Knicks President Phil Jackson Calls His Own Team 'Losers'

Twenty-two games in and it seems New York Knicks President Phil Jackson is already sick of losing.

The 13-time NBA champion criticized his team harshly this week, which has started the year an abysmal 4-18. The Knicks have the third-worst record in the NBA, according to Sports Illustrated. 

Jackson planted his comments in the New York Post. This, from the newspaper:

He sounded just as disappointed as any fan about the Knicks' 4-18 disaster that has led to a "loser's mentality" on the team and if the course is not reversed, could negatively impact the pursuit of free agents this offseason.

"Obviously, we're disappointed," Jackson said, noting players have bought in for the most part, though the 11-time coaching champ suggested some — whom he did not name — have resisted. "I think guys understand what we're trying to do. Hopefully, they're getting to be more compliant. There's some resistance to discipline and order and culture change and things like that."

In the past 10 days the Knicks have lost five games by seven points or less, prompting Jackson to criticize the team's toughness late in games.

The Knicks have won just two playoff series since 2001.

Jackson won NBA Championships as a player for the Knicks in 1970 and 1973. He then went on to win 11 more as a coach for the Chicago Bulls and the Los Angeles Lakers. He came out of retirement in March to lead the Knicks' front office. He had previously retired in 2011.

Jackson said he still believes the Knicks could make a playoff run, if they turn things around quickly. However, he acknowledged that the continued losing could deter potential free agents from wanting to play in New York.

"Yes, and I'm not happy about that," Jackson told the Post.