Knicks didn't tempt Phil Jackson

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Comments0
• Email
• Print

Phil Jackson says he wouldn't have wanted to coach the New York Knicks -- even if the team asked.

"I wasn't gonna take that job; that's for sure," he told HBO's "Real Sports" in an interview scheduled to air Tuesday night.

Jackson -- who won 11 championships as coach of the Bulls and Lakers -- said Knicks owner James Dolan never called him about the job.

Jackson, 66, was a member of two Knicks championship teams and said he has thought about coaching in New York, but wouldn't want to lead the current team because it's "clumsy."

"They don't fit together well. (Amare) Stoudemire doesn't fit well with Carmelo (Anthony)," said Jackson, when asked to expand on "clumsy." "Stoudemire's a really good player. But he's gotta play in a certain system and a way.

"Carmelo has to be a better passer. And the ball can't stop every time it hits his hands. They need to have someone come in that can kinda blend that group together."

Jackson, who retired after the 2010-11 season, was heavily rumored to be a candidate for the position before the Knicks eventually removed Mike Woodson's interim tag and give him a multiyear contract in late May.

Jackson said the Knicks and Orlando Magic openings this offseason were not the positions to bring him back to the bench.

He says he wasn't interested in Orlando because it's too far from his Montana home.

Mike Mazzeo is a regular contributor for ESPNNewYork.com. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Comments0
• Email
• Print
• Subscribe