If the New York Knicks want to hire Frank Vogel, then Phil Jackson, and only Phil Jackson, can make it happen. The Zen Master needs to act before it’s too late.
The New York Knicks have a rare opportunity to hire one of the Top 10 coaches in the NBA. Such opportunities rarely present themselves, but that’s exactly what’s happened in lieu of the Indiana Pacers’ shocking decision to fire Frank Vogel.
If the Knicks are hoping to hire Vogel to fill the team’s coaching vacancy, then team president Phil Jackson will need to act fast.
Marc Berman of The New York Post reports that Knicks general manager Steve Mills has reached out to Vogel’s representatives. The conversations were exploratory, but productive, as a determination was made that Vogel has interest in the job.
The hurdle: the Memphis Grizzlies have also reached out to test Vogel’s interest.
Sources: Memphis reaching out to coach candidates, including Vogel, Messina, Ewing. @WojVerticalNBA on @TheVertical. https://t.co/Ib1BSRP7IC
— Ball Don’t Lie (@Balldontlie) May 9, 2016
Thus, two organizations with executives who appeal to Vogel are in the running for his services.
In Memphis’ favor, Vogel has experience working with general manager Chris Wallace. The two spent a half-decade together as members of the Boston Celtics, with Vogel filling the roles of video coordinator and assistant coach.
Wallace was general manager of the Celtics during that time, and thus, it stands to reason that a strong enough rapport has been built to revisit their relationship.
What’s promising for New York is that, during a 2013 interview, Vogel told Mark Dubec of NUVO that he’s a huge fan of Jackson’s. He went as far as stating that he hired Brian Shaw to his coaching staff in an attempt to surround himself with those who know Jackson personally.
Between that and his reported interest in the job, it’s safe to say Vogel would prefer to keep the lines of communication open between he and Jackson if he were to get the job.
Admittedly, interim head coach Kurt Rambis is a sensible option in the sense that he can properly teach the Triangle Offense to the Knicks. From there, Jackson can determine whether or not Rambis is the best possible candidate for a team that’s learned how to run the system.
Due to Vogel’s willingness to run the Triangle Offense, however, it becomes increasingly more difficult to make a case against New York hiring him.
While coaching the Pacers, Vogel ran an offense that consisted of many Triangle Offense principles. With Shaw’s help, he introduced a system that stationed power forward David West at the elbow, Roy Hibbert on the low block, and a cast of slashers and shooters playing off of them.
One can’t help but wonder how successful he’d be with three versatile post players in Carmelo Anthony, Kristaps Porzingis, and Robin Lopez.
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The competition for Vogel’s services is a general manager who has a personal relationship with him. Thus, the impersonal nature of Mills representing Jackson in negotiations could easily be perceived as off-putting.
If New York wants Vogel—and it should—then Jackson must handle the hiring process himself.
Vogel has already publicly established how much respect he has for Jackson as a coach and person. Thus, one can’t help but imagine that having the 42-year-old meeting with The Zen Master face-to-face would create a sense of raw excitement.
That meeting could be enough to convince Vogel to come to New York.
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Moreover, it may be what’s necessary to convince Vogel to accept an offer to become the next head coach of the New York Knicks.