Sunday morning briefing
Let's break down what we know at this point as we monitor the Knicks head coaching search.
Here are the key candidates to keep an eye on for now:
Mark Jackson - During the ABC broadcast of Spurs-Suns, called the Knicks opening "intriguing" but did not elaborate. We know Walsh had his eye on Jackson for the Pacers job, but Larry Bird wanted Jim O'Brien. There is a mutual respect between the two and you can be sure Jackson will get every opportunity to prove himself the best choice. His New York roots do factor in here, as they always do with the Knicks job. The fact that Jackson has no experience on an NBA bench is a concern, but rest assured he would have someone on his staff who did. I wouldn't assume Jackson's arrival would signal Patrick Ewing's long-awaited return to the Knicks as part of his staff. The most interesting issue to watch if Jackson does emerge as the guy is what happens with Stephon Marbury, who couldn't play for Larry Brown and eventually even turned on his mentor, Isiah Thomas. We expect he'll listen to Jackson?
Jeff Van Gundy - Also on ABC, he didn't seem to take Walsh's interest in him seriously -- "Man, he must have been desperate!" Van Gundy laughed -- and instead used the opportunity to instead promote Jackson for the job. Considering Jackson's inexperience and his close relationship to Van Gundy, the idea was floated about the two working together, with perhaps JVG serving as an associate. JVG seemed to downplay that idea, as well when he said he is a better superdelegate. Though this might be a very interesting scenario, I wouldn't get too caught up in it. Van Gundy has said he doesn't plan on coaching in 2008-09 and it is is very unlikely that he is going to uproot his family once again just to be an assistant coach. But it is certainly an exciting proposition.
Tom Thibodeau - We reported today that Thibodeau has already reached out to Walsh through an intermediary to express his interest in an interview. Walsh would have to seek permission to meet with Thibodeau, who will be quite busy as an associate head coach with the Boston Celtics, who are expected to go deep into the playoffs, perhaps as far as the Finals. The question here is will Walsh wait for Thibodeau? And will Thibodeau be willing to divert his focus from the Celtics' playoff run to take the time during off-days to interview for the Knicks' job? The Celtics would hate to lose him, but don't expect Doc Rivers to stand in his way.
Scott Skiles - As we reported today, Skiles heard from Walsh but he already has a very good offer from the Milwaukee Bucks that he may accept as early as this week. One experienced coach off the table.
Herb Williams - Herb will meet with Donnie on Monday to discuss his future. It is not believed that the Knicks longtime assistant is on Walsh's shortlist. Williams has head coaching aspirations -- he interviewed in Charlotte last summer before Michael Jordan gave the job to Sam Vincent -- and he will likely try to get his name out there for other opportunities. Williams is a realist, but if he's not taken seriously as a candidate for the Knicks it will be heartbreaking.
Patrick Ewing - Let's get something cleared from the top: I read the comment from David Thorpe in an ESPN chat when he suggested Ewing isn't the hardest-working guy on the Orlando staff. I asked some people in Orlando about him and was told that Thorpe's comment was the furthest from the truth. Ewing, since he started on Van Gundy's staff in Houston, has worked like any other assistant coach. He handles all aspects of the job and does not consider himself above menial tasts, like some high-end players-turned-assistants do. Ewing wants to be taken seriously as a coach and not a big-man specialist. Sure, he's had two very good specimens to work with in Yao Ming and Dwight Howard, but to suggest that his impact on their development is exaggerated is just plain ignorant. Ewing gives valuable input and, if anything, his encouragement instills confidence in young players. Is he ready to be a head coach or does he even have the personality to be one? I have no idea. But would he be a valuable assistant in New York? Absolutely.
Mario Elie - Engaging, intelligent and very popular former NBA player who won two titles with the Rockets (one at the expense of the Knicks) is now an assistant with the Mavericks. Unlike Jackson, he has at least some time on an NBA bench (also worked for Warriors and Spurs) and like Jackson, has the marketable New York roots and the savvy to deal with the media from a broadcasting background (was a Rockets' studio analyst). One thing to watch is if Avery Johnson gets canned by Mark Cuban -- no guarantees they get out of that first-round series against New Orleans -- would Cuban tap Elie to replace him?
Chew on all this for a while, Fixers. I'll hit you up when I have more.
E-mail
Facebook
Digg
Delicious
Comments (25)
One point to keep in mind on timing, although Walsh said he wants someone in place by the June draft, its actually even more critical to have someone on board much earlier than that.
Teams will start to work out players shortly after the lottery, and it is very helpful to have your head coach conduct the workouts. It helps the players understand team direction and leadership, and it helps the team understand which players will fit into the system.
Thus, I would be that the Knicks will have a head coach in place no later than mid-May.
