Knicks' Jackson has no plans for Lakers return: report

NEW YORK -- New York Knicks president Phil Jackson, who has coached a record 11 NBA championship teams, says he has no plans to rejoin the Los Angeles Lakers despite an opt-out clause in his contract.

Jackson told ESPN in an interview unveiled Monday that keeping open options to return to the Lakers was "never important" to him and he likes the moves the Lakers has made under new coach Luke Walton.

"They are moving forward in the right direction. Luke has them engaged, Brian (Shaw) is an associate head coach. They have a core group of guys that will get it done. It was never important to me to go back and be a part of that, especially not now. I have this job."

Jackson's fiancee, Jeanie Buss, is the Lakers team president and part-owner. Jackson coached the Lakers to five NBA crowns after guiding the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls to six crowns in the 1990s.

Lakers executive vice president of basketball operations Jim Buss says if his team does not do well in the playoffs this season he would step down, sparking much speculation that Jackson would dump the Knicks for an LA return. The lakers are 6-5 and haven't gone past the second round since winning the 2010 NBA crown under Jackson's coaching.

But Jackson, in his third full season as Knicks team president, says he had an opt-out clause in his contract only over concern there might be an NBA owners-players dispute that shut down the season in 2017 for months, a prospect now seen as highly unlikely.

"If that was going to happen in December and everybody chose to walk away, there was no way I was going to sit in New York for three, four months when I didn't have a job, because (players) aren't even allowed to show up to work," Jackson told ESPN. "So, in that case, I would go back to L.A. I have not entertained (opting out). I'm looking for this Knicks team to get back into a situation where they are competitive.

"Do I have to win a championship before I feel I've done the job I've been asked to do, which is to bring this group back to that competitive level? No, I don't. We're starting to make progress. I like a lot of the things we are doing here. But we've got more to do."

The Knicks (3-6) went 17-65 in the 2014-15 campaign and 32-50 last season. They have won only one playoff series since reaching the 2000 Eastern Conference finals.

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Ex-Knicks player Anthony Mason dead at 48

Anthony Mason, a former player with the National Basketball Association's New York Knicks, has died at the age of 48, the team said on Saturday.

The 13-year NBA veteran had severe heart problems, his son, Anthony Mason Jr., said in a statement quoted on the Knicks' web site.

"As you all would expect our father - Big Mase - put up an incredible fight," Mason Jr. said.

Mason was a 6-foot, 7-inch (two-metre) forward from Tennessee State University, who played with the Knicks from 1991 to 1996. A fan favorite, he was a key player in the 1993-1994 Eastern Conference Champion team.

"As a competitor, there was none fiercer than Anthony Mason," said Knicks President Phil Jackson in the team statement. A former Chicago Bulls coach, Jackson said he remembered how Mason, wearing number 14, always stood out in the great Chicago-New York battles of the 1990s.

"On behalf of the entire Knickerbocker community, our condolences go out to his family. Rest in peace, Mase," Jackson said.

Mason won the NBA's Sixth Man Award in 1995 as a member of the Knicks.

He also played with the Charlotte Hornets, Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat. In 2001, Mason was named to the Eastern Conference All-Star squad.

(Reporting By Frank McGurty and Mary Wisniewski; Editing by Hugh Lawson and Stephen Powell)

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Jackson seeks to recreate magic with the Knicks

NEW YORK -  Phil Jackson vowed to revive the struggling New York Knicks as he was officially announced as their new president Tuesday, returning to the team where he started his glittering career.



The 68-year-old Hall of Famer, who has won a record 13 NBA titles as a player and coach, said his aim was to bring a winning tradition back to New York.

"I am going to jump in with both feet," Jackson said during a news conference at Madison Square Garden. "We want to build a team.

"We're going to make one step at a time. I think that's the most important thing.

"We're going to push this team and, hopefully push into the playoffs, and see how they really can compete.

"From there on, we'll take it a step at a time as we go forward."

Jackson will be trying to recreate the magic he was part of with the Knicks in the 1970s.

Jackson, who played for the Knicks from 1967 to 1978, has been put in charge of all basketball decisions. He won two titles as a player with the Knicks, helping them win their most recent NBA crown, in 1973.

"We are looking forward to embracing the past but also looking forward," said Jackson, who has never had a losing season in the NBA as a head coach. "To come back to the place where I started in basketball is a great feeling."

Jackson signed a five-year contract but wouldn't commit to a timeline on how long it would take to restore the team to winning ways. The contract is believed to be worth $60 million, the New York Daily News reported.

- 'Only one Phil Jackson' -

Jackson won 11 NBA titles as a coach, surpassing the previous record of nine set by Red Auerbach.

