JACKSON’S JOKERS!
Phil’s crew on pace to easily become worst team in Knicks history
Phil Jackson (inset) has 11 rings, but his 5-26 Knicks team — led by Carmelo Anthony (right) — is struggling to get to just 11 wins and is on pace for a 13-69 record, which would be by far the worst mark in team history.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Phil Jackson’s last memoir was titled “Eleven Rings.’’
If the Zen Master writes a book about his first full season as Knicks president, it may have to be called: “Eleven Wins.’’
With their Christmas Day loss to the Wizards ending in a onegame suspension for Quincy Acy, Jackson’s 526 Knicks head west to close out 2014 with a threegame trip to Sacramento, Portland and Los Angeles, where they will face the Clippers on New Year’s Eve at Staples Center.
Team Tritanic is on pace for a 1369 record — which would mark by far the worst in Knicks history.
Larry Brown’s original Team Titanic went a loftybycomparison 2359 in 200506 and Isiah Thomas’ Team Titanic II matched that clip two seasons later. No Knicks team ever has lost 60 games.
Jackson must feel a long way away from the coaching career in which he won 11 NBA championships with his triangle offense and never had a losing season.
While the 973 mark of the 76ers in 197273 looks safe, 70 losses for 201415 isn’t out of the realm of possibility as Derek Fisher muddles through his rookie season as head coach. After having lost six straight and 16 of 17 games, things may only get worse as the calendar flips to 2015. If the Knicks are swept on the trip, they will return to New York with 29 losses — already eclipsing the number of defeats they had two seasons ago, when former coach Mike Woodson led them to a 5428 record. Woodson now is on the Clippers staff, awaiting the Knicks’ arrival.
Jackson tweeted on Christmas that Santa would deliver a better 2015 than 2014. Anthony had some fun with that.
“If he said that, then he feels that way,’’ Anthony said. “2015 is in a couple of days, so ...’’
Anthony broke out in laughter because if he didn’t laugh, he probably would cry.
Anthony admitted after the Knicks’ loss to the Wizards that “we’re dying’’ emotionally.
The Knicks are very much alive for a lottery pick. They sit behind the tanking Sixers in the standings for worst record in the league, but have a better winning percentage. The Knicks have the most losses in the NBA at 26. After the Sixers face the Trail Blazers Friday, the Knicks will have played three more games than Philadelphia as they battle, along with the Pistons, for the top seed in the lottery.
Jackson may feel as if he’s in a Catch22 on what he wants out of the final 50 games. Finishing with one of the three worst records will give him a legitimate chance at the projected No. 1 pick in the draft, Duke center Jahlil Okafor. But if the Knicks don’t land Okafor, Jackson could be hardpressed to seal a top 2015 free agent on coming to one of the league’s bottomfeeders.
The top lottery seed has a 25 percent chance at landing the first pick, the second seed is at 19.9 percent and third seed 15.6 percent.
“At times we seem making strides and getting better and at times it feels we’re not,’’ Anthony said. “We need to put a full game together and start believing. From what I see, I don’t think nobody is lacking conf idence. The conf i dence better be there.’’
Amar’e Stoudemire is starting to run out of positive stuff to say, but claims to see better days ahead. However, Anthony is playing on with a sore left knee that probably will need surgery after the season. He has threatened to shut it down for a few weeks to rest the knee, but wants to play on as long as there’s still a remote chance of getting back into the playoff conversation.
Stoudemire, meanwhile, will take more time off in the final 51 games, saying he’s shooting to play between 68 and 70 games. Projected as their starting power forward entering training camp, injured Andrea Bargnani could be a boost, but banking on him has never been a sound investment.
The Knicks should get a jolt when they get back J.R. Smith, who is on the verge of returning after missing eight straight games from a small tear in his plantar fascia. But indications are he will be in pain off and on all season.
“I’m an optimist,’’ Stoudemire said. “I see the glass half full instead of half empty. We can get better. It’s easier said than done at this point. We can’t get frustrated with all the losses. It’s not a great place to be in now with this record. It’s the first time in my career in this position. The ultimate is to show leadership and get the young guys to continue to work and stay together. We got to make sure to instill the same confidence into the young guys.’’