SAN FRANCISCO — Knicks rookie coach Derek Fisher pushed back on Phil Jackson’s suggestion to be more demonstrative with referees and not be afraid to get slapped with a technical foul.
Fisher responded by saying it’s not a good idea to constantly carp and that he didn’t do so as a player. In a zing at the Zen Master, Fisher also suggested Jackson’s managing of the officiating crew wasn’t what won the Lakers five titles.
On Thursday at UCLA, the most successful coach in NBA history commended Fisher’s stoic demeanor but added: “I’d like to have him thrown out of some games at least. It looks like every time we go out there, every bump becomes a foul and Derek’s very patient behind all that.
“Get after some referees. Maybe he thinks his contract isn’t supportive of him paying for those technicals and doesn’t want to have that issue. But in reality his demeanor’s been great.’’
Fisher has seven technicals this season, tying him with three other coaches for fifth-most in the league.
Perhaps the underlying issue is Jackson would like to see Fisher show more emotion, in general, amid this 13-51 disaster of a season. The Zen Master admitted he hasn’t been in the locker room with his rookie hire to hear his “locker-room rants’’ but admitted to his own on his living-room couch.
“I had a few early [but] I didn’t know if it changes anything,’’ Fisher said Friday after practice at the University of San Francisco ahead of Saturday’s matchup with the Warriors. “When I feel it’s necessary, I’ll do it. If I’m in the huddle asking those guys to stay composed and be positive and don’t let emotions get the best of you, I also have to exemplify that, but I also have fight for them. But I don’t think technical fouls is the only way to do that.’’
Fisher, sensitive to being considered Jackson’s puppet, said he would rather his players exude a style earning the officials’ respect. Jackson was reputed to be a master manipulator of referees, often sending messages during playoff press briefings.
”I don’t know how to get into a conversation how much a coach has to do with how many calls go in your favor or not,’’ Fisher said. “I’m not [Phil]. I’m not coaching the teams he coached. I have to measure it based on who our team is. We don’t have enough history together. I don’t know if it would be fair to leave them out on the field while I’m in the back.
“I don’t think Phil made the difference on how many calls we got or not,’’ Fisher added. “I don’t know if I’ll make that difference.’’
As a player for 18 years, Fisher didn’t get T’d up often.
“I was the type of guy, I always thought it meant more when referees saw a strong reaction from me to get a technical foul, they knew I was right,’’ Fisher said. “It wasn’t a waste of emotion and words. That will apply to me as a coach.’’
Fisher said he doesn’t want his baiting viewed as “an artificial way to sway them.”
“A better way to sway them more than me is how hard these guys are playing and developing an identity the [referees] can connect to,’’ Fisher said. “We haven’t developed that yet.’’
Criticism has been leveled at Fisher for not getting in players’ faces often enough on the court, but the coach said he has had his moments.
“I don’t think I’m shy about it,’’ he said. “Leadership, you have to wear many hats. There are times to be demonstrative in front of people, other times you do it behind closed doors.’’
Not that he won’t change.
“I’m learning my way as coach, when to do certain things, when not to,’’ Fisher said. “It’s my first year. As years go by, that may increase. Right now, I’m learning so much. I’m not going to wear frustrations on my sleeve. I’m going to wear solutions and ideas.’’
Jackson said he reached a tipping point Monday watching from his Los Angeles home as Denver ran the Knicks off the court in the final three minutes of the first half.
“Jeanie [Buss] came down from the other end of the house and said, ‘C’mon we’re going out and take a walk and put this thing on record and forget about it for a while,’ ” Jackson said.
Jackson has revealed he talks to Fisher the day after each game, going over the contest.
“Phil’s main thing with me is continue to remind to harp on all the details and little things it takes to be great,’’ Fisher said. “That’s what we spend most of the time talking about. That’s what discussion is on the phone. We’re seeing a lot of things the same way.’’
FILED UNDER DEREK FISHER , NEW YORK KNICKS , PHIL JACKSON

But Phil knew Derek well so he may be asking him to be something he is not and that lands on Phil, Not Fish.

I have found Phil to be full of assumptions that are often not correlated to reality. This is another example. He made this bed. Gave the guy a massive coaching contract which is hard to justify.

Kerr had lots of post-player NBA experience and was a good pick.

Fish somehow got the same deal and he was a player only weeks earlier.

Phil may have fukked this up big time. Fish, good or bad, would have been crazy not to take the deal, so it is hard to blame him for that. Whether he'll be a good coach is very much up to question at this point. That is on Phil.

Knicks1969 wrote:I watch the dude during timeouts, he is definitely not exciting. He is too slow with his delivery, and does not appear to be a good motivator.

My local movie theatre has a double feature scheduled. They're showing As The Paint Dries & Watch Fish Coach.

Knicks1969 wrote:His cadence on the sideline is enough to put our boys to sleep. Basketball is a game where guys need to be motivated; and Fisher does not appear to be a motivator in my opinion.

he's wicked bahren

TPercy wrote:Found it: "Just relax," Fisher said during a timeout in a moment broadcast on national TV. "It's basketball. All the rules of the game are the same. The basket's the same height. They put their shorts on the same way you put yours on. It don't matter who it is over there. Believe in who you are. You can play the game."

The most important thing that can happen for Fish is for Phil to give him a roster to win with. After that all things are much easier. A coach can then concentrate on things that matter to winning games. That's not really what Fish can fully concentrate on with this roster. I think he's done a good job with this roster since the trade. Players are executing at a higher level and they've won some games playing team ball. That's almost a miracle given what's left on the roster and having to mix in new players. Plus think of all the pressure that is on any coach in NY much more a new coach with almost no talent to help make him look good.

nixluva wrote:Fisher learning on the job is not the problem. Like any coach he has things he needs to learn and not everything he tries is gonna work. Still The Knicks are not a poorly coached team. They're prepared to play but lack talent and have youth that is prone to mistakes. I could spend all day pointing out just why I say this isn't a poorly coached team but team but it wouldn't matter to some who are convinced that Fish can't coach. Making a few mistakes doesn't mean he's a bad coach.