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Spike Lee has revealed his preference for the next coach of the New York Knicks - and his answer is somewhat out of left-field.
The Knicks have been searching for a new coach since they fired Tom Thibodeau on June 3 following the team's first run to the Eastern Conference Finals in 25 years.
And if it were up to Knicks superfan Lee, he would hire former Warriors coach Mark Jackson to take over.
'I would love the Knicks to bring home Mark Jackson,' he exclusively told the Daily Mail from the NBA Draft.
The famed director believes Jackson, who hails from Brooklyn and played seven seasons for the Knicks, is the 'right guy' for the job, as evidenced by his stint with the Warriors from 2011-14.
'He's the one that set the table for Steve Kerr and Golden State,' Lee said, referencing the team's four titles after Jackson departed.
Spike Lee believes Mark Jackson should be the next coach of his beloved Knicks
Jackson was a longtime game analyst for ESPN after leaving his role with the Warriors
'Steve Kerr's a great coach. I'm saying though, they had something [with Jackson]. There were no scrubs there.'
The former point guard posted a 121-109 record in Golden State, winning one playoff series before being replaced by Kerr.
Following his dismissal from that role, he worked as a game analyst for ESPN until he was part of the company's layoffs in 2023.
Jackson, 60, is not believed to be part of the Knicks' extensive coaching search, which has included reported interviews with Mike Brown, Taylor Jenkins and Micah Nori.
On Wednesday, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that the Knicks also planned to interview Pelicans associate coach (and former Hornets head coach) James Borrego.
The Knicks also requested permission to speak with the Rockets' Ime Udoka, Mavs' Jason Kidd, Timberwolves' Chris Finch, Hawks' Quin Snyder and Bulls' Billy Donovan - and were reportedly denied in all cases.
Tom Thibodeau was fired by the Knicks after the team's deepest playoff run in 25 years
Lee is seen at the NBA Draft on Wednesday - despite the Knicks not having a first-round pick
However, Lee's wish to see Jackson return to Madison Square Garden was echoed by St. John's coach Rick Pitino.
Pitino, who coached Jackson on the Knicks, said in a June 11 post to X that he was 'one of the brightest minds I've coached. Would love to see the Knicks bring Mark Jackson home!!'
The Knicks' coaching search comes after a period of impressive consistency under Thibodeau, who made the playoffs in four of five seasons and posted a .565 win percentage in the regular season.
The team fell just short of the NBA Finals this year as they lost to the Pacers in six games the round prior.
