Skip to main content

CSN Bay Area

HOME  >  NEWS  >  SPORTS
Jackson, Knicks introduce Fisher as head coach
Share This Post
Comments
Tuesday, June 10, 2014 - 10:15am

The New York Knicks hired Derek Fisher as their new coach on Tuesday, with Phil Jackson turning to one of his most trustworthy former players.

Just days after finishing his 18th season, Fisher was tabbed to replace Mike Woodson, whom Jackson fired after the season in his first major move as team president.

Fisher won five championships playing for Jackson with the Los Angeles Lakers and was known for his knack for hitting clutch postseason shots while playing an NBA-record 259 playoff games. Jackson said that "it has come clear to me" that he and Fisher can form a great partnership again, listing some of the coaches the 39-year-old Fisher had played under - though leaving out himself.

"Derek has a long, laundry list of coaches that he's worked under and had a tremendous amount of success and we welcome him," Jackson said Tuesday during a press conference at the Knicks' training center in Greenburgh, New York.

The Knicks went 37-45 and missed the playoffs, just a year after winning the Atlantic Division and advancing to the Eastern Conference semifinals. Jackson, who declined an original offer to coach the team, was instead hired to run the front office in March and fired Woodson the week after the season ended.

He was seeking someone familiar with the triangle offense and someone with little or no coaching experience that he could teach. The Knicks had nearly closed a deal to hire Steve Kerr, who instead left the TNT broadcast table to take the Golden State Warriors' coaching job.

Terms of the Fisher's deal were not released, but Yahoo! Sports reported it to be for five years, $25 million - about the same deal Kerr signed with the Warriors.

Jackson then turned his attention to Fisher, even getting fined $25,000 last week when he was too open about his interest in the point guard who was still under contract with the Thunder.

Fisher is respected among players around the league and was the president of the Players Association during the 2011 lockout. The Knicks have had nowhere near the success of Fisher or Jackson, but their new coach believes they can.

"We know without a doubt that we can re-establish what that means, what that is," Fisher said.

Fisher won three straight titles from 2000-02 on the Lakers teams led by Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant. He later returned to the Lakers and helped them win again in 2009 and '10.

The 6-foot-1 Fisher was still a key contributor for the Thunder this season, helping them reach the Western Conference finals. Fisher, who is tied for third on the career list for 3-pointers in the NBA Finals, said thinking like a coach helped him play so long despite never being the most athletic or talented player.

And now, like Jason Kidd in Brooklyn, he is prepared to make the leap right from the court to the bench without any coaching experience on any level.

"But I am experienced," Fisher said. "Basketball is a game that I am experienced in playing, understanding, leading in, guiding in, helping another group of people achieve the greatest gift in the world as a professional athlete, and that's being a champion. That I have experience in, and that's the experience that I plan on sharing with these players, sharing with this organization."

They Knicks won titles in 1970 and 1973, when Jackson was a player in the organization, but have had little postseason success in this century. Fisher is the team's 26th coach, and Jackson, noticing how sharply Fisher was dressed in his brown suit in purple shirt, said the former first-round pick from Arkansas-Little Rock "always stepped into the vacuum of leadership."

And the Knicks hope that leadership, and Fisher's success as a player, will help reach a group that admittedly tuned Woodson out at times. And perhaps it can help persuade Carmelo Anthony, who can become a free agent in July, to remain in New York.

His presence will certainly give New York a credibility that only champions can bring.

"That's why I'm here," Fisher said. "That's why I took advantage of this opportunity, to be a part of that process."

NBCBayArea.com

There is no data to display.

Video

YSTL: Can the US World Cup team escape Group G?
Toe the Rubber: Tommy Milone vs. Jered Weaver
Melvin blown away by Cespedes' throw
Bochy: 'We had lots of chances...but tonight it eluded us'

Giants

Instant Replay: Giants fizzle again, drop third straight
Giants scratch ailing Pablo Sandoval
Red Sox sign former Giants OF Torres to minor league deal
Giants trade left-hander Huff to Yankees for cash
Read More

Athletics

Instant Replay: Vogt, Cespedes help A's avoid sweep
A's pregame notes: Donaldson misses second of 2014 season
A's lineup: Donaldson gets rare day off, Crisp in center
A's Bob Welch was OK in my book
Read More

Sharks

Rangers keep Stanley Cup hopes alive, beat Kings 2-1
Kings reminisce, Doughty criticizes Sharks' leaders
Sharks' Couture undergoes offseason hand surgery
Report: Thornton 'might re-think' if Sharks fans don't want him
Read More

49ers

Sarah Harbaugh crusades against Jim's 'dad pants'
Harbaugh expects Davis, Boone to attend mandatory minicamp
James wants to be elite returner, but not return specialist
OTAs: Rough day for 49ers passing game
Read More

