Doc Rivers Stays with Boston Celtics: Paves Way for Phil Jackson To Coach Knicks

Doc Rivers will not be coaching the New York Knicks anytime soon. 

The majority of Knicks fans have been clamoring for a coach like Rivers to come along and rescue the franchise. Many hoped after a embarrassing first-round sweep that Mike D’Antoni would be packing his bags and heading back west. 

Now that Rivers has agreed to a five-year contract, reported at $35 million, and with the Lakers' equally embarrassing second-round sweep, all eyes are on the so-called “zen master,“ Phil Jackson. 

Jackson has made it clear that this was his last season coaching. However, there is a growing sentiment around the league that he will take a one-year hiatus from coaching, then return. There is a small group who believe Jackson will return to coach the Knicks. With only one year left on D’Antoni’s contract, the timing would seem to fit beautifully. 

It is no secret Jackson has always wanted to coach the Knicks, and it is also no secret that Jackson is not very fond of Knicks owner James Dolan. Fortunately, Jackson is a proven winner (as evidenced by his ring-to-finger ratio), and Dolan has been Known to spend big and stay out of the way if the team is producing.             

Before the 2010-11 season began, Jackson was on his way to retirement, but Dr. Jerry Buss did a good job of selling a repeat of a three-peat. If the driving factor of Jackson’s return this season was for another ring, then it would stand to reason that he may indeed return to lead the Knicks to a championship. He could employ the triangle with Melo and Stat, and show New York something they have not seen since the '70s.

So first the superstars aligned, with the acquisitions of Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony, and now it looks like the regular stars will align to send Jackson to his next destination.

After all, Phil Jackson was on the Knicks roster the last time they won a championship.