MEMPHIS, Tenn. _ Phil Jackson's teams won 50 games regularly when he was a coach. As an executive, his Knicks have made losing 50 games the norm.
The Knicks closed out their road schedule with a 101-88 loss to the Grizzlies Friday night _ their 50th of the season. That's now three straight years that the Knicks have lost at least 50 games. Jackson has been president three full seasons, and the Knicks are 79-165 under his watch.
They have two games remaining before another long offseason begins and Jackson tries to rebuild the roster again.
As this was the second game of a back-to-back, Carmelo Anthony sat out with a sore left knee. Kristaps Porzingis missed his third straight game due to a sore back.
Coach Jeff Hornacek expects Anthony to play again, but Porzingis might not. Hornacek has said the Knicks have to be careful with Porzingis since they're not playing for anything.
Courtney Lee led the Knicks (30-50) with 16 points. Maurice Ndour had 15 points in his second-career start. Justin Holiday had 12.
Mike Conley Jr. scored 31 to pace Memphis (43-37). Marc Gasol added 16 and 10 rebounds, and 40-year-old Vince Carter scored 12 points. He hit four 3-pointers, including three in the fourth.
All the Knicks' injuries and their place in the standings have given the younger guys more of an opportunity to play and develop. The Knicks started three rookies for the third straight game
Center Willy Hernangomez has benefited the most.
The Knicks expected Hernangomez to gain experience in the D-League and get spot minutes in the NBA. But Joakim Noah played in only 46 games due to injury and now a suspension for violating the terms of the league's anti-drug policy.
Hernangomez started his 20th game, and finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds against one of the players he looks up to _ fellow Spaniard Gasol. Hernangomez has shown throughout this season that he could be a big part of the Knicks' future.
"He has a lot of tools," Gasol said. "Very talented, (shoots with) both hands, mid-range, tough, good instincts defensively, works hard.
"Willy is a guy that has a special aura. He's always smiling. He has that positive mindset. It's going to be up to him how far and how good he gets. It's always about how you adapt to new challenges, how you adapt to the league and how hungry you stay."
Porzingis and Hernangomez _ two Knicks' building blocks _ adapted quickly to the NBA. Both of them also work hard because they want to continue to improve and prove themselves.
"All these younger European players that are coming over and doing so well and helping teams elevate their goals, it's outstanding," Gasol said. "It says a lot about European basketball.
"When I see all these younger players, I think they're way better than me and they got more tools. Hopefully they surprise."
Porzingis and Hernangomez will be back with the Knicks next season, but there are expected to be a number of changes. Yet the veterans are making a concerted effort to help the young players while still trying to win games.
"You must know something I don't know about playing with different guys next year," Lee said. "It's tough, man, but you got to realize you still got a job to do. You got to be professional even though there's hardly any motivation as far as the goals you're trying to reach. But you still got to be professional. You got to go out there and perform."
