With the New York Knicks' lack of success this year, the believers of Phil Jackson have declined. However, one of his former players made it clear that he still thinks Jackson can turn the team into a winner.
Current TNT broadcaster Shaquille O'Neal, who was at the center of the Los Angeles Lakers' three-peat in the early 2000s, shared his thoughts about the Knicks president's current situation. He called it “just another chapter in his life” before adding that it will not hurt Phil's legacy.
From Frank Isola of the New York Daily News:
“He's not used to (losing). He's definitely taking a beating. Definitely going to have to make some changes this summer, but he's a strong guy. You're not going to really hurt his feelings.”
“No, I don't think it does. Just another chapter in his life. When you're dealing with certain people everybody has to be on the same page.”
The former MVP also defended the triangle offense, claiming that it will only work if a team believes in it and does not allow the ball to be stagnant with just one player. O'Neal went on to say that players should drop their old habits first before trying to use the system:
“When you're a player and you're used to doing something one way and then you bring in the system, a lot of guys don't like to give up their habits. Like with the triangle, the ball can't stop. If you look at how the second teams runs the triangle, guys that don't have a lot of experience in the game or have a lot of habits, they run with a lot of force. There, late in the fourth quarter, they got a couple of back door plays. It definitely does work.”
“When Phil put this team together I was like [Kristaps] Porzingis, Carmelo [Anthony], Boom, [Joakim] Noah, I said, okay, it's going to work if they embrace the triangle. I liked it. But again, the ball can never stop in the triangle.”
Jackson is one of the most successful coaches in NBA history. Despite the disappointing season the Knicks are having, it will be very difficult to bet against him turning around their fortunes sooner rather than later. With more moves expected to be made, and possibly even with their coaching staff, this offseason, better days might be coming for the New York faithful. It would further solidify The Zen Master's credentials as one of the best ever, which O'Neal has obviously never doubted.
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