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| Derek Fisher introduced as New York Knicks head coach. Photo credit: CBS |
Derek Fisher becomes second point guard to retire and coach a team in New York. Phil Jackson hires his former player to coach the New York Knicks. With the franchise's bigger decision, Carmelo Anthony, looming we take a look at how this hire will effect the outcome.
by +Rodney FisherOther than watching Derek Fisher play during his 18-year career, I remember his short stint with my hometown Dallas Mavericks. Short because he did not want to be there at all. His life in a Mavs uniform lasted only nine games, leaving midseason to rejoin the OKC Thunder. I only interviewed him once and never got the impression of him being the next head coach of the Knicks, but I didn't have that feeling about Jason Kidd either. Kidd was able to corral a veteran team to make it to the second round of the NBA playoffs in his first year. That took having the pure respect from his former adversaries to get it done. Will Fisher garner the same respect?
Fisher was elected NBAPA president in 2006, and presided over the union during the tumultuous lockout in 2011-12 season. The executive committee voted 8-0 for Fisher to resign in 2012 citing it "based its decision on numerous instances over the past six months, where Fisher engaged in conduct detrimental to the union, including acting in contravention of the players' best interests, curing collective bargaining, declining to follow the NBAPA Constitution, and failing to uphold duties of Union President."
Two years later, owner's franchises are now valued in the billions while players are still subject to salary cap restrictions. For the Knicks new head coach, will the old saying hold true that time heals all wounds, or will players remember his poor leadership.
Phil Jackson stated he wanted a coach that was somewhat inexperienced, but knew his philosophy about basketball. When Steve Kerr took his talents to the Bay Area, Derek Fisher was the next triangle offense point guard left to court. The lure to play for the Knicks still remains Jackson, not Fisher. The Knicks hands are still tied from making the needed improvement to the roster until 2015-16 season, so why would Carmelo Antony want to stick around with a coach in training for the unknown?
Derek at best will be an extension of Jackson walking the sidelines. He will be running Phil's plays at Phil's pace, not reinventing the wheel. Judging from the last time we all saw Phil coach, a 0-4 sweep in the playoffs, you could make the argument that the triangle is not as effective as it once was.
Fisher's hire does not really affect Melo's decision, for better or worse. He can either align himself with other star players now or hope the lure to play with the Zen Master is enough to bring in LeBron in a year.
Update: Carmelo Anthony has not commented about his new head coach yet.
