Doc Rivers and Phil Jackson have switched coasts. It would have been very interesting to see them both in Los Angeles, on opposite sides of the court at Staples Center when the Lakers and the Clippers played but, alas, that was not to be. Diehard fans in Southern California, and elsewhere, were still holding out a last thread of hope that seeing as how bad the Lakers are this year, maybe Coach Jackson would somehow step in to save them and the franchise.
But now Phil has taken a new gig on the East coast in the Big Apple and not as a basketball coach! That one surprised a few folks. Phil Jackson is now the new general manager, head honcho, chief guru and the overall in-charge of the New York Knicks, who could also use a little help after a dismal season.
Of course Doc Rivers has left Boston and the Celtics after racking up 400 wins over 10 year tenure in Bean Town and winning the 2008 NBA Championship. Many thought that Doc would never leave but he has found a home out in sunny California and his Clippers are already in the playoffs this year.
Sad to say, the Knicks don’t look like they are going to make the cut this season. Talented as they are, something is missing and the team just does not seem to dance at all well together in 2014. Enter Phil Jackson.
Note that the ‘ZenMaster’ will not be down on the floor coaching, but up in the front offices. However, you can bet that the coach in Phil Jackson will be following every play of every game, closely.
Rivers and Jackson have the shared history of having led their respective teams to greatness during the same period of history as rivals and as colleagues. When asked about Jackson’s going to the Knicks, Doc Rivers said, “I’m happy for him. I know New York was always a special place for him.”
Just exactly what Phil Jackson’s job will be remains a bit unclear. The owner of the New York Knicks, Mr. James Dolan, has the reputation of getting into everything involving the Knicks often to the detriment of the Knicks. Previous coaches and managers have all felt the pressure from owner Dolan.
But the crowds at Madison Square Garden, the home of the Knicks, are sick and tired of looking out on the court and seeing their carefully recruited multimillion dollar team, and watching them lose again and again.
Fortunately, the presence of Phil Jackson has given both team and fans a ray of hope that the Knicks are on the mend and looking forward to 2015.
