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New York Knicks: 5 likely head coaching candidates to replace Fizdale

By Phil Watson

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 06: Head coach David Fizdale of the New York Knicks reacts while playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on November 06, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 122-102. 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. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 06: Head coach David Fizdale of the New York Knicks reacts while playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on November 06, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 122-102. 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. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks
Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The New York Knicks appear to have greased the skids to shove coach David Fizdale out the back of Madison Square Garden. Who might be next in Manhattan?

When team president Steve Mills and general manager Scott Perry addressed the media last weekend after the New York Knicks were hammered at home by the Cleveland Cavaliers, it was a sign that the floor might be getting fairly unstable under the feet of head coach David Fizdale.

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This is, after all, how the Knicks have conducted their business for most of the 21st century — keep failing, determine who will be the fall guy, repeat. It’s why the Knicks have the lowest winning percentage in the NBA and the second-fewest wins since James Dolan took over ownership — ahem, pardon me, governorship — of the franchise in 1999.

They are ahead of the Charlotte Hornets in wins, 675-629, but the Knicks have also played two more seasons since 1999-2000 than have the Hornets/Bobcats/Hornets.

Fizdale was hired by New York in May 2018, a little more than five months after he had been fired by the Memphis Grizzlies 19 games into his second season as head coach. That came after a seven-year stint as an assistant with the Miami Heat, during which he moved up the ranks to emerge as one of the hot young coaches in the NBA at the time he got the Memphis gig in 2016.

Fizdale’s record in New York is 20-75 after the Knicks lost to the Hornets Saturday night at Madison Square Garden, including 3-10 this season.

As for how likely it is that Fizdale will get the ax, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said on this SportsCenter segment that it’s “inevitable barring a dramatic turnaround.”

So that leaves the question: Who’s next?

More than likely, the Knicks would turn to someone already on the staff to finish out this season, spending the remaining time before the season officially ends on April 15 to vet the candidates that are most likely to get the full-time gig.

So with that, who are the five most likely candidates to be the New York Knicks next head coach?

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