This may be a first (and a last) in the New York City Metro Area.
Inevitably, if one newspaper endorses a certain candidate for a powerful political position, its rivals will endorse someone else. The same holds true in sports regarding top-shelf managerial and coaching vacancies.Even columnists on the same payroll habitually disagree on such subjects, if for no other reason than not to agree, no matter what, with the deep-rooted, insufferable comp. My supporting somebody guarantees backing for someone else by an adversary and so forth.
Hallowed be our shallowness.
Mark Jackson is a phenomenon. By fusing the feuding forces of the media from Manhattan, Long Island and New Jersey he has accomplished the unthinkable.
To a person — unless I have missed a dissenting vote or voice — we believe, as do those throughout the league with a stable hand on its pulse, there's nobody available more capable to replace Isiah Thomas as Knicks coach than New York's very own communications leader.
Jackson, who has 17 years of coaching experience as an on-the-floor-assistant, and the job are custom made for each other, a seamless fit. Never again would we have to hear the lame mantra from a sobbing Knicks coach or player about how tough it is to win in New York.
The 43-year-old (April 1, no joke) grew up here. Born in Brooklyn and raised in Queens ("I'm the only guy claimed by both boroughs ... and rightfully so"), he excelled at Loughlin HS, St. John's University and as a Knick. His home away from home is Madison Square Garden. Jackson's connection with fans and those covering the NBA is friction free. Who doesn't revere his basketball opinion? Is there any ex-player who possesses a keener sense of humor and richer respect for franchise (and league) history?
More important maybe than anything is that newly appointed Knicks president Donnie Walsh liked what Jackson did for the Pacers to such a degree he traded for him twice.
Walsh first obtained the seven-year veteran from my Paper Clips June 30, 1994. Two years later, Jackson essentially was dealt to the Nuggets for Jalen Rose; Larry Brown felt Travis Best and Haywoode Workman were equipped to handle the playmaking. Walsh corrected this mistake Feb. 20, 1997, but the psychiatrist arrived too late to come to the team's emotional/playoff rescue. Next Town Brown was on his way to Philadelphia.
In the three subsequent seasons Larry Bird's Pacers played in 50 playoff games, climaxed by a runner-up 2000 finish (six games) to the Lakers. Larry Legend left coaching soon afterward, and Jackson signed a free agent contract with the Raptors when, ahem, Isiah Thomas, Indy's incoming coach, showed perforated enthusiasm in retaining his services.
Accordingly, should Walsh reach out to Jackson for help a third time, it's additional motivation to delete The False Prophet from the Knicks organization.
Back then Thomas viewed Jackson's knowledge, counseling and sway with the players as a threat. You tell me; should Walsh allow him to stay on the premises would Thomas now root harder for or against Jackson?
This just in: Speaking of Isiah, er, Isaiah, it warms my heart to see J(ust) R(eleased) Rider earn some updated pictures and prints after being booked in Los Angeles for driving a car which apparently wasn't his.
You could have knocked me over with a subpoena. Booked and cut loose last weekend, Rider, 37, is scheduled to appear in court later this month. To ring in the New Year, Rider was arrested in northern California last January following a dispute with a cab driver. He pleaded guilty to a cavalcade of charges, including felony cocaine possession, battery, evading a police officer and breaking the business casual dress code.
In an unrelated development, Walsh said he would withhold judgment before observing Rider in person.
Props to Max Mosley, president of Formula One's governing body, for being implicated in a Nazi role-playing orgy.
In a shameless attempt to market this incident, all F1 autos shall now be equipped with sidecars.
No comments:
Post a Comment