Zen Master Comes Home to New York
18 Mar, 2014
Phil Jackson has returned to the New York Knicks as their team president.
The Knicks announced Jackson’s hiring Tuesday at a news conference in the lobby of Madison Square Garden, where a giant sign reading “Welcome Home Phil” was overhead and shirts with the No. 18 Jackson wore as a player lined the racks in the merchandise store.
Jackson signed a five-year contract and said he will spend significant time in New York.
“This is the best place to play basketball,” Jackson said.
Jackson was a member of the Knicks’ championship-winning teams in 1970 and 1973, but they haven’t won a title since. Jackson went on to become the league’s most successful coach, winning 11 championships with the Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago Bulls.
This will be his first time as an executive and the Knicks say he will be in charge of all basketball decisions. Madison Square Garden chairman James Dolan said he “willingly and gratefully” is stepping back to give Jackson the power to make the changes the franchise needs.
AP
Image Nathaniel S. Butler-Getty Images
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