So the Zen master and former Knick legend Phil Jackson came out and told the world that he doesn’t want to coach the Knicks because …”they have a clumsy team.” First of all, the last time I checked, no one from the Knicks organization even considered Jackson for the job…

Secondly, if one were to read between the lines, what Phil is saying is  that he would prefer to coach a team that was the favorite to win the NBA Championship. A team with every piece in its place. A team that needs nothing except someone to fill the coaches seat at the game, and who will get all the credit at the end of the season. That’s the team Jackson is looking to coach.

And that’s the one mar on his legacy. He has won eleven championships with at least two superstars on every team. Whether it was Michael and Scottie or Kobe and Shaq. I mean take a minute and ask yourself has Phil Jackson ever coached a team that shocked you by winning the NBA Championship?

The Furnace wants to know what championship(s) Jackson won that was surprising or unpredictable? Photo: nbanewscorner.blogspot.com

The point of the matter is that Jackson has no intentions of seeking to coach a team that challenges him to make them better. He’s already been there and done that and now into his sixties, he has nothing to prove and is no longer motivated enough to coach again. I think he just enjoys the attention and being temporarily relevant.

When questioned about the Orlando vacancy, Jackson said that the Magic play in a city too far from his Montana home. So clearly what he’s saying is “I really can’t be bothered. Just give me my rocking chair, a bag of popcorn, and my flat screen. I’ve got 11 rings and kind of got upset that the Knicks never even approached me for their coaching job.”

Well, we have some news for you Mr. Jackson…We really don’t want you either! Nor do we need you. We just gave a three year contract to a coach who turned around one franchise, is eager to face the challenges of turning another team into a viable contender, and, get this Phil, ended the past season going 18-6 in his last 24 games. No other coach in the NBA finished their last 24 games with a record like that! Not Popovich, not Rivers, not Spoelstra, nor Brooks. No one.

“No vacancy at Madison Square Garden Phil” Photo: tusconcitizen.com

Personally, I think if Phil Jackson was the Knicks head coach it would only serve as a distraction and add more drama to a team that has no problem creating its own. All eyes, microphones, and attention should not be on the  head coach of a team but on the players themselves and the product they put on the floor every night.

So stay put in Montana Phil. The sooner you shut up, the sooner your legacy will be restored to its pristine original self.