Knicks coach Fisher: 'I'm not Phil Jackson'

New York Knicks rookie head coach Derek Fisher has an 11-time NBA champion as his new boss, but he was quick to point out Friday that Phil Jackson will not be the one sitting at the end of the bench. 

“I’m not Phil Jackson, that’s for sure,” Fisher said to the New York Post. “I am not going to try to be or even pretend to be. I’ve for sure taken a lot of the basketball experiences and knowledge and life experiences and knowledge from working for Phil for so many years. So there will for sure be some things I will try and channel.”

Fisher played on five championship teams under Jackson with the Lakers, and also spent time playing for Jerry Sloan, Rick Carlisle and Del Harris. 17 seasons in the league will inevitably land you beside a few people worth listening to.

"I’ve learned a lot from other coaches, other men, other people that inspire me, other great leaders, other great athletes, great people that I’ll also channel," Fisher said. “I’m not trying to be someone else. I’m going to be me and I think I can be me and do it in a way that’s consistent with who we need to be.”

As much as Fisher and Jackson are separate entities, the new coach admits he won't hesitate to lean on him when the situation calls for it. 

“There will be some boundaries that we have to have within our relationship,” Fisher said. “But at the end of the day Phil is running this department.”