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Knicks Rumors: New York contacts Mark Jackson about head coaching job

ByMaxwell Ogden|
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 29: Mark Jackson of the Golden State Warriors addresses the media before facing the Los Angeles Clippers in Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals at Staples Center on April 29, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2014 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 29: Mark Jackson of the Golden State Warriors addresses the media before facing the Los Angeles Clippers in Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals at Staples Center on April 29, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2014 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

The New York Knicks reportedly view Mark Jackson as a candidate for the head coaching vacancy. The two sides have now officially made contact.

When the New York Knicks fired head coach Jeff Hornacek, one name instantly surfaced in the orange and blue community: Mark Jackson. A former Knicks point guard and winning head coach, Jackson has become the popular choice to fill the vacancy.

While nothing is imminent, it didn’t take long for the front office to heed the general population’s advice and reach out to the former St. John’s star.

Jackson played for the Knicks from 1987 to 1992, and returned for a second stint in 2001-02. He was also a high school basketball star in Brooklyn and a star for the St. John’s Red Storm, which has inevitably increased the interest from New Yorkers.

According to Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News, the Knicks have officially contacted Jackson about the head coaching vacancy.

"The Knicks have contacted the representatives of both Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson, the Daily News has learned."

Per Bondy, the talks were preliminary in their nature and didn’t produce a specific date for an interview.

"It is not believed that the Knicks have set up interviews with either Van Gundy or Jackson, who were in Oakland on Saturday working the Warriors-Spurs playoff game for ABC."

Before you jump to the conclusion that this means the Knicks aren’t hiring Jackson, note the fact that he’s currently across the country covering the 2018 NBA Playoffs.

As a player, Jackson earned the reputation of one of the greatest facilitators in NBA history. He averaged 10.6 assists per game as a rookie, a league-leading 12.3 assists per game in 1996-97, and ranks No. 4 on the Association’s all-time assists list with 10,334.

As a coach, Jackson led the Golden State Warriors to a 47-35 record in 2012-13 and a 51-31 mark during the 2013-14 campaign.

The foundation for the Warriors’ success was a firm commitment to defense, as evidenced by a ranking of No. 3 in the NBA in defensive rating in 2013-14.

Due to his history with the Knicks and his proven ability to build an elite defense, Jackson has emerged as a favorite to fill the head coaching vacancy. It seems to add up when one considers that New York hasn’t ranked in the top 10 in defensive rating since 2011-12.

The hope appears to be that Jackson can work the same type of magic with the Knicks as he managed to with the Warriors.

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