During his extraordinary career as a coach, Phil Jackson was known for his unique leadership style. Sometimes called "The Zen Master," Jackson somehow reined in supersize egos for the good of the team.
In his new role as the president of the New York Knicks, Jackson isn't as subtle. The 69-year-old sent out a tweet this week that was meant as motivation but appears to have backfired:
@nyknicks go get some road wins this week.
— Phil Jackson (@PhilJackson11) November 24, 2014
At the beginning of this week's three-game road trip, the Knicks are 4-10 and 1-5 on the road. The team has struggled as it adjusts to a new offensive system under rookie head coach Derek Fisher. Carmelo Anthony is averaging 24 points, but he's doing so on about 19 shots . The Knicks' measly offense is producing just 95.4 points per game, which is 25th out of 30 teams.
Twitter users were quick to point out that Jackson's tweet won't do much to change New York's offensive woes:
I don't think Phil will be writing a book on greatest motivational speeches ever RT@PhilJackson11: @nyknicks go get some road wins this week
— Frank Isola (@FisolaNYDN) November 24, 2014
If it was only this easy to be inspiring. RT @PhilJackson11: @nyknicks go get some road wins this week.
— Puneet (@puneetsingh) November 24, 2014
Easier said than done Boss - @nyknicks RT @PhilJackson11 "@nyknicks go get some road wins this week."
— Brett Kwan (@brettkwan) November 25, 2014
You forgot the "lol" RT @PhilJackson11: @nyknicks go get some road wins this week.
— Little Bastard Boy (@Al_Patron) November 24, 2014
@PhilJackson11 @nyknicks Funniest tweet I've seen all week. Lol!
— Stanley Rimpson Jr (@SRJReal) November 24, 2014
phil jackson, basketball genius ladies and gentlemen
— Tim (@Tim_NBA) November 24, 2014
Jackson was spotted in Los Angeles this week, a news item which inspired a mini-controversy and this response tweet:
“@PhilJackson11: @nyknicks go get some road wins this week.” "Hey, Knicks, go uh, play basketball." -sent from my Beverly Hills condo.
— sly andretti (@slycricket) November 24, 2014
The negative response to his California trip grew so loud that Jackson addressed it for his more than 750,000 followers:
Twits correct false info: in spite of news of vaca, the reason to trip to LA allowed for medical check-ups-all negative and thankful today
— Phil Jackson (@PhilJackson11) November 24, 2014
Jackson has proven himself a clever and insightful Twitter presence, so perhaps there's something more to the tweet than meets the eye.
The Knicks made a splash in March when they signed Jackson to a deal valued at $12 million per year. The hope was that Jackson, who has more NBA championships than any other coach, could rejuvenate a franchise struggling to remain relevant. Thus far it appears there's still a lot of work to be done.
