New York Knicks executive Phil Jackson is arguably the greatest head coach in NBA history. The “Zen Master” has coached the likes of Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Scottie Pippen and has played alongside Walt “Clyde” Frazier, Willis Reed, and other legendary players in his career. Jackson knows the game inside-and-out, and when he has something to say, he will say it. A few weeks after calling out LeBron James and his successful friends early in his career as a “posse,” Jackson knocked New York Knicks superstar Carmelo Anthony for the ball sticking in his hands too much this season. Jackson is not wrong; most of the time, if New York isn’t on the fast break or running a play, they rely on Anthony to get the ball in the post and try to score a bucket.

“Carmelo [Anthony] a lot of times wants to hold the ball longer than — we have a rule: If you hold a pass two seconds, you benefit the defense. So he has a little bit of a tendency to hold it for three, four, five seconds, and then everybody comes to a stop,” Jackson said in an interview with CBS Sports Network that aired Tuesday. “That is one of the things we work with. But he’s adjusted to [the triangle], he knows what he can do and he’s willing to see its success.”

 

Phil Jackson’s comments was a response to a question on whether or not Carmelo Anthony can fit in the triangle offense. Jackson believes he can.

 

“He can play that role that Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant played,” Jackson said. “It’s a perfect spot for him to be in that isolated position on the weak side, because it’s an overload offense and there’s a weakside man that always has an advantage if the ball is swung.”

After New York’s devastating 126-94 blowout loss to Cleveland on Wednesday night, Anthony was hesitant to answer questions from the media on Jackson’s comments.

 

“I don’t want to answer those questions,” Anthony said. “I don’t even know what was said, to be honest with you. I just don’t even want to talk about that, what he’s talking about exactly. I want to stay away from that at this point,” he continued.. “My focus is my teammates and winning. We’ve been playing great basketball, and that’s the only thing I’m focused on. Whatever Phil said, he said it. I have nothing to say about that.”

 

The New York Knicks remain at 12-10 following Wednesday’s loss to Cleveland; an above-average mark for the team nearing Christmas. Jackson revamped the entire Knicks team this summer, and it’s still a work in progress. The ball sticking to Carmelo Anthony was expected with the Knicks’ new roster coming together and gaining chemistry. Give it some time, and maybe the ball movement will improve for the Knicks who rank 12th in the league of offense.

For Jackson’s comments, though. Well, they were expected from an eleven-time NBA champion (as a head coach) who’s current team is on pace for barely squeaking into the playoffs.