Phil Jackson was a visionary head coach who's won more championships than any other, but as the New York Knicks' president, his stubborn adherence to the principles of an offensive system that seems outmoded in today's NBA has often made him sound like a dinosaur.
While employing the triangle offense, Jackson's Knicks have finished 29th and 26th in offensive efficiency the last two seasons. They've played slow while the league has skewed fast, emphasized the post while others focus on the perimeter, and ranked in the bottom five in assist rate despite throwing more passes than nearly every team. Most notably, Jackson has been critical of the league's growing infatuation with the 3-point shot.
On Monday, though, he finally sounded like a man prepared to reform his principles.
"The 3-point line has become our affection, because it means more when we make a 3-point shot. So the spacing has changed dramatically," Jackson said at a promotional event, as quoted by ESPN's Ian Begley. "So the triangle can still be a part of that, but it has to adapt."
Coached by triangle-disciples Derek Fisher and Kurt Rambis, the Knicks have ranked in the bottom six in pace and the bottom 10 in 3-point-attempt rate in each of Jackson's two seasons in the front office. But as Jeff Hornacek prepares to take the reins, Jackson sounds more amenable to his new coach's pace-and-space proclivities.
With the former Phoenix Suns coach at the helm, Jackson believes the Knicks - coming off a 32-win season - can make the playoffs in a wide-open Eastern Conference.
"Why not?" Jackson told Bruce Beck of NBC 4 New York. "I don't know what's so great about what's out here in the East. We can fill that role.
"I think we're getting experience. Kristaps (Porzingis) is still a young player, he may need another year of experience. But we have some experienced guys who can play."
