5 awful decisions that defined Phil Jackson's tenure with Knicks

All of his championship wins as a head coach in the Association can't get rid of the sour aftertaste Phil Jackson created as president of the New York Knicks - a tenure that has undoubtedly blemished what had otherwise been a fairly flawless run atop the NBA.

His laundry list of atrocious hirings, signings, and trades in the Big Apple is the lasting impression we'll all have of the Zen Master, and that's unfortunate. Eleven rings as a coach and two as a player have almost become an afterthought to the utter mess the Knicks became with him in power.

Related - Jackson: 'Knicks will always hold a special place in my heart'

Here are five decisions Jackson made during his three full seasons on the job that we won't soon forget.

Hiring Derek Fisher as head coach

Bringing aboard a coach with absolutely no experience on the sidelines was a huge gamble on Jackson's part, and one that ultimately blew up in his face.

Fisher ran the point for Jackson during his time with the Los Angeles Lakers, and obviously made quite the impression to warrant a five-year, $25-million coaching gig years later. It didn't take long, though, for it to become painfully clear that he was out of his element, and for that, the Knicks were the ones that suffered.

He was fired after just one-and-a-half seasons, which included a 17-65 record in 2014-15 that was the worst in franchise history. A 1-9 stretch in January the following year sealed his fate.

Signing Joakim Noah

A quick analysis of Noah's final seasons with the Chicago Bulls would have shown Jackson that the near 7-footer's body and game were breaking down on him, with surgery to stabilize his left shoulder being his most serious ailment.

That didn't stop the Knicks from giving Noah a pricey $72-million contract for four years, despite the fact that his best days were, in all likelihood, well behind him.

Since arriving in New York, Noah has undergone an arthroscopy on his left knee, had another surgery on a torn rotator cuff, and been suspended by the league for 20 games - which will carry over into next season, by the way - for violating the terms of the Anti-Drug Program.

Trading for Derrick Rose

The former league Most Valuable Player was an expiring contract, so the risk-reward ratio at least leaned in the Knicks' favor. A change of scenery was necessary, and could have perhaps rejuvenated Rose's career.

Whoops. Rose's off-the-court antics were almost nearly as memorable as what he did on it, and now that he's unrestricted, he could very well leave this summer.

Going AWOL in January and not informing his employers is something that could only happen to the Knicks.

Moved Shumpert, Smith for next to nothing

"By the way, the New York Knicks said J.R. (Smith) was just a throw-in, by the way," said LeBron James during the Cleveland Cavaliers' championship parade in 2016, still amused by his team acquiring a starter for pennies on the dollar.

Two key cogs to the Cavs' title run in Smith and Iman Shumpert were essentially handed over to them on a silver platter, while all the Knicks were left with was lesser talent and some cap relief.

One man's trash is another man's treasure, which rings especially true here.

Giving Carmelo Anthony a no-trade clause

What's keeping the Knicks from going into a full-blown rebuild - the best course of action at this time - is Anthony's contract (five years, $124 million) hanging over their heads, which is next to impossible to move considering he can blow off any trade presented to him.

No-trade clauses are such a rarity in the sport, and rightfully so. Anthony wasn't attracting big-name free agents to join him, and the Knicks weren't close to being a contender with the now 33-year-old on the marquee at Madison Square Garden. It's now become the bane of their existence.

With Jackson no longer around, Anthony will perhaps be even more committed to staying put with his hometown squad and be closer to his son, rather than reportedly requesting a buyout. How can the Knicks possibly move forward?

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)