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New York Post said:While Phil Jackson repeated he would "have to listen" to a Knicks offer, president Isiah Thomas said his next coach would not have to worry about input into personnel decisions.
Jackson confidant Charley Rosen said Sunday he doubts his buddy would accept a Knicks job because he would need "veto power" as far as player moves.
"Any coach I hire will have a say," Thomas responded yesterday.
Jackson said in a TV interview from the Australian Open Sunday night he had yet to be contacted but has a "connection" with Thomas, adding "Isiah and I have a friendship that goes back a long ways."
Thomas plans to make a play for Jackson and Pistons coach Larry Brown, a native of Long Beach who recently finished building his retirement home in East Hampton. Thomas considers them the top coaches in the game because they make individual players overachieve.
During preseason, Jackson first made his interest known but he could be using the Knicks as leverage.
"What I did say is that I'd have to listen if they came and talked," Jackson said. "I'd have to listen to them but that's not saying I'd be ready to coach."
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