New York Knicks: More candidates added in head coaching search update
The New York Knicks’ head coaching search is coming into focus as a few more candidates were added to the interview list.
The New York Knicks wasted no time in getting their offseason started. Just hours after they wrapped up the 2017-18 regular season with a victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers, New York fired head coach Jeff Hornacek.
Hornacek was the head man for the Knicks for two seasons. He finished his tenure with a record of 60-104. That is nothing to write home about, but Hornacek wasn’t given much to succeed during his two seasons in the Big Apple.
The roster lacked impact talent outside of Kristaps Porzingis. Hornacek also had to deal with the regular circus that comes with being a part of the Knicks organization, such as having the triangle offense forced upon him by Phil Jackson. James Dolan also isn’t an easy owner to operate under.
Once Jackson was relieved of his duties following the 2017 NBA Draft, the writing was always on the wall for Hornacek. With Scott Perry taking over as general manager and Steve Mills being moved to president of basketball operations, it was only a matter of time until they began shaping the team to fit their vision and plan.
The first of those decisions will be filling the head coaching vacancy. Finding someone to succeed under the pressure of New York won’t be an easy thing to do. Not everyone is cut out to handle the scrutiny of the fans and media.
When Hornacek was fired, the first group of candidates were shared. Mark Jackson, a former Knicks draft pick, was the favorite for the fans. In addition to Jackson, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported that Jerry Stackhouse and David Fizdale would also receive interviews.
New York is finalizing plans to meet with three of the top candidates for the Knicks' head coaching job this week -- David Fizdale, Mark Jackson and Jerry Stackhouse, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 15, 2018
All three have coaching experience at different levels. Jackson coached the Golden State Warriors for three seasons. He clashed with many people within the organization, which led to him being fired and replaced by Steve Kerr. The rest is history as the Warriors have turned into the most recent NBA dynasty.
Fizdale was the head coach for the Memphis Grizzlies for one-plus season. He led the team to the postseason in 2017, but he was fired 19 games into the 2017-18 season as the team was in the midst of a losing streak and he wasn’t getting along with star center, Marc Gasol.
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Stackhouse has coached the Toronto Raptors‘ G League team, Raptors 905, for the past two seasons and found great success. He won G League Coach of the Year in 2016-17, his first season, also winning the G League Championship. He coached the team back to the finals this season, but they were defeated by the Austin Toros.
Since then, we have gotten some updates on the search. Former Knicks head coach Jeff Van Gundy is not currently being considered for the job. However, the organization has added some more candidates to its list.
Former Knicks head coach, Mike Woodson, expressed interest in wanting the job and the Knicks received permission to talk to him. Woodson coached New York for parts of three seasons, compiling a 109-79 record. He led them to the postseason twice, including an Atlantic Division title and a first round win in 2013. It is the most success the Knicks had since the 1999-00 season when they reached the Eastern Conference Finals.
In addition to Woodson, New York is also going to interview former Cleveland Cavaliers head coach, David Blatt. Blatt lasted 123 regular season games on the sidelines for the Cavaliers before being fired. The team made the NBA Finals in his first season but lost to the Warriors.
Most recently, another candidate emerged that will surprise some people. Current TNT analyst, Kenny Smith, will also be interviewing with the Knicks, according to ESPN. Smith has no head coaching experience but played 10 seasons in the NBA with six different teams.
Smith was born in Queens and went to Archbishop Molloy in Jamaica, New York. A hometown person would probably make fans happy, but hiring someone with zero experience head coaching experience may not be a risk Perry and Mills want to take.
UPDATE: A report broke this morning that the Knicks would also interview current Atlanta Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer:
Knicks plan to talk to Hawks coach Budenholzer about their vacancy, according to league source. Still not ruled out that Budenholzer eventually returns to ATL.
— Michael Cunningham (@MCunninghamAJC) April 20, 2018
Budenholzer recently interviewed with the Phoenix Suns over their head coaching vacancy, but there was no traction on a deal.
Next: 5 Head Coaching Candidates To Replace Jeff Hornacek
Perry and Mills said that they would open in the coaching search. They have certainly done that thus far, as there are already six candidates known to be getting interviews.