It didn’t take long for Derek Fisher to proclaim he plans to reestablish the Knicks championship heritage of the 1970s and break the franchise’s 41-year title drought. And the Knicks’ new head coach wants Carmelo Anthony around for the rings, saying he “firmly believes’’ this is the place for him.
At his introductory press conference in Greenburgh on Tuesday, Fisher, owner of five titles as a point guard with the Lakers, said he’s “without a doubt’’ sure he can return these Knicks to their glory days when Phil Jackson wasn’t the team president but a power forward on their only two title teams.
“All I’ve heard about is how special this city can be when the Knicks are winning,’’ Fisher said.
Fisher, however, didn’t sound as certain regarding Anthony’s future since he can become a free agent July 1. Jackson said he wants Fisher to wear his five championship rings to his first meeting with Anthony, who has an opt-out clause that Jackson is trying to get him to delay free agency until 2015. Anthony must make his decision by June 23.
“As far as Carmelo is concerned, we obviously believe Carmelo is one of the top players in the NBA and world,’’ Fisher said. “We want him to be here, but ultimately he has the choice. We’ll do everything we can possibly do to give him confidence that we can get the job done and put a team together he can feel is a championship team.’’
The Knicks didn’t make the playoffs this season at 37-45 and they don’t have cap space until 2015 or a pick in the June 26 draft.
“We played against each other for years,’’ Fisher said. “He’s one of the great ones. I’m excited about the opportunity to possibly work with him. But he has to speak to his situation. As head coach, I have to be prepared to coach the players that I have. I would love to have him and am looking forward to it.’’
Jackson said another Anthony powwow is coming up shortly. The Bulls, Lakers, Rockets and Mavericks could be destinations if the Knicks star leaves.
“We’re planning on meeting with Carmelo in the near future,’’ Jackson said. “I want to express to him again I want to have him back on the team. We haven’t heard one way or another about opt-in or opt-out. If he decides on free agency, he has a right to do that.’’
Jackson, who admitted sheepishly he told Anthony that Steve Kerr would be the head coach, feels confident Fisher’s addition helps.
“I think I’ll have Derek wear all five of his rings the first time he comes in and talks to Carmelo, say this is what we’re working for,’’ Jackson said. “There’s a feel Derek has, and I think Carmelo will have. They played against each other, but more than anything, Derek represented something when he was the head of the union to these players that he was up there fighting for them and the leadership he showed in that phase was remarkable, and I think all the players appreciated that.’’
Fisher said he understands if Anthony wants to be a free agent but added, “We obviously firmly believe that here is that place for Carmelo. We’re going to do our best, not to convince or change his mind from a decision he has already made, but maybe help give him some confidence with the personnel involved and our commitment to working hard to achieve a great amount of success. This is a place he can have what he wants. He wants to be a on a great team, he wants to be around great people and he wants to achieve greatness. He’s great and he deserves that.”
Fisher called the roster “very, very talented’’ and talked about wanting to “add more banners to the ceiling.’’
“Phil experienced it here as a player some 40 years ago,’’ Fisher said. “It is here you walk the halls and experience the championship-level success, the great players and great coaches that have come through this organization. That’s why I’m here. That’s why I took advantage of this opportunity. We know without a doubt we can reestablish what that means, what that is.’’
Fisher was considered a key leader on five Lakers title teams.
“I have not been a head coach in the NBA, college or high school. But I am experienced. I am experienced in playing the game and being a champion,” he said. “Basketball is a game that I am experienced in playing, understanding, leading in, guiding in, helping another group of people achieve the greatest gift in the world as a professional athlete, and that’s being a champion — that I have experience in, and that’s the experience that I plan on sharing with these players, sharing with this organization.”