Jackson retired from coaching in May 2011 after leading the Chicago Bulls to six crowns in the 1990s and then Los Angeles Lakers to five titles. His last title came in 2010 with Los Angeles.

"This would be the pinnacle, a capstone, on the remarkable career that I've had," Jackson said.

Jackson replaces Steve Mills, who was named president and general manager of the Knicks in September. Mills remains as general manager.

Jackson also said head coach Mike Woodson would stay.

This is Jackson's first role as a front-office decision maker.

"There is only one Phil Jackson, and he is synonymous with winning basketball teams," said Knicks owner Jim Dolan, who joined Jackson on the podium for Tuesday's announcement.

"His history of success in the NBA is unrivaled, and he is the ideal executive to lead our team and develop short- and long-term plans that build a successful franchise and result in an NBA championship."

The Knicks are in the midst of a disappointing season after reaching the semi-finals of the Eastern Conference playoffs in 2012-13. Their play has improved of late and they have won six straight games.

The Knicks are 27-40 -- four games behind the Atlanta Hawks for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, heading into Tuesday's slate of games.

The Knicks are hoping the hiring of Jackson improves the chances they might keep star forward Carmelo Anthony, who is looking at free agency after this season.

"Carmelo is one of the top scorers in the league," Jackson said. "I have no problem saying Carmelo is in the future plans.

"He still has another level he can go to."

Anthony said before the hiring was made official that he was looking forward to working with Jackson.

"He has won a lot. I haven't won yet. I am hoping and planning this all works," Anthony said.

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Jackson to be named NY Knicks president

Phil Jackson is signed on to become president of the New York Knicks, according to a report on Saturday by ESPN.

The reported deal is expected to pay Jackson $12 million per year but does not include a stake in ownership.

The team announced that a "major announcement" is scheduled for 11 a.m. ET Tuesday at Madison Square Garden.

The ESPN report said Jackson will be in charge of the Knicks' basketball operations. However, general manager Steve Mills will reportedly continue to have a significant role in the team's front office.

Jackson is expected to split time between New York and Los Angeles while running the team. He won a record 11 NBA championships as coach of the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers in the 1990s and 2000s.

While the Lakers had significant interest in bringing Jackson back in some capacity, formal talks never materialized. Reportedly, the Lakers did not contact Jackson's representatives and the team was not prepared to offer him a role similar to the one the Knicks are giving him.

One of Jackson's biggest challenges will be making a decision on pending free agent Carmelo Anthony. The star forward plans to opt out of the final year of his contract this summer. However, Anthony said he would like to meet with Jackson to talk about the team's future plans before deciding whether to stay or leave.

Jackson is also likely to hire a new coach. It has been widely speculated that Mike Woodson will be dismissed at the end of the season. Steve Kerr, Brian Shaw and Kurt Rambis are considered possible candidates.

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The Brooklyn Nets officially signed center Jason Collins for the rest of the season.

Collins became the NBA's first openly gay player when he joined Brooklyn last month.

Collins' second 10-day contract with the team expired Friday. Players are allowed to sign two 10-day contracts but then must be signed for the remainder of the season if a team wishes to keep them on the roster.

Through eight games with Brooklyn, Collins is averaging 0.6 points, 0.8 rebounds and 9.8 minutes. His high point total was three in the Nets' 112-89 win over the Nuggets in Denver on Feb. 27. The team reportedly is impressed by the defense he is playing.

Collins, a 13-year NBA veteran, played for the then-New Jersey Nets from 2001-08. He also spent time with the Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards.

Collins gained celebrity status after joining the Nets. His jersey immediately became the NBA's best-seller, and the league vowed to donate proceeds from Collins jerseys to the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network and the Matthew Shepard Foundation. Shepard was a gay college student who was murdered in a 1998 hate crime. Collins wears No. 98 in his memory.

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The Dallas Mavericks recalled rookie guard Shane Larkin from the Texas Legends of the NBA Development League.

Dallas also reassigned point guard Gal Mekel to the Legends.

Larkin had 22 points and 11 assists in Friday's win against the Maine Red Claws. In four games with the Legends this season, he has averaged 15.3 points, 8.3 assists, and 4.8 rebounds in 35.8 minutes. He has played in 42 games for the Mavericks, averaging 2.9 points and 1.6 assists in 11.1 minutes.

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The Philadelphia 76ers assigned forward Arnett Moultrie to the Delaware 87ers of the NBA Development League.

This marks Moultrie's second assignment to the Sevens. He appeared in three games during a stretch from Feb. 4-9.

Moultrie has averaged 3.0 points and 2.9 rebounds in 12 games for the Sixers this season. (Editing by Gene Cherry)

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