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Report: Derek Fisher finalizing five-year, $25 million contract with Knicks

Oklahoma City Thunder v New York Knicks

Oklahoma City Thunder v New York Knicks

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When Phil Jackson didn’t get his Plan A (Steve Kerr), a renewed coaching search brought Derek Fisher to the top.

Jackson patiently waited for Fisher to finish playing for the Thunder, who made a lengthy playoff run with him as their backup point guard.

Finally, Fisher and Jackson spoke – and this negotiation didn’t last as long as the Knicks’ with Kerr.

New York needn’t worry about finding a Plan C.

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports:

Howard Beck of Bleacher Report:

Strange that the Knicks would offer Fisher, their backup choice, more than they offered Kerr. Maybe James Dolan, Jackson and whomever else is running the show in New York wised up to market forces.

They got their man this time – not that Fisher is guaranteed to succeed.

Not even close.

Fisher has no coaching experience – his playing career apparently ended less than two weeks ago – but he’s highly regarded for his on-court decision making. Although that’s definitely a positive, I don’t think it translates to coaching as seamlessly as many others do.

It won’t help if Jackson stocks the coaching staff with failed head coaches and others without experience just because they once played for him.

But Jackson – one of the greatest coaches in NBA history – could overcome all this doubt. If Jackson planned to coach through Kerr, that’s probably the same strategy he’ll use with Fisher.

This could be an incredible opportunity for Fisher, whose salary more than triples from this season as a player. Not only that, a chance to learn under Jackson could be invaluable for someone with no coaching experience. If Fisher isn’t ready to excel as an NBA coach – and I doubt he is – Jackson can guide him through rough water. Of course, that’s predicated on Jackson, a first-time executive, knowing how to manage from the front office.

Fisher has his work cut out for him with an old roster that might lose its best player, Carmelo Anthony, and has minimal salary-cap flexibility to upgrade. But Fisher is not in that boat alone.

Jackson has his work cut out for him, too – and this hire doesn’t make Jackson’s job any easier.

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