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

By Phil Watson | Nov 17, 2019

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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(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Keith Smart, assistant coach, New York Knicks

While there are two assistants on the current coaching staff for the New York Knicks with head coaching experience, only Keith Smart has been a permanent head coach. Kaleb Canales, 41, wore the interim tag to close out the lockout-shortened 2011-12 season with the Portland Trail Blazers, finishing 8-15 after taking over from Nate McMillan.

Smart, 55, has three-plus seasons under his belt. He was himself an interim coach with the Cleveland Cavaliers back in 2002-03, taking over an 8-34 club from John Lucas and leading it to a 9-31 record and the first pick in the 2003 NBA Draft — LeBron James turned out OK, by the way — even if Smart wasn’t around to see it.

In 2010-11, Smart was elevated to the top job with the Golden State Warriors when Don Nelson stunningly resigned about a month before the start of the regular season and coached the Warriors to a 36-46 record. He was let go after the season as the Warriors brought Mark Jackson in,

He caught on as an assistant to Paul Westphal with the Sacramento Kings for the following season and, after Westphal was axed just seven games into the season, Smart coached the Kings to a 20-39 record, landing the full-time job along the way. But after a 28-54 campaign in 2012-13, Smart was fired.

He joined Eric Spoelstra’s staff with the Miami Heat in 2014 and in 2016, went with David Fizdale to the Memphis Grizzlies, rejoining Fizdale with the Knicks in 2018.

Smart might be the smoothest in-season transition the New York Knicks could hope for and, if the team responds well enough, could position himself to get the keys to the big office for real.

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