Phil Jackson is not a happy man. The former NBA coach took over the New York Knicks as their team president understanding that they were a work in progress. However, he likely did not anticipate just how much of a work in progress they might be as the Knicks currently 4-18 while off to their worst 22-game start in the entire tenure of the franchise. According to Jackson, the Knicks have an attitude problem, but is not sure if trades is the best way to fix things.
The Knicks have extended their losing streak to eight games. Seven of those losses have been by seven points or fewer. The team cannot seem to manage to close games when things are tight in the final minutes and Jackson explains it is because of a loser mentality.
"It's about a loser's mentality," Jackson said, via ESPNNewYork.com. "It's not about the skill or the talent level. Obviously, we're disappointed. I think guys understand what we're trying to do. Hopefully, they're getting to be more compliant. There's some resistance to discipline and order and culture change and things like that. I will call it a crucible for what we're going through here. The process, maybe the heat, is going to refine some of the stuff so that we come out and be a pretty good team after all is said and done."
Now the Knicks must determine exactly how to fix the issues as some believe the team is tanking in order to acquire a high draft pick. Trade rumors have begun to circulate for every player not named Carmelo Anthony as the market prepares to heat up. However, Jackson is not interested in making a move simply to make a move. He told the media that he only plans to seek out trades if he truly believes they can help the team.
"I'm not going to make movement for movement's sake. There is sometimes addition by subtraction but I don't see anybody that doesn't want to be part of this organization, doesn't want to play with his teammates, doesn't want to learn," Jackson said. "What we have to do is we have to protect our future. We can't get so enamored with what is happening right now that we don't protect what's ahead of us, so that's a concern. If we evaluate a player and see he's going to be a long-term person who is going to fit in our organization, we'll do that. But right now those things aren't jumping out."
In terms of the best players to move, Jose Calderon, Iman Shumpert and JR Smith take center stage. The Knicks have tried and failed to deal Amar'e Stoudemire and Andre Bargnani so if Jackson is going to seek a trade, those are the best players to move.
