Phil Jackson wants Derek Fisher to wear championship rings when meeting with Carmelo Anthony

Derek Fisher has won five NBA Championships and just nine days after his NBA playing career ended, Fisher became the 26th head coach of the New York Knicks. With the hiring of Fisher came big responsibility for the first-time head coach, and that responsibility comes in the form of Carmelo Anthony.

At his introductory press conference in New York City, Phil Jackson talked about the role Fisher will have in meetings with Carmelo Anthony, who can opt-out and become a free agent this off-season. Part of Phil’s plan is to have Fisher wear all five of his championship rings when he does meet with Anthony.

“I think I’ll have Derek wear all five of his rings the first time he comes in and talks to Carmelo, and say, ‘This is what we’re working for, you know?’”

As far as Fisher’s perception with Anthony, it’s that he wants the star forward to know that “this is the place for him”. Fisher did say that the question of Anthony staying or going, is one that only Anthony can answer.

That’s a big part of not only who I am as a person and have been as a player, but who I’ll be as a coach, is that ultimately the decision to be great, to be a part of something special, to want to be the best that you can be is ultimately your choice.

“We obviously firmly believe that here is that place for Carmelo. And we are going to do our best, not to convince him or change his mind from maybe a decision he’s already made, but just help give him some confidence that with the personalities involved and our commitment to working hard to achieve a certain level of success, that this is the place where he can have what it is he wants.”

It’ll be a long haul for Fisher and Jackson to not only keep Anthony in New York but to ultimately turn the franchise back around and build a championship contender. A five-year $25 million should have Fisher happy from a financial standpoint, but now the work begins to get the best possible roster together for the New York Knicks.

Follow Mike Pendleton on Twitter @MP2310

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Photo credit: (Seth Wenig/AP)

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