The Knicks have issued a statement refuting an assertion by brand consultant and CEO of Translation Steve Stoute that interim coach Mike Miller will not be retained after the season (Twitter link). Stoute stirred up a controversy on ESPN’s “First Take” when he indicated Miller’s future had already been determined, New York Daily News’ Stefan Bondy relays.
“There had to be a change in [firing team president Steve Mills]. That change will bring a new coach and new coaches that are going to help develop these younger players,” Stoute said in the TV interview. “And they got some young players — you see RJ Barrett, Mitch Robinson. They got something to work with. And getting a coach in there and ultimately getting a coach and a coaching staff that’s going to help develop a team.”
The Knicks replaced Mills last week with longtime agent Leon Rose. The Knicks’ statement suggested that Rose – whose hiring hasn’t yet been officially announced -will decide who coaches the team next season.
“While Steve Stoute is a valued contributor to the Knicks’ marketing and branding efforts, he does not speak on behalf of New York Knicks personnel and basketball operations. Any decisions regarding the operations of the team will be made by the new President of the New York Knicks.”
The team’s statement also included a clarification by Stoute, who said in part he “inadvertently insinuated about Knicks personnel.”
While it’s logical to conclude Miller’s chances of remaining the coach are diminished with the firing of Mills, the Knicks have once again been thrust into a PR mess while putting Miller in an awkward position.
Stoute is well-connected within the organization and is a close friend with Rose’s confidant William Wesley, who is expected to have a role within the franchise, Bondy notes.
However, Stoute shouldn’t be passing himself off as a basketball expert, Frank Isola of The Athletic tweets. Rose’s top priority should be to define roles throughout the organization while the coach should be the public voice of the team, Isola adds.
Took me awhile to realize that Brand Consultant wasn’t a man’s name.
So mismanaged…They will probably replace Miller at the end of the season anyway but does every Knicks head coach have to fear for his job less then 6 months in?
This guy was hired to help the brand? That said, Miller is an interim coach. He doesn’t need to be fired. I think the NY Media is making more of these statements than it needs to.
Rose does need to define roles, but he also needs to fire (yes fire, not relocate) people. It’s been easier to get fired by the Federal Government than the Knicks.
I’d probably fire my Brand Consultant to after this one. I mean Rose should get to pick his own coach, but you don’t really need to have people within the organization saying that publicly. I’d imagine it’s tough enough for an interim coach as is.
The Knicks don’t need a new coach, they need a new brand consultant.
They need a new owner
They need a pinball machine that works
Same old train wreck of a framchise.
And they keep on selling out their seats.
SMH…..
I’m not a New Yorker, or a fan. That’s a tremendous fan base though to continue to support that dumpster fire.
CEO of translation?
Are you kidding me?
How bout translating what exactly a brand consultant does?
How hip hop defined a culture? Is this a real thing?
World Wide Wes for Coach! So then, everybody FINALLY knows what he does!
Man was just stating the facts. Dolan just ticked off because he let the cat out of the bag. Before Dolan got to personally fire him.
No big secret here.