Official Coach Discussion Thread

[Knicks Analyst]

There have been rumors swirling concerning the Knicks' future coach. It could be Larry Brown, Phil Jackson, P.J. Carlesimo, Flip Saunders, etc. We have a thread that will constantly be updated with just the coaching news here but in this thread let's discuss, not just read the articles. Let's discuss the likelihood of Jackson coming here, the beset alternatives, who would be the best fit, if Carlesimo would really be a good pick, etc. etc.
Ok, let's discuss, I will renew topics on a constant basis.

First topic: Is Phil Jackson a truly viable candidate for the Knicks job, or is he saying he is just to draw out the money from Dr. Buss?

 

[JWohl]

viable

I believe that Phil Jackson IS a viable option for the Knick's coaching position. He has real feelings about returning to NY, where he was drafted.

 

[Mr. J]

I hope Dr. Phil comes to NY. He will give us something to look forward to this season and even more importantly, he will give us some more wins. I beleive having a legendary coach like Phil Jackson who has earned so much respect over the years, will make some players want to work harder and put in more effort in games.

 

[JWohl]

well

The NY Times and the NY Daily news seem to think there is a good chance of seeing Phil on the sidelines in NY.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting NY Times:</div><div class="quote_post">"The Knicks say the chances of landing Jackson are about 50-50. He could choose to sit out another year or return to the Lakers, whom he coached for five seasons." New York Times</div>
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting NY Daily News:</div><div class="quote_post">"The Knicks are giving themselves about a "50-50 chance" of hiring Phil Jackson, according to a person with knowledge of Isiah Thomas' initial meeting with the legendary head coach." New York Daily News</div>

THe NY Post is a lot less optimistic saying: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"Even with the Lakers emerging as the favorite with Kobe Bryant extending an olive branch to the Zen Master, the Knicks are still in the ball game, a source familiar with Jackson meeting said. "Absolutely, yes," the source said, adding the Lakers, Knicks and Cavaliers are the top three candidates." New York Post</div>

For more information

 

[Tribute to H2O]

Phil Jackson might be somewhat interested in coaching the Knicks since he won a ring as player here but in the end, unless we have an earth shaking off season, he's not coaching the Knicks. Right now we're far from being contenders and Jackson is a guy who wants a championship calibur team already built and ready for him to guide. Maybe if the Knicks had made the playoffs he would take the headcoaching job to prove he can win a championship with an average playoff team but now...no. It's not happening. He's probably going back to the Los Angeles or to Cleveland. We should focus on good low profile coaches.


Anyway I think Isiah Thomas should be fired.

 

[Nylex]

I think he'll go back to LA, cos it seems he's not into rebuilding and prefers to have a team that's just ready to be pushed over the top. I read (in the NY Daily News I think) that when he interviewed for the Nets in 1999, he said that he'd want Marbury to be traded. Does he not like Marbury then?

 

[Custodianrules2]

What about Eric Musselman? He'll be good if the direction of the team is small ball. If the Knicks want to go bigger, then I don't think he's a good fit.

 

[Tribute to H2O]

Small ball doesnt work out too well in the East. Teams can get away with it out West but in the East...it's a bad idea. Pitino is my favorite candidate to take over the headcoaching job. And oh yeah, Nylex, Marbury doesnt fit Phil's image of the way a point guard should look. He thinks they should be around 6'5 with long arms and other stuff I cant remember. Phil basically thinks a point guard should look like Crawford.


Anyway I think Isiah Thomas should be fired.

 

[JWohl]

Pj?

Isiah is now going to interview PJ carmlisemo. Who thinks we should bring spree back if that happens?
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Isiah Thomas is wasting no time in interviewing coaches. The New York Knicks president flew through San Antonio on his way home from talking to Phil Jackson on Monday in Los Angeles.The purpose of the stop: to interview San Antonio Spurs assistant P.J. Carlesimo, sources told ESPN's Stephen A. Smith. </div> http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2049960

 

[kdub]

The New York situation is pretty volatile, but I think the Knicks are lucky to be able to choose a coach when many good coaches are available. I agree that Phil Jackson will likely want a team that's already built to be championship caliber (perhaps Thomas can make some offseason moves to make this happen).

What do you all think of Paul Silas?

 

[Mr. J]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting kdub:</div><div class="quote_post">The New York situation is pretty volatile, but I think the Knicks are lucky to be able to choose a coach when many good coaches are available. I agree that Phil Jackson will likely want a team that's already built to be championship caliber (perhaps Thomas can make some offseason moves to make this happen).

