Marv’s warning

Marv Albert knows what it is like to work for Knicks owner James Dolan (USATSI)

TNT color commentator Marv Albert is not a huge fan of New York Knicks owner James Dolan. In 2004, Dolan fired Albert as the voice of the Knicks. When Steve Kerr spurned New York to sign a five-year contract to coach the Golden State Warriors, there were rumors that Albert played a part. In an interview with the New York Daily News' Bob Raissman, Albert denied that he talked Kerr out of it, but said that he did tell his broadcast partner what it was like to work for Dolan.

"Well, I told him it never ends well there. Just look at recent history. It's because of one man (Dolan)," Albert told me Thursday over the telephone. "There is no happiness there. I say this with all kinds of friends I have there and (the ones) at the MSG Network. Everybody hates being there. For coaches it's very difficult. Steve couldn't accept anyone (from MSG's PR staff) following him around with a tape recorder. Like Phil [Jackson], Steve is a guy who wants to say what he wants to say," Albert continued. "He's very opinionated, which doesn't always work when you are at the Garden."

Wow. "No happiness there." Those are some strong words. It doesn't make sense to pin this all on Albert, though -- it would be silly to think that Kerr hadn't reached out to other people and found out all that there is to know about working for the Knicks. The somewhat surprising thing is that Albert shared this publicly, but of course he talked to his friend about the situation. There were many good reasons for Kerr to choose the Warriors, and conversations with Albert probably were not the deciding factor.

Topics: Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, NBA

Basketball Hot News

Report: Mark Jackson added to New York Knicks coaching search

Mark Jackson and Phil Jackson working together?

More than that, can you see Mark Jackson subjugating his on-the-court philosophies and bending them toward the triangle offense, and doing so without being strong headed and disruptive? Can you see the “Zen Master” mentoring the strong-willed fundamentalist Christian preacher?

As a blogger this would be good for me. If I were a Knicks fan I’d be pointing out oil and water don’t mix.

However, in the wake of Steve Kerr spurning the Knicks for Golden State, the Knicks are at least considering bringing in the legendary former Knicks player and the guy Golden State just dumped. That according to the New York Post.

According to the source, that means Mark Jackson is on Jackson’s tentative list that once included just one name. But now Steve Kerr is headed to Golden State and Jackson is headed on a more expansive search.

The Knicks believe Jackson’s “credibility’’ around the league will enable him to have the “flexibility” to hire an experienced coach willing to adapt to the principles of his triangle offense — or at least a facsimile.

According to a source, Jackson was to meet with Knicks general manager Steve Mills on Thursday night at Chicago’s pre-draft combine to go over some candidates.

Mark Jackson is one of the best known Knicks players of the last few decades and bringing him home — “keeping it in the family” — has some appeal. Since Kerr left Phil Jackson at the altar he could use a little splash with the hiring of a coach, and Jackson would be that.

Plus make no mistake, Mark Jackson has shown he can coach at the NBA level and deserves another chance somewhere.

But I just don’t see the fit here. It’s not a knock on either guy, it’s just an issue of fit. Phil Jackson preaches a selfless kind of ball, Mark Jackson’s Warriors were big on isolations or sets where he trusted his best player to create. This is a complete clash of styles and personalities — if you thought management clashed with Jackson in Golden State, wait until you see this in action with the added pressure that New York brings. (Then again, if you anger the owner of the Knicks and help drive him away from being around the business….)

I’m not sure Jackson is going to hire a “sexy” name to be the Knicks coach — and he doesn’t have to. He just needs someone who can lead, who he can help mold, who shares his philosophies on building a culture in the organization.

I just am not sure Mark Jackson and Phil Jackson mesh on those philosophies. To put it kindly.