Knicks' Phil Jackson: 'We believe we're gonna be a playoff team'

New York Knicks president Phil Jackson said Friday he believes the Knicks will be a playoff team this season.

New York Knicks president Phil Jackson said Friday he believes the Knicks will be a playoff team this season.

Jackson's comment came with New York set to open training camp next week.

Phil, on expectations: "We believe we're gonna be a playoff team [this year]. Then we don't know how far we can go."

— Chris Herring (@Herring_NBA) September 26, 2014

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The Knicks went 37-45 last season and finished ninth in the Eastern Conference. It was the first time the team had a losing record and missed the playoffs since 2009-10.

New York made a host of changes this offseason, including hiring Jackson as team president and replacing former head coach Mike Woodson with Derek Fisher, who played for Jackson on the Los Angeles Lakers.

Star forward Carmelo Anthonyre-signed with the Knicks after considering other teams in free agency. Starting center Tyson Chandler was traded along with point guard Raymond Felton to the Dallas Mavericks for a package including Jose Calderon and Samuel Dalembert.

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Anthony said in August the Knicks will "definitely" make the playoffs.

New York opens the season Oct. 29 against the Chicago Bulls.

- Ben Estes