New York Knicks: Who Should Replace Derek Fisher?

Honorable Mention: Kobe Bryant

We can dream, right?

From 1999 to 2004, and 2005 to 2011, Kobe Bryant and Phil Jackson collaborated to become one of the most prolific player-coach tandems in NBA history. The duo won five championships, made seven NBA Finals appearances, and amassed nearly 800 wins between the regular season and playoffs.

There’s very little likelihood of Bryant becoming a head coach so soon after his pending retirement, but if he chooses to do so, New York would be a prime destination.

With Jackson now at the helm of the New York Knicks as team president, Bryant will be rumored as an option until a permanent head coach is announced. That doesn’t mean it’s going to happen, or that it should, but it’s certainly worth discussing.

Bryant is one of the 10 greatest players in NBA history Jackson helped him become that player, but even still, no one knows how he’d fare as a coach.

Having Jackson in his corner would certainly help, specifically with the development of schematic execution. Until Bryant shows even the slightest inclination to take over as a head coach, however, this can be nothing more than an honorable mention.

On to the more likely candidates.

Next: A Return to New York