Knicks Coach Woodson: Don’t Fire Me to My Face

New Yorks Knicks coach, Mike Woodson, is bracing for official notice that he is to be replaced, but he isn’t about to allow team president, Phil Jackson to have the final word.  The NBA coach has reportedly sent a message to Jackson that if he intends of firing him, he has no intention of receiving the news face to face, and he would rather the president contact his agent or speak to him by phone.

Woodson has felt his seat in the coach seat burning under him all season, and the arrival of Jackson only stirred those flames.  With rumors swirling that Jackson wants to replace the current coach with someone familiar with the triangle offence that he used in his coaching days, Woodson is demanding clarity and has said that he will only meet with the president when he knows he has a job for next season with the Knicks.

After the team’s season finale when the beat the Toronto Raptors 95-92, Jackson addressed the Knicks.  According to the Bleacher Report, quoting an anonymous player who was present in the room when Jackson spoke, the president praised Woodson and the players, but indicated that changes should be expected next season.

According to a player who spoke to ESPN, Jackson credited the coach, “but he also said that there’s going to be changes, some of us won’t be in this room next year.”

It is believed that Jackson favors Michael Kerr, a former player and now an executive broadcaster, who won three titles under Jackson with the Chicago Bulls, to take over the role of New York Knicks coach.  The New York Post reports that Kerr is expecting an offer from Jackson – if he hasn’t received one already – and would “definitely” accept.