Mike Woodson wants a chance to state his case to Phil Jackson why he should remain the Knicks coach. He could get his chance Tuesday.
The Knicks are making preliminary arrangements to hold their Jackson introductory press conference that day at the Garden, according to an NBA source.
While the Knicks are on a late playoff push, Jackson’s first major order of business will be deciding on a coach. Thursday, Woodson said on his ESPN Radio appearance he hopes Jackson doesn’t look at him as simply a baby sitter and gives him full consideration to finish the final year of his contract in 2014-15.
“I would want him to view me as a coach,’’ Woodson said. “If and when that time comes, I would just love the chance to sit with him and talk basketball. He’s a basketball guy, I’m a basketball guy. This is 30 years I’ve spent in this league, so that’s what we’ll do, but until that happens, my focus is strictly on trying to get this team in the playoffs. That’s it.’’
Working in Woodson’s favor is his and Jackson’s mutual admiration for legendary former Knicks coach Red Holzman, who coached both of them. When Woodson first joined the Knicks as a defensive assistant, he sang the praises of Holzman, who drafted him.
Woodson wouldn’t say how much he has been debriefed about the Jackson hiring.
“We know it’s out there, and like I said, I’ve got a great deal of respect for Phil, and if the Knicks decide to go that route, I think he can’t do nothing but enhance the organization,’’ Woodson said.
It’s possible the Knicks won’t officially announce the hiring of Jackson, who will have the title of team president, until Monday.
Though Jackson and the Knicks have reached an agreement in principle, the Garden has continued to issue no comments. Ex-Knick Greg Anthony said on NBA TV late Wednesday the deal was “official.”
One belief why the Knicks didn’t rush a press conference is because the Big East Tournament is being held through Saturday at the Garden and the Rangers play at home on Sunday.
It is expected Knicks owner James Dolan will look to invite some of Jackson’s former Knicks teammates on the club’s two championship teams, including Bill Bradley and Willis Reed, to Tuesday’s ceremony. In April, the 1973 Knicks title team was honored during a 40-year anniversary ceremony, which Jackson attended.
Jackson is expected to want to bring in his own coach who knows the triangle offense well. However, despite his record 11 coaching titles, he has a short coaching tree, unlike Pat Riley or even Jeff Van Gundy. Jackson was forever linked with his legendary assistant Tex Winter, who is credited with all but inventing the triangle offense.
That’s why former Suns general manager Steve Kerr, who has coaching aspirations, is a likely candidate. Brian Shaw, a former Lakers guard and longtime Jackson assistant, could be another, even though he signed on with Denver last spring for his first head coaching job. The Nuggets are struggling — eight games under .500 — and there are rumors he has lost some of the locker room.
Jim Cleamons, a former Knick, is another former Jackson assistant who was a head coach in Dallas, where he was dealt a bad hand. Cleamons is a Milwaukee assistant and will be at the Garden when the Bucks play the Knicks at noon Saturday.
Nate McMillan may be strongly considered. As far as Van Gundy, he and Jackson have exchanged verbal darts across the years, with Van Gundy once calling Jackson “Big Chief Triangle.’’
“I think [Shaw] could be a perfect fit with Phil,’’ said one NBA source who worked with Jackson. “He’s not afraid to speak his mind.’’
Meanwhile, despite the potential Tuesday press conference, a fan protest against Dolan scheduled for Wednesday in front of the Garden still is expected to go on, according to one of the organizers.
— Fred Kerber contributed to this report