The New York Knicks are in the market for their 29th head coach after firing Jeff Hornacek after three seasons. There are a long list of candidates that could be at the helm of the Knicks next season, and here is a look at just a few.
Mark Jackson
Jackson had a record of 121-109 as the coach of the Golden State Warriors from 2011 to 2014 before Steve Kerr, and he is interviewing for the job on Wednesday. He was also born and raised in Brooklyn, and Jackson was drafted by the Knicks, spending the first five years of his career there. He knows what the expectations would be like in New York. However, Jackson didn’t have the best of relationships with his bosses at Golden State, along with some of the players, so that has to be noted.
David Fizdale
Fizdale led Memphis to a 43-39 record last season, then was fired after a 7-12 start to this season by a team that was destined to tank. He has a lot of respect in NBA circles as Fizdale was an assistant with Miami from 2008 to 2016, winning two titles. Fizdale learned how to deal with the media while working with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh during that era of the Heat, so New York media wouldn’t worry him at all.
David Blatt
Blatt led Cleveland to a 53-29 record and then was fired when the Cavaliers were 30-11 in 2015-16 so they could hire Tyronn Lue. Some feel that he got a raw deal in Cleveland and he is a very good coach; however, James went back to Cleveland and wanted Lue as the head man. Blatt is currently in charge at Darussafaka in Turkey and they won the 2018 EuroCup Championship, which could be a plus for a Knicks team that has a few international players.
Jay Wright
Wright’s name has been thrown about since he won his second national title in three years at Villanova, and his offensive style would be a good fit for the Knicks. However, he would have to decide whether it would be worth it to leave Villanova, where he is king, for the hot seat of the Knicks. Look for Villanova to improve his contract in the near future.
