Phil Jackson’s first real imprint on the Knicks organization will come when he names a new head coach or stuns the basketball world by retaining Mike Woodson. Among those waiting on the news is Steve Kerr, the former player and general manager-turned-broadcaster for TNT.
According to a source close to the situation, Kerr “absolutely expects” to be offered the job. “And if he’s offered the job, he’s definitely going to do it,” the source told The Post.
The Post has learned Kerr has had conversations with his bosses at Turner Sports about adjusting his schedule as an analyst during the upcoming playoffs should he be named the Knicks’ head coach.
Kerr’s name emerged as a top candidate based on his ties with Jackson. He was part of the Bulls’ three straight championship teams from 1996 to 1998 and the two have remained close. His knowledge of the triangle offense is said to be an asset.
Kerr might seem an unlikely choice considering he has no coaching experience. But that is becoming more common in the NBA. Mark Jackson went from broadcaster to first-time coach at Golden State, where the Warriors have made two straight playoff appearances. Go back a few years and Doc Rivers made a successful transition from analyst to coaching. Jason Kidd, who had no previous coaching experience, led the Nets to the playoffs in his first season.
Fellow TNT analyst Charles Barkley, though, didn’t exactly give Kerr a ringing endorsement and questioned what impact he could have.
“I just feel bad the way they treated Mike Woodson,” Barkley told The Post. “The Kerr thing could be interesting, but I don’t know what the player situation is. This league is about players, so it’s going to depend on what he has to work with. He’s not going to do anything better with this team.”
Woodson is expected to be fired with one year left on his contract after the Knicks failed to make the playoffs following a 54-win season last year. Everyone knows 37-45 wasn’t all his fault. The injuries and subpar performances have been well-chronicled.
But it’s troubling to hear Tyson Chandler talk on Thursday about how the Knicks need to establish a “winning culture” and Amar’e Stoudemire say some Knicks didn’t totally buy into the game plans and defensive strategies.
“Whatever it is, we have to stick to the game plan and try to master it,” Stoudemire said. He also said some players need to become more of “a pro.”
Woodson’s departure seemed inevitable until Carmelo Anthony spoke passionately on Thursday about his coach, saying: “I’ll back him if he needs my recommendation. I have nothing bad to say about Mike Woodson. I support him. I as a player had some of my best years under Mike Woodson.”
Jackson spent part of Thursday giving the Knicks one-on-one pep talks to soothe their bruised egos and encourage them to get better in preparation for next season. The next order of business should be naming his coach.
Regardless of who coaches the team, the Knicks’ top priority is to keep Anthony, who said he has plenty of questions that need to be answered before he decides his future. “This is not a decision that’s going to happen overnight,” he said.
Clearly, he doesn’t want to hear any talk that 2014-15 is going to be a wasted season to prepare for the 2015 free agency. Any notion otherwise might prompt Anthony to leave for a title contender.
“I feel like we gave away this year,” he said, adding, “I’m not at a point in my career where I want to rebuild.”
Barkley understands.
“Can he be patient for two more years? Those will be two of his prime years,” Barkley said. “Once you get to 30, you start to decline, and there’s no guarantee they’re going to bring anybody in either.”
How vigorously Anthony supports Woodson could determine whether the Knicks coach has any chance of staying. Kerr, meanwhile, is preparing to be ready if called.