Woodson says he'd coach triangle
— -- NEW YORK -- Phil Jackson spent a part of his first day as New York Knicks president chatting with Mike Woodson and the coaching staff before addressing the team later in the afternoon. He also received a standing ovation from the Garden crowd during Wednesday's Knicks-Pacers game.
Woodson confirmed that he and Jackson spoke today at the team's practice facility in Greenburgh, N.Y.
"We spoke a little bit today," Woodson said before the Knicks faced the Indiana Pacers. "Came in and introduced himself to the coaches and we chatted a little bit."
Later, Jackson met with the team at Madison Square Garden.
He introduced himself to the players briefly and shook their hands.
"He was just excited about joining," Carmelo Anthony said. "He came in and ... said how excited he was about this opportunity and told us to focus on the game."
Anthony also said he's "on the same page" with Jackson a day after Jackson said at his introductory press conference that there was room for Anthony to improve his game.
"I love it. I don't think that was anything bad that he said," Anthony said. "As an individual over the years, I think I've gotten better as a player, playing at a very high level as an individual. Like right now. For him to come in and say that, we're on the same page. There's a whole other level that I haven't taken this to. I feel each season I've gotten better so just as Phil can teach, I can rely on him, talk to him, use him as a mentor to try and get to that next level."
Jackson also said that Anthony, who plans to test free agency this summer, is in the team's future plans.
"It's good to hear that. I'm blessed and honored to hear that," Anthony said. "I'm glad, I was hoping that I would be part of the future plans. I never once said that I wanted to leave New York or anything like that. The only thing I said was that I wanted to dabble in free agency that I could opt out and become a free agent. I'm excited about that. I'm excited about the opportunity to hopefully go forward with Phil."
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