Danny Knobler | Special to ESPNNewYork.com 9y

Phil Jackson gives player-by-player scouting report on his Knicks

Carmelo Anthony is the New York Knicks' "only certified All-Star." Andrea Bargnani will thrive in the triangle. J.R. Smith "has to learn the difference between a good shot and a bad shot," and "tends to be a ball-watcher" on defense. Amar'e Stoudemire can be a potent shooter, but "playing adequate defense is a real challenge for him, and he's also got to improve his rebounding."

Says who?

Phil Jackson.

The Knicks president offered a blunt player-by-player assessment of his first Knicks team Wednesday, in an ESPN.com story by Charley Rosen. Rosen, who worked under Jackson as an assistant coach in the CBA, spoke to Jackson during the Knicks' training camp at West Point.

A few of the highlights:

• Jackson said that while passing the ball has never been Carmelo's strength, he believes his star can thrive in the triangle offense. "He'll be able to have check-off reads like a quarterback looking for his first-option receiver, then his second and then his third," Jackson said. "There'll be plenty of iso opportunities for Melo, and in the triangle it'll be very difficult for defenses to double-team him. It won't be like last season where he had to take clutch shots with a gang of defenders in his face."

• Jackson called Stoudemire "one of the keys to the season," and said he hopes the Knicks will be able to play him for four rotations of eight minutes each game. He said the Knicks still need to figure out whether Stoudemire will be more effective in the 4 or the 5 position.

• On Bargnani, who has missed much of the preseason with a hamstring injury, Jackson called him a "deadly shooter" from 20 feet and under, and said the triangle should generate those shots for him. He also said Bargnani needs to improve on defense.

• On Smith, Jackson said he has to trust that the triangle will create good shots for him, and avoid going out of the offense to find other shots.

• Samuel Dalembert will likely be limited to about 26 minutes a game, because he tends to get in foul trouble, but Jackson still sees him as a "10-and-10 player."

• While Jose Calderon and Pablo Prigioni are "heady and steady," both need to become better on-the-ball defenders.

• Iman Shumpert is a Jackson favorite, but has to improve on his inconsistent shooting mechanics.

• Jackson likes Shane Larkin's energy, and also that Larkin is "a winner."

• Jackson believes colleges don't emphasize defense, and said defense is still a challenge for Tim Hardaway Jr. But he predicted Hardaway "will become an excellent all-around player in this league."

Click here to read the full scouting report.

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