N.Y. Knicks: Triangulation Exacerbation

From the desk of:  DUTCH PANTS CAN'T JUMP

Another deflating moment in the Knicks 16-year rebuilding process.

New York Knicks: Derek Fisher turned into just another social misfit lost in a Triangle of love.

There was little justification for hiring Derek Fisher in the first place, so, firing him was a layup.

He was brought in to help teach Phil Jackson's triangle offense, but instead became ensnared in a bizarre love triangle gone public.  As coach, his affect on the team was just as ineffective - and as we're learning, maybe even toxic.

For a change, there's no dumping on Carmelo Anthony for this one.  He's clean.  In fact, Melo has been more of the solution this season, than the problem.  His willingness to work with Kristaps Porzingis and the rest of his newer mates elevated the Knicks into a .500 team (to date) - not Derek Fisher's coaching per se, or lack thereof.  Lest we forget the Knicks were a woeful 17-65 last season.

Therefore, all this (and Kurt Rambis) must be taken with a grain of salt.

I've seen more prominent coaches torn apart by this town's media, for exercising greater command of their craft, and committing much lesser offenses than those of which Derek Fisher was essentially given a slap on the hand for.  It goes without saying he has Phil Jackson to thank for his initial employment, as well as any benevolence experienced from said media.

Luckily for Derek Fisher, Phil Jackson is the alpha.  All eyes are on him, and always were.  Everyone looked at Fisher, but saw Phil Jackson.

Hiring Fisher was not as negligent as generally characterized.  Giving Derek Fisher an opportunity to get his feet wet was a nice gesture on Jackson's part.  Sure, it came at the Knicks expense, but, the team was in do-ever mode again, and going nowhere.

So what becomes of this acute Triangle now?

Phil Jackson's next hire will go a long way towards answering that question.  We're also going to learn, one way or another, how stubbornly committed he is to this twisted geometry of his.

At some point, this system, or Phil Jackson himself will have to go.  And it's my opinion that Phil Jackson knows exactly when the latter will happen.