Phil Jackson Era, Game 1: Knicks Stifle Eastern Conference-Leading Indiana Pacers

NEW YORK CITY, NY.  The Mecca was on its feet to welcome new President of Basketball Operations Phil Jackson, the new savior of New York Knicks Basketball.

Whether you believe in him or not, you can't argue with the results as the New York Knicks took on the Eastern Conference-leading Indiana Pacers, and dominated from the opening tip to keep their current winning streak alive with their 7th victory in a row.

Carmelo dominated Paul George and Indiana in front of the new Knicks President, Phil Jackson.

The team's previous 6 wins came during a stretch of games against non-playoff competition, however this convincing win over the Indiana Pacers, who failed to extend its 3 game lead over Miami, bode well for the start of the Phil Jackson era.

Carmelo Anthony, who was pleased by the signing, played as if he was auditioning for the new team president, showing off a complete game with 34 pts, 3 reb, 4 ast, and 3 stl against the usually stout defense of the Pacers.

Amare Stoudemire chipped in with 21 pts and 4 reb, and Tyson Chandler had 7 pts and a team-leading 14 rebounds. Recently embattled point guard Raymond Felton had 11 pts, 6 reb, and 6 assists.

The MSG crowd stood for the introduction of new President of Basketball Operations Phil Jackson.

With limited financial flexibility, Jackson had to be buoyed by the performance put on by the players he may not be able to move until this summer. And the player he hopes doesn't move this summer.

How do you feel about this dominant Knicks win over the Indiana Pacers? Do you think the Knicks will make the playoffs? And what about the future of Carmelo Anthony? Tell us in the comments below!

Melo Watch 2014: New York Knicks Finalize Deal With Phil Jackson

The New York Knicks have never had trouble closing a deal, but for too long now, they have had trouble closing the right deals.

However, the Knicks need THIS to be the right deal as it may determine the immediate future for the New York Knicks and their All-Star forward, Carmelo Anthony.

Following weeks of speculation and the real possibility of Carmelo Anthony leaving in free-agency, the New York Knicks finalized a deal to bring on 11-Time NBA Champion Head Coach Phil Jackson to take over as President of Basketball Operations.

Jackson, who retired as Head Coach of the Los Angeles Lakers in 2011 for health-related reasons, felt that it was time to return to the NBA scene.

The New York Knicks first approached Jackson to take over as Head Coach. The former Knicks player declined, but eventually accepted the expanded position of President of Basketball Operations. The Knicks turn over control of all basketball-related decisions to Jackson, "willingly" and "gratefully".

The New York Knicks introduced Phil Jackson as President of Basketball Operations earlier today.

Phil Jackson assumes control of a team in disarray.

While having won their last 6 games, the Knicks currently sit 4.0 games out of the final playoff spot in the weak Eastern Conference.

The Knicks overall are a disappointing 13 games under .500 while also boasting the second highest payroll in the NBA.

And the Knicks have just one first round draft pick (2015) in the next three years and only one second round draft pick (2014) in the next four year.

With the lack of new blood through the draft, Phil Jackson's job will require creative trades and shrewd rebuilding through free agency signings.

And his biggest free agency move may not be a signing at all. It may all begin with convincing Carmelo Anthony not to opt out of his current contract or to re-sign at a discount so that the Knicks can bring in some help for Melo.

Neither option would seem very good for Melo, who is thinking about competing for Championships, given that the Knicks are over the salary cap and have no financial flexibility until the 2015-2016 season.

Player	2013/14	2014/15	2015/16	2016/17	2017/18	2018/19
Amare Stoudemire	$21,679,893	$23,410,988	$0	$0	$0	$0
Carmelo Anthony	$21,490,000	$23,530,000	$0	$0	$0	$0
Tyson Chandler	$14,100,538	$14,596,888	$0	$0	$0	$0
Andrea Bargnani	$11,000,000	$12,000,000	$0	$0	$0	$0
JR Smith	$5,565,000	$5,982,375	$6,399,750	$0	$0	$0
Raymond Felton	$4,180,000	$4,360,000	$4,540,000	$0	$0	$0
Iman Shumpert	$1,797,600	$2,761,113	$3,898,691	$0	$0	$0
Pablo Prigioni	$1,591,350	$1,662,961	$1,734,572	$0	$0	$0
Metta World Peace	$1,590,000	$1,661,550	$0	$0	$0	$0
Kenyon Martin	$1,399,507	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0
Tim Hardaway Jr	$1,196,760	$1,250,640	$1,304,520	$2,281,605	$3,335,707	$0
Beno Udrih	$913,047	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0
Cole Aldrich	$884,293	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0
Jeremy Tyler	$556,584	$948,163	$0	$0	$0	$0
Toure Murry	$490,180	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0
Chris Smith	$184,538	$0	$0

