/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/40159368/479371259.0.jpg)
Media day is Monday, but the Knicks decided to get some press conferencin' out of the Friday morning. Phil Jackson, Steve Mills, and Derek Fisher all took questions in Greenburgh. Some of it aired on SportsCenter and I'm told there will be video eventually. I'll share that here when I find it. In the meantime, here are some things they said. They didn't say much.
Phil and Fish on coaching style:
#Knicks president Phil Jackson says he hopes the team will be quicker this season. Team played at a slow pace under Mike Woodson.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) September 26, 2014
Fisher: "I'm not Phil Jackson. I'm not trying to be Phil." Suggests it's not fair to assume their philosophies will always be in lockstep.
— Chris Herring (@HerringWSJ) September 26, 2014
Derek Fisher says he's talked to Jason Kidd about coaching and dealing with players. #Knicks
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) September 26, 2014
Fisher says the triangle always gets the most attention w/ him and Phil. But says the defense will be most crucial to get straightened out.
— Chris Herring (@HerringWSJ) September 26, 2014
Asked Fisher abt the team's tendency to switch & double-team on D last yr. Says his bigger goal is to just find consistency on that end.
— Chris Herring (@HerringWSJ) September 26, 2014
Fisher is very good at saying nothing.
On the startling lineup:
Fisher: "The only person I know is going to start is No. 7."
— charlie widdoes (@charliewiddoes) September 26, 2014
(Al Harrington.)
On Carmelo Anthony:
Phil, asked abt Melo's weight loss, says he asked several players abt their body-fat % in exit meetings. Says Melo clearly took it to heart
— Chris Herring (@HerringWSJ) September 26, 2014
For those curious as to whether Carmelo will play PF this year, Phil mentioned him among the group of players the #Knicks have at PF.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) September 26, 2014
.@PhilJackson11 says @carmeloanthony's position will be quite defined. Added that he should be pretty comfortable. #Knicks
— Jonah Ballow (@jonahballow) September 26, 2014
Fisher believes Melo has the examples of Jordan and Kobe to learn how to find success in the Triangle Offense.
— Alan Hahn (@alanhahn) September 26, 2014
We've discussed this before, but as long as Melo's operating from the post with shooters within reach, I don't really care what traditional position he occupies. This sounds like that.
On Amar'e Stoudemire:
Fisher: "Amar’e looks like he’s in fantastic shape. We’ll all work together to try and manage what we’re seeing in real time."
— NBA New York Knicks (@nyknicks) September 26, 2014
Fisher added the Knicks will rest Amar'e when he needs it to try to help keep him healthy.
— Al Iannazzone (@Al_Iannazzone) September 26, 2014
On Andrea Bargnani:
Fisher: "I think Andrea will be great. He’s a great basketball player. I don’t know if the system will make him better."
— charlie widdoes (@charliewiddoes) September 26, 2014
Coach Fisher on his conversations with @AndreaBargnani: "A lot of the times we’ve spoken, it’s about what we’ll do on the defensive end."
— NBA New York Knicks (@nyknicks) September 26, 2014
K.
Mills on Dolan:
GM Steve Mills on owner James Dolan being more hands off with the #Knicks since Phil Jackson took over. "He's been true to his word."
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) September 26, 2014
Nothing too hard-hitting, but we're getting close, guys. I'll be in Greenburgh Monday to see what takes place there, then it'll be off to West Point for the gents.