The New York Knicks are starting a search for their next Head Coach. They fired Derek Fisher in February after going 23-31. Kurt Rambis finished up the season as the interim Head Coach. According to ESPN, Knicks President Phil Jackson said, “People I probably know will be in the interview process. I will reach out to make connections to some people.” Could Luke Walton be the next Head Coach of the New York Knicks?
Luke Walton played under Phil Jackson from 2003-2010. During his playing days, he helped the Lakers win two NBA Championships. This season Walton is the assistant coach of the Golden State Worriers. Head Coach Steve Kerr missed the first 43 games because of back surgery and Walton took charge of the team. The Warriors started the season with 24 straight wins and went 39-4 with Walton. Those wins were credited to Steve Kerr due to NBA rules. Once the season is over, Walton will be in high demand for a head coaching job because of the excellent job he did.
The New York Knicks should pursue Luke Walton. He may not have a full year behind the bench, but still had the Warriors playing at a high level. Walton could run the offense similar to Phil Jackson’s triangle offense.
The downside is not many coaches who played under Phil Jackson have been successful. Derek Fisher played when Phil Jackson was the coach of the Lakers from 1999 to 2011. He didn’t have any coaching experience and took the New York Knicks job prior to the 2014-2015 season. He went 40-96 and didn’t reach the playoffs.
Brian Shaw, who was also coached by Phil Jackson from 1999 to 2003, had a little more practice being a coach. He was an assistant coach with Phil Jackson from 2005 to 2011. He was also on the Indiana Pacers’ staff for the 2011-2012 season. The Denver Nuggets hired Shaw on June 25th, 2013. The Nuggets went 36-46 in his first year. In his second season, Denver fired him 59 games into the season with a 20-39 record. His overall record was 56-85.
Steve Kerr is the only coach who has been successful after playing under Phil Jackson. Kerr was on the Bulls’ championship teams that Jackson coached from 1993 to 1998. He is now the Head Coach of the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors last season went 67-15 and won the NBA Championship. This season they set an NBA record for most wins in a season at 73.
Luke Walton will be in high demand to be an NBA head coach. The Knicks job is intriguing because of the fact that it would be in New York City. Walton shouldn’t take the job. There is no harm in the Knicks talking to him. Walton should holdout and coach a different NBA team so he isn’t in the shadow of Phil Jackson.
Where should Luke Walton Coach next season?
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