NBA Rumors: New York Knicks Hiring Mark Jackson As Head Coach

NBA rumors are swirling around Mark Jackson. With the regular season winding down, several teams are going to be parting ways with their head coach. Teams with job openings will definitely be looking at Jackson. According to CBS New York, one of those teams will be the New York Knicks. The team is reportedly letting interim head coach Kurt Rambis walk after the season. With Phil Jackson possibly on his way out as team president, the next regime could be led by their former point guard.

A lot of reports are floating around right now that Phil Jackson is miserable with the New York Knicks and wants out at the end of the season. The former Chicago Bulls head coach sure is not acting like a man that has already checked out. The Knicks president has already contacted Mark Jackson about taking over as the next head coach in New York.

Mark Jackson is currently working as an analyst for ESPN, but a lot of people are aware that he wanted another chance as an NBA head coach after spending a couple of years with the Golden State Warriors. He helped mold the team that would eventually win a championship under new head coach Steve Kerr. Jackson simply could not get along with Warriors management. That’s the reason why he is no longer the head coach there.

With Phil Jackson showing interest in Mark Jackson, this is a sign that he is not as married to the idea of hiring someone from his coaching tree as previous thought. The belief was that he was going to give Kurt Rambis the full-time gig because he already knows the Triangle Offense. Rambis and Jackson developed a bond when the two of them were on the Los Angeles Lakers coaching staff. Plus, their significant others are close friends.

Since he is a former player for the team, Mark Jackson might be a very popular choice with the New York Knicks fan base. In 1987, he was drafted 18th overall by the Knicks. The former St. John Red Storm star spent a couple of seasons in the Big Apple before being traded away to the Los Angeles Clippers. Jackson was a popular player because he was well known on the streets of New York.

Another reason why Mark Jackson might be a popular choice with the New York Knicks fan base is because of his close relationship with Jeff Van Gundy. The two of them are broadcasting partners. The latter spent several years coaching the Knicks and has a special place in the heart of the fans. Due to his knowledge of the game and his popularity, Van Gundy has been rumored for just about every coaching vacancy in the NBA over the years.

The most fascinating dynamic about this entire scenario is that Phil Jackson might not be around when the New York Knicks decide to hire a new head coach. That could greatly affect the chance that Mark Jackson has to take over the role. The Knicks are also said to be quite interested in former Cleveland Cavaliers head coach David Blatt and former Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau, a former assistant coach with New York.

Whoever is hired as the next head coach of the New York Knicks will be under heavy scrutiny. That’s just how things are in the NBA because Madison Square Garden is considered by many to be the mecca of basketball. That won’t scare off Mark Jackson, though. He’s already been a player underneath those exact same spotlights. In fact, Jackson might even embrace the pressure because that’s what competitors do.

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