LITTLE KNICKS CAN SAY
PHIL JACKSON, KNICKS PREZ: 2014-17 Jeff, Ntilikina muzzled
Jackson chats with Adam Silver; has conversation with Porzingis’ brother and agent Janis but conflict remains unsettled between two parties.
Jackson sends Anthony supportive text amid reports of player’s extramarital affair, but doesn’t regret comments about Anthony’s status with team.
Knicks fire assistant Josh Longstaff, who is close with Porzingis.
Jackson confirms he’s “listening” to trade offers for Porzingis.
ORLANDO – If the Knicks have a basketball plan for life after Phil Jackson, they kept it from the media on Wednesday as a PR official ushered off Jeff Hornacek following his vanilla statement.
In fact, the reporters assembled for the team’s first Summer League practice were hoarded in a small area behind a sealed-off stanchion and weren’t allowed to talk to players.
“It’s always an interesting time when you work with guys and stuff like that happens,” Hornacek said of Jackson’s firing. “But I just want to thank Phil for giving me the opportunity in New York. I’ve worked with Steve all year long – (GM) Steve Mills – so we have a great working relationship and talking about things so we will continue to do that. I wish Phil the best from this point on.”
While Hornacek wouldn’t take any questions about the future of the triangle offense, there were two noteworthy developments at
Jackson drafts French point guard Frank Ntilikina with No. 8 overall pick; selects guards Damyean Dotson, Ognjen Jaramaz in second round. the small gym just outside of Orlando: 1) Kurt Rambis, who has been a Jackson and triangle loyalist, was still serving as the associate head coach, and 2) Frank Ntilikina, the eighth overall pick in the draft, walked out of his first practice with tape on his knee and a slight limp.
Since he went overseas the day after getting drafted, Ntilikina still has not been introduced to the media – as is customary — by the Knicks. The 18-year-old was drafted by Jackson in part because he’s a good fit for the triangle, but now it’s more likely the offense will be ditched by Hornacek.
“It’s a tough day for us but really our focus is to get this team better, continue to build our young players and figure out a way to win,” the coach added Wednesday. “So we have a lot of time before the regular season, and we’ll figure all that out.”
Jackson, the former team president, was fired abruptly early Wednesday morning following three disappointing seasons and a 80-166 record.
Anthony reportedly tries to engage Knicks in buyout talks but Jackson is uninterested. Knicks fire Phil Jackson.