Phil Jackson was in a chatty mood as he discussed the future of the New York Knicks. The team president boasted that they can make the playoffs in the weak Eastern Conference and have everything they need on the team just seeking talent in free agency.
“Why not?” Jackson said. “I don’t know what’s so great about what’s out here in the East. We can fill that role.”
The Knicks are coming off a 32-win season and have won a total of 49 games over the past two seasons. The No. 8 seed in the 2016 Eastern Conference playoffs won 44 games so the Knicks have quite a ways to go.
Jackson was asked in the interview with WNBC-TV if he thought it was “realistic” to think the Knicks could make the postseason in 2016-17.
“I think so. I think we’re getting experience. Kristaps [Porzingis] is still a young player; he may need another year of experience,” Jackson said. “But we have some experienced guys who can play.”
The team will have at least $18 million to spend this summer. Jackson was asked on SNY about the Knicks’ priorities in free-agency.
“You name it, we’ve got it, basically. We’re just out getting talent,” Jackson said. “Players that fit what we try to do, have a collective thought. Team players.”
