Phil Jackson’s Failed Experiment In The Big Apple

Jan 15, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) dribbles the ball up court against Toronto Raptors in the first half at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) dribbles the ball up court against Toronto Raptors in the first half at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
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NBA: New York Knicks at Toronto Raptors
NBA: New York Knicks at Toronto Raptors

Phil Jackson made moves this offseason with the ultimate goal of putting the New York Knicks back on the map. However, he gave big contracts to declining players, and the team is feeling the drawbacks. What can he do now?

The New York Knicks are a mess, but their most recent failure was years in the making.

Think back to six years ago, during the 2010-2011 NBA season.

It was the first season of LeBron’s Big 3 in Miami. Dirk pulled off one of the greatest upsets in league history by beating the Heat and securing the first championship of his career, which was also the first title won in the history of the Dallas Mavericks.

Phil Jackson was head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, but he was also watching some of the league’s youth thriving, oblivious to the fact that he would bring them all to the Knicks in the future.

Let’s look back for a bit.