Phil Jackson, the NBA, and Money

It is nearly 41 years since Phil Jackson, a New York Knicks’ basketball player, made two incredibly clutch free throws in the team’s double overtime win vs the Boston Celtics in game 4 of the 1973 Eastern Conference Finals.

The Knicks won the game to go up three games to one in the series. They won the series in 7 games and went on to beat the L.A. Lakers in 5 games to win their second NBA title in four seasons. They have not won a title since that time.

Now Phil Jackson, who has coached 11 NBA title teams, has been named the President of the Knicks’ team.

It will be interesting to see what happens next, but surely money brought Jackson, and sadly money will be used to try and build the Knicks’ team.

The NBA has so many, (too) many teams, plays an endless regular season, and allows players to switch teams with no regard to competitive balance. I wish it would go away but it will not, will it?

Phil Jackson, circa 1973