What do you all think of Paul Silas?</div>
If we get Silas, maybe LeBron would want to come!

 

[Knicks Analyst]

I was listening to Stephen A. Smith on ESPN radio and he actually made a great point for once. It concerned Isiah's coaching selection. He said that if Isiah hires an African-American coach, and the given coach fails to be successful then Isiah is done in New York. I have to agree, it's all about the image in this situation.

Thoughts?

 

[Mr. J]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Knicks Analyst:</div><div class="quote_post">I was listening to Stephen A. Smith on ESPN radio and he actually made a great point for once. It concerned Isiah's coaching selection. He said that if Isiah hires an African-American coach, and the given coach fails to be successful then Isiah is done in New York. I have to agree, it's all about the image in this situation.

Thoughts?</div>
I heard it to however, I didn't quite understand what he meant. May you please break it down for me.

 

[Knicks Analyst]

He's talking about race, mrj. Isiah has been labeled as a racist, anti-white. His lack of signing (or trading) of white staff and players has earned him this title. People are saying that his image is getting tarnished as a result. I agree with those people and with Stephen A. There's the brief jist of it.

 

[Mr. J]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Knicks Analyst:</div><div class="quote_post">He's talking about race, mrj. Isiah has been labeled as a racist, anti-white. His lack of signing (or trading) of white staff and players has earned him this title. People are saying that his image is getting tarnished as a result. I agree with those people and with Stephen A. There's the brief jist of it.</div>
I forgot about Isiah's behind the scenes work. Now I get it, thanks!

 

[Tribute to H2O]

No to Paul Silas. Why would we want him?? I want Rick Pitino back damn it!!Byzdelic, Herb, Ewing are also fine choices.

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Knicks Analyst:</div><div class="quote_post">He's talking about race, mrj. Isiah has been labeled as a racist, anti-white. His lack of signing (or trading) of white staff and players has earned him this title. People are saying that his image is getting tarnished as a result. I agree with those people and with Stephen A. There's the brief jist of it.</div>

Ah...a friend of mine suggested he might be racist. So does this mean Isiah trading away the white players was more than a coincidence?

By the way what do you guys think of Doug Collins?


Anyway I think Isiah Thomas should be fired.

 

[Mr. J]

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Ah...a friend of mine suggested he might be racist. So does this mean Isiah trading away the white players was more than a coincidence?</div>
I think that it is more than a coincidence. Isiah did make sure he had a token in Bruno Sundov though.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">By the way what do you guys think of Doug Collins?</div>
I hear he's good, but I don't know to much about coaches. I'm a young fan so I'm still learning. If Jackson is available you'd take him over Collins, right?

 

[Knicks Analyst]

Word has it that the Knicks are out of the running for Phil Jackson. Let's discuss alternative coaching candidates. Who would you guys most like to see coaching the Knicks among the crop as of right now?
Saunders' stock is steadily rising IMO.

 

[stkf]

The Knicks are out of the Phil Jackson running, Phil just isnt interested.

 

[Knicks Analyst]

Yes, I know. I just said that. Let's now discuss alternative candidates. Who do you guys most want?

 

[Nylex]

Would Silas fit in NY? What about Jeff Bzdelik (although, I've not heard his name mentioned

)?

 

[Nasty]

I really think hiring another laid back type of a coach will not improve the Knicks (i.e- Herb Williams, Lenny Wilkins, Paul Silas).

New York needs a coach with a loud voice and full control, also someone who is going to be ehared and respected by all the players. That's why Flip Saunders and Phil Jackson will be a perfect fit.

 

[Mr. J]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Purple Fever:</div><div class="quote_post">I really think hiring another laid back type of a coach will not improve the Knicks (i.e- Herb Williams, Lenny Wilkins, Paul Silas).

New York needs a coach with a loud voice and full control, also someone who is going to be ehared and respected by all the players. That's why Flip Saunders and Phil Jackson will be a perfect fit.</div>
The Knicks had tons of respect for Herb Williams. He had the loud voice and was strict. Also, why would Flip command more respect than Lenny Wilkens?

