Welcome to New York, Stevie!
Knicks coaching candidate Steve Kerr arrived in New York on Friday in advance of TNT’s Raptors-Nets telecast of Game 4 Sunday at Barclays Center. However, Kerr may just take a trip to the Garden first. Kerr is expected to meet with Knicks president Phil Jackson before he leaves town and could conceivably have seen the Zen Master Friday regarding the team’s vacant coaching job.
Kerr also is expected to meet with his New York-based agent. The Post reported Kerr is being represented by former Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum, who was known in NFL circles as a top-flight negotiator.
During a press conference Wednesday, Jackson said he planned to meet with Kerr in the next week, saying they have “philosophically, a strong connection.’’
Kerr is considered the overwhelming favorite for the Knicks coaching job, but may also hear from Golden State should the Warriors fire Mark Jackson.
“I’m sure he’ll listen to whatever comes his way,’’ one league source said.
The Post reported recently Kerr “absolutely expects’’ to get an offer from the Knicks and if he did, he would accept.
Kerr flew from Memphis to New York on Friday after announcing Thursday’s Thunder-Grizzlies game.
Kerr is from San Diego and some league sources wonder if he would adapt to New York with his family on the West Coast. A league source said when Kerr ran the Suns as GM, he was constantly traveling to San Diego. That is why Golden State would seem more plausible.
“He’s got a very high basketball IQ and a quick learning curve,’’ one NBA coach said.
Derek Fisher has been mentioned as another coaching candidate Jackson would want to speak to but could also be targeted for the front office. Fisher, playing for the Thunder, will retire once Oklahoma City’s playoff run ends.
Recently fired Knicks coach Mike Woodson will appear on NBA TV Saturday as part of the networks postgame playoff coverage. Woodson will also be an analyst in studio Sunday afternoon.