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New York Knicks: David Fizdale already learning from past mistakes

By Kenneth Teape

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 8: David Fizdale is announced as the new head coach of the New York Knicks during a press conference on May 8, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 8: David Fizdale is announced as the new head coach of the New York Knicks during a press conference on May 8, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks head coach David Fizdale is wasting no time showing that he has learned from his mistakes as head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies.

Following the New York Knicks‘ season finale victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers, the organization decided to part ways with head coach Jeff Hornacek. In his place, David Fizdale was hired.

Fizdale was an assistant coach and associate head coach for 12 years before landing the head coaching job with the Memphis Grizzlies prior to the 2016-17 season. Fizdale led the Grizzlies to the postseason that year, but things got rocky, fast.

Fizdale lasted only 19 games in the 2017-18 season. A losing streak played a part in his firing, but the biggest issue was his relationship with the team’s best player, center Marc Gasol.

Fizdale and Gasol didn’t have a great relationship and things came to a head following a game against the Brooklyn Nets. Fizdale decided not to put Gasol back on the court and it would end up being the final nail in his coffin.

That was the last game Fizdale was the head coach of the Grizzlies. The team fired him, choosing the star player over the head coach. It was a weird situation, but Fizdale convinced the Knicks that it was something he would learn from, stressing that in his introductory press conference.

Saying it is one thing. Doing it is another, and he is already showing that to be true.

Throughout his tenure as an assistant coach, people spoke highly of Fizdale. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade are big fans of his from his time as the Heat’s assistant coach. Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra was also very high on Fiz.

The Knicks’ new head coach is looking to make it work with his players already. Fizdale was shown with Emmanuel Mudiay, Damyean Dotson and Frank Ntilikina at a playoff game between the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers.

Exposing your young players to that environment is a great idea. Taking it in as a fan is much different than being on the court, but it was a good move on Fizdale’s part. Seeing that atmosphere in Boston could motivate them to bring a postseason game to Madison Square Garden.

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Getting to know his younger players is a great step for Fizdale. Having a relationship with all his players is important. However, if he truly wants to overcome what ultimately ended his tenure with the Grizzlies, building a relationship with Kristaps Porzingis is of the utmost importance.

Learning from his past mistakes, Fizdale is looking to develop a positive relationship with his star player from the get-go.

Shortly after being hired, Fizdale said that he would be going over to Latvia to meet and speak with Porzingis, as reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Getting Porzingis onboard is key for Fizdale after the last regime, led by Phil Jackson, fractured its relationship with the Unicorn. Ian Begley of ESPN New York said it’s a relationship that is still being repaired.

In another discussion with Begley, Fizdale made it clear that he would not skip steps in developing a relationship with Porzingis.

While it is still early in the process, it seems like the Zinger is on board with his newest head coach. Fizdale and Porzingis had a discussion over the phone and the Knicks superstar came away from the talk feeling great.

https://twitter.com/kporzee/status/999721225768366080

The rebuild process for the Knicks still has a long way to go. However, getting everyone on the same page to build continuity and cohesion is key. New York seems to be heading toward doing that, but patience is key. These first few weeks as head coach of the Knicks have been solid for Fizdale.

Next: 5 Reasons David Fizdale Was An Excellent Hire

Soon, the Knicks will have another young player to add to their core via the ninth overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. It will be the first addition to the roster with the trio of Fizdale, Scott Perry and Steve Mills. If things go well, this will, hopefully, be one of the last times the Knicks’ own draft pick lands in the lottery.

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