OAKLAND, Calif. — So what are the chances of another ex-Knick named Jackson making the move back to New York City?
Barring a late-season collapse, Warriors coach Mark Jackson will guide Golden State to its second straight playoff berth. But if the Warriors don’t advance at least to the second round, there’s a distinct chance he could be a coaching free agent and available if new president Phil Jackson wants him.
There’s speculation in the Oakland media his big personality and my-way-or-the-highway style won’t work over a long period, and he has worn out his welcome with Golden State owner Joe Lacob because of a headstrong personality.
The Warriors sit in sixth place but are only 2 games ahead of ninth place at 45-28 after falling to the Knicks on Sunday night.
Former Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy, one of Jackson’s pals, think it’s nonsense that people are talking about Jackson’s future.
“Look at the results,” Van Gundy told The Post. “They were horrible before he came, now they are excellent. He has developed players. They defend. If the media has a problem with winning, then I guess the alternative is to lose again like they did for the previous 15, 20 years. I don’t understand what there is to complain about, seriously.’’
Mark Jackson said he thinks Phil Jackson will do “just great’’ as Knicks president.
“He’s an all-time great coach in the history of sports, not just in basketball, but sports alone,’’ Mark Jackson said. “His body of work speaks for itself. A very wise man that understands the game of basketball and knows what it takes to be a winner and built a winner. I’m sure he’ll do just great.’’
The Warriors coach, out of St. John’s via Brooklyn, said he remembers his famous battles with Jackson’s Bulls and Lakers teams from his time as Pacers point guard but doesn’t know him personally.
“Just know him going against him and having Scottie Pippen on orders to harass me, foul me, grab me every time coming up the court,’’ Jackson said. “Then giving those same orders to Kobe. I just know him from competing against his teams and as a fan watching his work as a young Knick fan in 1969, 1973. I remember those days.’’
Jackson, in his third season as head coach after a successful stint as a national broadcaster, has guided the Warriors to consecutive 45-win seasons for the first time since the mid-1970s. Stephen Curry swears by Jackson and made over-the-top supportive remarks about him in recent days, way beyond anything Carmelo Anthony has uttered about lame duck Mike Woodson.
But Jackson is viewed in some circles as a lame duck. He has one year left on his pact, but there have been no contract-extension talks and reportedly tension exists between him and the front office.
One Bay Area columnist wrote of Jackson, comparing him to ill-fated San Francisco 49ers coach Mike Singletary, “Both made repeated grand statements, fused with religious overtones and that doesn’t always play well forever, particularly in the Bay Area.’’
Jackson’s latest tiff with assistant coach Brian Scalabrine, whom he demoted to work with the D-League team, created something of a national stir. Scalabrine apparently wanted too much say in matters.
A Yahoo! Sports report stated Jackson has not handled his assistants with enough respect, and Scalabrine is well-liked by the front office. The report said Jackson and former assistant Michael Malone, a former Knicks assistant, didn’t speak with each other last season for weeks at a time. Malone has since moved on to become Sacramento’s head coach.
The report also alleged Jackson tried to get involved with the Nets as a head-coaching candidate when they were amid a search last spring, as well as the Clippers. Jackson has vehemently denied it.
There were rumblings Jackson is interested in the Knicks job again, but that was before the Zen Master took over. Jackson finished runner-up to Mike D’Antoni for the Knicks job in 2008. Donnie Walsh felt he needed someone with head-coaching experience as they went about blowing up the team.
It’s hard to imagine Jackson and Jackson clicking with two big egos. Phil Jackson has indicated he wants his next coach to be familiar with the triangle offense and it seems he will have a lot of input. Mark Jackson would have to change his style.
That Jackson may want to mold his coach has given way to speculation former Suns GM Steve Kerr has the job if he wants it. Jackson and Kerr are close and Kerr won championships directing the triangle. Ex-Laker Derek Fisher’s name has been floated for similar reasons with the veteran point guard on verge of his last days as a player.