Jackson congratulates Kerr
After Warriors coach Steve Kerr tipped his cap to Phil Jackson on the championship podium Tuesday night, along with his other former coaches, the Knicks’ team president returned the favor in a congratulatory tweet Wednesday.
“Congrats to Warriors/ SKerr and staff,” Jackson wrote. “Great D, court awareness, team play and it’s a wrap.”
Earlier in the playoffs, in a message seemingly directed at the Warriors, Jackson tweeted about how 3point shooting teams weren’t faring well. It occurred when the Warriors were down 21 to the Grizzlies in the Western Conference semifinals. Kerr eschewed the triangle offense this season as a rookie coach and employed a freewheeling, 3point shooting attack more resembling the styles favored by Mike D’Antoni and Gregg Popovich.
Kerr verbally agreed to become Knicks coach last spring before reneging and taking the Warriors job after Golden State fired Mark Jackson following a firstround playoff elimination. If Jackson had gotten Golden State into the second round, logic suggests Kerr would have finalized the Knicks deal.
Kerr did everything but win Coach of the Year honors, guiding the Warriors to a 6715 record — the best in Golden State history— and breaking a 40year title drought. Jackson’s second choice, Derek Fisher, played the triangle and posted the worst record in Knicks history at 1765.