Fansided

New York Knicks are a playoff team says Steve Kerr

By Bryan Rose

Mar 18, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks new president of basketball operations Phil Jackson (right) talks with Madison Square Garden chairman James Dolan at a press conference at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks new president of basketball operations Phil Jackson (right) talks with Madison Square Garden chairman James Dolan at a press conference at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports /
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Although the New York Knicks decided to hire Derek Fisher as their head coach this past offseason, he didn’t appear to be their first choice as that honor went to Steve Kerr.

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The former player drew heavy interest from Phil Jackson’s Knicks and was said to be close to a contract though a late push from the Golden State Warriors seemingly took Kerr out of the Knicks’ hands and left them hanging high and dry.

Despite accepting the Golden State job, Kerr harbors no ill will towards the New York Knicks and believes they will be a playoff team this season though suggested coaching in Oakland was more comfortable.

“The fact that the Knicks were in the East and were a year away from cap room was really intriguing,” said Kerr. “I think the Knicks are a playoff team right now and I think they’re going to get better and I think a year from now they’ll have a chance to make a real splash in free agency. The basketball situation, particularly being aligned with Phil, was very intriguing actually. It much more came down to lifestyle and family and the established roster here.”

Kerr of course lives in the San Diego area and is nothing more than an hour flight away from his home as opposed to being across the country with the New York Knicks.

In addition Kerr also joined a franchise that is coming off a playoff birth and looks to be in position for another, though in a much more difficult conference.

Despite that Steve Kerr does admit he was very close to coaching the New York Knicks and likely would have accepted the job if not for the late push from the Golden State Warriors.

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