PHIL JACKSON TO THE BIG APPLE?

The New York Knicks have once again reached out to Phil Jackson, expressing the desire for him to become the teams next head coach.  Since coach Jackson left the Bulls after his sixth and final championship in Chicago his name has repeatedly come up as a possible candidate to coach the Knicks.

New York will always be Phil's home.  He played 11 of his 13 NBA seasons with the Knicks, capturing two world championships along the way.  The 1969-70 Knicks are known to be one of the most unselfish teams in NBA history.  Phil embraced his role as the ultimate team player.  As a player he always gave maximum effort and was respected by his teammates.  His time in New York is what has molded him into a great coach.  One last coaching stop where he began his career would bring Phil's life full circle. 

Most NBA fans are well aware of Phil's accomplishments as a head coach.  11 NBA championships, four time all-star head coach, 1996 NBA coach of the year and the highest winning percentage of any NBA coach to name a few.  Phil's greatness is not determined by numbers.  Without great players he most likely wouldn't have 11 rings.  Without Phil Jackson, Michael Jordan probably wouldn't have six championships.  Michael alienated his teammates.  If Brad Sellers or Horace Grant were stinking up the joint in practice Michael would make the situation worse.  He would ride you if you let him.  Michael didn't embrace Scottie until midway through their first championship season. Phil changed the nature of the team.  He transformed Chicago from a one man highlight reel into a team.

Phil Jackson's tactics got the most out of the Bulls during the 90's.  Horace Grant was drafted by Chicago in 1987.  Grant was a project coming out of Clemson.  With hard work the Bulls believed Grant could be one of the best Power Forwards in the NBA four or five years down the road.  He was a quiet, reserved guy who was well liked amongst his teammates.  Phil always seemed to bark at Horace for one reason or the other.  This was apart of the coaches genius.  Phil knew Horace was strong minded and could take the punishment.  His teammates would rally around him, creating more of a brotherly bond.  After a while Phil's ploy became apparent and the ripping of Grant consequently ceased.  Horace would become the Bulls most important front-court player during their first three-peat.  His defensive intensity allowed Michael and Scottie to play the passing lanes and kick the Bulls transition game into jump start.

The Knicks roster is certainly a step below contention.  For Phil to even consider the Knicks he would probably want control of the entire operation.  Every time the Knicks attempted to woo Phil Jackson to New York they failed.  This time could be different due to one player.  The Knicks have a legitimate superstar in his prime.  Boston turned the ship around in 2008, going from worst to first in only one season.  Theirs no reason why the Knicks cant accomplish the same feat.

In reality Phil Jackson to the Knicks is a long shot.  If he does decide to return to the sideline that changes everything in New York.  Carmelo Anthony's pending free agency becomes  a maligned issue.