The New York Knicks finished with a record of 32-50 this season. While that was a significant improvement over their disastrous 2014-2015 campaign, it still left them 12 wins short of making the playoffs.
Phil Jackson doesn’t see why his team can’t make up those 12 games next season.
In a recent interview with Bruce Beck of NBC 4 in New York, Jackson was asked about the improvements the Knicks will need to make this offseason in order to become a playoff contender. He said he doesn’t think the situation is as bad as some make it seem.
“In our meeting at the end of the season, Carmelo (Anthony) said, ‘You know, it’s really not that bad. I think we have the best front line guys in the Eastern Conference with Robin (Lopez), Kristaps (Porzingis) and myself,'” Jackson recalled. “I have to agree with him. Yes, those are three real potent figures but we still have guard roles to have to play. We’ve got some positions to fill, but not a lot — not that many.”
When asked directly if he believes the Knicks, who finished with the third-worst record in the Eastern Conference, can reach the postseason, Jackson pointed to the East being much weaker than the West.
“Why not?” Jackson asked. “I don’t know what’s so great about what’s out here in the East. We can fill that role.”
That may be true, and the Cleveland Cavaliers are proving it to be even more so. The Cavs breezed through the East in the playoffs while the Golden State Warriors had to grind their way back from a 3-1 deficit against the Oklahoma City Thunder — a team that pulled off a major upset over the mighty San Antonio Spurs. Those same Warriors have destroyed the Cavs in the first two games of the NBA Finals.
While the path to the Finals is much easier in the East, the path to the postseason may not be. As Dan Feldman of Pro Basketball Talk notes, the No. 8 seed in the East, the Detroit Pistons, won 44 games. The Portland Trail Blazers won 44 games and were the No. 5 seed in the West. The Houston Rockets made the playoffs at 41-41.
In other words, the Knicks still need a whole bunch more wins. Perhaps another year of experience for Porzingis will get them over the hump, but the Knicks would be wise to stick to this offseason plan. They’re a long way from being on par with LeBron James and company.
