Phil Jackson, boss of the New York Knicks, has reportedly spoken with Golden State Warriors assistant Luke Walton about head coaching gig.
By Robby Sabo
We know who the fans want. It’s the same guy Carmelo Anthony reportedly wants.
Obviously, though, it’s not the same man Phil Jackson will tab as the next head coach of the New York Knicks.
The man whose identity we’ve kept secret until the third paragraph of this article is, of course, Mr. Tom Thibodeau. You know him, the guy who wins, and wins, and wins. The guy who took a mediocre Chicago Bulls squad and turned them into NBA Championship contenders.
The guy who took the glass statue known as Derrick Rose and made him an NBA MVP.
Yeah, that guy.
Because it’s Jackson, and his stubborn beliefs will offset any clear-headed rational thoughts, we, as fans, know the next head man won’t be Thibs.
Who, then?
According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, Jackson spoke with Golden State Warriors assistant Luke Walton over the phone about the vacant position at Madison Square Garden.
Walton was previously linked to both the Knicks and Brooklyn Nets jobs, but pulled out of consideration for the Brooklyn job after Sean Marks tabbed Kenny Atkinson with the position on Sunday.
As far as the Knicks (still) vacant position is concerned:
“It’s going to be a long, deliberate process,’’ the source said.
Last Thursday Jackson told the media he would soon conduct a search of qualified candidates limited to only people he knows. Walton falls into this category as he played for the Los Angeles Lakers from 2003-11 (many of which were under Jax).
Walton, the Jax favorite, filled in admirably for Steve Kerr this season to begin the season (38-4). He and Kerr do not use the Triangle in Golden State. Instead, they use principles of the offense based on Jackson’s teachings.
“I think Phil knows how much I know the triangle and love the triangle,’’ Walton told The Post last season about his assistant-coaching dalliance with the Knicks. “I thought it would’ve been a good fit. I had stayed in touch with Phil. He’s been a mentor and teacher to me in basketball and in life even before getting into coaching. We had a few conversations with him about coming to New York, joining Derek’s staff. I had a few phone calls with Fish. While I was doing that, I was in contact with Steve.’’
Whether or not the idea of Walton as the head coach will get Knickerbockers fans excited remains to be seen.
More importantly, will it have Melo interested?
