The New York Knicks introduced two new members to the starting lineup known as the “Jackson 5” and a key cog reserve Friday afternoon (July 8) to a crowd of journalists at their practice facility in Greenburgh, New York. The presser also aired to fans in the tri-state area on MSG.
It began with Phil Jackson, general manager Steve Mills, and head coach Steve Hornacek side by side fielding questions from the media. The Zen-Master spoke about always having a fascination for what Joakim Noah brings to a team on and off the floor saying “Joakim Noah has been on my list for a long time.” Noah even spent a few days with Phil up at his ranch in Montana a few years back, I can only imagine what went on over there.
Joakim Noah visited Phil Jackson in Montana about four years ago. Jackson asked, “Why are you here?” Noah responded, “I don’t know.”
— Stefan Bondy (@SBondyNYDN) July 8, 2016
Jackson said he went to Melo after the season and asked “Are we moving quick enough for you?” and with Melo’s closing window of his prime, the Knicks decided to go all-in on veteran free agents.
.@PhilJackson11 on building a team for @carmeloanthony’s prime years. #NewKnickshttps://t.co/Ztt1fmWwk1
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) July 8, 2016
Phil said he’s confident that these players will stay healthy this year because they are all relatively young, especially Rose and Jennings.
Joakim Noah:
Noah, asked abt injuries in recent yrs, says he understands ppl will have questions. But says “Nobody cares more abt this s*** than I do.”
— Chris Herring (@HerringWSJ) July 8, 2016
Asked Noah if he was told/cared what his role would be on O, with so many scorers in Knicks’ starting 5. “Whatever the f*** I gotta do.”
— Chris Herring (@HerringWSJ) July 8, 2016
“I’m ready to be an animal for this city.” – Joakim Noah rocking the New York Made hat. pic.twitter.com/79pHz3J7oH
— Steven Tsakanikas (@SteveTsakSS) July 8, 2016
Courtney Lee:
The 30-year-old talked about how Joakim started recruiting him pretty much before free agency even began. Also said he loved Game Of Thrones, so Courtney obviously knows what’s good. Asked Phil about the triangle offense during their meeting, Jackson says Hornacek will have free reign of the offense, with the triangle as the base.
“I’d rather go to war w guys who are hungry, have something to prove and have a chip on their shoulder than guys who don’t have something to prove.” – Courtney Lee
Brandon Jennings:
Looks to be embracing his role off the bench, Phil told him to go out and win 6th man of the year.
Jennings says no reason Knicks can’t be a top-5 team in East
— Chris Herring (@HerringWSJ) July 8, 2016
Brandon Jennings: I definitely have a chip on my shoulder. I just want to show people that I’m back.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) July 8, 2016
— Brandon Jennings (@brandonjennings) July 8, 2016
It’s going to be a fun year of basketball in the big apple, and I can’t wait for October to get here.
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