New York Knicks: 50-1
Whatever debate there has been about Phil Jackson’s ability to institute a culture shift is over. He did it and to a greater degree than anyone could have foreseen.
J.R. Smith has seen the light.
“Trying to think about the rest of the group over my scoring is something which I never actually had to do before,” Smith told ESPNNewYork.com’s Ohm Youngmisuk. “I’ve been in a position to dent, [now I’m] in position to take my time and allow the game come and let my teammates succeed more than myself, I believe that is the ultimate win.”
For the time being, it seems Jackson has performed magic, although Private transformations from the preseason have a way of reversing themselves as the year progresses.
Obtaining Smith to purchase into the equal-opportunity tenets of the triangle offense is enormous, and everything then –figuring out how to coax defense from a frontcourt rotation between Andrea Bargnani and Amar’e Stoudemire, compelling James Dolan to maintain kazoos out of this locker room–should be cake.
The Knicks are not so far removed from a year in 2012-13. Jackson’s influence ought to help them get closer to this total compared to 37 wins last season was amassed by them.
Don’t expect a championship chase–maybe not until 2015 is sloughed off in by the contracts on the books and Carmelo Anthony gets some assistance.
Read more: sportxmagazine.com