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Tag: James Dolan

  • New York Knicks: Will Carmelo Anthony Stay Put?

    If you’re a New York Knicks’ fan then you certainly know about heartache, that’s one thing for sure.

    And another thing you probably know is that very few things have made sense with the organization, in regards to some of the bad trades they’ve made, and some of the coaches they’ve selected throughout the years, because let’s face it, getting Carmelo Anthony a few years back was probably the team’s only smart decision in the last 15 years or so.

    Which leads one to ask why the Knicks seem to be so dysfunctional season after season?

    Up until the team’s press conference to announce Phil Jackson becoming president a few days ago, it was hard to understand why the Knicks weren’t making any progress. But now it’s clear to see that owner Jim Dolan was making a lot of the day-to-day decisions with the team, which isn’t so unusual, but Dolan admitted that he isn’t a hoops expert.

    “I am by no means an expert in basketball,” he said at the press conference. “A fan, but my expertise lies in managing companies and businesses. So I think I’m a little out of my element when it comes to the team. I found myself in a position where I needed to be more part of the decision making for a while.”

    And as far as the team’s future, Jackson says everything begins and ends with Anthony staying in New York, since he’ll be a free agent at the end of this season, and Jackson isn’t sure what he’ll do with coach Mike Woodson, he says.

    “I have no problems with committing to saying Carmelo is in the future plans,” said the legendary coach.

    And Jackson said he wouldn’t have taken the president’s job if he wasn’t able to commit fully, which is why he packed his things and moved to the East Coast.

    “I said if I want to make this change and I think I can make the change, I have to jump in with both feet,” said Jackson. “I’ve got to move to New York and I’ve got to do this job the right way.”

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Phil Jackson Seriously Considering Offer To Join New York Knicks’ Front Office

    An important league source reports that former Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers head coach Phil Jackson is close to accepting an important position at the New York Knicks’ front office. ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith says that the exact job title remains unclear, but that it would entail “more than just consulting” responsibilities.

    The addition of the Hall of Fame head coach to the struggling New York team might finally turn the tables for them.

    The struggling Knicks team has been pursuing the Hall of Fame head coach for a while, in hopes of recovering from their dismal standing in the current season. According the same source, while there is no final answer from Jackson as of yet, the Knicks “have a sense of what’s going to happen” – and that is Jackson deciding to join the team.

    New York Daily News’ Frank Isola reported that Jackson recently met with New York Knicks owner James Dolan to discuss a potential union with the franchise. Dolan initially approached the idea of a coaching gig for Jackson, but Jackson did not seem keen on the idea of going back to the sideline at his age of 68.

    Jackson has not coached in the NBA since 2011, but rumor has it that the coaching legend is interested in going back to the basketball world. News of Jackson possibly joining the Knicks surfaced in 2012, when Gery Woelfel of The Journal Times reported that the team made a $50 million offer for Jackson to coach for four years. ESPN’s Smith reinforced those rumors when he reported that New York Knicks President and General Manager Steve Mills had met with Jackson to introduce the possibility of him taking over the coaching position in New York City.

    Jackson is expected to give an official answer within the next few days. Although he has been clear about not coaching the team, Knicks guard J.R. Smith thinks that his involvement in the team’s basketball operations will benefit them greatly.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons