As a player and a coach, Phil Jackson has collected 13 championships. Carmelo Anthony, now in his 11th season, has amassed almost one.
So the obvious credibility, respect, winning credentials and, yes, the chance to turn 13 into 14 for the executive and none into one for the player all make Jackson’s formal coronation Tuesday as Knicks president something exciting and special. It makes New York a place to be, especially in coming years. And it makes a player like Anthony eager to do anything to be a part of it.
“I’m willing to do whatever. As long as it’s going to put me in a position to win, I’m willing to do whatever,” Anthony said Monday after practice. “I’m not sold or stuck on my play. What I’ve been able to do these past 10, 11 years has gotten me at where I am right now. If Phil wants to come in and change that this late in my career, if it’s going to help me win a championship, I’m with it.”
Jackson will be introduced as the team’s president at an 11 a.m. Garden press conference Tuesday. The Knicks have not confirmed the nature of the gathering, but if it is anything but Jackson’s elevation to the team’s presidential throne, then that protest scheduled for Wednesday outside the Garden will move up a day and head indoors.
The hiring and introduction of Jackson, coupled with the team’s season-high six-game winning streak, has fueled a temporary air of good feeling around the Knicks who are chasing Atlanta for the eighth and final playoffs spot. Entering Monday, the Knicks were 3 ½ games behind the Hawks, who were visiting Charlotte. All has helped shift focus to the future and away from the present.
“The big picture, absolutely, for the big picture this is definitely more attractive,” said Anthony, who can opt out and become a free agent this summer.
One overriding story line this season for the Knicks has centered around Anthony’s free agency. Will he stay? Will he go? With Jackson aboard, the question shifts. Do the Knicks want him to stay? Anthony on Monday sounded like a guy wanting above all to follow Jackson to a title, doing anything to get there.
“As far as knowing what it takes to win, Phil is the best to ever do it,” Anthony said. “So for me to be able to have the opportunity and have him by my side, for him to teach me — I’m still willing to learn the game of basketball. And I haven’t won anything. So he’s won a lot. I can learn a lot from him and his system, things that he wants to incorporate here. I’m hoping and praying this all works.”
Just a few days ago, Anthony was reminded how Jackson once was less than complimentary about his passing. Anthony acknowledged Jackson probably had a valid point in that critique two years ago. Phil Jackson is, well, Phil Jackson.
And that’s why the Knicks sought him first as a coach and then lured him to the front office with a five-year deal worth $12 million annually, up to a reported $15 million with incentives. Plus, there are perks which, sources said, include some $20,000 a month for personal expenses such as lodging and a car.
It’s good to be the president. For the Knicks, it’s good to have Jackson as president.
“His résumé is his résumé, you can’t change that. Everybody sees that regardless of who you are, what type of player you are, you see a Phil Jackson résumé and you automatically gravitate towards that,” said Anthony, who has had no prior contact with Jackson who coached his way to six titles with the Bulls, five with the Lakers and earned two more as a Knicks player.
“I never met Phil, I haven’t talked to Phil. [Tuesday] will probably be my first day,” Anthony said.
People seem to be lining up for an audience with Jackson, who has fueled an atmosphere of good feeling around the Knicks before even one day on the job.
Even coach Mike Woodson, whose fate is directly linked to the hiring, was upbeat in his assessment.
“Anytime you bring someone in of this magnitude [it’s exciting],” Woodson said. “Phil has done everything from a coaching standpoint, as a player he won. He can’t help but enhance the organization. There’s a buzz in the air. There’s a lot of excitement around New York and Knick nation. Everybody’s excited about him coming in.”
Excited and willing to change.