Raiders

Khalil Mack possesses a 'motor that's relentless'
Raiders should benefit from Branch's return
Scott Bair's Raiders chat transcript (6.10.14)
Raiders OTA recap: McFadden kickoff return man?
Read More

Warriors

Report: Warriors eyeing Spurs shooting coach Engelland
Report: Heat officials, players planning run at Anthony
Monte Poole's Warriors chat transcript (6.11.14)
Spurs roll to 111-92 victory over Heat, take 2-1 series lead
Read More

NCAA

NCAA reaches $20 million settlement of video game claims
Former SJSU OL diagnosed with lymphoma
NCAA suit goes to trial, could reshape college athletics
Stanford falls to Vanderbilt in Super Regional
Read More
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Buy Giants Gear
  • Buy Giants Tickets
  • Amy G
  • Insider Andrew Baggarly

Latest News

Instant Replay: Giants fizzle again, drop third straight
(1)
Andrew Baggarly

More Stories

Giants scratch ailing Pablo Sandoval
(2)
Red Sox sign former Giants OF Torres to minor league deal
(4)
See more >

GIANTS VIDEO

Bochy: 'We had lots of chances...but tonight it eluded us'
Bochy: 'We had lots of chances...but tonight it eluded us'
See more >

GIANTS TALK

Giants trade left-hander Huff to Yankees for cash
Giants lineup: Crawford moves up, Blanco in LF

GIANTS INSIDER

  • Instant Replay: Giants fizzle again, drop third straight
  • Giants scratch ailing Pablo Sandoval
  • Giants trade left-hander Huff to Yankees for cash
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Buy Athletics Gear
  • Buy Athletics Tickets
  • Insider Joe Stiglich

Latest News

Instant Replay: Vogt, Cespedes help A's avoid sweep
(3)
Joe Stiglich

More Stories

A's pregame notes: Donaldson misses second of 2014 season
(1)
A's lineup: Donaldson gets rare day off, Crisp in center
(2)
See more >

A's VIDEO

Toe the Rubber: Tommy Milone vs. Jered Weaver
Toe the Rubber: Tommy Milone vs. Jered Weaver
See more >

A's TALK

A's Bob Welch was OK in my book
Joe Stiglich's A's chat transcript (6.11.14)

A's INSIDER

  • Instant Replay: Vogt, Cespedes help A's avoid sweep
  • A's pregame notes: Donaldson misses second of 2014 season
  • Joe Stiglich's A's chat transcript (6.11.14)
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NHL Standings
  • Buy Sharks Gear
  • Buy Sharks Tickets
  • Insider Kevin Kurz

Latest News

Rangers keep Stanley Cup hopes alive, beat Kings 2-1
(1)
Associated Press

More Stories

Kings reminisce, Doughty criticizes Sharks' leaders
(74)
Sharks' Couture undergoes offseason hand surgery
(5)
See more >

SHARKS VIDEO

YSTL: Wilson: Thornton, Marleau are still high-end players
YSTL: Wilson: Thornton, Marleau are still high-end players
See more >

Features

Report: Thornton 'might re-think' if Sharks fans don't want him
Sharks hopeful to re-sign forward Mike Brown

SHARKS INSIDER

  • Kings reminisce, Doughty criticizes Sharks' leaders
  • Sharks' Couture undergoes offseason hand surgery
  • Sharks hopeful to re-sign forward Mike Brown
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Buy Warriors Gear
  • Buy Warriors Tickets

Latest News

Report: Warriors eyeing Spurs shooting coach Engelland
(2)
CSN Bay Area staff

More Stories

Report: Heat officials, players planning run at Anthony
(2)
Monte Poole's Warriors chat transcript (6.11.14)
See more >

WARRIORS VIDEO

YSTL: Donald Sterling most hated man in America?
YSTL: Donald Sterling most hated man in America?
See more >

Features

Spurs roll to 111-92 victory over Heat, take 2-1 series lead
Shelly Sterling heads to court seeking emergency order

WARRIORS INSIDER

  • Monte Poole's Warriors chat transcript (6.11.14)
  • Kerr will coach Warriors at NBA Summer League
  • Dunks, Dimes and Treys: Warriors still building
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Buy Kings Gear
  • Buy Kings Tickets

Latest News

Terry suspects Spurs of 'foul play' in A/C outage
(6)
ProBasketballTalk

More Stories

Report: Kings looking to convince Gay to exercise option
Sacramento City Council approves Kings' new arena plan
(8)
See more >

Watch

Malone: First season as Kings coach full of its 'ups and downs'
Malone: First season as Kings coach full of its 'ups and downs'
See more >