Carlisle not an option?
I want Jackson back with us, but not as a head coach with no experience doing the job. You can't do that in New York. JVG and MJ as head coach and assistant head coach would work wonders for us. Bringing on Patrick as an assistant coach would be an outstanding move too.
This way you have a popular head coach and two former players that are also dynamite coaches bringing some of the professionalism of the late 80s and early 90s back to the team.
But Jax by himself, or only with Ewing in tow? Eh, I really would want someone leading the ship that has done it before and has seen success.
Alan,
Thanks for during futher research on Ewing. I cant stand it when people talk out of there A&&es. Not sure why people wont give credit where credit is due. You have always been fair and honest when it comes to Patrick and I appreciate and respect that very much. Thanks for the bloggin'
HONESTLY DOES IT REALLY MATTER IF JAX HAS EXPERIENCE?
didn't larry bird take the pacers to the finals against the lakers with no experience?
and its not like he is taking over a championship team anyway.
to me the best time to have an inexperienced coach is when the team is young and bad.
AND THE KNICKS ARE YOUNG AND BAD!
if you would hire herb williams with no experience then why not JAX?
Infinity,
Herb Williams has plenty of experience. He's been an assistant coach for years now--that's the experience--as well as even an interim head coach for the Knicks not too far back. He's never been a regular head coach in the league, but he's definitely done plenty of service. Jackson's never coached in the NBA in any capacity. You might say Herb would be Jackson's crutch, the way Carlisle was Bird's at Indy: Larry set the tone and Carlisle handled the game-planning and adjustments. (I don't know if that's Herb's strength, but absolutely Jackson would need his help, if he's hired.)
As some here are aware, I'm reluctant, in general, when it comes to considering anybody who used to play for the Pistons. Yet I'm curious why Laimbeer's name doesn't come up more often. He seems to have paid his dues, certainly more than Jackson. Let's not forget that Phil Jackson paid his in the CBA. It worries me to bring someone in who has never been on an NBA bench. I particularly like the idea of JVG, as head coach, grooming Jackson, as asst., for a few years, then stepping down. But head coach as a first job for Jackson? Scares me.
Alan -- have you written about Laimbeer, and I've just missed it? Any thoughts? (He came off well in a 60 Minutes piece a while ago. Not nearly as arrogant or sleazy as Isiah.)
Alan,
Thanks for following up and doing research on the Patrick Ewing comments by David Thorpe of ESPN. It kils me when some members of the media choose to just make things up because it sounds good instead of just keeping to the facts.
Ewing bashing has always been a popular thing and I dont get it. He is one of the hardest working people and deserves respect from the media.
I appreciate you going the extra effort. Bravo.
@Trane
HIRING ANOTHER DETROIT PISTON MAKES ME NERVOUS.
i like the fact that the knicks are looking at former knicks to coach.
isiah overlooked alot of knicks history by not hiring many knicks to work with players and leaving ewing twisting in the wind.
(i think herb is the only exknick on staff)
Laimbeer has done some good things for the WNBA but i would rather give someone with past history with the knicks a shot.
i don't think jax would be a bad coach...he does make good points when doing commentary.
plus dolan could just buy him out if does a bad job like he does everyone else..LOL
to me the most important problem we need to fix is the players..
WE NEED SOME WINNERS ON THIS ROSTER!
NYC - I hear you. Conceptually, it bothers me too. But I realized even Laimbeer doesn't deserve to be condemned by association with Isiah. I, too, like the idea of a coach having ties to New York, but it's not a deal-breaker for me. I want somebody who'll teach discipline and defense. You know - the anti-Isiah.
The real issue with next year's team is what Walsh hopes to accomplish.
If Walsh wants to build up the value of the existing squad to generate trade value then you need a JVG who may in the process actually pull a reversal of fortune year out of this bunch.
If on the other hand you're going young, will tank for talent once again, then you need a temp who the fans will run out of town by Feb..
Where does a Mark Jackson fit in? If he comes and the team tanks again, he's a goner. If they win enough to be mediocre, what's that future look like?
In many ways, a Laimbeer or similar selection makes more sense.
nice post alan
my support goes to herb williams.
I really like the idea of Laimbeer or Mario Elle. Not unlike Mark Jackson, neither was a particularly talented/athletically gifted player, but both were extremely valuable players on very good teams by being extremely knowledgeable and savvy, having terrific work ethics, doing alot of the dirty work and continually improving their games. Unlike Mark, who would be a more interesting candidate to me if he had any coaching experience, both have coaching experience, though not as an NBA Head Coach, and have paid their dues. They have also coached or worked under great coaches like Chuck Daly, Popovich, Don Nelson, etc.
