Yes, Mike Woodson has heard the Phil Jackson rumors and reports.
But no, the Knicks coach does not want to comment on it.
“I really don’t have an opinion on it. I really don’t,” Woodson said Friday before the Knicks faced the Jazz at the Garden. “As I sit here today I’m the coach of the New York Knicks. I’m not going to entertain anything about Phil. I have a great deal of respect for Phil, but I’m not going to entertain anything about Phil Jackson. My job is to get this team to play at a high level.”
ESPN reported Friday Knicks general manager Steve Mills met with Jackson a couple of weeks ago about coaching the team, while The Post reported the club is interested in the legendary coach for a front-office position.
So Friday became just another wretched day for Woodson in a season of misery.
“It’s every day,” Woodson said.
“If it was up to Mike Woodson in terms of writing it, it wouldn’t be lingering. That’s you guys. You guys write it. It’s what it is. I can’t undo what you guys write,” said Woodson, who has been under fire all season as the Knicks have stumbled and bumbled to a 22-40 record, despite ownership’s call for a title. “You got a job to do. I got a job to do. I enjoy what I do as a coach. I’m going to continue to work to get better and see if I can get this team headed in the right direction in terms of trying to get in the playoffs.”
Earlier this season, Knicks owner James Dolan voiced support of Woodson. Suffice it to say there has been no recent public vote of confidence.
“I’m the coach of the Knicks. To me that means a lot,” Woodson said. “This is 30 years of me being in the NBA. I enjoy what I do. I enjoyed when I played. I enjoy my job as a coach. This has been kind of a roller-coaster ride for our ball club this year. On the flip side of that, we still have an opportunity to make the playoffs. Any coach, that’s the only thing you can ask, is getting in the playoffs. We got a long road ahead of us.”