The Replacement: A Look At The Knicks' Coaching Candidates
With Jeff Hornacek exiting the New York Knicks organization after a disappointing two-year run as head coach, the search for a replacement has begun. Of course, the team should be in no hurry to hire once since they are out of the playoffs and have months to weight their options.
There are perceived frontrunners for the position, though, namely the following:
Mark Jackson
Brooklyn’s son Mark Jackson began his NBA playing career with the Knicks back in 1987. He won the Rookie of the Year award, and helped the team contend in the playoffs for five seasons before being traded in 1992. A return to the Knicks would be a dream reunion, and Jackson has also shown that he is more than capable of running a team, as his only foray into coaching helped jumpstart the current Golden State Warriors dynasty.
Image source: chatsports.com
David Fizdale
When David Fizdale was fired by the Memphis Grizzlies a few months ago, it shocked almost everyone in the league because he was thought to have been doing a good job despite the roster being depleted by injuries. But that might actually bode well for the Knicks, because if they decide to bring Fizdale on board, not only do they get a great tactician, they also get a coach well-respected by players and agents. Courting big-name free agents would then become an easier task.
David Blatt
David Blatt, who is one of the most successful international coaches currently without an NBA job, has built good rapport with Knicks president Steve Mills and player development head Craig Robinson, making him one of the leading candidates to nab the vacant position.
Image source: deadspin.com
