Viral image of Phil Jackson on a bus perfectly encapsulates the state of the Knicks
It's tough to say for sure that this is New York Knicks president Phil Jackson looking awkward as hell while riding a city bus. But this definitely for sure looks just like New York Knicks president Phil Jackson looking awkward as hell while riding a city bus.
And it's a perfect bit of symbolism delivered straight from both the internet and basketball gods.
We recently covered how the New York Knicks, who are among the most iconic and valuable franchises in the NBA, have devolved into a full-on dumpster fire in recent weeks. The team owner disgraced himself in a feud with a former star of team, just after Jackson appeared to publicly rebuke current star Carmelo Anthony — on Twitter, of a places.
Then on Wednesday night, this photo of Jackson apparently folded onto a bus started flying around the internet.
In this photo, for tortured Knicks fans and bemused observers alike, was a metaphor to be spun any way one wished. Internet comedy ensued.
Was Jackson on the same bus he threw Anthony under? That's what some folks said.
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Are the Knicks in such dire straights that Jackson is now forced to ride the bus instead of more glitzy forms of transportation? That's what some folks said.
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Then there's the question everyone is asking, because Jackson makes $12 million per year: WHY IS PHIL JACKSON ON THE BUS??
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We're not sure — but the photo doesn't seem to be new. In fact, it seems to go back at least to last November.
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Old or new, though, the image never held more symbolism.
Sam Laird is Mashable's Senior Sports Reporter. He covers the wide, weird world of sports from all angles -- as well as occasional other topics -- from Mashable's San Francisco bureau. Before joining Mashable in November 2011, his freelance work appeared in publications including the New York Times, New York Times Magazine, Slam, and East Bay Express. Sam is a graduate of UC Berkeley and UC Santa Cruz, and basketball and burritos take up most of his spare time. Follow him on Twitter @samcmlaird.
