Looking for a signal on who will be the Knicks next coach? The answer possibly can be found in the pages of team president’s Phil Jackson’s most recent book, “Eleven Rings’’ when the Zen Master touted the leadership qualities of Derek Fisher.
In the book, written in 2013, Jackson said of Fisher: “He was one of the most selfless players I’ve ever coached and a role model for the rest of the players. Fish was the perfect leadership partner for Kobe.
“They had come together as rookies and trusted each other implicitly. Derek is more patient than Kobe and more balanced in his approach. While Kobe informed the team with his drive to win, Fish had a gift for inspiring players with his words keeping them grounded and focused.”
When Jackson last spoke to the media, on April 23, he said he wanted his new head coach to have “charismatic appeal.’’
“We’re looking for a leader,’’ Jackson said last month. “Someone who can bring out the best in players. Someone who has a unique ability in encouraging staff to meet needs players have. New York demands a personality, a person fans can believe in, a person who has some confidence and charismatic appeal and has a forward-looking idea about the game.”
Jackson is waiting on Fisher, a backup guard for the Thunder, to finish his postseason to see if he’s interested in the job. The Lakers, with Fisher’s close ties to Kobe Bryant, could be the Knicks’ competition for his services. After the Spurs beat the Thunder in Game 5 Thursday night in San Antonio in the Western Conference finals to take a 3-2 series lead, Fisher’s season could finish Saturday night in Game 6.
Jackson prefers Brian Shaw over Fisher because of Shaw’s coaching experience, but Denver ownership has given no indication it will allow Shaw to speak with the Knicks, who could double his salary.
Jackson probably won’t press the issue, unless Fisher turns him down, too.
“Fish is the guy if he can’t get Shaw,’’ one NBA source told The Post.
Jackson was not asked about Fisher when he met with reporters last month, only Steve Kerr, who passed on the Knicks job to accept Golden State’s late offer.
In the book Jackson quoted Lakers’ forward Luke Walton on Fisher: “Every time Derek gave a speech, I felt there should be music playing in the background like one of those epic sports movies.’’
Kevin Durant, Fisher’s Thunder teammate, told The Post last week the veteran is a can’t-miss coach.
“Without a doubt. He’s a smart guy, smart mind,’’ Durant said. “He’s a great motivator, great speaker and can really relate to a lot of guys and demands that respect from everybody. He’s a great locker-room guy. I’m sure he’ll do a great job.’’
The Knicks have started pre-draft workouts without a coaching staff or a draft pick. The training staff is conducting workouts. The Knicks plan to purchase a late-to-mid second-round pick, according to an NBA source.
The Knicks will return to London for the second time in three years when they face the Bucks Jan. 15, the NBA announced. In 2012-13, the Knicks routed the Pistons at London’s O-2 Arena, where Carmelo Anthony, who celebrated his 30th birthday Thursday, won an Olympic gold medal in 2012.
As The Post reported, Anthony and his entourage met with Knicks officials last Friday at a Manhattan bistro to discuss his future. If Anthony bolts as a free agent, he will miss out on playing in London again.