Phil Jackson to the Knicks Front Office? Raptors Seek Milestone

Rumors have been swirling for quite some time that the New York Knicks (24-40) would make a coaching change. In recent days, former Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson was part of the gossip and now it has continued over the weekend. But this time it has Jackson going to New York in a front-office role.

Phil Jackson

ESPN reported a story suggesting the veteran coach’s title would be president of basketball operations. This would encompass “complete control of all basketball-related matters” and “more than a consulting job.” As to whether the coaching opportunity is off the the table, which allegedly had been offered to Jackson and turned down, that remains to be seen. A decision could come in the next week.

Should Jackson take a front-office role, it would be a first for him as he’s always been on the sidelines. If he does so, it comes with a franchise that he knows well: he played for the Knicks and won two championships with them. This represents the sole titles for them and with their 24-40 record for this season, a title won’t be coming their way in 2014.

Vegas has the Knicks at 100/1 to win this year’s NBA Championship.

On Saturday, they defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers (24-40), 107-97. Once again the night belonged to Carmelo Anthony who scored 26 points amid being sick. J.R. Smith and Amar’e Stoudemire (12 rebounds) both contributed 17 points while Tyson Chandler added 15 points with 11 rebounds.

The Knicks have now won three straight and sit 3 1/2 games out of the Eastern Conference’s last postseason spot. Is the team playing with a new sense of urgency as the regular season is nearing its end as well as Mike Woodson’s coaching?

Woodson said via the Associated Press, “There’s no room for error. We have to play each possession like it’s our last possession. The mental approach is a little different now. It’s been a tough season for all of us. Now, they’re playing for something.”

As for Cleveland, Kyrie Irving led in scoring with 30 points, eight assists and eight rebounds while Spencer Hawes added 21 points. In this short month of March, the Cavaliers are 0-4.

For the Knicks, they’ll look to extend their win streak on Monday when they host the Philadelphia 76ers (15-47).

Toronto vs. Minnesota 

The Atlantic Division leaders, the Toronto Raptors (34-26), will travel to play the Minnesota Timberwolves (31-30) on Sunday.

Defense has been the name of the game for Toronto and with another win, the team will reach a milestone last seen seven years ago: nine games higher than .500. In Friday’s 99-87 win over the Sacramento Kings (22-40), Toronto limited them to 41.7 percent shooting and only five 3-pointers (of 19 attempts). Over their nine previous games, they have only allowed an 92.7-point average (in regulation).

Raptors coach Dwane Casey said of his team via STATS LLC, “We still have a lot of growth to do, a lot of things to correct. We’re playing with excellent confidence, but we have to get better.”

Rudy Gay

Though the Raptors have dominated Minnesota in the last decade, they could be challenged as the Timberwolves bring a high-scoring game thanks to their offense. In their last seven of nine wins, Minnesota has a 112.1 point average.

In Friday’s 114-101 victory over the Detroit Pistons (24-38), Kevin Love scored 28 points with 14 rebounds and five assists. Kevin Martin added 24 while Nikola Pekovic contributed 17 points and nine rebounds.

Minnesota is looking for its eighth win over its 10 previous games. They have their eyes on the playoffs, sitting in the 10th spot of the Western Conference, five games behind No. 8 Dallas Mavericks (37-26).

On Sunday, Minnesota will get the victory (-5, 206.5 o/u) and sit at 150/1 to win it all while the Raptors are 66/1.