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Knicks: Ideal Candidates to Co-Coach with Phil Jackson

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 16, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks general manager Phil Jackson looks on during a stop in play against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 16, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks general manager Phil Jackson looks on during a stop in play against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 26, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Ettore Messina watches from the sideline against the Indiana Pacers during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Ettore Messina watches from the sideline against the Indiana Pacers during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Ettore Messina

Ettore Messina is one of the most iconic head coaches in European basketball history. During his brief NBA career, he’s spent time as a consultant for the Los Angeles Lakers and as an assistant to San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich.

What better way to prepare for life as an NBA head coach than to go from an assistant to Popovich, to a temporary co-coach with Phil Jackson?

Messina is a four-time Euroleague champion who owns a combined 11 league championships between the Italian League, Russian League, and VTB United League. He also won seven Italian Cup titles, and another two rings through the Russian Cup.

Most recently, Messina made an acquaintance out of Kristaps Porzingis when he coached Team World at the 2016 Rising Stars Challenge

Messina is more than qualified to take on the duties of full-time head coach, but he’s a true student of the game. While it may be unlikely that he teams up with Jackson as an unorthodox coaching team, it’s certainly worth exploring whether or not he’d be open to it.

Messina, who built his European success through a system that emphasizes the value of big men, could help Jackson develop Porzingis and enhance the effectiveness of the Triangle Offense.

Next: No. 1

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