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New York Knicks: 5 reasons David Fizdale is an excellent hire

By Kenneth Teape

SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 25: David Fizdale of the Memphis Grizzlies talks to the media during a press conference after Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the San Antonio Spurs of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on April 25, 2017 at AT
SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 25: David Fizdale of the Memphis Grizzlies talks to the media during a press conference after Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the San Antonio Spurs of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on April 25, 2017 at AT /
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New York Knicks: 5 reasons David Fizdale is an excellent hire
Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images /

3. Understanding today’s players

The NBA, like anything else, has changed over the years. How players carry themselves and conduct their business differs from how things were done in different eras. Understanding that is key to finding success.

Scott Perry and Steve Mills said that during their exit interviews. Finding a head coach that understood today’s players was imperative. It is something they believed Hornacek may have lacked at times.

"“Today’s players are very different from yesterday’s players,” Mills said. “So, you have to be a person that understands who these guys are, where they come from, what their basketball journey is.”"

Perry and Mills found a perfect fit for that in Fizdale. He was an integral part of the Miami Heat, winning two championships with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. He was lauded for his ability to connect and communicate with the players in addition to the excellent work he did as a tactician and teacher.

James and Wade are both big fans of Fizdale. Understanding the players should help the Knicks not only develop the ones on their roster now but help with free agency pitches too. If the coach is able to connect to the players, they will feel more comfortable joining a new team.

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