Phil Jackson cites character and chemistry as reasons for Chandler trade
The New York Knicks aren't just focused on getting more talented, they want to build a more cohesive and functional group for the 2014-15 season.
While any move the Knicks make has to be looked at through the lens of how it effects the free agent decision of Carmelo Anthony, the team also has to operate under the assumption that it's not 100 percent he'll come back. Wednesday's trade of Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton for Jose Calderon, Shane Larkin, picks and spare parts, was a step towards building a better supporting cast, but also, apparently, a step towards building better chemistry.
New team president Phil Jackson said on Thursday that the trade aimed to "change some of the chemistry" in New York.
"To do that we felt (it was) important to bring in some new personnel and start with some character guys that we feel can carry this forward," he said.
Those comments can be looked at in two ways: they brought in high-character guys, or they traded low-character guys, or perhaps a bit of both.
Felton dealt with off-court legal issues during the season, and Chandler was vocal all season long about his displeasure with playing for a bad team.
"Watching them play I saw guys that looked at each other like, 'You didn't back me up, you weren't here when I needed help,' " Jackson said.
Whether the removal of those two pieces changes that is unclear, but they unquestionably added to the "character" of the squad. Calderon is respected around the league as a strong teammate and team-first player, while Larkin is a heady young player. The picks they received were used on mature, NBA-ready talent Cleanthony Early and likable D-Legaue project Thanasis Antetokounmpo, who promised at the draft that he was the type of person to "finish tasks."
All of the chemistry in the world can't make an untalented team talented, but it's possible the Knicks have begun building a roster that more closely resembles a basketball team than a collection of basketball players. Narrative.