THE FISH LANDS A COACHING GIG: Derek Fisher to the New York Knicks

Photo: AP Photo/Seth Wenig

This wasn't Phil Jackson's first choice but in his first biggest hire, he selected a former player that coached during the glory days with the Los Angeles Lakers, Derek Fisher. Fisher is now the team's 26th head coach in franchise history. With Steve Kerr accepting the Golden State Warriors position, the vacancy  in New York was there and after many rumors of Fisher taking a head coaching position, he accepted. Fisher will attempt to revitalize a Knicks team after a disappointing (37) win season and missing the playoffs after 3 consecutive appearances prior to this season. Similar to Jason Kidd's transition with the in-state rival, the Brooklyn Nets, Fisher will transition from player to coach in a one year span and he just finished the season  in the Western Conference Finals as a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder, whom lost to the eventual champions, the San Antonio Spurs. Fisher's contract is a five year, $25 million dollar contract and now Fisher will make as much money as he did in a four year span as a player over his 18 year career. The personal bond that Jackson and Fisher share may ease some growing pains with the newly acquired coach but in New York anything less than winning and winning in a rapid fashion is expected. Fisher and Jackson wants to change the culture of basketball in New York, whom didn't win a playoff game, series, or Atlantic Division title for almost two decades until their surprising 2012-13 season, when they posted a 54-28 record, the Knicks front office and fans alike should be pleased someone even took the job. Dissecting a team with constant injuries to overpaid players, a superstar in Carmelo Anthony that only can score and now possibly will leave this summer, and with a dysfunctional cast that surrounds him that could only finish 9th in a mediocre Eastern Conference is an embarrassment. This is Phil's guy and a test of hard work, determination, and patience throughout the whole organization must be on display in these upcoming months; however,  if Fisher can't end a stretch of bad seasons and turn New York into a contender and place them in position to win a championship, which last occurred in 1973, his exit papers may come faster than even he could anticipate.

Raymond Felton, Carmelo Anthony and Steve Novak celebrate a play against the Miami Heat. (Nov. 2, 2012) (Credit: Jim McIsaac)

When Jackson first was hired, all Knicks fans wanted Phil to play the role of President while coaching the Knicks in hopes of turning their franchise around; but as Phil stated when he took the job back in March, he will not coach the team. Many people were surprised that he selected Fisher over a veteran coach with experience such as a Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy (again), or Lionel Hollins, Jackson went with familiarity and someone knowledgeable to run his infamous triangle offense. Fisher, who was a part of the championship runs  while being a key contributor to the Lakers, and flourished in the triangle offense from the Shaq/Kobe days to the most recent Kobe/Pau Gasol days in Los Angeles. The once veteran and teacher of late to whom many players looked up too now has an opportunity to impact some of the younger pro athletes. With the NBA Draft on June 26th, New York has no upcoming draft picks until 2015 and 2017, so maybe they will try and trade their way into the draft before than or the Knicks will have to make do with the roster they have for at least one more season. Concern number one for New York, how will they retain Carmelo Anthony as a Knick. Fisher and Jackson sounded optimistic about having Anthony on board as they journey through a new era of New York Knicks basketball but Phil has expressed numerous occasions that he wants Carmelo if he is willing to take a pay cut. Anthony on the other hand is trying to win a NBA title a and after turning 30 last month, he's looking for another way to win now and New York may be out of luck. Carmelo Anthony is set to make $23 million if he returns for a 5th and final season of his contract with New York; however, as we found out on Sunday, he will opt out and test free agency as this will be his first opportunity to do so in his (11) year career. Interests from Chicago, Houston, and Dallas have emerged but Miami is a newcomer in the pursuit of "Melo" . The Heat is starting to show strong interests in Anthony and to form a “Big 4” in South Beach and if all can converge on taking a tremendous pay cut, LeBron's statement on multiple rings looks evident. The seven time All-star averaged (27.4) points and a career high (8.1) rebounds after coming off winning the NBA Scoring Title last season. A challenge for Carmelo since he arrived in the Big Apple was the lack of help on New York's roster which was a struggle on a nightly basis for the Knicks. While a lack of defensive pressure alongside a slew of injuries can make you have a (17) win drop-off a year later. Another expiring contract is Ama're Stoudemire's. Stoudemire is owed $23.4 million dollars; however, since coming to New York, he's been battling health concerns from a bad back and a bum knee and most say it's time to part ways with the 2003 Rookie of the Year. His points and minutes have diminished tremendously due to his injuries and with his inability to perform on the floor with Carmelo at the same time, Stoudemire may be on the way out soon. And the acquistion of former Raptor Andrea Bargnani is still questionable. This season, Bargnani has  $11 million is owed to him and with an elbow injury that kept him sidelined the majority of the second half of the season; certainly another injury from these two the Knicks will be handing out medical insurance cards rather than hoisting trophies in the near future. 

The Los Angeles Lakers celebrate after defeating the Orlando Magic 99-86 in Game Five of the 2009 NBA Finals on June 14, 2009 at Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) * Local Caption * Jordan Farmar;Trevor Ariza;Kobe Bryant;Derek Fisher;Sasha Vujacic--- 

(June 14, 2009 - Source: Chris Graythen/Getty Images North America)

