New York Knicks: 5 candidates to replace Jeff Hornacek as head coach

2. Mark Jackson

Appeasing Knicks fans is not an easy thing to do. With all of the losing that they have endured recently, going the nostalgic route is one way to get them excited. Just as Jeff Van Gundy would have that effect on them, Mark Jackson would as well.

Jackson is New York through and through. He went to high school at Bishop Loughlin Memorial in Brooklyn. He played college basketball at St. John’s before being drafted by the Knicks No. 18 in the 1987 NBA Draft.

Jackson won the Rookie of the Year and was named an All-Star in his second season. He spent the first five seasons of his career with the Knicks before becoming their nemesis with the Indiana Pacers for parts of six seasons.

Despite that, Jackson would be someone many people would love to see make a return to New York. Ian Begley reports that Jackson has a close relationship with some people within the organization still. His three-season stint as head coach of the Golden State Warriors will require some digging into by the front office, however.

Jackson led Golden State to back-to-back postseason appearances his final two years as head coach. It was the first time that happened in 22 years. However, things were not all peachy in Golden State, as Jackson didn’t get along with many people within the organization, according to Warriors owner Joe Lacob.

That isn’€™t a glowing review from a former employer. It is something the Knicks will have to try and get to the bottom of.