Courtesy: NY Post
Throughout his 17 year NBA career, Derek Fisher was always a leader on the basketball court; as well as, a role model to younger guys around the league.
During his playing days (which just ended a couple weeks ago), Fisher had an extremely successful career with five NBA championships. Now his former head coach and current president of the New York Knicks, Phil Jackson, has brought Fisher in to lead from the sidelines as head coach of the struggling franchise. This was a smart decision by the Zen Master trying to implement his brand of basketball.
Fisher’s leadership skills have been evident for a long time. He was president of the NBA Player’s Association during the 2011 lockout and is taken seriously by all his peers. Fisher is a smart guy, who has proved multiple times that he is capable of getting the job done and he also possesses the leadership qualities you want your head coach to have; something the Knicks have been lacking in recent years.
Along with his ability to motivate, Fisher knows how to win. He has played with some of the world’s best basketball players and has five championship rings. New York City is a special city to be in when the Knicks are winning and I’m sure he will make the city proud. He has a total 259-playoff appearances under his belt and no matter where Fisher ended up playing ball, he always continued to a winning team.
Hiring a young coach like Fisher shows that Phil Jackson still wants to be able to have input and a “hands on” control of the team. Fisher is a perfect fit because he is already familiar with Jackson’s coaching techniques. Most importantly, he is familiar with the triangle offense that Jackson loves to run. I believe Fisher will be able to provide the Knicks with more structure in this upcoming season.
The best part about this, I believe that bringing in Fisher is going to help the Knicks keep Carmelo Anthony. Melo can play in the paint and work off the pick and roll, which makes him a perfect fit for the triangle offense that the Knicks will be running. How Jackson and Fisher run things will provide Melo and the Knicks with a structured system of basketball so the team can succeed. Even if Carmelo opts out and decides to test free agency, the Knicks will be in the right place having Fisher as head coach.
Though New York couldn’t get Phil Jackson to sign on as head coach, the team and city got the next best thing, Derek Fisher. So once again, Jackson puts the basketball in Fisher’s hands. This was a great move and a very positive sign for the New York Knicks.
