Phil Jackson Slams New York Knicks for Having 'Loser's Mentality'

The New York Knicks have never been in this deep a hole, and neither have many of the prominent figures within the organization. 

Not Carmelo Anthony, who made the playoffs during each and every season of his career prior to last year's misery, though this year's franchise-worst 4-18 start to the 2014-15 campaign could make it back-to-back lottery berths. Not Derek Fisher, whose first season as a head coach has gotten off to a putrid start after he advanced to the postseason in 16 of his 18 go-rounds as a player. 

And certainly not Phil Jackson, the legendary coach who has won rings both as a player and a man better known for sideline stoicism. His tenure as a front-office figure hasn't exactly gone swimmingly thus far, and he's not pleased with how his team has performed in 2014-15. 

"There's some resistance to discipline, order and culture change," he told the assembled media during a press conference, via The Knicks Blog's Adam Zagoria, who would go on to write, "Jackson's plan is to build through free agency and the draft—the Knicks own their first-round pick in 2015—but even he admitted concern that top-tier free agents—think Marc Gasol, LaMarcus Aldridge, Rajon Rondo, etc.—will have reservations about joining a losing outfit."

"Right now we have a loser's mentality because we're not finishing games," Jackson told reporters. 

Losing breeds more losing. It's hard to work out of a funk when the team doesn't have any sort of confidence. The self-perpetuating cycle just keeps on churning, pushing a squad into a deeper and deeper hole. 

So, is Jackson correct? The Knicks certainly seem to be playing without any sort of confidence, but are late-game issues really at the heart of the problem? 

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According to NBA.com's statistical databases, New York has scored just 82 points per 100 possessions in the last five minutes of games that are separated by five points or fewer. That's an offensive rating so poor that it beats out just the reeling Detroit Pistons...except Stan Van Gundy's squad is actually playing defense. Only the Boston Celtics and New Orleans Pelicans have a worse defensive rating in that same game situation that's branded "clutch." 

And when you combine the two sides of the ball, you can see exactly what Jackson is talking about. The Knicks definitely aren't finishing games, and they're failing to the tune of a minus-34.1 net rating, a mark that tops only the young and inexperienced Pelicans. 

Is this the lone issue for the Knicks? 

Absolutely not, as plenty has gone wrong for this downtrodden organization. For example, the team is already starting to question the offensive system, per ESPNNewYork.com's Ian Begley.

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But Jackson has a right to be frustrated with the ability to finish. His team has put itself in position to steal plenty more victories but faded away down the stretch night in and night out, collapsing just as they did against the Portland Trail Blazers to push the skid to eight games. 

"Seven of New York's past eight losses have been by seven points or less," Begly explained. "In their past five losses, the Knicks have been within one score of the opposition with less than five minutes to play." 

It's time for this squad to remember that it plays in the Eastern Conference, which means it undoubtedly has an enduring shot at a payoff berth, feckless start and all. If the Knicks can shed that loser's mentality and finish games with flurries of positive play, the turnaround won't even take too long. 

But, as we've so often seen from slumping squads, tossing that mentality by the wayside is sometimes easier said than done.