The Quadrangle

Issue date: 2/16/05 Section: Sports

It's no surprise that the New York Knicks are in serious trouble and in desperate need of help since Pat Reilly left years ago. That was the last time the Knicks were actually considered a dominant force in the NBA. They had Patrick Ewing, John Starks, and who could forget Charles Oakley. Those were the good old days.

The Knicks started what seemed to be a huge turnaround last season when they hired long time NBA great Isaiah Thomas to come in and take over the General Manager's job. Thomas has done a magnificent job in making the Knicks younger and more versatile by trading away nearly every player that was here a year ago. He brought in some key players like Stephon Maurbury and Jamal Crawford this off season. Yet the Knicks are still not the NBA powerhouse they should be.

This is New York, the biggest and best city in the world. Shouldn't we have the biggest and best basketball team as well? No questions about it, things need to change, that's what will hopefully happen if Isaiah can pull off another miracle and hire former Bulls and Lakers coach Phil Jackson; also known as the "Zen Master".

Jackson has been on the block since the Lakers foolishly let him and Shaquille O'Neil go this past off season just to please their franchise superstar Kobe Bryant. That's all good news for the Knicks. So Phil who is already known as one of the NBA's all time greatest coaches is at the moment jobless. While he may be enjoying his break right now, he would not bear being away from basketball for a long time. This is why the Knicks hope they can lure him back to New York where he played for 11 years and helped them win two championships back in 1969 and 1972. Not too shabby. I think it's inevitable that he'll return and try'n help build the Knicks back up to one of the best teams in the NBA.

When questioned last week about the possibility of returning to the Knicks a source close to Jackson said "I think Phil would love to be in New York, that's where he's getting to be (in his thinking). The team isn't great, and they've got some salary-cap issues" but, "I think he's intrigued by the idea. But he wouldn't get into it if he didn't think he could make an impact in two or three years." If he could turn the Knicks around in three years he would definitely be hailed as a King by the Knickerbocker fans. Imagine Jackson who's already got nine proven NBA titles winning his 10th back here in New York. How perfect would that be? Knicks fans have been waiting long enough.

Although there seems to be a number of suitors willing and wanting the services of the Zen Master, it seems as if New York is on top of his list. Jackson has recently said that he will not be returning to the bench this season, however, hopes are high. This summer the Knicks will hopefully be able to land him and maybe even recruit a few super stars to compliment Marbury and Crawford.

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