New Knicks coach Derek Fisher embracing presence of mentor Phil Jackson

New York Knicks president Phil Jackson wanted to hire a head coach from within his circle. He did just that on Tuesday, revealing former Los Angeles Lakers charge and recently retired point guard Derek Fisher as the team's new bench boss.

Some have wondered aloud whether Jackson wanted a protege or a puppet, however - someone willing to employ his philosophies without Jackson himself having to be on the bench. The Zen Master famously derided any input from management when he was a head coach, making for a potentially awkward dynamic now that he is said management figure.

But all is well as the relationship is set to kick off, and Fisher is talking like a man ready to learn from one of the best, not someone threatened by the presence of a legend. To hear Fisher tell it, it's hard not to see the relationship as one with a great deal of potential:

I want Phil involved. We’ll figure out the dynamic. We have a transition to make from being coach-player to executive-coach. That’s a different relationship. We have some learning to do from that respect.
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I don’t actually see the problem of having one of the greatest ever do what you’re trying to do to want to come down and help you a little bit. I see that as a positive, something I’m open to. We’ll figure out how that works and plays out — the best way to do it so the players understand I’m the head coach. I don’t see it being an issue as potentially others may see it. I’m looking forward to that exchange.

The implied risk is that Fisher could lose cache with his players by deferring to Jackson too often, but the pair probably only need to flash their combined 18 NBA championship rings to command respect. They figured it out as coach and point guard, and this could just be the evolution of that relationship.

Note: As an update to the story below, Fisher's reported five-year, $25 million contract is said to be "less generous" than originally thought, with several years representing team options and a first-year salary of close to $4 million.