Did Steve Kerr's Rookie of the Year Vote Give a Clue to His NY Knicks Decision?

Subliminally accepting jobs offers is apparently a strength of TNT analyst and New York Knicks head coaching candidate Steve Kerr.

The NBA officially announced Monday that Philadelphia 76ers point guard Michael Carter-Williams had won Rookie of the Year honors.

Guess who Kerr voted for?

Not him. Or Trey Burke. Or Victor Oladipo.

No, Kerr voted for Knicks rookie sharpshooter Tim Hardaway Jr.

This only seems weird because it is.

Not one other first-place vote was cast for Hardaway, per the NBA. Not one.

Here's how the Rookie of the Year voting completely panned out:

Player	1st Place Votes	2nd Place Votes	3rd Place Votes
Michael Carter-Williams	104	15	4
Victor Oladipo	16	89	17
Trey Burke	1	13	52
Mason Plumlee	2	5	33
Tim Hardaway Jr.	1	2	12
Gorgui Dieng	0	0	3
Steven Adams	0	0	1
Giannias Antetokounmpo	0	0	1
Nick Calathes	0	0	1

So, yeah. Is this Kerr's way of telling Knicks team president Phil Jackson that not only will he take the job, but that Hardaway is untouchable?

Maybe.

The Knicks had been linked to Kerr before Mike Woodson was officially fired. According to the New York Post's Marc Berman, he may accept the job soon:

"

The one-horse Knicks coaching derby should come to its conclusion this week. ... Steve Kerr is scheduled to broadcast Game 1 of the second-round NBA playoff series between the Thunder and the Clippers in Oklahoma City on Monday night with longtime TNT partner Marv Albert. That could be Kerr’s last telecast, with a league source saying matters with the Knicks should progress this week.

"

Though the Knicks have been considered favorites to land Kerr all along, their pursuit is not without potential obstacles. 

With the Golden State Warriors' season officially over, head coach Mark Jackson isn't guaranteed to return next year. If he's given the ax, Marc Stein of ESPN.com says Kerr could enter the mix for that job as well:

"

NBA coaching sources have maintained for weeks that the Golden State Warriors have strong interest in Kerr should they elect to part ways with Mark Jackson after a 51-win season, given Kerr's strong relationships with Warriors owner Joe Lacob, son Kirk Lacob (who works in Golden State's front office) and Warriors president Rick Welts, with whom Kerr worked closely in Phoenix.

"

Still, if we're to read between the lines, Kerr to the Knicks seems like a done deal.

Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com writes that Kerr was expected to discuss New York's offer with his family, a surefire sign that he's beyond interested. And, you know, the whole Hardaway thing.

What other evidence of his imminent arrival could we possibly need?

“Let’s be honest,’’ Kerr said, via Berman. “If Phil wasn’t there, nobody from the Knicks would have contacted me.’’

Let's be more honest: While Hardaway was impressive, he didn't deserve a first-place vote ahead of fellow rookies Carter-Williams, Oladipo and Burke.

Let's be even more honest: Kerr will be coaching the Knicks next season.

Whether Kerr's first-place dap for Hardaway is a byproduct of his future plans, well, we'll let you decide.