Hey Everyone! Check out this blog! http://blogginthebombers.wordpress.com/
GO YANKS
This isn't even my blog I just love it
If Skiles is really gone I may have to agree with KBY on Carlisle. One thing you are all forgetting is the destruction a young inexperienced coach can have on a young roster. Do you really want M. Jackson stunting the development of Rose or Mayo and teaching them bad defensive habits. I'm trying to remember the last time a coach with no experience was successful. The only two that come to mind for me were Isiah (Pacers playoff run) and Bird (ffinals) but you can see the results bad coaching and bad habits had on the careers of Artest, Stephen Jacson, Jalen Rose, Tinsley etc. had. No discipline. Even Avery was an assistant for a few years . . .
Ewing deserves his shot but being a head coach in NY may be too much for him. You media types, Alan, are brutal!!
Mark has no experience, aren't we, long suffering Knick fans taking a gamble. Can he relate to the current crop of Knick players? What if he gets Zach mad and Zach hits him with a towel (Rasheed to Ainges).
I'd rather have Van Gundy or Thibodeau. At least these guys can teach defense.
Whoever is the coach will be babysitting dying contracts and drilling rookies in the right way to play - we can't expect much the next few years, so I think its a good time to hire a Jackson or Elie or Thibs. Walsh's eyes are firmly fixed on the 2010 FA season, by that time, his first hire as coach will have distinguished themselves either positively or negatively. The important thing is to structure the coaches contract with flexibility for a change when the Knicks go all in in 2010. The new coach must also be OK with that intention. A first time coach will be OK with the opportunity to prove himself, and the chance to compete for the post-rebuild, contending scenario.
And for that scenario, its Chris Paul, forget the rest, he gets the dollars.
Paul or Lebron?
If we get Rose I say Lebron in 2010. If we get Beasley then Paul. Add a lottery pick next year too. We can only dream either scenario happens . . .
NYC,
Yes, it does matter to me if the head coach has experience or not. Larry Bird is an exception, not the rule.
As a fan, I simply want someone who has absolutely no head coaching experience to HAVE SOME before he takes on the highest profile coaching gig in the NBA (and also one of the toughest, given our situation).
If you have a choice between Jax and JVG as a head coach, you go with JVG, it's that simple.
I think you need to go with a defensive minded coach as the offense is there. JVG or maybe if we want former Knicks lets go after Oakley
You forget some CRUCIAL Mario Elie info---- he won his THIRD championship with the SAN ANTONIO SPURS and therefore got to play under Pop (one of the best coaches in history, in my opinion). This makes him an even sweeter candidate... especially from Cuban who clearly just wants to be the Spurs...
The next head coach is: 1) at best, a bridge to the next era of reasonably good Knick teams; or, 2) at worst, a sacrificial lamb/stop-gap measure until the next coach who can be a bridge to the next era of reasonably good Knick teams. Given the list of candidates above, it seems that only Herb Williams's reputation could survive such circumstances.
Given the roster situation with the Knicks - most of the current players need to be moved or allowed to expire before the team becomes competitive - the question of how the new coach gets along with them is kind of irrelevant.
The advantage of JVG (apart from his experience both on an NBA bench and in the NY media eye) is the possibility that he might cause a bump in the won-loss record and raise the trade values of some of the Knicks' deadwood. Long-term, I wonder if he is too inflexible to win a title.
This is actually not a bad time to bring in a rookie coach, since the team is going nowhere and we can expect to see major personnel turnover over the next couple of seasons. The players have less leverage than ever (anyone really thing Marbury is going to risk his contract year by getting sent home again?). Expectations are low. If Jackson works out - great, if not if two years, when the Knicks might actually have a real NBA roster, they can look for a name coach then.
Personally, I like Thibodeau, both for what he's done in boston and for what it would do to Boston next year if they lose him. Anyone who reads my posts knows I put a huge emphasis on defense, and that is where the Knicks need the most help. I only wonder if Thibodeau would look like such a defensive guru without an anchor like Garnett.
You guys see the news that Isiah isn't allowed to talk to players in his new "role"?
Breath easy, my friends. It seems like as things proceed, it's more and more clear that Isiah truly has no power and is on strictly because Dolan didn't want to pay him for nothing and because Walsh wanted to do the right thing by his friend.
He might've not deserved a soft landing at all, but I think it's safe to say that the Isiah era is completely over.
And maybe Dolan and Walsh have a great strategy that we're not thinking of - tout Isiah and keep him from falling hard, so that another team willcome along and pick him up -- say, an Eastern Conference rival who will be destroyed as much as the Knicks are, giving the Knicks one less team to battle for a playoff spot.
I don't get it, why was Steve Mills not fired?????