NBA Rumors: Jerry Sloan Wise to Show Interest in New York Knicks Coaching Job

Mike D'Antoni's sudden resignation from the New York Knicks head coaching job just a few days ago has prompted all sorts of rumors about who will be pacing the sidelines at Madison Square Garden next season.

One such name that has been rumored is former Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan. According to Sports Illustrated's Sam Amick, "sources close to Sloan say he would be interested in the position."

Assistant coach Mike Woodson has taken over head coaching duties as the interim shot-caller, but that will likely only last until the end of the season, when the Knicks front office can start over fresh with an offseason hire.

Already, though, Sloan is emerging as the favorite considering he has let it be known that he is interested if the opportunity is presented to him. With former Knicks player and 11-time NBA champion coach Phil Jackson likely the most coveted man for the job, Sloan's expressed desire to coach a world-class roster of talent might in fact land him the gig if Jackson stays retired.

Why wouldn't Sloan want to coach the Knicks?

They have enough star power to contend and win a championship, with Carmelo Anthony (20.9 PPG) and Amar'e Stoudemire (17.4 PPG) being the primary scorers and shot-takers. New York has the defensive anchor necessary in Tyson Chandler (9.7 RPG and 1.5 BPG). The Knicks even play in the watered-down Eastern Conference, where the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls are the only experienced threats to the crown.

Sloan coached the Jazz for 22 seasons (21 full seasons) and never won a title in that time, falling to Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls in back-to-back NBA Finals in 1997 and 1998. He's due for a ring.

Only three times in more than two decades did Jerry Sloan-coached Jazz teams miss the playoffs. Sloan is simply a legendary NBA head man and is exactly what the Knicks need if they are too play serious, competitive basketball and actually contend in the process.

Sloan and the Knicks are a match made in basketball heaven, and they would bring immediate success to the Big Apple and the 69-year-old