The New York Knicks fired Mike Woodson on Monday and are prepared to begin rebuilding the team under new team president Phil Jackson. One of Jackson’s priorities may be whipping the Knicks into shape — literally.
According to ESPN New York’s Ian Begley, Jackson has “talked recently about his disappointment in some of the Knicks’ conditioning” this season.
Two of the players Begley mentioned as ones who may have been out of shape are JR Smith and Iman Shumpert, who were both coming off offseason surgeries. Players who had offseason operations generally fall out of shape because they’re unable to exercise, so that’s completely understandable. But what’s the excuse for the rest of the team?
One of the big takeaways is that some people could lose jobs over the issue; Begley says Jackson’s unhappiness over the conditioning could lead to changes with the team’s medical and training staff next season.
Phil’s biggest task will be bringing in better talent on the team, but he might as well begin working on full changes that he believes are necessary.
