The Knicks aren’t afraid to take their time as they look for their next coach, according to Frank Isola of The New York Daily News. Today was Mark Jackson‘s turn to interview with team president Steve Mills and GM Scott Perry in Los Angeles, one day after Jerry Stackhouse. News broke tonight that TNT analyst Kenny Smith will be interviewed Friday. Sessions are also scheduled for David Fizdale, Mike Woodson and David Blatt, and Isola states that more candidates could emerge.
Fizdale had an interview today with the Suns and seems to have emerged as the most popular coach on the market. He has a connection with James Jones, a former Heat player who now works in the Phoenix front office and is reportedly a strong advocate for Fizdale. The Knicks are attracted to Fizdale because he has experience with a winning organization in Miami and he has a strong connection to LeBron James, whom the Knicks haven’t given up hope of someday acquiring, Isola adds.
There’s more tonight from New York:
- Jackson’s aversion to analytics may doom his chances with the Knicks, writes Gary Peterson of The San Jose Mercury News. Jackson had a reputation as an old-school coach with the Warriors and was often dismissive of modern techniques. “The [Golden State] analytics staff encountered more resistance than they anticipated,” said Erik Malinowski, author of a book on the building of the Warriors.
- Backup center Kyle O’Quinn isn’t ready to make a decision on his player option, relays Jordan Lauterbach of Newsday. O’Quinn, who recently changed agents, will earn $4.26MM if he decides to opt in for next season. “I came into the season, I don’t want to say without a role, but knowing that anything can happen,” he said. “Whether it be trade talks or things like that, I think I handled it well by putting myself in a solid position where I could display what I could do.”
- The Knicks should resist the temptation to stretch Joakim Noah‘s contract over the next five seasons, advises Bobby Marks of ESPN. Marks points to Deron Williams in Brooklyn and Josh Smith in Detroit as instances where teams have regretted compromising their long-term flexibility. Marks also recommends delaying an extension for Kristaps Porzingis to create more cap room for next summer.
What’s Noahs contract? Can they do a buyout/stretch combo?
I love Kanter, but if he decides to opt out with O’quinn, Noah is the perfect backup center for KP.
agreed
Indiana runs a great system and should have won last night but the Cavs got so many calls it was absolutely comical. You need a system to win period meaning Jackson is perfectly fine for the Knicks, they can play old school ball because KP and Frank are fundamentally sound players. Lebron does not know fundamentals so he has to play his way and his way only.
Mark Jackson should not be considered for the Knicks head coaching job. Just way too many what ifs about him. That is why i’d prefer someone with current developmental skills, like Stackhouse. I really want him to coach the Knicks. If not him, I heard Kenny Smith of TNT will get an interview with the Knicks. I think he’ll do better than most coaches on the Knicks list and yes I know he doesn’t have any experience but I do not want the next headcoach to come with any baggage.
Why would you coach that grease fire?