Knicks assistant GM Allan Houston declined to discuss the Phil Jackson joining the Knicks front office, but admitted his “respect” for the Zen Master.
“Everyone has respect for one of the greatest coaches,” Houston said at a press conference in Westchester to introduce the team’s new D-League affiliate next season that will be based in White Plains. “I’ve played for wonderful coaches and I’ve learned a lot from all of them. I’ve played, worked with a lot of great people, personnel, coaches. I’m a sponge, so that anybody that I work with I’m going to learn from.”
The Knicks expect Jackson to be in the fold any day now as talks are ongoing to define his front-office role. The Post reported in Sunday’s editions Jackson was “real close” to coming aboard.
The Garden hasn’t commented on the situation, and Houston said, “I don’t have any thoughts on it,” when quizzed about talks with Jackson.
The former Knick All-Star shooting guard does have thoughts on the team’s sudden entry into a playoff race after gaining three games in the standings in four days, trailing the No. 8 spot by 3 1/2 games. They host the Sixers Monday night looking for their fourth straight victory.
“I think you’re starting to see a team that’s very urgent, hopefully the lineups can continue to be successful, and I think you just have to take one game at a time and believe in it,” Houston said.
Marc Berman contributed to this report