Mark Jackson finally will make his coaching homecoming Wednesday night at the Garden. To some New Yorkers, it comes 5 1/2 years too late.
Jackson, runner-up to Mike D’Antoni in 2007 to become the Knicks’ head coach, arrives with his swashbuckling Warriors club, led by All-Star ex-Knick David Lee, who said he is battling a bruised left shoulder and is questionable for the game. Lee also could face a suspension for his role in Tuesday night’s brawl against the Pacers.
Jackson was born in Brooklyn, played at St. John’s and had two stints with the Knicks as a play-making point guard. In his second season as coach, Jackson’s Warriors are sixth in the Western Conference at 33-23. Last season’s Warriors-Knicks matchup at the Garden was cancelled because of the lockout.
“These are things I thought about as a kid, I dreamt about as a kid,’’ Jackson said yesterday on San Francisco radio station KNBR. “It’s not a throwaway thing. It’s a ‘wow’ moment. That’s what makes it an emotional thing, not coaching the game, but as a kid: ‘Who woulda thunk it?’
“The thing I’ll love is I’ll see my mom, see my older son who will go to the game,’’ he added. “My wife is flying from L.A. to New York for the game. Just seeing folks I’ve known for a long time. At the end of the day, the thing that will take place is I had a dream of coaching at the Garden, playing at the Garden and announcing at the Garden. This brings closure because it’s the first time I will be coaching.’’
Jackson was said to be stunned D’Antoni got the job in 2007. But former Knicks president Donnie Walsh may have done Jackson a favor, knowing the roster would be torn apart to create salary-cap space to pursue LeBron James.
***Backup center Marcus Camby could make his return Friday in Washington, according to coach Mike Woodson. The 38-year-old has been out since Jan. 10 with a strained plantar fascia.
Camby participated in his second scrimmage yesterday and has been practicing with the team for one week. He scrimmaged for the first time last Thursday in Toronto and experienced swelling in his left foot. If Camby responds well today and gets through a scrimmage tomorrow, he likely will get the green light for the Wizards game.
Camby has been the team’s most disappointing addition. In 14 games, he has averaged 2.1 points, 3.7 rebounds and 0.8 blocks, playing fewer than 11 minutes per game. He is making $4.5 million this season.
***Woodson would not commit to newcomer Kenyon Martin making his debut tonight. The veteran forward, who signed a 10-day contract Saturday, still is learning the sets. Injured big man Rasheed Wallace is practicing, but is not scrimmaging.
***Jackson said Warriors backup point guard Jarrett Jack deserves the Sixth Man of the Year award.
“People talk about Jamal Crawford and J.R. Smith in New York,’’ Jackson said. “Jarrett Jack has been the Sixth Man of the Year. He’s playing lights out. He’s been a steal for us — a voice and a leader.’’
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Carmelo Anthony on his Syracuse retirement jersey ceremony: “The best part was having my son [5-year-od Kiyan] there. He has never been to a college basketball game. He didn’t even know what was going to happen.”