Fansided

5 reasons Kevin Durant should sign with the New York Knicks

By Jabari LeGendre

Feb 3, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) brings the ball up the court against the Orlando Magic during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 3, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) brings the ball up the court against the Orlando Magic during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
Dec 16, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks general manager Phil Jackson looks on during a stop in play against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 16, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks general manager Phil Jackson looks on during a stop in play against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Phil Jackson 

First and foremost, Phil Jackson is the main reason Durant should book his ticket to the Empire city. The Zen Master is one of the most decorated figures in basketball history. As a player he won two championships with the Knicks in 1970 and 1973; he also won an incredible 11 championships coaching the Lakers and Bulls. If there is one thing that Jackson knows how to do, it’s win basketball games.

Okay, so the Knicks haven’t undergone a brilliant overnight transformation since Jackson was named the President of Basketball Operations, but that doesn’t mean that there haven’t been some positives.

One glaring 7-foot-3 positive comes in the form of Kristaps Porzingis. That’s one move Jackson smacked right out of the park. The Latvian rookie’s huge success in New York is nothing short of remarkable in the eyes of many onlookers, but Jackson isn’t surprised at all. Phil handpicked Porzingis, seeing the considerable potential hidden within the 20-year-old. Of course there is much for Porzingis to learn, and the Latvian giant is still very raw. However, he is one building block that Phil Jackson plucked from the rough.

That has to make Durant ponder. If Jackson can pull of such a clever move and find a stud where most scouts would see a bust, then there is no telling what type of team he could put around Durant. At the moment Oklahoma City have a talented roster and it would be foolish for Durant to walk away from such a solid squad for the unknown. However like I said before, there will be a host of talented free agents available in the summer, and Phil Jackson is exactly the type of executive you want building your team with that much gold in the water.

You have to feel that Jackson is just waiting for that one major domino to fall into place so that he can enact his master plan.

Next: 4. The Triangle Offense

Home/Kevin Durant