If Isiah is unable to land Uncle Phil, isn't it curious that few of the coaching B-listers include Mark Aguirre ?

While the press makes certain to advocate its standard choices for head coach, the fans follow like lemmings to the sea.

Its really quite obvious. Isiah has rarely made the expected move. He puts HIS man in charge after a year behind the bench and continues to reshape the tenor of the franchise.

Personally, I think Mark A would lead the league in technical fouls for head coaches (that isn't necessarily a bad thing)

... and satisy the supierficial fan cravings for a coach who makes good theatre.

Then Again

The more I think about it, Mark Jackson DOES exude a tangible Napoleonic quality

He's old school enough to embrace the best Knicks traditions and new School enough to relate and enforce the law among younger players.

Mark Jackson would also let the referees hear it every now and then

He'd know how to navigate The Garden from years of experience.

He would NOT back down from the fickle , frontrunning press

He'd maintain a flair for the creative and push his players to work hard

By year three Mark Jackson will be a great coach.

Than again, by year three, he'd have some great players.

You thread title is deceptive. It should read, "If Phil Jackson Turns down the Knicks."

If you want to go with Mark Jackson or Aguirre, why not go with Greg Anthony. That dude is pretty intelligent.