Report: Phil Jackson 'Open' To Talking To Mark Jackson About Knicks Job
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Mark Jackson fans: There's still hope for you yet.
Knicks President Phil Jackson, who whiffed in his pursuit of Steve Kerr, is "open" to talking to Mark Jackson about the organization's head-coaching vacancy, according to ESPN.com.
However, the "Zen Master" still prefers to hire one of his former players or assistants, the website reported.
SCHMEELK: MARK JACKSON IS NOT THE RIGHT MAN FOR KNICKS' JOB
Mark Jackson, a Brooklyn native and St. John's product who played for the Knicks from 1987-1992 and again from 2001-2002, signed a deal with ESPN over the weekend to serve as an NBA game analyst. However, the deal "does not preclude" Mark Jackson from ditching the network for a coaching job, according to the New York Daily News.
Mark Jackson, who led the Warriors to the playoffs twice in three season after being hired in 2011, was fired by Golden State on May 6.
Phil Jackson remains interested in Derek Fisher, who is currently playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference finals.
But the 39-year-old doesn't plan to discuss the position until his season wraps up, which could be in late June if the Thunder play deep into the NBA Finals.
KEIDEL: IT'S TOO BAD MARK JACKSON IS NOT PHIL JACKSON'S GUY
"We touched base right before his official press conference when he accepted the job," Fisher told reporters. "Since then we haven't spoken. Obviously he's busy trying to make the changes he needs to make there. I have a day job as well. I think he respects that more than anybody; he taught me a lot about how to operate at this time of year.
"We talk every offseason. I'm sure we'll talk again when this season is over. But I don't have any intention of reaching out to him. I think he respects what I'm in right now as well."
Fisher played for Jackson with the Lakers from 1999-2004 and again from 2007-2011. He won five titles with Jackson.
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