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New York Knicks: 5 questions on Phil Jackson’s departure

By Jonathan Macri

Dec 16, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks general manager Phil Jackson looks on during a stop in play against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 16, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks general manager Phil Jackson looks on during a stop in play against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Frank Ntilikina of France is introduced by NBA commissioner Adam Silver as the number eight overall pick to the New York Knicks in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Frank Ntilikina of France is introduced by NBA commissioner Adam Silver as the number eight overall pick to the New York Knicks in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Will the Knicks Regret Taking Frank Ntilikina Over Dennis Smith Jr.?

No. While it’s true that Ntilikina was drafted in part because of his perceived fit in the triangle offense, that doesn’t mean the team made the wrong pick.

This isn’t to say that Smith won’t have a great career. He’s a stud athlete who has the confidence of a star. There’s a very real possibility that the league looks back on his going tenth and derides everyone who passed on him.

But it will be impossible to separate any success he has from the organization that drafted him. Dallas is one of less than a handful of situations with the infrastructure in place that can nurture Smith’s talent.

He is a glaring example of a player in need of both a stable franchise and a great coach who can reign him in. The Knicks weren’t going to qualify in either category regardless of if Jackson left two weeks or two months ago.

With Phil gone, the team can begin to find and create an identity organically rather than have one shoved down their throats. By all indications, Ntilikina, while not the talent that Smith is, has the qualities you’d want as such a culture begins to grow.

On top of that, he has the size and shooting ability to play off-ball and defend multiple positions. While he may not be the ideal point guard for the modern game, his skills will translate into any system. This team needs as many of those players as it can get.

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