NBA Rumors: Phil Jackson Eyeing A Return To The Coaching Bench?

NBA Rumors: With whispers that Phil Jackson could return to coaching with the New York Knicks on a limited basis, he needs to place his focus elsewhere

When the decision to fire Derek Fisher came down earlier this season, many outlandish theorists believed that this was the first step in Phil Jackson returning to the coaching bench.

Instead of that happening, Jackson decided to name Kurt Rambis the interim head coach. The trade-off? Jackson reportedly has been more hands-on with the New York Knicks since Fisher’s departure, according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne.

Interestingly, Shelburne also states that there could come a time this summer where Jackson offers Rambis a deal to return to the team as a part-time head coach.

In essence, in this hypothetical agreement, Jackson would coach the home games and Rambis would coach the away games.

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"[via ESPN]Those close to him say Jackson seems more energized these days. He has lost about 20 pounds of the 30 he gained during his first two years on the job. Even Kobe Bryant noticed, remarking after Sunday’s game in Los Angeles that, “He looks great. Physically he looks good. I’m happy for him.”There’s even talk Jackson could offer to coach home games next season, with Rambis coaching the road games. It’s an offer the late Lakers owner Jerry Buss once flatly rejected, but it could be an interesting compromise to hiring Rambis as the head coach next season."

With that said, this is more of Jackson feeling the urgency to speed the Knicks’ rebuilding process. And if he genuinely believes that him coaching, even part-time, would accomplish that, don’t be surprised to see this idea float around this summer.

However, don’t expect it to ever come to fruition. This is exactly the plan that Jackson wanted to execute in Los Angeles, but the Lakers were having none of this part-time coaching stuff.

It’s great that Jackson feels energized and young again. But that doesn’t mean he has to jump right back into coaching. He needs to worry about finishing this rebuild with the Knicks and place all his focus there, not coaching.

On top of that, he needs to prove that he’s dedicated to New York. With that elephant in the room growing bigger and bigger – in the way of his opt out after the 2016-17 season – Jackson needs to show that he’s committed to bringing the Knicks back to prominence.

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That, above all, should be the No. 1 priority when it comes to basketball. Phil Jackson coaching the Knicks would be nice and all, but that time has passed. And unless he is willing to be the full-time coach, making both home and away trips, Jackson should – and will – stay away from the coaching bench.

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