Knicks' rebuild has familiar look
It's too bad New York Knicks head coach Derek Fisher met with reporters before Saturday's game at the United Center and not team President Phil Jackson.
Jackson could have taken questions about how his Knicks rebuilding program has so much in common with Jerry Krause's post-dynasty plan for the Bulls - high draft picks and loads of cap space.
The Bulls' quest for free agents didn't go well in 2000. The Knicks' situation is a little different because they have an all-star on the roster in Carmelo Anthony.
But who knows how much of an advantage that will be? At least Tracy McGrady knew if he joined the Bulls in 2000 (instead of Orlando), he could have taken all the shots he wanted.
There are some pretty good free agents going on the market this summer - LaMarcus Aldridge, Marc Gasol, Kevin Love, Paul Millsap, DeAndre Jordan, Greg Monroe - but all of those players, besides Monroe, would have to leave a winning situation and take a flyer on the Knicks' rebuild. The Bulls discovered in 2000, big market or not, most players aren't eager to join the worst team in the league.
On Saturday, Fisher was asked about the Knicks being on the verge of setting a franchise record with their 60th loss during his first year on the job.
"When you take a job, there's no guarantee you'll be successful," he said. "There's no guarantee that any particular year will go as well as it could go or as bad as it could go. It's just part of the journey.
"This is the first year, and I'm learning a lot from it. I think our players are learning a lot from it. I think you just learn from the tough times, the bad nights and the losses."
Fisher on Gasol:
Knicks coach Derek Fisher, when asked about former Lakers teammate Pau Gasol, gave the "age is just a number" routine.
"I think age is really irrelevant at this point, in terms of sports and athletics at this point, as long as guys want to continue to put the work in and continue to improve," Fisher said.
Of course Fisher played for Oklahoma City last year at 39. Gasol is 34.
"I don't think he was enjoying the game as much as he is this year," Fisher added. "I think he likes the feel here and he's playing great. I'm happy for his success."
Bull horns:
Doug McDermott was unavailable Saturday, missing his second straight game with a sore back. … The Bulls are 2 games behind second-place Cleveland in the loss column. If the Bulls can beat the Cavaliers in Cleveland on April 5, they would clinch any tiebreaker with the Cavs on the basis of having a better conference record. But the Cavs play six of their final eight games at home, so the Bulls would just about have to win out to have any chance at getting the No. 2 seed.