Mark Jackson didn't want to get into hypotheticals or rehash his Knicks coaching candidacy because "that does nothing."
In his first public comments Tuesday about being interviewed by the Knicks, the Brooklyn native and former Knicks Rookie of the Year took the high road.
"The only thing for me, they have an astounding coach in (David) Fizdale, quality guys, class guys running it in (team president) Steve (Mills) and (GM) Scott Perry," Jackson said on a conference call to promote ESPN's and ABC's coverage of the Finals. "And I wish them nothing but the very best. It was a heck of an opportunity."
Jackson was one of 11 candidates interviewed by the Knicks, but lost out to Fizdale, who reportedly turned down an offer from the Suns.
Jackson, whose previous and only coaching job was in Golden State, interviewed only with the Knicks and was considered an early front-runner.
Instead of gearing up for the draft and next season, Jackson will be calling his ninth NBA Finals as an analyst with Jeff Van Gundy, who called this year's installment the most lopsided in his memory.
"Any game the Cavs get in this series would be a huge upset to me," Van Gundy said.
