New York Knicks fire coach Mike Woodson
One month after Phil Jackson was hired as New York Knicks president to turn the flagship franchise into a winner again, coach Mike Woodson has been fired.
The move had been expected since Jackson's arrival, with the notion of a long and unexpected playoff run likely Woodson's only hope for being retained. But with the Knicks finishing 37-45 and missing the playoffs one season after going 54-28 and reaching the second round, Woodson — who had one year left on his contract — is out, along with his entire staff.
"I have a tremendous amount of respect for Mike Woodson and his entire staff," Jackson said in a news release announcing the move. "The coaches and players on this team had an extremely difficult 2013-14 season, and blame should not be put on one individual. But the time has come for change throughout the franchise as we start the journey to assess and build this team for next season and beyond.
"Everyone in this franchise owes a great deal of gratitude to what Mike and his staff have done. We wish him the best."
And now the Steve Kerr watch begins.
The TNT analyst who won three of his five championships as a player with Jackson's Chicago Bulls is known to be a top candidate for the job. It's unclear how many other candidates may be considered, but Kerr is widely seen as the frontrunner if he wants to take on the challenge. He has consistently declined comment on the matter since Jackson's hiring.
Jackson faces several other issues this offseason as well, starting with All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony, who can become a free agent this summer. Even if Anthony chooses to re-sign, the Knicks will be stuck in a salary-cap predicament in 2014-15. With Anthony ($20 million-plus), Amar'e Stoudemire ($23.4 million), Tyson Chandler ($14.5 million) and Andrea Bargnani ($11.5 million) on the books, New York will be limited in free agency this summer.
Initially named Knicks interim head coach with 24 games remaining in the 2011-12 season, Woodson compiled an overall record of 109-79 with the team, including two postseason appearances and an Atlantic Division title last season.
