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Phil Jackson Open to Coaching New York Knicks in 2016-17

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 26, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks general manager Phil Jackson looks on with former New York Knick Bill Bradley, left, during the second half against the Orlando Magic at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks defeated the Magic 108-95. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks general manager Phil Jackson looks on with former New York Knick Bill Bradley, left, during the second half against the Orlando Magic at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks defeated the Magic 108-95. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Phil Jackson may be a part-time coach for the New York Knicks in 2016-17. Is the unorthodox proposal one worth considering?

When the New York Knicks introduced Phil Jackson as team president on March 18, 2014, a tantalizing thought crossed the minds of fans across the NBA. Jackson had accepted a role as an executive, but it was impossible to ignore the possibility of his returning to the sidelines as head coach.

While the talks of such a move have progressively withered, the hope for Jackson pulling a Pat Riley and returning to the sidelines in 2016-17 appears alive, well, and realistic—on a part-time basis.

The Knicks have yet to commit to a new head coach since firing Derek Fisher on February 8, 2016. Kurt Rambis currently holds the interim tag, and while he hasn’t been ruled out as a possibility in the long-term, few outside of the organization expect him to return in 2016-17.

According to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN, Jackson is open to the idea of coaching home games for the Knicks in 2016-17 with Rambis handling the duties on the road.

"There’s even talk Jackson could offer to coach home games next season, with Rambis coaching the road games. It’s an offer the late Lakers owner Jerry Buss once flatly rejected, but it could be an interesting compromise to hiring Rambis as the head coach next season."

That isn’t the most conventional of offers, but having Jackson on the sidelines could help New York restore Madison Square Garden to its basketball glory.

For those unfamiliar with his resume, Jackson was head coach of the Chicago Bulls from 1989 to 1998. He spent two stints with the Los Angeles Lakers in the same capacity, with the first ranging from 1999 to 2004, and the second spanning 2005 to 2011.

During that time, Jackson carved out a legacy as the most accomplished head coach in NBA history.

If Phil Jackson is coaching the home games, then Kurt Rambis could be the man in charge of leading the Knicks into away games. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
If Phil Jackson is coaching the home games, then Kurt Rambis could be the man in charge of leading the Knicks into away games. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

The Zen Master coached his way to a record 11 championships, which matches the number of rings won by Bill Russell as a player. Jackson led Chicago and Los Angeles to a combined 13 NBA Finals appearances, and reached the Conference Finals an incredible 14 times.

Jackson coached five teams to at least 65 wins, including the iconic 1995-96 Bulls that won 72 games and the NBA championship.

Having Jackson solely coach home games for the Knicks isn’t quite as appealing as his becoming the full-time head coach would be. With the right man or woman handling the away games, however, The Zen Master could help New York return to prominence.

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The question is, should Jackson return to the sidelines and help the Knicks make Madison Square Garden a fearsome venue again?

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