The New York Knicks wrapped up yet another disappointing season that saw them miss the playoffs for the fourth consecutive campaign, which has only heightened the push for change from their passionate fan base.
The Knicks' struggles have also put the team in the position to snag one of the top prospects from this year's draft with their first-round pick. In light of that, team president Phil Jackson was at the NBA combine this past week where he spoke to Los Angeles Lakers team president Magic Johnson taking away from their conversation that not many players enter the league ready to contribute in a major way, according to Newsday.
“I told Magic after we bumped into each other and had a little exchange, not too many kids can come into this game and win a championship like he did back in ’80,” Jackson said at the NBA Draft Combine. “They’re just not that way. They’re not that mature.
“Of course, he was a sophomore when he came out. It’s just really tough. The maturation level, particularly the education the game has stepped to, the amount of work it takes physically, mentally, the preparation. We don’t expect a whole lot.”
The Knicks are expected to be looking to add a backcourt player with their first-round selection that could see them in play to select from players such as Kentucky guard De'Aaron Fox, N.C. State guard Dennis Smith, and Kentucky guard Malik Monk. Whoever the Knicks decides to take, it will immediately thrust a tremendous amount of pressure on their shoulders to help end the franchise's losing ways.
This is quite much to be asking from a young player just out of college to shift the entire direction of a team. Let alone, attempting to do this with a dysfunctional organization such as the Knicks.
There will have to be plenty of patience exercised for the incoming talent because there will undoubtedly be a few rough patches along the way. Just ask Kristaps Porzingis, who has grown increasingly unhappy with the situation New York has been in since he entered the league two seasons ago.
Ultimately, patience will be key and Jackson is hopeful that Knicks fans will realize that before placing a mountain of pressure on whoever the Knicks draft in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft.
Follow Us
Subscribe