Moving along, although Fisher is going to look towards installing a triangle offense, which is tremendous for a two-man tandem, unfortunately there's no tandem in New York and with the potential of losing Anthony, a entirely new roster will be learning the offense. Due to the questionable future, I believe is another reason why Phil didn't want to coach the team, as he has dealt with other isolation players with Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. I'm not saying that Carmelo Anthonyat their heights in his career, but as one on one scorer he is one of the best in the game today. A key component is movement from the point guard position and Raymond Felton, which unfortunately is one of the slowest guards in the league. From his careless effort in the half court set and after his hiatus with his fiancée, Felton shouldn't even be on the roster today. Knicks center Tyson Chandler could earn $14 million and his contract doesn't expire until next season. Since arriving in New York, he's been a defensive anchor for a team that does not defend the ball at all. He plays at a high level and with his excellent rebounding skills he helps New York on the boards and gives them multiple opportunities at second chance points. However, Chandler's downfall is his ineffective game offensively. If he could find an offensive burst this off season, even if it’s not a major role ,just enough to be post an average of (10-12) points a night, he could be a huge benefit in the new offense. Wing play will also play a crucial role and if the guards are solid on the perimeter, that's another advantage. Rumors of Iman Shumpert in trade talks are still lingering on but Shumpert is young and that’s where New York lacks, their roster is ineffective and their age is showing as well on the roster. Shumpert had a knee injury a few years back; however, when he's healthy, Shumpert is a great play-maker and is an excellent on ball defender. While youngster Tim Hardaway Jr. played well as a rookie and managed nice minutes off the bench for Mike Woodson last season. Carmelo could strive in this offense and New York could have even greater success if JR Smith stays focused in basketball matters and not extracurricular activities. The 2012-13 Sixth Man of the Year just stated on Twitter he demands to be a starter this upcoming season, and I demand someone to pay me six figures;however,  we all have dreams, but if Smith could remain focused, his wishes could come true. He could be a starter for any team, including the Knicks, as he has only averaged single digits in scoring just once in his career but "talk is cheap".  Unfortunately, the issue James Dolan faces is the Knicks boast an expensive and aging group; but as Fisher mentioned in his press conference, this will be a rebuilding process and that's usually not an overnight process. Despite a future of questions, Derek Fisher has a 5 year window and all options are on the table for himself and Jackson concerning the Knicks future.

In conclusion, Fisher who will be the third player turned coach in the last two seasons and the 8th head coach for the Knicks since Jeff Van Gundy resigned in 2001. Jason Kidd started this trend as he took the cross town rival Brooklyn Nets to a (44-38) record and a second round defeat to the hands of the Miami Heat this season. Fisher will look to emulate his own strategy combined with Phil Jackson's philosophy as they are hopeful for success in the Gotham. A Pat Riley formula is in place as Riley molded Erik Spoelstra from the film room to a 2 time NBA Champion with the help of LeBron James of course, but the foundation is set. The Carmelo Anthony ongoing saga will be the biggest and first step in putting together their roster and all of the moves that can be followed in New York. A five year, $129 million dollar max contract is what Carmelo Anthony can take and stay in New York City and as we all know how money friendly Knicks owner James Dolan can be, why should Melo take less to stay in a place he hasn't found much success in? Phil Jackson is making basically $20 million per season and he isn't willing to coach the team while he just handed out $5 million a year to a guy who hasn't coached basketball a day in his life at any level. The options weigh out in favor of both parties because if Anthony, Stoudemire, and Bargnani are all able to part ways, they will have around $55 million freed up to use towards building the Knicks roster. Chandler comes off the books next season and if Raymond Felton is back one more year, we will all start questioning who is running the show, but overall it will bring an abundance of cash for any upcoming free agents. I'm sure they will use it to lure free agents such as LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Rajon Rondo, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love and maybe even LaMarcus Aldridge so why not take that route?? Ultimately, you have a Superstar in play with Carmelo Anthony and to build around with. He has admitted he loves playing in New York and between Phil and Derek they can get him to buy in on taking less money, fewer shots, and be more of a presence on the defensive end and you never know what lies ahead for the city that never sleeps. With the championship experience that Derek Fisher and Phil Jackson has, they can present  their case to persuade Melo into staying and not to mention the two rings as a player for Jackson giving this franchise could be enough for Anthony to stay. Since 2003, (64%) of newly hired coaches did not make it to their third season holding the clipboard. Mike Dunleavy Sr. had the most success after transitioning from player/coach with the Lakers in 1991. He helped take them to a (58-24) record while securing a spot in the NBA Finals where they eventually lost to Phil Jackson, Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in 5 games. The New York Knicks really haven't been good since Van Gundy left and since he isn't leaving the booth anytime soon, it seems Fisher is the guy and Fisher may actually work. A former players association president and a guy who found a way to coexist with the almighty Kobe Bryant for over a decade he characteristically fits the part for this position. The different minds he will deal with on and off the court, you need a versatile leader that can express his opinion openly as well as deal with the harassing New York media on a day to day basis. My honest opinion I believe Carmelo will opt out for free agency and go elsewhere. Miami, no; but he will find a new home where he can win immediately. Bargnani and Felton will be out of New York quick, fast, and in a hurry. As for Stoudemire and Chandler's expiring contracts, they will play out for 2014-15 and they also will no longer reside in Manhattan. So who and what will be left? JR Smith will finish his last two seasons of his contract while Pablo Prigioni and Lamar Odom won't be there longer than a New York minute. They keep Iman Shumpert and Tim Hardaway Jr in route to recruiting for the future through the draft and with lucrative money to bring in free agents. The Knicks roster once again will be depleted and have to be revamped but it will be renewed under Fisher and Jackson's regime. New York doesn't want to hear it but this means a rebuilding process but it will be for good reasoning. Knicks fans should be grateful to know Phil Jackson will be in the shadows of their new head coach and maybe the days of Isiah Thomas, Lenny Wilkens, Larry Brown, and dare i say the "two Mike crew" with Mike D'antoni and Mike Woodson are no longer in existence and the 5 year Phil-Fish program is in session. For Fisher's sake, let's hope he can end this 41 year drought and his career as a coach is shortened and he ends up working for the four letter company as an analyst.