By ZINA PASCHAL & MELISSA WALKER
A new era dawned for the embattled New York Knicks on Tuesday as Phil Jackson, the most successful coach in NBA history, was named team president and lost no time vowing to create a winning culture for the storied franchise.
“Today is a historic day for the Knicks,” said Madison Square Garden President Jim Dolan as he introduced Jackson to a crowded press conference that was electric with anticipation but also awash in skepticism after years of front office dysfunction.
“There is no better place to win than in New York,” said Jackson who won two rings as a Knicks player in 1970 and 1973 and then as coach led the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers to a total of 11 championships.
“We want to build a team, and team doesn’t have an ‘i’ in it,” said Jackson as he stressed the importance of sharing the ball in the triangle offense and building a winning culture among the players.
Showing an awareness of the tension that has developed between the team, the fans and the press, Jackson asked for support and positivity from the press in the future. Contrasting himself with Dolan whose top-down management roshe run suede femmes style and lack of openness alienated sports writers, Jackson vowed,”I’ll be accessible. We’re gonna have an open relationship and a good one.”
“The idea of developing a culture is a overwrought word in the NBA right now, but that’s what brought me here,” Jackson added. “Players need to know they are supported by the team and coaching staff.”
Jackson’s hiring has sparked questions about whether this undercuts the role of general manager Steve Mills who was hired only nine months ago to steer the team’s front office. Dolan addressed this topic up front by saying that Jackson “will be in charge of all basketball decisions and Steve as general manager will support his efforts to build a consistently winning franchise.”
Mills did not speak at the press conference and has not spoken to the press for seven months.
Dolan was asked if hiring Jackson meant he was “ceding authority”
The owner chuckled and replied, “Willingly and gratefully”, a comment that undoubtedly was music to the ears of dispirited Knick fans.
Jackson gave a muted vote of confidence to Knick star Carmelo Anthony who was expected to test the waters of free agency this summer, saying “there’s no doubt” that he wanted to build the team around Anthony but adding, “as great a player that he is, he still has another level that he can go to.”
Observers interpreted this comment as a reference to Anthony needing to buy into the concept of the triangle offense by moving the ball, making crisp passes and lifting the game of his teammates.
Jackson signed a five-year contract earning him a rumored $12 million a year.
Jackson praised embattled coach Mike Woodson, saying he “turned this team into a contender for the playoffs, has shown that he is a very good basketball coach and he’s had a difficult season.”
Jackson added that he and Woodson would “have discussions at the end of the season” to plan for next season, but didn’t commit to rehiring him.
Frustrated Knicks fans had planned a protest outside the Garden on Wednesday, which was now expected to be shelved.
Dolan addressed this frustration, apologizing to fans and blaming all involved including himself.
“We were working on answers,” said Dolan,explaining the organization’s silence. “Nothing we could have said would have helped.”
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