New Knicks' coach Fisher eager to put shine back in Big Apple

Oklahoma City Thunder Derek Fisher (L) drives to the basket against Houston Rockets James Harden Derek Fisher is set to put a shine back in the Big Apple after being named Tuesday as head coach of the New York Knicks. Fisher was excited to re-join former LA Lakers coach and current Knicks president Phil Jackson in a determined effort to bring a much-needed winner back to the starving die-hard fans, just 10 days after completing his 18th NBA season with the Oklahoma City Thunder. "People come to this city for hundreds of years for an opportunity to do something special, bring something new," Fisher said. "I look forward to the opportunity to bring myself and my family into the family of New York City." He added: "Phil experienced it here as a player some 40 years ago. It is here, you experience the championship success, the great players and great coaches in this organization." The Knicks haven't won an NBA Championship since 1973. "We know without a doubt we can re-establish what that means, what that is. I'm excited. We want to add more banners to the ceiling here. We will be committed to being the best." Though no financial terms were released, Fisher reportedly signed a five-year, 25-million-dollar deal despite having no head coaching experience at any level. However, Fisher is rich in success, having won five Championship rings in the 10 seasons Jackson coached the LA Lakers. "I am experienced in playing, understanding, leading in, guiding in, helping another group of people to achieve the greatest gift in the world as a professional athlete and that's being a champion." Jackson focused on Fisher as the top coaching candidate to replace fired Mike Woodson after Steve Kerr unexpectedly changed his mind and turned down the offer to accept the same position with the Golden State Warriors three weeks ago. "Derek and I are very symbiotic in what we believe in," Jackson said. "Derek's a guy I used to get the team back under control when they got out of line. He was a guy that was always ready to sacrifice himself for the good of the team. That's one of the qualities of a coach that I've looked for in the past. And obviously, a guy who knows the system I like." Fisher will have a tall task to turn around an underachieving Knicks squad, who finished with a dismal 37-45 record and failed to make the playoffs last season. The new coach may be faced with the reality of losing superstar Carmelo Anthony to free agency this summer. "We're going to do our best to convince him or change his mind from maybe a decision he's already made," Fisher said. "But to give him some confidence that with the personalities involved and with our commitment of working hard to achieve a certain level of success that this is the place where he can have whatever he wants. "He's great and he deserves that. Hopefully, we can do that." Familiar with Jackson's famed triangle offence, Fisher is expected to install the system, though he may opt for set plays. "I've enjoyed tremendous success in the triangle system," he said. "I believe in it but it's not necessarily the only way to play basketball. We will do whatever is best for our players to be successful. "All I've heard is how great this city can be when they Knicks are winning. I've experienced it on the West Coast and I look forward to experiencing it on the East Coast." Former Knicks centre Bill Cartwright, who played under Jackson in Chicago, and former Lakers assistant Kurt Rambis are expected to join Fisher's staff.