Why Phil Jackson Isn't the Answer for the Knicks and Doc Rivers Is
Would you want the most successful coach in the history of your sport to come to your team, where he was a former player, and lead them to a possible championship? Ninety-nine percent of Knick fans when asked that general question would say yes.
In a recent poll, about 75 percent of responders voted "yes" to Phil Jackson coming to the Knicks in the 2012-13 season.
Phil Jackson is not the answer to what the NY Knicks need.
He is too old—he is 66 years old.
He has been paid too much—this move would not be about the money.
He has been too successful—he has won 11 titles, most of any coach in NBA history.
So he would not move to NY because he is still young and hungry.
He would not move to NY for the money.
He would only move to NY because he has a bad taste in his mouth from this past season and wants to leave the game on top.
However, if Phil Jackson does come to NY in 2012 or even the middle next season (if D’Antoni is fired mid-season), one of two things will occur:
- The team will disappoint and he will leave after one or, at most, two years
- He will win a championship and he will leave on top in the greatest city on earth.
Problem with both of these scenarios from the Knicks' perspective is, at most, he is here for two seasons. That is not enough for the Knicks. This Knick team has the opportunity to be a top-caliber team with the right moves for the next five-plus years.
Also, this organization does not have the winning tradition of the Lakers or the Celtics or the Bulls. These organizations have been well-run and have enjoyed continued success through multiple generations of management and players because they do things the right way—thinking of the long-term.
Phil Jackson in NY is a short-term measure and could end up like the Larry Brown fiasco did.
The Knicks have a solid foundation now. They should allow Donnie Walsh to continue his work and see where they are after next year.
If they have improved their roster and still don’t perform, then fire D’Antoni.
Hire Doc Rivers for however much money he needs to be the young head coach who builds the next era in NY.
He is not too old—he is only 50 years old
He has history in NY as a player in 1992-94.
He has top coaching credentials with one Coach of the Year award (2000) and one NBA championship (2008).
He will probably take next year off or finish off his time in Boston as that team’s generation of players is winding down.
He will want the next team to offer multiple years of potential championships.
New York should stop dreaming of just one championship, but think of making the right decisions to enjoy multiple championships and to enter the upper echelon of NBA franchises.
Let's hope Mr. Dolan does the right thing or sells the team.
