Phil Jackson Headed To Knicks As President Of Basketball Operations
Phil Jackson is getting set to be the newest member of the New York Knicks front office. That has a few current and former Los Angeles Lakers players less than thrilled.
Rumors began swirling last week that Jackson was headed to the Big Apple and some believed he was going to be the team’s next head coach. Those rumors proved not to be true but new reports indicate that Phil will indeed be joining the team as an executive.
The New York Daily News reported that current and injured Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant and former great Magic Johnson have made a last ditch effort to bring Phil Jackson back to the Lakers. Wednesday afternoon, Johnson took to Twitter in order to try and woo Jackson to LA.
I love Jim & Jeanie Buss, but we need Phil Jackson to be the face of our great organization, the Los Angeles Lakers.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) March 12, 2014
Kobe Bryant was asked during a press conference announcing he would sit out the rest of the season about his feelings towards his former coach. “You know how I feel about Phil,” he said. “I have so much admiration for him and respect and I have a great relationship with him. Personally, it would be hard for me to understand that happening twice. It would be tough. I don’t really get it.”
While the current and former Lakers seem distraught about Jackson heading to the East Coast, the New York Knicks and their fans seem positively giddy about the acquisition.
.@nyknicks it’s official @PhilJackson11 will be joining the Knicks! This move will go a long way in revamping the culture of this franchise!
— Greg Anthony (@GregAnthony50) March 13, 2014
Carmelo Anthony was asked about the hire and while he said it wouldn’t determine whether he would stay in New York after this season, he heaped plenty of praise on Jackson.
“You can always use Phil Jackson inside or whatever – his philosophy, his mindset, his resume, what he brings to the game, what he brings to a team or organization, that goes without even saying,” Anthony said according to CBS News.
There has been one new wrinkle that could derail all of the joy in the Big Apple. Some reports are now saying that Jackson is starting to revamp his deal as it gets closer to time to sign on the dotted line.
I’m hearing that Phil Jackson keeps changing the terms of his deal with Knicks. Could mean money and/or living arrangement and/or power.
— Frank Isola (@FisolaNYDN) March 12, 2014
Should talks between Phil Jackson and the New York Knicks actually fall apart, its hard to predict what Manhattan might look like by Thursday night.
