The New York Knicks will play the Miami Heat on the road Friday night without star forward Carmelo Anthony, and another loss for the team might force management to think harder about making a coaching change this season or in the summer.
Head coach Mike D'Antoni is an overrated coach, always has been. Before arriving in New York, his Phoenix Suns teams played very well but always were eliminated in the playoffs because they could not play the defense necessary to beat great opponents deep in the postseason.
D'Antoni has never been a good defensive coach, and he certainly hasn't been one in New York. The Knicks are 19th in rebounding, 20th in opponents' field-goal percentage and, despite all their offensive talent, they rank just 15th in points per game.
The Knicks won't win an NBA title with D'Antoni at the helm, and there is one person who would be perfect for the job, former Chicago Bulls coach Phil Jackson.
Whether Dolan makes an in-season coaching change—something he historically has opposed—or waits until after the shortened season, it is clear who the logical candidate would be to take over at MSG. Some telling comments from former Lakers coach Phil Jackson to the New York Times recently caught the eyes of several rival executives and coaching industry sources who are convinced of two things: Jackson, 66, has the itch to return, and the Knicks might be the only job that would lure him back.
Later in the article:
"The feeling is, all Dolan would have to do is ask, and Phil would say yes," a person connected to the former Lakers coach told me this week.
If Dolan wants Jackson to come back, and he's willing to coach again, you have to believe D'Antoni would be immediately let go. The opportunity to bring in a head coach with unbelievable experience and knowledge is not something that can be passed on.
Jackson has dealt with many stars in his coaching career, some with massive egos like Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant. He can handle the intense pressure of winning in a large market and enjoyed great success with the Knicks as a player back in the 1970s.
It's no secret Jackson was fond of his time in New York.
While insisting, "I have no desire to coach," Jackson said in the next breath, "You never say never, right?" He acknowledged, "Without a doubt, New York is special. Why wouldn't it be? When I was there, it was one of the greatest times to be in New York. I mean, the Mets, Jets and Knicks won championships all in one year."
Jackson would improve the Knicks at both ends of the floor. His triangle offense is complicated, but with an elite scorer in Carmelo Anthony and two quality big men in Amar'e Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler, running the triangle would work in New York.
The tiring schedule the NBA is playing through this year thanks to the shortened season would not be good for Jackson's health, but when the league is back to normal next season, Jackson might think about returning to basketball.
Jackson is a voice that the players will listen to and respect, and his ability to win with star players in large markets is a skill few coaches have.
The Knicks are in a win-now scenario and cannot afford to have their championship window close too soon because the coach is unable to get the most out of his players.
D'Antoni is a good coach, but he isn't a championship-caliber coach. If Phil Jackson is willing to come back to New York and coach next season, Dolan would be incredibly foolish not to offer him the job.
Nicholas Goss is an NBA Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report, follow him on Twitter.
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