Since the day Phil Jackson was hired by the New York Knicks, there was talk that Steve Kerr likely would be his head coach with the team. The hire seemed like a done deal, with Jackson himself saying earlier today that Kerr verbally committed to coach the Knicks before taking the Golden State Warriors head coaching position.
According to Chris Herring of the Wall Street Journal, Jackson has a very simple explanation for why Kerr spurned the Knicks.
Phil, on why he believes Kerr took GSW job: "It was California. And to be honest, that's a better team for him." Says GSW has better roster.
— Chris Herring (@HerringWSJ) May 30, 2014
This is not much of a surprise, as most believed Kerr’s desire to stay near family on the West Coast and the appeal of taking over a team close to being a title contender made the Warriors a much better opportunity than the rebuilding-again Knicks.
While Kerr and the Warriors are set, Jackson and the Knicks continue their search for a head coach heading into an uncertain summer in which star Carmelo Anthony can become a free agent.