by Omran Hamidi, junior sports editor
New York Knicks’ coaching carousel is spinning and it’s yet to come to a stop. There have been numerous options beyond Phil Jackson’s disciple, Kurt Rambis, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, Frank Vogel and even David Blatt. The question for Jackson really is: if he’s not going to conduct a coaching search, why hasn’t he named Rambis the head coach yet?
Beyond the Knicks coaching situation, the team does not have a draft pick in this year’s NBA Draft, due to them trading it for Andrea Bargnani. But it still should not stop from attending the NBA Draft Combine, to look for potential steals.
“I have not seen him,” an NBA spokesman told SNY.tv of Jackson, who reportedly makes $12 million annually to run the Knicks.
“When Larry Bird took over for the Pacers, he was the first guy in the gym in Chicago,” a second league source told SNY.tv here. “Jerry West was always in the gym. Those guys are not on ranches in Montana.“
Even though Rambis may be an unpopular hiring with the fanbase and Carmelo Anthony, it’s hard to imagine a coach more loyal to Jackson than Rambis.
Jackson has preached his triangle offense and even held a triangle offense boot camp, in which Anthony did not attend. Jackson has to realize that the game has changed and the triangle only worked for his championship teams. This is a new generation of basketball, where the ball is constantly moving and the 3-pt shot is the popular shot. Players feel most comfortable in this type of free flowing system, as compared to the “triangle offense”.
Meanwhile, Jackson has been on a road trip and not been conducting a coaching search. Jackson may be old but he has to have the mind of an executive and go out there and recruit. No interviews or negotiations have been set up but it’s the Knicks and fans are used to it.
“The Knicks have to become more consistent and develop talent but it’s New York and fans are not patient, “ junior Norman Carmona said.
