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Knicks Rumors: 5 Reasons Phil Jackson Won’t Leave New York In 2017

By Maxwell Ogden

Nov 9, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks general manager Phil Jackson watches during the third quarter between the New York Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 9, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks general manager Phil Jackson watches during the third quarter between the New York Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 27, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Vocal group the Four Tops with former NBA player Earl Monroe (purple tie) and New York Knicks president Phil Jackson and Walt Frazier and former NBA player Dick Barnett (right) acknowledge Walt Frazier for his 70th birthday during the game between the New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 27, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Vocal group the Four Tops with former NBA player Earl Monroe (purple tie) and New York Knicks president Phil Jackson and Walt Frazier and former NBA player Dick Barnett (right) acknowledge Walt Frazier for his 70th birthday during the game between the New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

1. He Played For The Knicks

The notion that Phil Jackson joined the New York Knicks for the money is hard to agree with. Doing so would ignore the reality that Phil Jackson played for the only two championship teams in Knicks history: 1970 and 1973.

If anyone has a vested interest in the Knicks returning to glory, it’s an individual who has first-hand knowledge of what glory in New York looks and feels like.

Jackson missed the 1969-70 season after undergoing spinal fusion surgery, but his perseverance helped define Knicks basketball. He continued to take charges, crash the boards, defend at a high level, and run the floor, ultimately becoming a glue guy for the NBA champions in 1973.

Jackson played for the Knicks from 1967 to 1978, going from super sub to starter and maintaining a steady reputation as a fan favorite.

Nearly 50 seasons removed from his debut with the Knicks, Jackson has a chance to restore the championship glory. By leading New York to its first title since 1973, he’d do right by the fan base he spent 11 years playing in front of.

Moreover, he’d solidify his place as the greatest mind and winner in NBA history by adding a 14th championship to his resume—two as a player, 11 as a coach, and one as an executive.

Must Read: Monitoring trade activity from around the NBA

Jackson’s legacy as a coach is safe and secure, but he finally has his own franchise player, his own team, and his own vision. Why leave at a time like this?

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