Phil Jackson (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The New York Knicks coaching search continues as another top coach becomes available.
Nobody thought that the Indiana Pacers would suddenly have a coaching vacancy but Frank Vogel's contract expired and Larry Bird was not so keen on renewing it. Thus, he has been considered as fair game and the Knicks fans want a shot.
How about Carmelo Anthony? He shared in an interview with Complex what he wants in a coach, but he wisely refused to give a specific name.
"I think being able to hold guys accountable, but also having a relationship with the player," Anthony said. "Kind of seeing things from a players' perspective as well as a coach's perspective. I think if you can build that camaraderie between a coach and a player, I think you're onto something."
He adds: "You have to be willing to do that [seeing it from a players' view], you have to be willing to accept that as a coach. It can be hard being a coach and accepting the fact that sometimes I have to see things from an athlete's perspective, that can be hard. That's like an ego play."
When Tom Thibodeau chose to sign with the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Knicks faithful saw it as Phil Jackson blowing a chance to get the best coach in the market. Thus, they would not be so forgiving if Phil Jackson would not even meet with Vogel.
There were rumors that the Zen Master is actually embarking on that journey. However, as the New York Post revealed, Jackson just wanted some time for deep thinking.
The Post quoted an associate of Phil Jackson: "Still thinking it through. He's always been such a quick thinker - always three, four steps ahead of everybody else. But that's as coach. Being the executive is really different for him."
The issue for Jackson is that he has been on the receiving end for passing up on Thibodeau. He has already admitted that he prefers to just keep interim coach Kurt Rambis but this was met by strong reactions.
There are already suspicions that Jackson is not really searching for a coach, as the Post points out. "If Jackson sits out the Vogel Sweepstakes, it could demonstrate the Knicks' coaching search is more farce than fervent. The Rockets and Kings are the other two clubs still with openings."
This will likely bring "bitterness among already-anxious Knicks fans. The deadline to renew season tickets without a price hike is Friday."
