Report: Phil Jackson could offer to coach Knicks' home games next season
The solution to a number of the New York Knicks' problems may come in the form of team president Phil Jackson potentially returning to the sidelines as a head coach.
"The Zen Master" could offer to coach home games at Madison Square Garden next season, with current coach Kurt Rambis running the team on the road, according to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne.
That deal was reportedly once given to late Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss, which he ultimately rejected. Considering his health issues with both his knees and back, the only way Jackson presumably would have agreed to return to that role is if his workload were cut in half.
Things have changed, though, with Jackson's health steadily improving, having reportedly lost 20 of the 30 pounds he gained in the two years he's been with the Knicks. Kobe Bryant, who Jackson coached to five championships in Los Angeles, also praised how good he looked following the Knicks' narrow 90-87 win over the Lakers on Sunday night.
Related: Kobe advises Knicks fans to place trust in Phil Jackson
Rambis was brought on following the firing of former coach Derek Fisher, and while he currently holds the "interim" tag, the plan is for him to remain a part of the franchise heading into next season. Knowing it could be Jackson's last season in the Big Apple in 2016-17 due to an opt-out clause in his contract, it wouldn't be a big deal for Rambis - an experienced coach who doesn't need any grooming - to step aside and let Jackson do what he feels is best.
Jackson has also been more vocal since he started traveling with the team, offering his two cents more often with Rambis in charge instead of Fisher.
New York has failed to qualify for the postseason since Jackson manned his post, and it doesn't appear as if that's going to change this season, with the team currently owning a 28-40 record (13th in the Eastern Conference).
Jackson's credentials as a coach speak for itself, though, having won 11 NBA championships with the Lakers and Chicago Bulls. He also owns the highest winning percentage (.704) of any coach with at least 200 games under their belt.