Report: 'Dolan Is Calling The Shots' On Jackson Decision; Is Mills Doomed?
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The Knicks are still reportedly waiting on Phil Jackson's decision.
Will the coaching legend join New York's front office and run basketball operations, or will he decide that the risk of getting involved with this organization is simply not worth the potential reward?
On Monday, the New York Daily News reported that an announcement could be imminent, but no news came out of either Jackson's camp nor the Knicks' camp.
As I reported in column, still no assurance an agreement will be reached. No one in Jackson's world thinks deal is "close," that's for sure.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 11, 2014
According to the newspaper, if the 68-year-old does accept the position, it could mean a reduced role for executive vice president and general manager Steve Mills.
"Phil doesn't want to work with Steve," a person close to Jackson told Frank Isola of the Daily News. "Mills doesn't know what to think now. Dolan is calling the shots on this one."
Jackson reportedly turned down an offer to coach the team in a meeting with Mills last week. The meeting was a "disaster," Isola reported.
If the 13-time NBA champion (11 as a coach, two as a player) is hired by owner James Dolan, he wants to hire his own general manager and head coach, according to Isola.
But that, as we know, could pose a serious problem down the line. Would Dolan give the keys and total control to the iconic "Zen Master"?
History says no, but desperate times might call for desperate measures.
"The problem with having a plan here is that Jim is OK with it until you start losing and then he'll step in and want to change the plan immediately," one Knicks official told Isola. "Steve hasn't been here that long and already Jim wants to try something different."
The Knicks, winners of four in a row following a victory over the 76ers on Monday night, are 25-40 on the season. They are 3 1/2 games behind the Hawks for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with 17 games to play.
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