Action Jackson and the Kidd
Jalen says former coaches should be atop Knicks’ list
If ESPN maven Jalen Rose ran the Knicks, his top two choices for head coach are one guy the team is not considering and one who figures as a long shot. Mark Jackson and Jason Kidd. “Two of the greatest minds to ever play basketball deserve another chance,’’ Rose told The Post.
Jackson, a former Warriors coach, is not among the Knicks’ 11 candidates after he lost out to David Fizdale for the job in 2018. Kidd — the Lakers assistant, former Nets and Bucks coach, and exNets/Knicks point guard — had his second interview last week.
Jackson and Kidd are similar in Rose’s eyes — both star point guards, both not receiving enough credit for developing their stars. In turn, both men were dismissed from teams (Golden State, Milwaukee) that went on to greatness.
Kidd and Jackson should be lauded for their early work with Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Splash Brothers, respectively, Rose said.
“The hardest thing for a coach to do is develop a superstar,’’ said Rose, whose 10th annual charity golf tournament in Detroit next month is still on. “Jason Kidd, all he did was help develop the Greek Freak. He wasn’t even in the Green Room [during the draft]. He came out of the stands [selected 15th in 2013].
“I’d compliment Mark Jackson for what he was able to do with the Warriors. Developing the Splash Brothers [Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson]. Ten years ago, [Jackson] said they’d be the greatest shooting backcourt of all time and he was coaching them. And Draymond Green, he was a second-round pick.”
Kidd was fired by Milwaukee in the middle of the 2017-18 season. Jackson was bounced by Golden State in 2014.
“They deserve another opportunity,’’ Rose said. “The hardest thing is to develop a team through the draft and win with those same players.”
Addressing the Warriors and Bucks taking off to the stratosphere after Jackson and Kidd left, Rose said, “Who’s to say they wouldn’t have taken them to the next level.’’
Jackson hasn’t interviewed for another job since losing out on the Knicks’ position, though he could be in play with the Nets — Kevin Durant is a fan.
Sources contend Jackson’s Golden State past, in which the front office/ ownership found him difficult to deal with, still haunts him.
The Knicks’ need of a superstar make Kidd and Jackson the best choice, according to Rose.
“When you interview as many people as they are, it tells me they’re still trying to figure out the identity of the hire,’’ said Rose, who will be part of ESPN’s NBA restart special July 25. “You’re hiring a coach either because that team has a star player or hiring a coach to develop or recruit a star player. I think they are best for this Knicks’ situation. They’re not going to be good the first season and have to face the media after every game.”
The top three most accomplished coaching candidates appear to be Kidd, Kenny Atkinson and strong favorite Tom Thibodeau.
“When each one of those guys were let go, I felt it was done prematurely,’’ Rose said. “Atkinson did a terrific job creating a basketball culture that led [the Nets] to the playoffs last year. We know what Thibs has accomplished as a head coach, assistant, He’s a seasoned veteran. Each of those guys are terrific candidates and it’s about what they want to get accomplished from the hire.”
As for interim Mike Miller being retained, Rose doesn’t agree with colleague Stephen A. Smith, who claimed keeping Miller is a plausible outcome.
“When you make wholesale [front office] changes, there’s a reason,’’ Rose said. “You’re pulling the plug and starting over. That includes the coach in the NBA. I do believe a change will be made.”