Features

NBA Draft Lottery unkind to Kings
NBA's biggest losers look for lottery win

Fantasy Hoops

  • Fantasy news, analysis, draft guide, cheatsheets, projections & more
  • PRO BASKETBALL TALK
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Buy 49ers Tickets
  • Buy 49ers Gear
  • Insider Matt Maiocco

Latest News

Sarah Harbaugh crusades against Jim's 'dad pants'
(29)
Matt Maiocco

More Stories

Harbaugh expects Davis, Boone to attend mandatory minicamp
(43)
James wants to be elite returner, but not return specialist
(76)
See more >

49ers VIDEO

Harbaugh explains the benefits of having a QB-guru
Harbaugh explains the benefits of having a QB-guru
See more >

DRAFT CENTRAL

49ers INSIDER

  • Sarah Harbaugh crusades against Jim's 'dad pants'
  • Harbaugh expects Davis, Boone to attend mandatory minicamp
  • James wants to be elite returner, but not return specialist
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Buy Raiders Tickets
  • Buy Raiders Gear
  • Insider Scott Bair

Latest News

Khalil Mack possesses a 'motor that's relentless'
(26)
Scott Bair

More Stories

Raiders should benefit from Branch's return
(4)
Scott Bair's Raiders chat transcript (6.10.14)
See more >

RAIDERS VIDEO

YSTL: Will Raiders have new kick returner?
YSTL: Will Raiders have new kick returner?
See more >

DRAFT CENTRAL

RAIDERS INSIDER

  • Khalil Mack possesses a 'motor that's relentless'
  • Raiders should benefit from Branch's return
  • Scott Bair's Raiders chat transcript (6.10.14)
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLS Standings
  • MLS Player Leaders
  • Buy Quakes Gear
  • Buy Quakes Tickets

Top Story

Klinsmann: Unrealistic for US to expect title
(3)
Associated Press

More Stories

World Cup: Heat will be on, US team is happy
(2)
US World Cup team arrives in Brazil
See more >

Watch

Quakes' Wondolowski, Goodson proud to represent US
Quakes' Wondolowski, Goodson proud to represent US
See more >

Shop

ANDREW BAGGARLY

Instant Replay: Giants fizzle again, drop third straight
(1)
See more >

MONTE POOLE

A's Bob Welch was OK in my book
(2)
See more >

MATT MAIOCCO

Sarah Harbaugh crusades against Jim's 'dad pants'
(29)
See more >

SCOTT BAIR

Khalil Mack possesses a 'motor that's relentless'
(26)
See more >

KEVIN KURZ

Kings reminisce, Doughty criticizes Sharks' leaders
(74)
See more >

JOE STIGLICH

Instant Replay: Vogt, Cespedes help A's avoid sweep
(3)
See more >

RAY RATTO

The US cannot win the World Cup

TOP STORIES

  • Instant Replay: Vogt, Cespedes help A's avoid sweep
  • Instant Replay: Giants fizzle again, drop third straight
  • The US cannot win the World Cup

Say Hey Tuesdays

Join us for Say Hey Tuesday – every Tuesday Giants home game.

ALAMEDA COUNTY FAIR SWEEPSTAKES!

Alameda County Fair

Enter here to win two free wristbands to Alameda County Fair!

 

AFF - A'S

Authentic Fan Friday - A's

Come to Authentic Fan Friday at the A's! 

Sit in the Value Deck and score free giveaways - get more info here!

 

NCAA

Stanford falls to Vanderbilt in Super Regional
Walk-off home run keeps Stanford's season alive

MORE

  • SaberCats
  • Fight Sports
  • Motor Sports
  • GolfChannel.com
  • Tennis
  • Ray Ratto

 

TICKETS

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets
Curry Jersey
Giants Fitted Hat
49ers Hoodie

Mega Menu: Shop

  • Giants
  • A's Shop
  • 49ers
  • Raiders Shop
  • Warriors
  • Kings Shop
  • Sharks Shop

Mega Menu: Shop - Tickets

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets

Latest Videos

YSTL: Can the US World Cup team escape Group G?
YSTL: Can the US World Cup team escape Group G?
See more >

ONLINE SHOWS

  • Carpool Confessions
  • Amy G’s Exclusives
  • Buster Knows Squat
  • Humm BB
  • Bullshootin'

TV SHOWS

  • All Videos
  • SportsNet Central
  • Yahoo SportsTalk Live

INSIDERS

  • Ray Ratto - Senior Insider
  • Kevin Kurz - Sharks
  • Monte Poole - Warriors
  • Andrew Baggarly - Giants
  • Joe Stiglich - A's
  • Matt Maiocco - 49ers
  • Scott Bair - Raiders
  • TV Schedule - Bay Area and California
  • Channel Locations - Bay Area
  • Channel Locations - California