Asked today about his reaction to an ESPN report that suggested team president Steve Mills is laying the groundwork to eventually fire him, head coach David Fizdale told reporters that he talks every day with Mills and GM Scott Perry, and that they’ve been supportive of him (Twitter links via Ian Begley of SNY.tv). However, it doesn’t sound as if Fizdale hasn’t received any specific assurances about his job security.
“I got a two-and-a-half year contract,” Fizdale said, per Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic (Twitter link). “That’s my assurance. That’s our business. The assurance is that I have a contract.”
According to Begley (video link), Knicks ownership isn’t expected to have a “heavy hand” in the team’s head coaching decision. Any move involving Fizdale would be made solely by Mills, says Begley.
As we wait to see what’s next for Fizdale and the Knicks, here are a few more notes on the team:
- Chris Mannix of SI.com tweets that Mark Jackson is a name to watch if the Knicks make a head coaching change, since Jackson is a Perry favorite who was a candidate before the team hired Fizdale in 2018. Sean Deveney of Heavy.com identifies Kenny Smith, Chauncey Billups, Mike Woodson, and Tom Thibodeau as others who could emerge as candidates in that scenario, while Newsday’s Steve Popper (Twitter link) mentions Jason Kidd.
- In response to a report that the Knicks may pursue Raptors president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri again next year, Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca tweets that he doesn’t believe Ujiri would ever want to work for Knicks owner James Dolan under any circumstance.
- While the Knicks have been criticized for their return in last season’s Kristaps Porzingis trade, the club remains hopeful about Dennis Smith Jr.‘s long-term prospects and those two first-round picks coming their way, writes Marc Berman of The New York Post. “We don’t know what Dennis Smith is going to be,” Fizdale said. “He’s 21 years old. We’ve still got two first-round picks out of that. Who knows who that’s going to be? We won’t know exactly what comes out of that for a year or two.”
Now if Dolen sells off the Knicks and Rangers after next year ,why would a big name sing on for this s–t show? Knowing no name players want to sign with Dolen
Dolan has 0 impact on the Rangers ability to sign players in a hard capped league. Knicks on the other hand is the complete opposite.
@Al Hirschen
People speak of Dolen like he ate someone’s kids or pulled an R.Kelly. Other than poor coach/GM selections, what has he done to effect the team? He isn’t cheap. He spends. He doesn’t meddle because he’s too busy with his rock band. Am I missing something? Is there more to it? I don’t follow the local news. Other than being a bad overseer in terms of coaches and GMs, what’s he done wrong?
To my knowledge, he does meddle quite a bit. And he’s a complete jerk in general. He has zero redeeming qualities.
Three weeks ago I wrote on a ‘Knicks notes’ piece about how beautiful it was at the beginning of the season for Knicks followers to imagine a season that offers hope before the handwringing and despair set in. I thought it would take at least a month, but this management team is better at this mismanagement thing than I expected.
Maybe if they traded 1 of there 5 PFs for a SF or a PG they wouldn’t be in much a rut.
Kevin Knox and Taj Gibson for Derrick White and DeMarre Carroll.
Spurs get a young SF/PF in Knox plus another decent big. Knicks get its future PG plus gets a SF.
Knicks line up
White Barrett Carroll Randle Robinson
Off the bench DSJ Ntilikina Morris Portis
Fitz does not look happy and I hate to say this but the Cavs outclassed the disjointed Knicks. Or, at least was quicker. Fitz does not seem like the right coach for a team built to be physical.