Phil Jackson could change the Raptors as Team President

Could the Zen Master move north of the border? Al Dannity says a move to the Raptors would present a unique opportunity to Phil Jackson.

To understand why Toronto would appeal to Phil Jackson, you have to understand what makes the man. Take a city with a large population, an underachieving team, and an iffy fan base and you have one big asset with two huge problems. If you think I’m describing Toronto, you’re only half-right. The very same description applies to Miami. Looking at where the Heat are today, it’s easy to forget that prior to the arrival of Shaq and subsequent arrival of LeBron James this wasn’t exactly a power franchise. Another city that comes close to that description, although their support level was always higher, is Chicago. Phil Jackson has already achieved what Pat Riley managed as a coach with Miami. Riley won a NBA Championship as head coach of the Heat before moving upstairs to his current role where he overseas Erik Spoelstra’s successful empire. Jackson won six rings guiding Michael Jordan’s Bulls. He picked up another five by turning around an underachieving Lakers franchise, again a team whose darker days are easy to forget.

So why Toronto and why now? The Raptors have the nucleus of a good team. Jackson has done everything as a coach and he also snagged two rings as a play. To move up the chain and take command as president would represent another step in the Zen Master’s legacy. Jackson knows what it takes to succeed in a crowded sports market. The Blue Jays and Maple Leafs won’t scare him. Jackson will see taking them on for the affections of Toronto to be a challenge worthy of his standing. In recent years the Raps have tried to go for home run hires on the court and come up short. Jackson’s eye for players would give him a unique position to give a better eye to draft talent. Of far greater importance will be the profile he’ll give the team. Jackson is the type of name players want to be associated with. They know that if the Zen Master is involved with a team, it’s a franchise that’s serious about winning championships. It’s not just the high-priced free agents that make a team. It’s the talented veterans looking for one last shot to win a ring. A hungry player on his last contract is of far greater value than a man just looking to get a payday. That’s the type of player the Raptors could compete for with Jackson.