When the 2014-15 season drew to a close, marking the end of Phil Jackson's first full year in an NBA front office, the New York Knicks had struggled their way to a meager 17 wins. Now, less than one week into 2016, New York has already exceeded that total.
A 98-90 victory over the Miami Heat did the trick, shining a positive light on a campaign that's already been filled with significant improvement. The Knicks may not emerge as a playoff squad in a jam-packed Eastern Conference, but the progress is still blindingly evident.
And Jackson's influence is everywhere.
Even if rookie big man Kristaps Porzingis' biggest "highlight" of Wednesday night came on a missed transition dunk, and he struggled to corral a physical Chris Bosh during the second half, his impact remains palpable. He didn't have a particularly gaudy line against the Heat but still made his presence felt by blocking shots, crashing the boards and helping space out the court for a team that sometimes struggles from the perimeter.
If nothing else, his energy was contagious.
"Especially as a rookie, I haven't ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NBA
Article written by Adam Fromal
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