Phil Jackson and Steve Kerr are scheduled to conference this weekend while the TNT analyst is in town to work the Nets vs. Raptors playoff series and by the time the power meeting is over the one-time sharpshooter could emerge as the new coach of the New York Knicks.
Though Kerr has been rumored to be the leading candidate for the job since the day Jackson walked through the doors as president of basketball operations a source tells the New York Daily News the confab will mark the first time the two have actually met face to face to discuss all the potential details.
The 48-year-old Kerr has never coached before, but nonetheless learned at Jackson’s side, playing for him on three Bulls championship teams lead by Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Jackson’s famed triangle offense.
“I know philosophically we have a strong connection,” Jackson previously told reporters. “Whether he’s able to take a job like this, I don’t know. I’ll get in the conversation with him later on this month and talk to him about it, and see where he’s at as far as his desire to coach.”
Jackson accepted a five-year, $60 million deal join the Knicks in March and almost immediately thereafter Kerr commented on the prospect of being his right-hand man “I do anticipate talking with Phil Jackson at some point.”
Overall, Kerr has won five NBA championship rings — winning two with the Spurs in 1999 and 2003 — and has three years of NBA front office experience, serving as GM of the Suns ending in 2010.
Over his 11-year playing career, Kerr averaged six points and two assists. His best season came with the Bulls in 1996-97 when as a key reserve he averaged eight points, two assists and two rebounds. Kerr is also legendary for a game-winning shot he nailed in the 1997 Finals against Utah after taking a pass from Jordan leading to the Bull’s fifth NBA title.
