Golden State Warriors fans probably owe New York Knicks owner James Dolan a hearty thanks.
It’s not enough that the Warriors destroyed the Knicks in New York on Saturday night, winning 125-94 while the boys in orange and blue basically did whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted. No, that loss was yet another reminder of the coach the Knicks wanted, the same coach they couldn’t have.
Because of Dolan.
Apparently.
From the New York Daily News‘ Frank Isola:
When Jackson was named president of the Knicks last March, his top priority was to hire Kerr, who according to sources had reservations about working under James Dolan.
Similarly, Dolan wasn’t overwhelmed by Kerr and in fact offered him a less lucrative deal than the contract Jackson’s second choice, Fisher, received.
Losing out on Kerr may have been a bigger setback than Jackson originally believed. It wasn’t just that Jackson viewed Kerr as a bright, young coach who had played for him in Chicago as well as Gregg Popovich in San Antonio. The added benefit of working with Kerr is that Kerr already served as a front-office executive, working three seasons as the president and GM of the Phoenix Suns.
Okay, so, this rumor has been floated in the past. But that’s the point. Games like those, losses like these, rehash what and whom the Knicks missed out on.
Hiring Kerr wouldn’t have made them a juggernaut the way Golden State is now. The Warriors were built to win long before Kerr came along. He just put the finishing touches on the roster, implementing a free-flowing system and culture—no small feat, but one that wouldn’t look as fantastic without the ready-to-win crew he inherited.
Still, it says a lot about the Knicks’ state and, perhaps, their vision that he resisted Phil Jackson’s overtures. Even if the Warriors were closer to home and his family (they are), the Knicks’ mystique is supposed to be irresistible. That his arrival went from formality to fiction remains alarming.
Is that all Dolan’s fault? It’s assuredly possible, given his track record. But it’s also difficult to see Dolan allowing Jackson the freedom to dismantle a roster Dolan himself deemed a contender last year after refusing to play ball with the Zen Master’s top coaching candidate. Jackson at least has the appearance of autonomy, so it just seems odd that his choice of rookie—not proven veterans, not title-toting sideline wanderers, but rookie—head coaches would draw the eccentric, bordering on detrimental, owner’s ire.
Then again, you never know.
This is Dolan.
These are the Knicks.
Anything, however bad or ludicrous, is possible.
