New York Knicks: 50-1
Whatever debate there has been about Phil Jackson’s ability to institute a culture shift is over. He did it and could have foreseen.
J.R. Smith has seen the light.
„Trying to consider the rest of the group over my scoring is something which I never actually had to do before,“ Smith told ESPNNewYork.com’s Ohm Youngmisuk. „I have always been in a position to dent, [now I’m] in position to take my time and let the game come and let my teammates succeed over myself, I believe that is the ultimate win.“
Transformations in the preseason have a way of reversing themselves as the year progresses, but for now, it appears Jackson has performed magical.
Getting Smith to buy in the equal-opportunity tenets of this triangle offense is huge, and everything after that–figuring out how to coax defense out of a frontcourt rotation between Andrea Bargnani and Amar’e Stoudemire, compelling James Dolan to maintain kazoos from the locker room–should be cake.
The Knicks are far removed from a 54-win year in 2012-13. Jackson’s influence alone should help them get closer to this total compared to 37 wins last season was amassed by them.
Still, don’t expect a championship chase–not before the contracts on the books slough off in 2015 and Carmelo Anthony understands some real help.
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