As a result of Steve Kerr spurning the New York Knicks and joining the Golden State Warriors as head coach, the Knicks are forced to look elsewhere to find Mike Woodson’s replacement. Many believe the search will focus around people Phil Jackson has close relations with such as former players and assistant coaches.
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According to Frank Isola of the NY Daily News, the job could go to Derek Fisher should he want the position:
Oklahoma City guard Derek Fisher, who played under Phil Jackson with the Los Angeles Lakers, is emerging as a leading candidate to join Jackson in New York now that Jackson’s first choice, Steve Kerr, has signed with the Golden State Warriors.
Fisher isn’t the only Laker linked to the opening. Luke Walton and Tyronn Lue might receive looks as well, according to ESPN’s Mark Stein and Ramona Shelburne:
Three candidates who will thus receive consideration from Jackson, sources said, are Luke Walton and Tyronn Lue — former players under Jackson who have already begun their coaching careers — as well as Oklahoma City Thunder guard Derek Fisher — if Fisher elects to stop playing after this season as he has hinted.
It is also conceivable for Jackson to look at his former assistant Kurt Rambis via Shelburne:
Knicks regrouping after Kerr surprised w/ Golden State choice, but sources say Derek Fisher and Kurt Rambis will be among those considered
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) May 15, 2014
Since Kerr has not had a head coaching position prior to his decision to join the Warriors, it is conceivable for Jackson to look at Fisher, Walton, or Lue. Out of the three, Fisher has the least coaching experience and is still playing as the Oklahoma City Thunder look to make a trip to the NBA Finals. Walton spent some time as an assistant coach at the University of Memphis while Lue currently serves as one for the Los Angeles Clippers.
As for Rambis, he spent last year as a Lakers assistant after failing to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves to a winning record from 2009-11. Regardless of who the next coach is, it is clear that Jackson wants to bring the triangle offense back.
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