The New York Knicks officially announced Derek Fisher as their head coach Tuesday in Greenburgh, N.Y. Fisher was introduced by his former coach and current Knicks president Phil Jackson.
The ex-point guard will earn $25 million over five years with the Knicks.
Fisher, 39, exuded confidence as he talked about helping return the Knicks to title-contention. Despite the team's recent struggles, the Knicks finished this past season 37-45 and failed to earn a playoff berth, Fisher seems undaunted by the task facing him.
He embraces the possibilities that New York Cityoffers. Fisher spoke of the opportunities New York has afforded people, especially newcomers, throughout the years, and that he and his family hope to be the latest residents to make their current dreams come true.
But the five-time NBA champion knows turning things around in New York won't be easy. Fortunately, he can expect to have several seasoned coaches at his disposal with the Knicks.
''Derek has a long, laundry list of coaches that he's worked under and had a tremendous amount of success and we welcome him,'' Jackson said.
Though he has no previous coaching experience and takes the job just weeks after playing his final NBA game, Fisher remained calm while being bombarded with questions about star forward Carmelo Anthony's the pending free agency.
"We want Carmelo to be here," Fisher said. "Obviously, he has a choice. We'll do everything we can to keep him."
Jackson began pursuing Fisher last month after Steve Kerr spurned him for the Golden State Warriors' head-coaching job. Shortly thereafter, Jackson publicly expressed interest in having Fisher call the shots on the Knicks' sideline while the point guard was still a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Thunder were still active in the playoffs when Jackson made his views public. And the NBA fined Jackson $25,000 for tampering. But after Oklahoma City was eliminated in the Western Conference Finals by San Antonio, Fisher began revealing his desire to become a head coach.
"In the last maybe decade or so, I've really felt like my purpose in life, my calling so to speak, was to be in a leadership position or some position of impact on other people," Fisher said. "Coaching allows for you to positively impact other people's lives."
Throughout his pro career, Fisher has had a reputation as a solid leader on the court and in the locker room. He has served as president of the NBA Players Association.
Jackson and Fisher built a close relationship while the two were with the Los Angeles Lakers -- Fisher as the team's starting point guard and Jackson its head coach. The pair won five NBA championships with the Lakers, who recently showed interest in Fisher for its vacant head-coaching job.
Fisher played 18 seasons in the NBA, a majority with the Lakers. He spent most of the past three seasons as a key reserve for the Thunder.
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