After another horrific season, the New York Knicks are putting another man to test for the coaching position. Jeff Hornacek was fired three weeks ago and the Knicks are signing former Memphis Grizzlies head coach, David Fizdale.
The Knicks interviewed 11 possibilities before the offer today. Per ESPN, the deal offered to Fizdale is for four years. NY Post reports that Mike Budenholzer was the Knicks second choice if Fizdale turned them down.
Grizzlies was Fizdale’s first gig as head coach. Before Memphis, he was the assistant coach to the Miami Heat, Atlanta Hawks, Golden State Warriors and in the NCAA. In 2016, he brought the Grizzlies to the Western Conference playoffs but lost the Spurs in 6 games.
The front office has done a lot of damage. Phil Jackson ruined the franchise, Carmelo Anthony left and Charles Oakley was even banned from MSG. It’s good to see the front office like Fizdale but building a strong relationship with the players is what this team needs. With his experience and Phil Jackson and his ‘triangle’ gone, I believe he will have a better shot. Fizdale has worked with winners as he spent years being an assistant coach for the Heat when they won two rings befriending LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. Besides a good move with Fizdale, the Knicks now need to think about the choices they’re going to make in the upcoming draft. Building a strong young team around their star player Kristaps Porzingis is what needs to be done and spend the money wisely.
Erik Spoelsta told ESPN, ‘He’s a brilliant basketball mind that has exceptional, gold-standard level communication skills”.
No one will expect the Knicks to become title contenders in one season but with the right support for Fizdale and the players, I believe the Knicks can overcome this playoff drought.