Mark Jackson Is The Perfect Fit For Knicks

The Golden State Warriors firing of Mark Jackson should have all teams that need a head coach -- aka the New York Knicks -- feeling like it's Christmas.

Reports have came out that the Warriors will reach out to Steve Kerr. Kerr is also Phil Jackson's number one candidate for the Knicks current coaching vacancy. While Kerr has strong ties to Jackson from his playing days in Chicago, Kerr also has strong relationships with Warriors owner Joe Lacob and team president Rick Welts, who worked along side Kerr in Phoenix.

But the Knicks would be foolish not to look at Mark Jackson as the next head coach.

Mark Jackson is the ultimate Knickerbocker, born in Brooklyn, NY, he played his college basketball down the street at St. Johns. Jackson was drafted in the first round by the Knicks in 1987 and went on to win Rookie of the Year. Jackson is still beloved by Knicks fans and gets a standing ovation anytime he is at the Garden.

Jackson has shown he is a franchise changer. He took a laughing-stock organization and turned them into a playoff contender. The Warriors had made the playoffs just once in the 17 years prior to his arrival. Jackson improved this team every season statistically, taking them to the playoffs the last two seasons. They also advanced to the Western Conference semifinals last season. The Warriors had not made the playoffs in consecutive years since the 1990-91 and 1991-92 seasons.

Jackson would bring the Knicks leadership and character, something the Knicks have been lacking for a long period of time. He has shown that he can get players to buy into his system, and they will fight for him to until the end.

All-Star Stephen Curry is one of those players that Jackson had a deep bond with.

"I love Coach more than anybody, and I think for him to be in a situation where his job is under scrutiny and under question is totally unfair," Curry said. "And it would definitely be a shock to me if anything like that were to happen.

"I'm going to voice my support for Coach." - Stephen Curry

As much as Phil Jackson wants a unproven puppet for the Knicks next head coach in Steve Kerr, the move that will prove you're a serious president is to sign the proven New York native Mark Jackson.