Schmeelk: Jackson's Stealth Mode On Coach Search Is Catching Everyone Off-Guard
By John Schmeelk
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Various reports have revealed that the Knicks' head coach search has been anything but a sham, regardless of what many believe.
The New York Post, Daily News and ESPN have all reported in recent days that Phil Jackson has taken significant steps forward toward filling the role that has been vacant since Derek Fisher was fired back on Feb. 9.
The candidates Jackson has spoken to include former Indiana Pacers head coach Frank Vogel and Jeff Hornacek, who coached 213 games over two-plus seasons with the Phoenix Suns.
Jackson has been able to do things under the radar unlike any Knicks general manager before him. While news of a team interviewing a candidate usually finds its way into the papers quickly, it has taken days for word to reach the masses (if it has been reported at all) that Jackson has spoken to a prospective coach.
Depending on exactly when the Vogel meeting happened, which is unclear, it seems to have taken a week for it to come out that the face-to-face meeting occurred at all. It took days for the fact that Jackson met with David Blatt about the opening weeks ago. There were no details when the Knicks talked to Hornacek, only that they did.
Madison Square Garden might seem like a leaky faucet from time to time, but it is becoming abundantly clear that Jackson tells no one what he is personally doing in terms of running the Knicks. Sources close to Jackson that give anything away are nonexistent. He has always been someone who does things differently than his contemporaries and that has continued now that he's a team president.
Now that it has been reported Jackson has interviewed three candidates (with the possibility of more) for the job and is taking his time, the idea that Rambis is a shoe-in has lost steam. The perception that some fans have latched onto that Jackson doesn't care about the Knicks and he is simply cashing a check, at least in my eyes, has never held water. If it ever did, it doesn't anymore.
Jackson, like all great coaches and most leaders, has a massive ego. People with massive egos can't stand losing. It's part of what makes them tick. The last thing someone like Jackson wants is for a failure with the Knicks to put a stain on his legacy. This stint with the Knicks has also become a crusade for him to prove his way of playing basketball still works in the 21st century. He does not want this to fail. He might not be doing things in a way many fans prefer, but he is still working.
All that being said, Jackson still isn't operating like a typical executive. Even though Thibodeau was the best coach available, reports have said he wasn't on Phil's list. It doesn't appear as though the team reached out to Dave Joerger, either. Phil didn't attend the NBA combine. He left the office at a time most NBA executives are glued to his desk. Criticizing Jackson for those things is fair. He could have interviewed Vogel, gone to the combine and gotten done everything he needed done all at the same time. That's not impossible. It is, in fact, reasonable.
All that will matter in the end are the results. If the Knicks wind up with Vogel or Blatt, and they have success with the team, the process will be forgotten. You can do things differently, as long as your methods work. It did for Phil as a coach but remains to be seen if it will work as an executive. If Vogel and Blatt are signed by other teams while Jackson conducts his lengthy search, then you can blame his process for losing two very well respected coaches. Standard operating procedure is called just that for a reason: it is known to work. If you deviate from that and fail you run the risk of legitimate criticism. Jackson doesn't seem to care, and that's his prerogative. But with that he has to accept the downside.
As the Knicks stand now, Jackson has four apparent candidates for the head coaching position. Blatt and Vogel are both good choices and would be excellent coaches. Hornacek is more of a question, but he has had success. Rambis would appear to lead to a situation where Phil is trying to coach through a pupil since his body can't stand the rigors of being on the sidelines.
Jackson has said in the past he might wait until June to name a coach. Given the team will be scouting players that could be late first- or early second-round picks (if the Knicks choose to buy one), getting one in before June would make sense. In fact, there really isn't much point of waiting any longer. No other coaches are going to break free from the four teams remaining in the postseason. Vogel and Blatt are being considered by other teams and could very well get offers any day now.
The Knicks still have some good choices for their next coach. It is time for Jackson to pick one of them.
***
Against the Warriors, a team will have maybe one chance over the course of a series to steal one in their building. On Monday night, the Thunder had that chance, and took advantage of it.
Making it even more impressive, the Thunder took Game 1 of the Western Conference finals, 108-102, with Kevin Durant shooting 10-for-30 and Russell Westbrook going just 7-for-21.
The Thunder played much better in the second half, finishing plus-11 on the boards and turning the ball over just once. They slowed the game to a grind and played at a pace that limited the Warriors' easy shots in transition. In a contrast of styles, Oklahoma City's big lineup beat Golden State's small one. Whether it can happen consistently remains to be seen.
The Thunder stole a game in Golden State and now the NBA world might be getting a tremendous conference finals. It should be a lot of fun.
For everything Knicks, Giants, and the world of sports, please follow John on Twitter at @Schmeelk
