Jackson says he would not coach 'clumsy' Knicks if asked
Phil Jackson said in an interview with HBO that, even if the team asked, he would not be interested in coaching the New York Knicks.
Jackson made the comments in an interview with HBO's "Real Sports," ESPN New York reported. The segment is scheduled to air Tuesday night.
"I wasn't gonna take that job, that's for sure," Jackson said.
He said was not been asked by Knicks owner James Dolan to coach the team. Jackson said he would not want the job anyways because the team is "clumsy."
"They don't fit together well," he said. "(Amare) Stoudemire doesn't fit well with Carmelo (Anthony). Stoudemire's a really good player. But he's gotta play in a certain system and a way.
"Carmelo has to be a better passer. And the ball can't stop every time it hits his hands. They need to have someone come in that can kinda blend that group together."
Jackson was rumored to be a candidate for the Knicks as well as Orlando Magic coaching jobs. He said he was not interested in Orlando because it is too far from his home in Montana.
Mike Woodson was given the Knicks job after he took over for Mike D'Antoni late during the season. The Magic are still searching for a coach after firing Stan Van Gundy.
Jackson played for the Knicks from 1967 to 1978 and won 11 NBA titles as coach with the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers.