While Phil announced that Carmelo Anthony will be his primary focus, he may be forced to conclude that the best move to turning the team's fortunes around is to let Melo walk, trade assets for draft picks and young players, and go into full tank mode for the 2015 NBA Draft (the only coming draft where they still have a first round pick) as the best rebuilding strategy. It could be the fastest route to rebuilding given the years of ineptitude by management.

What do you think should be Phil Jackson's first moves and focus? Would you let Carmelo Anthony walk in free agency? Tell us what you think in the comments below!

Bringing Phil Jackson Into The Knicks Front Office Is Critical To Retaining Carmelo Anthony

Initial rumors revealed that the New York Knicks had conversations with 11-time NBA Championship coach Phil Jackson about taking over the coaching reins. He declined.

Phil Jackson may be key to keeping Carmelo Anthony in New York.

In a move that reveals the desperation of Knicks management or that owner James Dolan has finally acknowledged that he knows nothing about basketball, he followed up by offering Jackson the position of President of Basketball Operations. Jackson is thinking about it.

Phil Jackson would be in charge of all basketball matters for the New York Knicks, and most importantly, he would have final say over all basketball related decisions.

This especially means personnel and coaching decisions. Two areas that have been a very expensive problems for the Knicks.

The Knicks currently have the second highest payroll in the NBA while fielding an underperforming team that is 16 games under 0.500 but miraculously only 3 1/2 games out of the playoffs in the ridiculously weak Eastern Conference.

Their big off-season move was dealing Marcus Camby, Steve Novak, and a package of draft picks, including a future first rounder and 2 second round draft picks, for Andrea Bargnani.

Bargnani has been inconsistent offensively and insufficient defensively, just as he was in Toronto, and yet another high priced disappointment for the Knicks franchise.

Jackson, or anyone deciding to take on the leadership of Knicks basketball operations, will need to consider the enormous task of regaining financial flexibility, constructing a team of complementary talent, and recovering a future by acquiring draft picks.

A tall task for anyone, but Phil Jackson is one man who is up to a challenge. And he may hold the key to selling Melo on that future, as well.

Do you think Phil Jackson will sign on as President of Basketball Operations for the New York Knicks? And do you think Jackson can convince Carmelo Anthony to resign? Tell us in the comments below!

Carmelo Anthony Leaving New York Appears More Likely After Loss To Heat

MIAMI, FL. It was just another on a mountain of losses for the New York Knicks this season (number 37 in 58 games this season), but with the 108-82 blowout loss in Miami to the Heat, all the chatter about Carmelo Anthony leaving just got more... REAL.

Carmelo was a beast in the first half, with 24 points 6 rebs, scoring nearly half of his team's 50 points in the first half and carrying his team to a within striking distance. He had also outclassed Lebron, who relied on a mask and Dwayne Wade in his first game back from a broken nose.

Carmelo Anthony matches Lebron James in another losing effort that may mark the end of his time in New York.

However, the Knicks came out in the third and looked like a high school team trying to guard against the defending NBA Champs.

Melo's effort was there, including a huge rejection on Lebron James in the quarter, but whether it was lack of effort, lack of intensity, or lack of talent, the Knicks were no match for the Heat.

After a first half where Melo was on pace for another 40 point, double-double kind-of-night, he finished with 29 points and 7 rebounds.

During the first half, even the most casual NBA observer could see that Carmelo is every bit the player that Lebron is, and he exceeds Lebron in his competitive desire, will to win, and ability to score in the clutch.

And even to begin the 3rd quarter, Melo matched Lebron play for play and point for point, but the Knicks lack of defensive discipline allowed a 23-3 run to end the 3rd quarter that blew the game wide open for Miami.

Without a commitment to defense, the spurt was enough to put away the reeling Knicks, and another stellar effort by Melo will be recorded as a loss. How much more losing will Melo take before he bolts for more attractive situations like Chicago?