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Phil Jackson took questions from reporters today, which was nice of him. Here are some things he said, since there isn't video yet.
On Steve Kerr and the coaching search:
Phil on Steve Kerr: Says they talked about Steve joining him in Seattle as a coach before the Kings were sold and remained in Sacramento.
— Frank Isola (@FisolaNYDN) April 23, 2014
Phil says he spoke with Kerr in January, and that during that meeting, Kerr asked him about different coaching styles when they spoke.
— Chris Herring (@HerringWSJ) April 23, 2014
Phil Jackson says he will talk to Steve Kerr later this month about coaching the #Knicks. Says they have a "philosophical connection."
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) April 23, 2014
Phil Jackson says he will talk to more candidates than just Kerr but declines to name names. #Knicks
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) April 23, 2014
Phil says "it's surprising" to him how many ppl are interested in the job despite the fact that triangle will obviously be used next yr
— Chris Herring (@HerringWSJ) April 23, 2014
(if there was ever any doubt regarding the Triangle, there you go.)
Jackson says there's no timetable on the coaching decision other than fact that he'd like to have someone coaching the summer-league team
— Chris Herring (@HerringWSJ) April 23, 2014
.@PhilJackson11 said he'll talk to @SteveKerrTNT later this month about his desire to coach. #Knicks
— Jonah Ballow (@jonahballow) April 23, 2014
It's April 23, so that's soon.
No, Jackson's not gonna coach:
"That's something physically I don't think I can do" @PhilJackson11 on returning to the sidelines as a head coach
— Jonah Ballow (@jonahballow) April 23, 2014
Jackson says Jeanie Buss recently tried to talk him into coaching. Why does she want him to coach? "Lower risk," he said. But still says no.
— Alan Hahn (@alanhahn) April 23, 2014
Jackson downplayed the pursuit of front office changes, but confirmed that Clarence Gaines Jr. is on board now and allayed concerns about this morning's Isola report:
Phil says hiring someone else in the front office is 'not a priority.' Says Clarence Gaines has been 'working w/ us for 2 weeks.'
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) April 23, 2014
Phil says Dolan "has been very true to his word" in terms of leaving bball decisions up to him.
— Chris Herring (@HerringWSJ) April 23, 2014
Jackson heard when Carmelo Anthony said he'd consider a pay cut, and he's into it:
Asked Phil about Carmelo's salary, and whether he'd need to take less. He immediately brings up Tim Duncan, and the Big 3 in Miami.
— Chris Herring (@HerringWSJ) April 23, 2014
Phil says he hopes Carmelo will "stay true to his word" by potentially taking less. "That's the beginning of team play," he says.
— Chris Herring (@HerringWSJ) April 23, 2014
Phil says it will be beneficial to Knicks for Melo to take a pay cut to add other elite players. 'True.'
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) April 23, 2014
Phil Zen on Melo: "If it's in the cards man are we fortunate. If it's not in the cards, man are we fortunate and we're going forward anyway.
— Steve Popper (@StevePopper) April 23, 2014
And on the rest of the players:
Asked Phil whether he sees Shumpert as filling Ron Harper-type role as ballhandling guard. Said not necessarily, bc NBA is smaller now
— Chris Herring (@HerringWSJ) April 23, 2014
Jackson said players told him during exit interviews that they didn't buy in this season the way they did last year.
— Chris Herring (@HerringWSJ) April 23, 2014
Cool. Not much there, but I do like the fact that Jackson was forthright and reasonable-sounding in response to the Melo questions. I'm still just happy to have a president who talks.