Phil Jackson Weighs In On How to Run an Offense

Phil Jackson Weighs In On How to Run an Offense by Maxwell Ogden

The New York Knicks are in the intriguing position of holding the No. 4 overall selection in the 2015 NBA Draft. The Top 3 prospects are likely to be off the board come No. 4, thus making the options limitless for Phil Jackson and company.

Having options generally means providing consideration for unlikely targets. Exhibit A.

According to Mark Medina of The Los Angeles Daily News, the Knicks were one of 16 teams to meet with UCLA Bruins power forward Kevon Looney at the 2015 NBA Draft Combine.

“When you have an opportunity like that, you should go after it,” Looney said last week in Chicago at the NBA pre-draft combine. “I’m mature enough and it’s a whole new experience. I don’t know what to expect or how high everything is going to go. But as a 19 year old, I’m as ready as I can be.” Looney received an early glimpse at last week’s combine that NBA teams may feel the same way. He reported that he interviewed with 16 teams, including Boston, Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Washington, Utah, Orlando, Phoenix, Chicago, Cleveland, Toronto, Atlanta and New York.

When it comes to where he’ll come off the board during the 2015 NBA Draft, Looney’s range is as massive as any prospect available.

Chad Ford of ESPN Insider reports that he’s spoken with a team that has Looney at No. 5 on their big board. Ford also reports that another organization had the UCLA star ranked at a distant No. 30.

Looney is essentially the Perry Jones of this draft class.

For those unfamiliar, Jones was viewed as a lottery lock and likely Top 10 pick due to his size, versatility and athleticism. Looney possesses similar strengths and weaknesses as a dynamic player who doesn’t always dominate as he’s capable.

Jones fell all the way to No. 28 in the 2012 NBA Draft. New York may not allow Looney to get that far.

Looney may not be the top prospect on New York’s board, but he’s an intriguing enough player to evaluate. He’s a 6’9.25″ and 222-pound power forward with a 7’3.5″ wingspan and a blend of dominance on the glass, proficiency from beyond the arc and skill in the open court.

In many ways, Looney is comparable to Lamar Odom—a player who Jackson coached during two of his title runs.

Reports exist that the Knicks, “Absolutely love,” D’Angelo Russell and are, “Big fans,” of Justise Winslow. A simple interview with Looney doesn’t express quite as much fire or passion.

Depending on how the Top 3 picks pan out, however, Kevon Looney could be on the radar.