NEW YORK – Mark Jackson was back in a Knicks uniform Friday
night for the first time in nine years. Soon, he'll be in the
starting lineup, too.
"When he's ready, he's going to start," coach Jeff Van Gundy
said before the Knicks' game against the Phoenix Suns.
Jackson was acquired from Toronto on Thursday along with Muggsy
Bogues for Chris Childs and a No. 1 draft pick.
The Knicks did not expect to have Jackson available against the
Suns, but they received word from the Raptors that Childs had
passed his physical. That allowed Jackson to suit up, and he wore
uniform No. 31 since his favorite number, 13, already belongs to
Luc Longley.
"This is where I want to finish my career. I think that would
be the right thing since I started it here," said Jackson, who
spent his first five seasons with the Knicks before playing for the
Clippers, Pacers, Nuggets and Raptors.
Jackson will supplant Charlie Ward as the starting point guard,
giving the team a better ball distributor. Jackson is ranked third
in the league in assists, averaging 9.2 per game, while Ward
averages 4.3.
"This is a perfect situation for me because they're bringing me
in to do the things I do best – distribute the ball, be a leader
and win," Jackson said.
Ward did not complain about his impending demotion.
The downside of the trade is that the Knicks are adding a poor
defender who does not have the speed to keep up with opposing point
guards. Childs was their best perimeter defender against other
teams' playmakers.
Jackson said he got wind of the trade a couple of days before it
happened but was still shocked when it went through.
He telephoned one of his best friends, Reggie Miller of the
Pacers, to share the news.
"I tried to tell him four or five times. He called me a liar,
he hung up on me, he called me stupid. He said 'Now how can I play
against the Knicks with that same fire?' He's very surprised about
me being a New York Knick," Jackson said.
Bogues, who has played only three games this season because of a
knee injury, said he was not close to being ready to return.
"I've been saying I'm two weeks away for the longest time,"
Bogues said.
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