Phil Jackson and Spike Lee probably won’t be so cheery if the Knicks don’t turn it around.
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The worst-kept secret in NBA history will officially be revealed Tuesday when the Knicks announce the hiring of Phil Jackson as the new head of basketball operations. What Jackson will say is still a mystery, but his future roster is already talking about the Pro Basketball Hall of Famer.
The Knicks held practice Monday in preparation for a big game against the top-seeded Pacers on Wednesday, but most of the questions were about how Jackson will change the club’s future.
“As far as knowing what it takes to win, Phil is the best to ever do it,” Carmelo Anthony told reporters after practice. “So for me to be able to have the opportunity and have him by my side, for him to teach me, you know, because I’m still willing to learn the game of basketball.”
Anthony also seems to have pulled a 180-degree turn since last week when he said Jackson’s hiring wouldn’t affect his decision to leave the team in free agency this offseason. On Monday, he was more willing to adapt to Jackson’s future.
“I’m willing to do whatever,” Anthony said. “As long as it’s gonna put me in a position to win, I’m willing to do whatever.”
Anthony said the hiring of Jackson makes the Knicks more attractive to free agents — though the team won’t have much in the way of cap space until 2015.
“For the big picture, this is definitely more attractive,” Anthony said.
Kevin Love, LaMarcus Aldridge, Kyrie Irving and Roy Hibbert are among the stars who are free agents in 2015.
