http://www.nypost.com/sports/knicks/31336.htm <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> November 16, 2005 -- LOS ANGELES — Phil Jackson finally admitted yesterday the Knicks were always his second choice — and that he would only have considered them last spring if he knew the Laker coaching job had been out of his grasp. Jackson and Larry Brown were the apples of Knick president Isiah Thomas' eye last spring — both widely considered the NBA's two best coaches. Yesterday, Jackson and Brown were in the same gym at the Lakers' practice facility, but there was not even an acknowledgement. Brown walked into the gym for practice while Jackson was finishing up with the media. Tonight, the two coaches face off tonight in a nationally televised Knick-Laker showdown at Staples Center. It's their first encounter since Brown's Pistons blistered the Lakers in a five games to win the NBA championship, leading to the breakup of the Laker dynasty. Thomas interviewed Jackson last April. Jax didn't accept the Lakers' post until mid-June, and most believe he was using the Knick possibility as leverage. He called the Knick flirtation "ancient history." "I told Isiah up front I'd have to reject the fact that I wasn't going to come back to the Lakers before I could accept the fact I would go to New York," Jax said after a three-hour Lakers' practice. "So I had to accept that possibility. First things first. That carried on for a while, took a while to digest that. When I figured that out, I called Isiah and left a message with him." In a bizarre remark, Jackson admitted he was scared off by — of all things — the New York media. Jackson told L.A. reporters this week the Big Apple media were filled with "snakes, nastiness and innuendo. Those things I knew I was going to be able to live without." Jackson believes it worked out for all parties, including Brown, who outcoached Jackson in the 2004 Finals, when the Pistons took out the Lakers in five games. "It's a great job for him," Jackson said. "A lot of money there, a lot of things, a lot of opportunities there. It's home for him." Indeed, Jackson and Brown have the two biggest coaching contracts in the NBA. Jackson's is three years, $30 million. A source told The Post recently Brown's contract is $9 million annually, at five years, $45 million, though it's unclear if the fifth year is guaranteed. Both teams are rebuilding. After an 0-5 start, the Knicks have won two straight. The Lakers are 3-4. "You have two teams struggling," Jackson said. "The next time we meet them, it will be a better matchup. Larry's been in this situation more times than I have. It is a different, unique situation for me." Brown said his situation with the Knicks is far different than Jackson's in L.A. "He's had most of those guys," Brown said. "They've been in that environment." When told about Jackson's rip on the New York media, Brown said, "Maybe that's why I'm here." In the re-release of his Lakers' book, Jackson wrote in an epilogue chapter, "Isiah was very gracious in our meeting, and though he didn't make a formal offer, I got the feeling the job is mine if I want it. The fact is, I don't." </div> He was scared of the NY media all along? Is he out of his god damn mind? I've always hated Phil.. going back to his Chicago days when he'd make smart @ss comments about the Knicks, the city and the fans... now he admits he was afraid of getting his feelings hurt. What a wimp. Stay in LA where you belong.. Please.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Equint77:</div><div class="quote_post">http://www.nypost.com/sports/knicks/31336.htm He was scared of the NY media all along? Is he out of his god damn mind? I've always hated Phil.. going back to his Chicago days when he'd make smart @ss comments about the Knicks, the city and the fans... now he admits he was afraid of getting his feelings hurt. What a wimp. Stay in LA where you belong.. Please.</div> Sounds like you're bitter? And I don't know why, because for the job, I would rather have LB. There is nothing wrong with Phil not wanting the job. He has to do whats best for him. I don't see anything wrong about him making the Knicks play second fiddle to the Lakers job.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting STCBBall3:</div><div class="quote_post">Sounds like you're bitter? And I don't know why, because for the job, I would rather have LB. There is nothing wrong with Phil not wanting the job. He has to do whats best for him. I don't see anything wrong about him making the Knicks play second fiddle to the Lakers job.</div> nah.. no bitterness... I like LB here too... I've just always hated Phil Jackson.. going back to his days in Chicago.... I could never stand his smart @ss comments about NY in general. I'm also sick of hearing him use NY as leverage for himself.. he did the same thing with Chicago a while ago. I didn't want him in NY back in 1999 when Jeff was on the verge of being fired... and I certainly didn't care for him being the coach here any time after that. He should just stick to trashing his players and know that the only reason he's back in LA is cause he was afraid he'd lose his woman.. Enough already... just shut up and coach.
You know after looking at both of these 2 coaches I must say that I would rather have LB than Phil. LB has proven to me that he can really coach. I mean he hasn't had the superstar players that Phil has had and has been quite successful in his own right. Sure LB had Reggie and AI, but not the power pack of Mike and Scottie, or Shaq and Kobe. Iv'e had enough of the Tinsletown coaches when we had Pat (who in my opinion was in the same boat as Phil...always coached superstars). For me LB was and will always be the better choice.
Knicks should be glad things turned out the way they did...I believe Brown to be the better teacher and better basketball mind between the two, he just has not had enough talent around him as Jackson has...Brown is the better coach for these Knicks than jackson...
Wow... I just found that hilarious... scared of the ny media... i mean if he would have taken the job, by now he would be in a closet crying...
