daily News. Although other reports suggest that he’s looking for the final word on basketball operations, as Pat Riley has with the Heat, a Jackson confidant claims he’d instead prefer to become more of a consultant, as Jerry West is with the Warriors.
Carmelo Anthony said this weekend that the team hadn’t told him of any pursuit of Jackson, observes Marc Berman of the New York Post. “I don’t even know what’s going on with that,’’ Anthony said late Saturday night. “Nobody came to me about that. Until that time comes, I’m not going to know what’s going on. It’s hard to say at this particular moment. If anything, it’s not going to be right now. I’m pretty sure they’d try to wait for the offseason and then we’ll deal with all that stuff.”
It’s possible that Jackson wouldn’t start working for the Knicks until after the season, Berman notes, which would jibe with Anthony’s comment. Jackson is reportedly seeking assurance that Anthony will remain with the Knicks.
A friend of Anthony who’s “intimately” involved in his decision regarding free agency said last month that he wasn’t sure that ‘Melo would re-sign, reports Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com, who examines how Jackson could affect Melo’s willingness to stay. Begley notes that Jackson, unlike Anthony and many in the Knicks organization, isn’t a client of the Creative Artists Agency.

Eastern Rumors: Knicks, Gortat, Pacers, Rondo

March 10th, 2014 at 2:11pm CST by Chuck Myron

Carmelo Anthony‘s camp leaked the information about Joakim Noah‘s All-Star break recruiting pitch, and the Knicks have been open about their pursuit of Phil Jackson, observes Sean Deveney of The Sporting News. Deveney concludes the whispers from both sides are intended as posturing for ‘Melo’s free agency decision this summer. While we wait to see how the latest ‘Melo-drama will play out, here’s the latest from the rest of the Eastern Conference:

Marcin Gortat says the strength of a team’s point guard and its coaching staff will be two qualities he’ll consider when he assesses suitors in free agency this summer, as he tells Kyle Weidie of ESPN.com. Gortat is high on re-signing with the Wizards, though his comments suggest he isn’t interested in signing an extension, reportedly one of Washington’s goals.
The Pacers were concerned that Danny Granger had slacked off on the daily rehab regimen that was to help him regain his form after he missed almost all of last season with injuries, according to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders. That helped precipitate the deadline deal that brought Evan Turner and Lavoy Allen to Indiana, but Kyler wonders if the departure of the longtime Pacer did irreparable damage to the team’s chemistry.
Danny Ainge embraces Rajon Rondo, stubbornness and all, as the Celtics president of basketball operations tells Baxter Holmes of the Boston Globe for a piece that examines Rondo’s nuanced personality.

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