Charley Rosen: ‘No chance’ Phil Jackson will coach Knicks

The idea of Phil Jackson coaching only the Knicks’ home games next season?

Not only did Carmelo Anthony reject it, the New York forward dismissed Jackson coaching at all.

Melo, via Ian Begley of ESPN:

“Phil ain’t coaching no more man,” Anthony said after Tuesday’s practice. “So let’s dead that rumor. Phil ain’t coaching no more.”

If you need it from closer to the horse’s mouth…

Marc Berman of the New York Post:

Charley Rosen, Jackson’s confidant who met with the Zen Master before Sunday’s loss to Sacramento, told The Post there is “zero percent” that proposed home-and-away scenario occurs next season.

“Phil said it’s absolutely not true — there’s no chance he’s going to coach,’’ Rosen told The Post. “It’s total fantasy — an old rumor.’’

according to an NBA source, Jackson working any sidelines is physically unrealistic. Though he has lost weight the last several months, the requirements of bouncing out of his seat on the bench with frequency is an impossibility. He has had two hip replacements, a knee replacement and has chronic back issues.

Rosen and Jackson are close. They’re working together to chronicle the season in writing. This isn’t directly from Jackson, but it’s close.

The message is clear: Jackson insists he’ll never coach again.

The Knicks aren’t getting the all-time great coach to move down to the sideline. They’ll just have to hope he hires the right man for the job.

Good luck.