Top 10 NBA Coaching Candidates for the Knicks in 2020
The New York Knicks fired their head coach, David Fizdale, in a shocking move on December 6, 2019, after a 4-18 start to the season. On March 2, 2020, Leon Rose was appointed as president of basketball operations, signaling that major changes were on the horizon. Rose made it clear that the coaching position would be a top priority for the organization.Since Fizdale's departure, the Knicks have been conducting an intense search for a new head coach. This new hire would be stepping into a challenging situation, taking over a franchise that has been underperforming to the extent that even its own fans have grown increasingly frustrated with the team.
Despite the Knicks' struggles, there is some potential within the organization. However, there has been a lack of a cohesive plan for the future. The ideal head coach for the Knicks must excel in several areas: player development, the ability to attract free agents, and the patience to deal with inconsistent performance and passionate (often critical) fans. Additionally, they must possess the creativity to take risks that satisfy management and the charisma needed to lead a team in a market as demanding as New York. Most importantly, they must have strong coaching skills to help turn the franchise around.
For this list, I will not include current head coaches who are already leading other NBA teams. That means you won't see names like Nick Nurse, Steve Kerr, Mike D'Antoni, or Brad Stevens mentioned here. Feel free to add any additional candidates you believe deserve consideration.
Atkinson is an easy choice here. He is a player development coach and can really communicate with players. Plus, he's always wanted to coach in New York. Just look at what he did with the Nets.
When he took over, the Nets were one of the worst teams in the league. Over the next three seasons, he took the players management gave him and turned them into talent. Then the Nets made the Playoffs. That is a drastic change. The Knicks need to pick Atkinson. It is a no-brainer.
The criticism of Jeff Van Gundy not coaching in the NBA since 2007 is a dumb criticism. Jeff Van Gundy is one of the smartest basketball minds ever. He has only missed the Playoffs once, and there is a reason he is a USA Basketball Coach.
He is also one of the head commentators of the NBA Finals, and you can tell by listening that he knows what he's talking about. He's loved by players around the league. He coached in New York before and succeeded.
Thibs has been made a front-runner in the race according to multiple sources. The man is a good coach. He is one of the best defensive coaches ever and a master at player development. The one worry for Thibs is what happened in Minnesota. He works his team too hard, they get fed up, and he gets fired. He is a good friend of Leon Rose, though, so it could end up being successful.
Don't fix what doesn't need fixing. Mike Miller had the Knicks playing some of their best basketball in years. He showed he is a great head coach. All the players were developing nicely. Why change it? If you can't get one of the three top dogs above him, then you might as well keep Miller.
This is one of the best assistants in the league, if not the best. His track record is mixed, though. He is obviously a Gregg Popovich mentee, and we all know how that works. However, he joined the Sixers this year as a lead assistant, and the Sixers dropped off this year even though they are on a natural incline. Udoka is a development coach according to many sources, including Gregg Popovich. That is, of course, what they need.
Mark Jackson should be credited with improving the Warriors. He developed Curry, Klay, and Draymond, who would later be the big three. He put key principles in place that would create the dynasty. So, obviously, he would be a good coach.
Woodson was the last coach who had actually won. I can't really find a thing on Woodson besides that. That tells me he probably shouldn't be picked as head coach.
Becky Hammon could be the first female head coach. She is right now in the competitive race for Gregg Popovich's successor, and I would say she is the front-runner. She's not just going to be the first female coach. I think she will also be a very successful coach.
She's already got a G-League Championship under her belt. While I think she wants to stay under the security of Gregg Popovich, she could venture out and become the head coach of New York.
He was formerly a coach for Kenny Atkinson and is now a lead assistant for the Chicago Bulls. The Knicks can't have him, though, until Jim Boylen lets him go. But Boylen is going to get fired, and he is very unpredictable, so it could be a long time until Fleming is let go.
The current Orlando Magic assistant and a former Erik Spoelstra and Pat Riley mentee could be a dark horse in the race for the Knicks job.
Apparently, the former Coach of the Year has entered the race.
Jason Frederick Kidd is an American basketball coach and former player. He was the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association. Jason Kidd has just entered the discussion. He is a very good assistant coach and deserves a second chance as head coach.