David Fizdale was asked to give his thoughts on Bulls players threatening to revolt against coach Jim Boylen after a series of harsh practices, and the new Knicks coach gave a response about his players that should bring confidence to fans in New York.
Since being hired as head coach, Fizdale has preached the importance of keeping a healthy culture. The Knicks’ poor culture before Fizdale’s arrival is well-documented and in the past, but it’s something he’ll vigorously work to keep his team away from. When asked if he’d ever consider running a Boylen-style practice, however, Fizdale laughed.
“I wouldn’t rule it out,” he said, according to Steve Popper of Newsday. “I wouldn’t rule it out. But at the end of the day, I can’t even think about what’s going on in Chicago. I’ve got a house full of young ’uns that I’ve got to take care of. But you know every coach has got to handle their situation the way that they see fit. I can only speak for my group. I feel like I’ve established a good trust with these guys so they know if I do pull something, it’s probably worthwhile and that they deserve it. So that’s how I view when I really want to crack down on them, I’m hoping that I’ve gotten to a place with these guys that they know it’s coming from the right place.”
Fizdale’s last job as an assistant was with the Heat, a team with one of the proudest, hard-working atmospheres in the NBA. He quickly learned the importance of keeping a team together both on the hardwood and off, and has brought those principles to his new job with the Knicks this season.
There’s more out of the Atlantic Division:
- Jimmy Butler has positively impacted the Sixers despite not playing in the past two games, Brian Seltzer of NBA.com writes. Butler has encouraged and assisted his teammates from the sidelines when needed, becoming a vocal leader for the team. “He just is an incredible example of professionalism to our guys,” coach Brett Brown said. “His resume speaks for itself, and that’s all under the fact that, as I see it, he loves his job. He loves basketball.”
- The Raptors have their core for the future regardless of what Kawhi Leonard chooses to do in free agency, Shams Charania explains in a video for Stadium. Leonard will become a free agent on July 1, and could consider joining the Clippers if he leaves Toronto. Outside of Leonard, the Raptors currently sport a core group of Kyle Lowry, Danny Green, Pascal Siakam, Serge Ibaka and Jonas Valanciunas.
- Knicks center Luke Kornet has a golden opportunity to prove he deserves to be in New York past this season, Marc Berman of the New York post writes. Kornet is expected to receive more playing time in the coming games as Mitchell Robinson copes with an ankle injury. He recorded 13 points, six rebounds, two steals and three blocks in the team’s overtime victory against the Hornets on Friday.
@imindless,@LordBanana. Shams Charania says in this article “Leonard will become a free agent July 1, and could consider joining the Clippers if he leaves Toronto. Woj said it yesterday. Ramona Shelbourne said on The Jump, September 18, 2018, after speaking to Kawhi, that his order was the Clippers, Raptors, then the Lakers. But then again, you guys say Charania, Woj, and Shelbourne don’t know anything.
That post has nothing to do with “this article”.
Da. The Raptors have their core for the future regardless of what Kawhi Leonard chooses to do in free agency, Shams Charnia explains in a video for Stadium. If you don’t see how they tie in you have a problem.
Your content was not “in this article”, and nobody cares what’s in front of your face to make you say that.
You typed one quote mark. Who knows who said what or just got an impression. Sloppy. For what it’s worth, I also think the Lakers are probably #3. But about that #1 & 2. . .
If you believe Charania so much, why do you say Leonard will stay? He has Raps #2!
You have some problems understanding. The article is about Kawhi, free agency, and what he “may” do. You guys were abusing me 2 nights ago saying Kawhi has never said what he was going to do. You hate Dan Gilbert and sports writers. That’s your problem. Like I said they interact every day with professional players, just like I said Ramona Shelbourne talked to Kawhi. I do believe these writers. I don’t believe anything you say.
Like David West said about Durant last week. As long as things continue to go well for the Warriors, he thinks he will re sign with Golden State. Same for Kyrie, and that’s why they say the Clippers “”or”” Toronto.
True or not, nothing you said is IN THIS ARTICLE. Someday try proofreading.
Knick fan here. Nothing Fizdale said gives me any confidence in anything, other than something (that his players like him) that I already know and don’t really care about. Maybe they like him because everyone plays at least some and gets praised, and nobody has to play defense or move the ball; or ice cream after every game with their participation trophies. I don’t know that’s so (or not), and I don’t dislike the coach at all. But real development of controllable players to eventual Knick roles is what some of us are looking for, and its open as to how much of that is happening.
Free post-game ice cream is part of their 2019 free agent strategy. But Fizdale really should stop saying he’s finally made up his mind about which five flavors he sets out on game day because it keeps changing.