Phil Jackson, back on Broadway yesterday to sign copies of his new book, said he would listen if the Knicks offered him their head coaching job next summer.
"I'd have to think about it," Jackson told The Post during his book-signing appearance on Wall Street. "But I don't want to preclude the fact that Lenny Wilkens is the coach and they have a team and they're going forward."
Indeed, Jackson, tied with Red Auerbach with nine NBA coaching titles, does not want to be accused of lobbying for the Knicks job, as he was in 1999.
Several patrons yesterday told Jackson they'd love to see him back as a Knick.
"I tell them I appreciate their sentiments," Jackson said.
Last week, Jackson made an appearance on FSN's "Best Damn Sports Show, Period" and said if he felt the Knicks had enough talent to win, he'd be intrigued.
"Well, if they had a really talented team, I haven't looked at their personnel this year," Jackson said. "But if the Knicks were competitive, I would have to look at them. You have to look at a team like that. You say, hey, they've got a chance to win. It's a team you've played for. It's a team you've had a lot of blood that flows toward that direction."
Isiah Thomas has built the franchise around point guard Stephon Marbury. As for Jackson's opinion on Marbury, Jackson said the Athens Olympics demonstrated he still has work to do.
"He has to grow and still has to improve," Jackson said. "That's something kids have to understand in this game — that they have to get better. His experience in the Olympics taught him where he can improve a lot in his game."
Jackson, who played 11 seasons with the Knicks, was on the roster for their only two championships (1969, 1973). Few realize Jackson has appeared in more games as a Knick (732) than all but four players. And Jackson always mentions Red Holzman as his coaching mentor.
One close friend of Jackson's believes he won't coach the Knicks next season because his ego would clash with Isiah's. However, it's known Thomas respects Jackson immensely as a coach for making players better. Isiah values that attribute more than X's and O's.
"Isiah's got great political acumen and can be a great force as an executive," Jackson said.
Wilkens is in no imminent danger, and Thomas has already taken the heat off early by saying the Knicks will be "lucky" to be .500 after 20 games. However, if the Knicks don't make the playoffs, it's highly unlikely Wilkens will be brought back.
Jackson says he is yet to miss coaching, but admits the true test will be after a full season away.
