After the surprising news broke out that the New York Knicks have fired coach Derek Fisher, the rumors abruptly shifted to his possible replacement.
The usual suspects have been named by ESPN, specifically from the Phil Jackson stable of former players and assistant coaches.
"Two other former players under Jackson, Brian Shaw and Luke Walton, are candidates for the full-time coaching job, sources told ESPN. Shaw coached parts of two seasons in Denver, while Walton led the defending champion Golden State Warriors to a 39-4 start this season, filling in for injured coach Steve Kerr."
However, the New York Post is very vocal that Jackson should look beyond his protégés if he really wants to win, and make a play for Tom Thibodeau.
"Of course it should be Thibodeau because he is the most qualified person out there (unless you count Jackson himself, which Jackson himself does not, and should not, because of his age and his physical limitations)," NY Post's Mike Vaccaro stated. "Because Thibodeau is far better suited than Mark Jackson for this challenge, because he has a deeper résumé than Luke Walton or Brian Shaw, the most attractive of Jackson's Triangle Boys, because there isn't a chance in the world that a Jackson marriage with John Calipari would ever work."
Tom Thibodeau is definitely the most decorated coach currently not on the sidelines, except for the Zen Master. It seems like a no-brainer, but Jackson must make some adjustments, and therein lies the question.
Jackson's statements were not very encouraging, "It's always good to have a relationship, but it's not paramount," Jackson said. "At some point. I'll have to have a relationship with someone who coaches this team. The system of basketball is what's important, and this happens to be the system we're familiar with, but it's not paramount. Someone has to match the style of the way we do things ."
His comments about Thibodeau himself hints that he already has someone in mind.
"I respect Tom as a coach, he's a very good coach," he said. "Have I said I'm soliciting coaches right now?"
There is also a reason why Thibodeau is not with an NBA team right now even though he is probably better than most of the active coaches-and it's not because no one has offered him yet. Thibs is seeking the best opportunity for himself, and it might not be in New York.
