At first glance, it makes sense: Steve Kerr looks to be in better shape than Mike Woodson, anyway.
ESPN New York reported that New York Knicks president Phil Jackson thinks his newly inherited players are out of shape. An NBA source told ESPN New York that Jackson has commented recently about his disappointment in some of the Knicks' deficiencies in terms of conditioning.
The report did not single out any players, but ESPN New York did say that several NBA analysts commented early in the season that some of the Knicks players did not report to training camp in proper shape, and that led to some injuries early in the 2013-14 season.
The injuries contributed to a slow start that ultimately doomed New York's chances of making the postseason. The Knicks finished with a 37-45 record this past season, finishing one game behind the Atlanta Hawks for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
ESPN New York added that J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert were coming off offseason surgery and Woodson, the Knicks' coach, mentioned that Shumpert was dealing with minor injuries throughout camp, which may have hindered him early on.
Jackson's unhappiness with the conditioning may lead to changes among New York's medical, training and strength and conditioning staff in the offseason. But Jackson's discovery also puts Woodson in a poor light for not recognizing his team's physical limitations.
Speculation has run rampant that Kerr, a television analyst and former Phoenix Suns general manager who played for Jackson in Chicago as part of the Bulls' championship teams in the late 1990s, will replace Woodson as coach.
A decision on Woodson's fate could come as soon as today.
Do you think Phil Jackson's disappointment in the Knicks' conditioning is an indictment of coach Mike Woodson? Comment below or tell us @SportsWN.
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