As Phil Jackson turned and headed into his first draft as the Knicks team president, he told reporters to “enjoy the evening.”
That in itself had meaning, considering a few hours earlier, the Knicks didn’t possess a selection in either the first or second rounds of the 2014 NBA Draft. But after completing his first major trade as the Knicks boss on Wednesday, Jackson went into the evening owning the 34th and 51st choices overall.
“Now we can justify those scouts’ work that they’ve spent months doing,” Jackson said.
The deal that sent disposable point guard Raymond Felton and fading Tyson Chandler to the Mavericks for four players and two second-round picks pumped some much-needed energy throughout an organization no longer on the outside looking in at the draft.
“It feels like you’re in the dance,” Jackson said.
The Knicks should feel like dancing after ridding themselves of Felton, who struggled through a difficult season plagued by personal issues that led to him pleading guilty on Monday to felony gun possession. Next season Chandler would have been in the final year of his contract, and he wanted out of New York following two sub-par seasons after winning the Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2012.
In return, the Knicks improved themselves by landing a veteran three-point shooter in Jose Calderon, a second-year guard with plenty of upside in Shane Larkin, another serviceable guard in Wayne Ellington and a big body in 6-11 Samuel Dalembert. Plus, the Knicks landed the two draft picks, taking Cleanthony Early, a 6-7 shooter from Wichita State, with the 34th selection and Thanasis Antetokounmpo, a 6-6 small forward from the D-League, with the 51st pick.
Then at midnight, Jackson was still working, buying the 57th pick from the Pacers to take French center Louis Labeyrie, whom they likely will stash in the French League.
Perhaps most importantly, Jackson sent a strong signal that the chemistry around the Knicks is going to change. That seems just as important as upgrading the talent at point guard and getting into the draft. It’s clear Jackson didn’t like what he saw while watching the Knicks during the final weeks of the regular season.
“I saw guys that looked at each other like, ‘You didn’t back me up’ or, ‘I needed help,’ ” Jackson said. “It just wasn’t the right combination and feeling everybody was in synch all the time.”
The chemistry wasn’t good. By the end of the year, Amar’e Stoudemire was grumbling after just about every game, believing J.R. Smith was shooting too many 3’s. Felton was moody, especially after the arrest on gun charges. Chandler never seemed happy with the defensive philosophies of former coach Mike Woodson. Iman Shumpert was dogged by trade rumors all year.
“We had to change some of the chemistry of this team,” Jackson said before heading into the draft. “To do that, we felt we had to bring in some new personnel and start getting some character guys who can carry us forward.”
Jackson is far from done. You can hear it in his voice. When he talks about the type of team and players he wants, he sounds like he’s looking at the roster from his championship team with the Knicks. He talked about acquiring aggressive defenders; players who move the ball on offense; players who can move in transition.
“We know basketball is a 94-foot game and we have to play it that way,” he said.
Jackson was included in many of the deals the Lakers made during their championship runs, normally coming in as the closer. But he admitted his job as president of the Knicks is “a different role.” He knows if none of this works, he will get the blame.
Still, Jackson seemed confident his moves eventually will impress Carmelo Anthony enough to remain with the Knicks after opting out of his contract and becoming a free agent. He’ll have to be the ultimate closer to bring back his shooting star after the Bulls traded for Doug McDermott in the first round to clear cap space to chase Anthony.
“We just hope what we’re doing appeals to him,” Jackson said.
Changing the chemistry is a good start.