With Phil Jackson seemingly on his way to New York, Knicks head coach Mike Woodson wants a chance to convince the Zen Master that he’s still the man for the job. Per the NY Post:
The Knicks are making preliminary arrangements to hold their Phil Jackson introductory press conference that day on the Garden floor, 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 babysitter 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.”
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.
