http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/24/sports/basketball/24knicks.html?oref=login

December 24, 2004

Jackson Would Listen to a Knicks Offer

By HOWARD BECK

hil Jackson's coaching career is on pause, his 10th finger bare, still waiting for the ring that would complete his collection.

Friends say he would end his semiretirement for the right opportunity, for a chance to win a record 10th championship and break a tie with Red Auerbach. But it might not take the lure of a ring to return to the bench.

It may only take sentimentality.

Given the right circumstances, Jackson would embrace a return to New York to coach the Knicks, the team that drafted him in 1967. And though he is uneasy talking about a job that is currently filled by Lenny Wilkens, Jackson cannot deny the intrigue.

"There's a process teams go through to put themselves in a competitive place," Jackson said in a telephone interview. "And when they get to that position, I felt like if they want me to coach that team, I'd have to listen to them, because of my connections in New York and my connections as a Knick. But I certainly don't want to step in and muddy the water around Lenny Wilkens. He's a great coach. I'm very respectful of him."

This is at least the second time Jackson has acknowledged interest in coaching the Knicks since leaving the Los Angeles Lakers after last season. In October, he told The New York Post that he would listen if the Knicks called. But he has been careful not to lobby openly for the job, and he has no plans to return to the N.B.A. this season.

"They have one of the great coaches in the game at their helm right now," Jackson said, referring to Wilkens.

At age 59, Jackson is enjoying the second sabbatical of his 14-year N.B.A. coaching career. He took a year off after leaving the Chicago Bulls in 1998, then joined the Lakers in June 1999.

Jackson knew then that he would coach again. This time, nothing is certain, although friends say he has already grown restless with his low-key life in Playa Del Rey, Calif.

"I haven't reached the point yet where I feel the drive," Jackson said of coaching. "But I anticipate that's a possibility before this year is up. The internal spark of energy or light is there, to get back on this and drive a bunch of young men toward a championship or toward winning."

Jackson has a career record of 832-316, and owns the best career winning percentage for the regular season (.725) and the playoffs (.717).

Jackson is planning a two-month trip through New Zealand and the South Pacific. "I'm hoping I get carried away in paradise," he said. "Learn the hula and how to scuba dive."

He says he will consider his next move when he returns, sometime in March. With his book tour over, he now spends his days working out and taking it easy.

"I'm pretty much finding adventure every day," he said. "It's wonderful. I'm really enjoying the free time."

If he returns to the N.B.A., Jackson wants to coach a team that has a chance to contend for a championship within a few years. He ruled out any wholesale-rebuilding efforts.

"It has to be a challenge," he said. "The team that has a glimmer of hope, that has potential, where you have a challenge that's out there and an opportunity, I think is what every coach wants. You want to think you have an opportunity to win."

Copyright 2004 The New York Times Company

"It has to be a challenge," he said. "The team that has a glimmer of hope, that has potential, where you have a challenge that's out there and an opportunity, I think is what every coach wants. You want to think you have an opportunity to win."

He had me at challenge...

hmmmm...

Anyone see this happening?

we could use him. I think he can get more out of this team and the talent we have available.

Isiah needs to ask him about every roster change he makes!

Isiah needs to ask him what he needs to come here!

Phil is not being respectful to lenny, otherwise he would not have said a dam thing. You just quietly tell your agent to quietly tell Isiah if it ever came to be, he would be interested.

Phil needs to come home and deliver us to glory.

The intellectual offering in NYC are like none other!

He owes Red

he owes red

yup

regardless of the rings won for bulls and lakers, phil jackson is a knickerbocker and only rightfully so phil sets the record straight by celebrating his 10th championship as a knick…red probably knows its coming and will not be a happy camper when it happens.

Bring in Curry and Phil will follow...

Posted by Knicksfan:

Bring in Curry and Phil will follow...

whatever window of opportunity to get Curry is closed. I think he would have to take a collasol breakdown in his play for them to move him next year. bulls are playing well--they still need more and more tinkering, but i think curry stays LONG term.

as for the coach, ill say it again. there is tremendous risk firing him right now. I mean they could do it to try to spark the team, but if they change the coach and either stay stats quo or get worse, i think the scenario gets a little murkier.

We have 7 players who are over 30, thats second in the NBA. I see the problem of this team as much more of a mix and match problem. when you have so many guys over 30, youre more likely to breakdown. is this attractive to phil jackson? who do you want george karl, no one is going to change the underlying problems.

+ if we do change the coach, next year you lose the opportunity for jackson-even the knicks arent going to be paying two coaches 8mm then phil for another 7-8
i know this is a results orientated business, and when you have a 105mm$ payroll and poor results in a watered down east, there is grounds for termination, But is it a smart move, or would it be smarter to weather out the storm both ways--we drop 5-6 games under-THEN you have obvious cause--if you stay above water in the east, you bide your time

maybe they hire the young malone as coach? cheap and already here.

I know people dont want to hear it - but if they keep Lenny through the year, and dont do that well...even get worse from where they are now - then we get a better draft pick, which can be traded to bring in some quality or roll the dice on an impact youngster. That will improve the team, and if IT can bring in a better coach after - like Jax then we would be in good shape.

This team isnt going to win any championships as is and still has some rough groing pains to go through.

As far as i'm concerned if Marbury has completely changed his game, become a true leader and can help this team win in the future by playing a more team oriented game - then Lenny Wilkins mission was accomplished.

Posted by OasisBU:

I know people dont want to hear it - but if they keep Lenny through the year, and dont do that well...even get worse from where they are now - then we get a better draft pick, which can be traded to bring in some quality or roll the dice on an impact youngster. That will improve the team, and if IT can bring in a better coach after - like Jax then we would be in good shape.

This team isnt going to win any championships as is and still has some rough groing pains to go through.

As far as i'm concerned if Marbury has completely changed his game, become a true leader and can help this team win in the future by playing a more team oriented game - then Lenny Wilkins mission was accomplished.

By rule, teams cannot trade first round draft picks in consecutive seasons. Since the Knicks traded last year's pick in the Marbury trade, they can't trade the 2005 pick, although it would be possible to trade up for an impact player, if one is available to them.