Phil Jackson announced as New York Knicks president

NEW YORK – Phil Jackson, who coached a record 11 NBA championship teams, has agreed to return to the struggling New York Knicks, the National Basketball Association team announced on Tuesday.

The former Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers coach was introduced as the president of basketball operations of the beleaguered NBA team at a news conference.

“I am going to jump in with both feet,” Jackson said. “We want to build a team. This is the best place to play basketball.”

Jackson will be trying to recreate the magic he was part of with the Knicks in the 1970s.

Jackson, who played for the Knicks from 1967-1978, has been put in charge of all basketball decisions for the Knicks. He helped the Knicks win their most recent NBA crown in 1973.

“We are looking forward to embracing the past but also looking forward,” said Jackson. “To come back to the place where I started in basketball is a great feeling.”

The 68-year-old Jackson retired from coaching in May 2011 after leading the Chicago Bulls to six crowns in the 1990s and then Los Angeles Lakers to five titles. His last title came in 2010 with Los Angeles.

Jackson won 11 NBA titles as a coach, surpassing the previous record of nine set by Red Auerbach. He also has a .704 career winning percentage, the highest of any NBA coach.

“Regardless of the record, when you have a chance to get Phil Jackson you do it. Welcome Phil,” said Jim Dolan, Knicks owner and executive chairman of Madison Square Garden, who joined Jackson on the podium for the Tuesday’s announcement.

At his retirement press conference three years ago, Jackson said his plans didn’t include coaching in the NBA in the future. But he didn’t say anything about a front office position, a role he has never previously had.

Jackson is engaged to Jeanie Buss, the sister of Lakers owner Jim Buss. He said he would keep his home in Los Angeles but would spend the majority of his time in New York running the Knicks.

The Knicks are in the midst of a disappointing season after reaching the semi-finals of the Eastern Conference playoffs in 2012-13. Their play has improved of late as they have won six straight games.

Despite boasting one of the top scorers in the NBA, Carmelo Anthony, the Knicks are 27-40 – four games behind the Atlanta Hawks for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Knicks are hoping the hiring of Jackson improves the chances they might keep Anthony, who is looking at free agency after this season.

“Carmelo is one of the top scorers in the league,” Jackson said Tuesday. “I have no problem saying Carmelo is in the future plans.

“He still has another level he can go to.”

Anthony said before the hiring was made official, that he was looking forward to working with Jackson.

“I am going to do whatever,” Anthony said. “He has won a lot. I haven’t won yet. I am hoping and planning this all works.”

Jackson said trying to lead the Knicks to their first title in 41 years won’t be easy.

“This is an opportunity, not a possible failure chance,” Jackson said. “That is how I look at it.” – Rappler.com