National Basketball Association

New York Knicks: Chad Ford Gives Phil Jackson B- Grade

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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New York Knicks team president Phil Jackson has received an overwhelming amount of criticism. Chad Ford of ESPN is standing in his corner.

The general consensus around the NBA is that the New York Knicks failed to make the necessary upgrades in free agency. The talent level has undoubtedly improved, but the red flags are overwhelming.

After weeks of criticism, the Knicks appear to have finally found a fan.

Sports Illustrated recently gave team president Phil Jackson a D grade for his offseason moves. It was a shockingly low evaluation for a team that’s improved in countless ways.

Chad Ford of ESPN offered a more optimistic take than many of his peers with a solid B- for the the offseason additions.

The net result, if everyone stays healthy, should be the playoffs next year. I’m sure Knicks fans will deeply appreciate fielding a winner again. However, if Rose and Noah can’t bounce back, this summer may end up looking like a major missed opportunity.

That’s far more appealing than what had been previously stated.

Jackson improved the backcourt by trading for Derrick Rose and Justin Holiday, and signing Brandon Jennings and Courtney Lee. Rose and Lee are significantly better athletes than Jose Calderon and Arron Afflalo were in 2015-16.

Considering the Knicks’ biggest flaw was an absence of athleticism and penetration from the backcourt, that’s a critical upgrade.

In the frontcourt, the Knicks lost Robin Lopez and added 2014 Defensive Player of the Year Joakim Noah. It also re-signed Lance Thomas and signed Willy Hernangomez, Mindaugas Kuzminskas, Maurice Ndour, and Marshall Plumlee.

The latter four are upside signings, but Noah can anchor the defense and Thomas is a reliable two-way player.

That group joins nine-time All-Star Carmelo Anthony and 2016 All-Rookie First Team honoree Kristaps Porzingis. They’re likely to combine for at least 40 points per game in 2016-17, all the while combining high-quality defense with uncanny versatility.

At least one media member appreciates what Jackson has done.