Fisher won five titles with Jackson in Los Angeles as pair are reunited.
New York Knicks coach Derek Fisher has insisted that he has more than enough experience in the NBA to help him in his first coaching role.
The 39-year-old called time on his playing career this week after announcing his retirement in order to take up the role in New York, and with no previous coaching experience his early detractors are suggesting that he could struggle.
However, the former Los Angeles Lakers guard has insisted that through his years in the league as a player, he has unquestionably built up enough experience to deal with the new situation he now faces, and is relishing the opportunity of helping the Knicks become successful.
“I am experienced. Basketball is a game that I am experienced in playing, understanding, leading in, guiding in, helping another group of people achieve the greatest gift in the world as a professional athlete, and that’s being a champion,” he told the media.
“That I have experience in, and that’s the experience that I plan on sharing with these players, sharing with this organization.”
While team president Phil Jackson initially sought out Steve Kerr for the job, he switched his attention to another former player of his after the Golden State Warriors acquired his primary target, but he is delighted that he will now be able to help mentor Fisher in his first few seasons with the franchise.
Nevertheless, it will be a difficult role for Fisher to excel in given that the Knicks finished with just 37 wins last year as they missed out on the playoffs, and Jackson won’t have much flexibility under the salary cap to pursue free agents this summer.
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