After reconstructing the Knicks roster this summer, Phil Jackson is not quite done altering the way the team operates heading into the 2015-16 season.
At the request of head coach Derek Fisher, Jackson will lend a stronger voice that only a 13-time NBA champion can deliver. In similar fashion as players assessing their performances from the past season, Fisher and Jackson evaluated their working relationship and decided a change was necessary.
“Maybe I stepped back too far last year,” Jackson admitted. “I wanted Derek to be his own person, have his own feel for this, and I think that was multiplied in numbers of ways. But, Derek has kind of asked me to be a little more present this year, actually. Not in the aspect of whatever coaching but just in being around, talking basketball, influential in observations, so I think I’ll be probably more involved than I was last year as far just being here and being watchful, suggestive, watching film together maybe with Derek at times.”
Jackson hired Fisher in June of 2014, which meant the coach-player relationship would quickly become president-coach and while both men have remained in communication since the Lakers days, this new dynamic presented a different set of challenges.
“I do think there were times last year where out of respect for each other’s titles as we learned how to operate from player-coach to president-head coach, kind of not wanting to bother each other or overload each other with too much information and conversation,” a candid Fisher explained on Friday morning.
There’s no question Fisher is the man in charge on the floor and Jackson has made it crystal clear he has no interest in returning to the sidelines. The second-year coach is attempting to create his own vision after jumping straight from the court as a player just two seasons ago. Jackson was pleased that Fisher wanted to coach the Summer League team to continue to find his voice and sharpen his abilities as the signal caller. Fisher believes the adjustment in Jackson’s role will help to provide a champion’s viewpoint, which should ultimately enhance the product on the court.
“I think over the course of this offseason, not just Phil and I but Steve as a group in terms of decision making and making sure we are communicating often about several different areas that revolve around our team.” Fisher articulated. “We feel like we found a better rhythm and in terms of the basketball piece, I’m the head coach of the team, I lead the team, I’ll do what I need to do to get the job done but for sure, I’m looking forward to spending more time away from the team, talking basketball, talking shop, learning from one of the great basketball minds that we’ve ever seen. “
Jackson, Fisher, and the coaching staff will introduce a completely rebuilt team to the media on Monday. Only Carmelo Anthony remains from the 2013-14 squad and as the new-look crew in New York prepares to report for training camp, Jackson is pleased to see his vision begin to take shape.
“What we are happy about is that we have a group of guys that seem to want to work together that seem to want to play together,” Jackson smiled during a press conference on Friday afternoon. “We haven’t had to encourage guys to show up here at our training facility this summer. They come and they’re working word and they seem to respond very well to playing together with each other.”
With a new cast on the court and a tactical change in communication, Jackson and Fisher are hoping to rekindle the championship chemistry that will lift the Knicks back to the postseason.