Phil Jackson: Knicks Have A 'Loser's Mentality' Right Now
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The Knicks (4-18) are off to their worst 22-game start in franchise history, and first-year team president Phil Jackson is not happy.
But the coaching legend believes that New York's issues are more mental than they are physical.
"It's about a loser's mentality," Jackson told reporters on Monday. "It's not about the skill or the talent level."
The Knicks have come back in many games this season, only to ultimately fall short. They've struggled to close time and time again.
"Obviously, we're disappointed," Jackson said. "... I think guys understand what we're trying to do. Hopefully, they're getting to be more compliant. There's some resistance to discipline and order and culture change and things like that. I will call it a crucible for what we're going through here.
Phil on trades while protecting cap: "What we have to do is protect our future.'' Jackson said opportunities aren't "jumping out at us.''
— Marc Berman (@NYPost_Berman) December 8, 2014
"The process, maybe the heat, is going to refine some of the stuff so that we come out and be a pretty good team after all is said and done."
Jackson, who won 11 titles as a coach, signed a five-year, $60 million contract with New York in March.
Phil Jackson on having the urge to coach, even temporarily: "I do have urge to yell but don't have desire to go down there.''
— Frank Isola (@TheFrankIsola) December 8, 2014
"I think right now we have a loser's mentality because we're not finishing games, so we have to break through that zone and get to that point."
The Knicks will take on the Pelicans on Tuesday.
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