 

[Nasty]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting MrJ:</div><div class="quote_post">The Knicks had tons of respect for Herb Williams. He had the loud voice and was strict. Also, why would Flip command more respect than Lenny Wilkens?</div>

Well, respect may have been the wrong word.
I'm just saying that Lenny is a player's coach. He's kind of laid back and does not take control over the lockerroom when needed. I'm talking strictly from his experience with the Raps, and I'm guessing that's why he got fired in NY as well.

Herb has a great potential to be a very good coach in this league, but when someone who was an assistant for a long time and then steps in as the head coach, I don't think he gets the same respect as if he were hired to be the head coach. Add to that the lack of experience he came in with.

IMO, Flip Saunders is the only one that has all these qualities, along with PJ ofcourse.

 

[Tribute to H2O]

Losing Phil Jackson isnt that big of a deal. I'm not convinced he can win with a team that isnt already championship material. Who we get as a coach depends largely on the moves we make this summer and the direction we head with this team so it's hard to say who we should get.

Flip looks like he's heading to Portland or Cleveland so I think we should just forget about him. Jeff Byzdelic I like because he's a Pat Riley disciple who preaches defense and prefers to play in a halfcourt set. So that will probably mean Sweetney getting more touches in the low post(which I would like). Then there's PJ who is a strong candidate because he has tons of experience. I suggested Doug Collins earlier since I believe he's coached a few teams that made great turnarounds(like George Karl). Keeping Herb though is probably the best choice. He's gotten the team to play some defense and to play harder. The players respect him and listen to him. He seems dedicated and looks like he really wants the job. Then there's the fact that Ewing would probably come back if Herb gets the headcoaching job so Sweetney would have a great mentor teaching him some moves in the low post. But my number one candidate for head coach is Rick Pitino. So these are the guys we should be looking at hardest: Rick Pitino, Herb Williams, Jeff Byzdelic, PJ and Doug Collins. I dont care who we get as long as they get the team to work hard, play defense, get Sweetney more touches and give Ariza more minutes. We should also bring Brendan Malone back as an assistant coach.

Then again Isiah Thomas should probably coach the Knicks. This is his creation. He should be the one to lead it to victory or be on the spot if and/or when it falls flat on it's face.


Anyway I think Isiah Thomas should be fired.

 

[Knicks Analyst]

As of today Herb Williams has said that he plans to keep his job (check the news thread for updates). What do you think about this? Let's start talking Herb here!
In the meantime, Isiah is looking at Paul Hewitt, coach of Georgia Tech. What do you guys think about that? It may not happen now, but possibly in the future.

 

[Tribute to H2O]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Knicks Analyst:</div><div class="quote_post">As of today Herb Williams has said that he plans to keep his job (check the news thread for updates). What do you think about this? Let's start talking Herb here!
In the meantime, Isiah is looking at Paul Hewitt, coach of Georgia Tech. What do you guys think about that? It may not happen now, but possibly in the future.</div>

Herb Williams means he hopes to keep his job. When Isiah Thomas is concerned nothing is for certain. I wouldnt mind if Herb kept the job. If he is hired he had better bring Ewing over as an assistant to help out Sweetney though, that is a must. Let's please stay out of the college ranks when looking for coaches. Let's get someone with NBA experience.

 

[Mr. J]

Nate McMillan fellas?

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Isiah Thomas formally will reach out to Nate McMillan over the next several days now that Seattle's unlikely playoff run is over after a second-round loss to San Antonio.

McMillan, whose contract expires this summer, has coached the Sonics for the past five seasons and there is a strong possibility that he will re-sign with Seattle.

But he remains a viable candidate for the Knicks' job because of his impressive credentials and because McMillan and Thomas are represented by the same agent, Lonny Cooper. Those ties to Cooper also raise ethical questions considering that Thomas' first hire as Knicks' head coach, Lenny Wilkens, also was a Cooper client.</div>
New York Daily News

 

[Knicks Analyst]

I wish we could get Nate, but I strongly doubt it.

There is a rumor circulating that Isiah may have added Jim O'Brien to his list of possible coaching candidates (ESPN Radio). What do you guys think of that?

 

[Mr. J]

Judging from what some Sixer fans think of him, I don't want this guy at all. I heard he doesn't utilize young talent properly and with this team getting 3 guys in the draft plus having Sweetney and Ariza, I don't know how much he would be used. He might just play the vets like Rose etc. Re-signing Herb isn't a bad idea at all. The players really respect him as does many other coaches and now that he is playing a full season with a better and hopefully more healthy team from last year, I think he can do a good job.