The New York Knicks are a complete and utter mess. Just ask Stephen A. Smith of ESPN. He would be happy to tell you just how much of a disappointment this team is this season. That is just one of many reasons why the Knicks reportedly offered their head coaching job to Phil Jackson. Obviously, he has declined the offer on multiple occasions, as Mike Woodson is still leading the under-performing New York squad, which currently sits 3.5 games out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Jackson may have no interest in coaching the Knicks or any other team at this stage of his life, but that does not mean that he would not consider a front office role with the organization, provided the parameters of the deal include a certain level of power and control.
The Knicks are a disappointment and, whether or not he is primarily to blame, much of this season’s woes will fall on the shoulders of Woodson. He is likely on his way out at the end of the season, although it still appears unlikely that if Jackson does accept the job of president of basketball operations with New York that he would wind up appointing himself as Woodson’s successor as head coach. It is also not yet known how much say in personnel Jackson would have, as team owner James Dolan and team president Steve Mills are unlikely to give up much of their power, even to hire Jackson.
While it is unknown whom Jackson would prefer to have coach the Knicks if he were to accept the job and have final say, one would have to assume that his first choice would be current Denver Nuggets head coach, Brian Shaw, whom Jackson had always wanted to succeed him when he was with the Los Angeles Lakers. Jackson took it personally when the Lakers passed on hiring Shaw once he retired, opting to hire Mike Brown instead. That move didn’t work, just like the move to hire Mike D’Antoni instead of waiting a few more days for Jackson to decide if he wanted to return to Los Angeles for a third time. The Lakers – much like the Knicks – are in shambles.
If New York does in fact convince Jackson to accept a front office job, regardless of how much control or final say he had in coaching matters as well as the overall roster, the Knicks would likely have to provide some sort of compensation to the Nuggets to bring Shaw over to coach. Denver is also on the outside looking in as far as the playoff picture is concerned in the Western Conference, but that does not mean that they would be willing to let Shaw go for nothing in return.
The Knicks may also be hoping that by bringing in someone with Jackson’s experience and popularity that he could not only convince Carmelo Anthony to remain in New York, but also serve as a recruiting tool to attract some of the league’s more marquee free agents over the next few seasons. Pat Riley certainly had an immeasurable impact in keeping Dwyane Wade with the Miami Heat and bringing in Chris Bosh and LeBron James to join him.
And, for those who have forgotten, James can opt out of his contract with the Heat after this season. Furthermore, he also likes playing in Madison Square Garden.
I’m just saying.
Related articles
One thought on “Could New York Knicks Hire Phil Jackson To Fire Mike Woodson And Replace Him With Brian Shaw?”