Phil Jackson, Derek Fisher took to the stage Friday morning for their annual pre-Media Day media session Isn't the 21st century a wonderful time to be alive?
Let's get down to the most important news of the day: Derek Fisher's facial hair grooming habits:
Fisher, on what he worked on this summer. "Probably just my beard," he says.
— Chris Herring (@HerringWSJ) September 25, 2015
And did that offseason work pay off?
Derek Fisher always sits like he's on punishment. He technically is... pic.twitter.com/0ZNTlt5pEk
— JRSportBrief (@JRSportBrief) September 25, 2015
My God, yes! That's a playoff-contending beard right there.
As for the Zen Master, he apparently learned from last year's cardinal sin:
Phil: "I wanna stay away from expectations this year." Different from last year, when he said he thought team could make playoffs.
— Chris Herring (@HerringWSJ) September 25, 2015
That's technically the right answer, but screw it, I was kind of hoping he'd go with "I fully expect us to make the Conference Finals this year." Seriously, the whole "Phil's an idiot cuz he said they could make the playoffs and they didn't" thing was hands-down the stupidest take of 2014-15.
As for this season's freshest non-controversy, get ready for some fiery misinterpretations of these statements:
At the request of Derek Fisher, Phil Jackson says he will be more involved this season.
— Stefan Bondy (@SBondyNYDN) September 25, 2015
Phil: "Maybe I stepped back too far last year" in letting Fisher find his way last year. Says he plans to be around more this coming season.
— Chris Herring (@HerringWSJ) September 25, 2015
Phil elaborates and says he'll make more observations and possibly watch film with Fisher more frequently.
— Chris Herring (@HerringWSJ) September 25, 2015
More involved? Film sessions? At Fisher's request? What does it all mean? Is Phil going to take over as coach for the man he hired because he is physically unable to coach? Was all that autonomy he gave Fisher in calling plays and moving away from the Triangle just a smokescreen, distracting the general public just long enough for him to download his consciousness into a robot body?
As for Carmelo Anthony, it sounds like he is ready for camp, with one caveat:
Fisher: Carmelo is good to go from a medical standpoint after surgery, but NY is still figuring out how hard to push him during camp.
— Chris Herring (@HerringWSJ) September 25, 2015
Don't push him hard, my dudes.
Kristaps Porzingis warranted a few mentions, of course:
Derek Fisher says Kristaps Porzingis is the first one at the facility every morning at 7:30 AM, sometimes beating the coach here.
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) September 25, 2015
Mills said he walked in while Porzingis was in the cold tub. Found KP randomly watching video of Usain Bolt's running techniques
— Chris Herring (@HerringWSJ) September 25, 2015
Do your thing, Mr. Porzingis. Do your thing.
Knicks training camp starts next week. I can't wait to see photos of Fisher's beard and clips of Porzingis running sprints. Also basketball, I guess.