Members of the Knicks' front office have been expecting President Phil Jackson to "make changes for a while now," and some are just “'waiting for the other shoe to drop' when it comes to the possibility of Jackson reshaping the organization's management team," according to sources cited by Ian Begley of ESPN N.Y. Sources said that members of the Knicks' front office "believe that changes may be coming -- possibly as soon as this offseason." But the sources said that the "feeling of pending unrest ... wasn't spurred" by this week's firing of NBA D-League Westchester Knicks coach Kevin Whitted (ESPNNY.com, 3/31). In N.Y., Marc Berman noted Whitted's firing "could be the first of multiple changes to the staff." Jackson last summer told Knicks Owner James Dolan "he would keep the entire front office in place for at least one year to see how things shook out" (NYPOST.com, 3/30).
HAVE A LITTLE FAITH IN ME: Jackson's letter and video sent to season-ticket holders urging them to have patience as the team has a plan in place to rebuild drew some skepticism on the afternoon TV talk shows yesterday. ESPN's J.A. Adande said, “Well, that makes me run out and want to buy the most expensive ticket prices in the NBA.” Adande: “What is that plan specifically? The 76ers, as much as we’ve mocked them, at least they do have a plan.” ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan asked, “Is the plan in place to put us all to sleep?” The N.Y. Daily News’ Frank Isola said with the Knicks currently holding the NBA's worst record at 14-60, Jackson has to "talk about next season” with a high first-round pick and “money for free agents." He said of Jackson, "He’s smart to put the focus on next season because this year is a disaster” ("Around The Horn,” ESPN, 3/31). ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith said of Jackson’s video, “It’s ridiculous, absolutely asinine. Nobody in New York should buy anything (from) the New York Knicks right now." Smith: "They are an atrocity of the highest order. They are an embarrassment ... and you have the temerity, the unmitigated gall to talk about season-ticket holders? Have faith? Oh no, show us first. Nobody should buy a season ticket until we see what happens in free agency, because we have been given no reason to believe in the New York Knicks” (“SportsCenter,” ESPN, 3/31). Meanwhile, the WALL STREET JOURNAL's Jason Gay writes under the header, "Phil Jackson To Knicks Fans: You’re My Kind Of Crazy" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 4/1).
