The Knicks’ list of possible candidates for their head coaching job continues to grow, with a Celtics assistant joining the mix. According to Al Iannazzone of Newsday, New York received permission last week to talk to Brad Stevens’ top aide Jay Larranaga, and met with him about the club’s head coaching vacancy.
Larranaga, who had an extensive international career as a player, transitioned into coaching after he retired in 2009. He served as the head coach for the Erie BayHawks before joining the C’s as an assistant in 2012. As Iannazzone notes, Larranaga has been previously considered for head coaching jobs by the Celtics, Sixers, and Grizzlies.
While Larranaga becomes the ninth candidate on the Knicks’ list of interviewees, word of his meeting with the club may be overshadowed by the latest news out of Atlanta. As we relayed on Wednesday night, Mike Budenholzer and the Hawks have mutually agreed to part ways, opening up a path for the Knicks to potentially hire Budenholzer.
It’s not clear if Budenholzer is the Knicks’ top choice, but a source tells Iannazzone that the team views him as a “strong candidate.” Marc Berman of The New York Post, meanwhile, hears from sources that the Knicks have “strong feelings” for the former Hawks coach.
Team president Steve Mills and GM Scott Perry are still in Europe, having headed overseas to meet with David Blatt and scout Luka Doncic, per Iannazzone. However, the Newsday scribe indicates the duo is scheduled to interview Spurs assistant James Borrego stateside soon — with San Antonio now out of the playoffs, that meeting could happen this weekend.
Bring in Blatt, the dude was fired while being the 1 seed in the East. Lebron wanted a puppet he could control so they fired Blatt who had Lebron playing in an actual system which pushed the Cavs to 6 games in the Finals 2015. Knicks fan here, I want Blatt in New York.
Couldn’t you say that Blatt isn’t a good coach because he can’t control/manage the egos of professional players and earn their respect? Why do you think Mark Jackson is behind a mic and not on a bench?
Who manages the egomaniac Lebron? No one.
Current Duquesne coach Keith Drambot had him fullcourt pressing. Of course Lebron was 15 at the time. Drambot was a tough loud coach, with negative energies, but a good coach.
Blatt ran afoul of newly acquired Love; James didn’t care one way or another; but he might have been noticed talking with Lue more.
But of course none of what happened has to fit a popular overarching narrative.
I would be good with Blatt too, LBJ’s Prima Donna parade ran him out of Cleveland.
Still prefer Bud now that no compensation would be attached. I think Borrego could be good too.
Jay Larranaga was a key player on a great 1997 Bowling Green team dramatically coached by his dad. Ask him if 5 MAC teams should have made the tourney that year. (Yes)
Larranaga started running the offense from SF instead of star PG Antonio Daniels. Daddy’s boy got a lot of heat for that; the atmosphere was operatic. But later on in the NBA, even though teams wanted Daniels on the court, he was considered a bust at running offenses. Jay was right!
Scout Doncic. Leave Blatt in Europe. He’s almost 60 and still would be adjusting not just to the NBA, but to the American game. The last thing a rebuilding team needs is coach with something to prove. If they’re willing to go with a coach that will have to adjust to the NBA (which is OK), then go with a younger college coach.