Jackson on Jax: Phil a ‘failure’
Mark Jackson, sticking up for Carmelo Anthony, called Phil Jackson a “failure’’ as Knicks president.
The former Knicks point guardturned-coach-turned-television analyst said Tuesday, during ABC’s conference call promoting the NBA Finals, the Zen Master is “definitively’’ the best coach of all time with his 11 rings, but has done a “poor job’’ handling the Anthony soap opera and managing the franchise.
“As a guy running the New York Knicks, he’s done a poor job,” Mark Jackson said. “Look at the results. He’s been a failure. Carmelo is an outstanding basketball player and handled himself remarkably. At the end of the day, he negotiated a no-trade clause, and he’s going about it the wrong way forcing him out. [Anthony has] all the power and he’s taking full advantage of it.’’
Phil Jackson has stated Anthony is on the trading block. Anthony, who turned 33 Monday, is going through a professional and personal crisis with a separation from his wife, La La.
Jeff Van Gundy — who will call The Finals for the eighth time alongside Mark Jackson and Knicks play-by-play voice Mike Breen — also praised Anthony for staying “above the fray.” But he said Anthony has lost a step, and hinted he may want to agree he’s better off away from Phil Jackson.
“I think Carmelo handled himself exceptionally well this year,’’ Van Gundy said. “I think it’s a difficult situation. He is like all players who age, he’s lost a little athleticism, but he’s still a very efficient player. He stayed above the fray. I applaud him for that.”
The Knicks worked out 6-foot10 Columbia forward Luke Petrasek, the grandson of former Knick Connie Simmons, who played for them from 1949-1954. Petrasek has a chance to be a two-way D-League prospect next season under the new collective bargaining agreement. Teams can have two extra players on their 15-man roster who are on two-way contracts. Petrasek averaged 15.1 points and 5.7 rebounds for the Lions last season. Also on the workout slate were Kentucky guard Isaiah Briscoe, South Carolina guard Sindarius Thornwell and Duke forward Amile Jefferson.