Some say it’s the best coaching job in the NBA. Some say it is the worst. No matter what way you spin in, coaching for the New York Knickerbockers is definitely a challenge.
Madison Square Garden, New York City, the bright lights, movie stars and music icons in the front row, pressure to win right away. Who is ready for the challenge?
Steve Kerr
Kerr has been rumored to be Phil Jackson’s top choice, and for good reason. Kerr played for Jackson in Chicago, while he learned the triangle offense like the back of his hand. Kerr has not coached in the NBA before, but if Phil sees him as a good candidate, someone else will likely feel the same way.
In his playing career, Kerr averaged six points per game to go along with 1.8 assists and 1.2 rebounds. But, he is the most accurate three-point shooter in NBA history, making over 45 percent of his attempts from downtown. Currently, Steve Kerr works as an NBA analyst for TNT and lives in California. Is New York too far away for the former NBA champion?
It’s obvious that Phil Jackson wants to change the culture in New York, as he has mentioned many times.
During his entire career, his numbers per 36 minutes (if a player was a full-time starter) were very good. As a point guard his turnovers per game were an astounding 1.1 per 36 minutes. Kerr also was never in any foul trouble averaging just 1.9 fouls per 36 minutes. If he can teach his ways to young point guards in the NBA as a coach, and explain to his team how to win (Kerr won multiple championships in his career) he could be an excellent choice for the Knicks.
Derek Fisher
Derek Fisher is already coaching as a player as seen here with Kevin Durant. Photo by Gary A. Vasquez, USA Today Sports Images
You must be thinking, “What is this guy thinking? Fisher is still in the NBA!”
Yes, he is. Fisher is still playing, but if he retires from the Thunder, he could be a target for the Knicks, and frankly, a good one. If Phil Jackson likes Steve Kerr, why wouldn’t he like Derek Fisher? Fisher was Jackson’s point guard for years in Los Angeles, and there may not be anyone else who knows the triangle offense (Phil Jackson’s offensive philosophy) better.
In his career, Fisher averages eight points, three assists and two rebounds per game, and like Kerr, boasts a very low turnover per game ratio at 1.1 per contest. He has been touted for his leadership throughout his career, as Kobe Bryant said best here.
There’s a reason why players that have multiple championships have multiple championships. There’s a certain characteristic and an understanding and knowledge and that’s not something that’s easily taught.
Fisher is one of the great leaders the NBA has seen in the last two decades, and Phil Jackson would love to have a player like that.
USA Today’s NBA Insider Sam Amick says…
Eventually, he’ll bring in some of his own people. One of those names you should not be surprised to hear eventually (is) Derek Fisher…Phil referred to Derek as a natural leader with a lot of emotional intelligence and finely tuned management skills.
The stars are aligning if Fisher retires.
Phil Jackson
Could this happen next year? Phil Jackson and Carmelo Anthony together on the floor? Photo via sportsstan.com
Yes, Phil Jackson. Despite this quote from the zen master…
No, I’ve made up my mind on that…Right now I know physically what I can do. That’s something I don’t think physically that I can do.
This may be reaching, but he does say “…something I don’t think physically that I can do.”
You know Jackson has thought about it, and why not? In his career he has won 11 NBA titles. The man has 11 rings. There is only 10 fingers! He won in Chicago with Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman. He won in Los Angeles with Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal. Jackson can definitely win in New York with whoever the Knicks add.
Players want to play for Phil Jackson, that is a given. In a report from Brett Pollakoff that can be seen here, it mentioned LeBron James will even “look at” New York. If one of the best players in the NBA would even consider opting out of a contract with a team that has won two straight NBA titles, that tells you that Phil Jackson has the ear of anyone he wants.
NBA players want to play for winners, and Phil Jackson is the epitome of a winner. 11 NBA titles, 1155 wins to just 485 losses in his NBA coaching career, a .688 playoff winning percentage. What more can you want?
The best coaching candidate for the Knicks is Phil Jackson. Yes, he is getting older. Yes, his health may prevent him from coaching in the NBA. But the fact remains that there is no one better suited to handle the pressure of New York basketball than Phil Jackson. His connection with zen buddhism is very well documented, and for those who know about the religion and way of life, it helps people deal with pressure in a great way.
Now, how does that help with basketball? In coaching, getting your players to buy in is the single-most important thing you need. With Jackson’s calm and confident personality, his ability to take some of the best talents and wildest egos and win 11 titles is something that cannot be rivaled. He has won 70 percent of his games. He has coached some of the best players that have ever walked this planet. How did he do it? The answer lies in one simple quote from Jackson himself.
Good teams become great ones when the members trust each other enough to surrender the Me for We.
Jackson is a master in more than one way. He masters the triangle offense, he masters in zen, he masters as a NBA coach. The best thing for the Knicks is Phil Jackson making decisions, and what better way to make a decision than to put one of the best coaches in the history of sports behind the bench again.
Photo by The Star-Ledger, USA Today Sports Images