Knicks Eyeing 32-Year-Old Spurs Assistant Proves Their Head Coaching Process Has Completely Changed
The New York Knicks have been a disaster since the turn of the century. The team has won one playoff series since 2000 and has not been to the postseason since the 2012-13 campaign.
This drought has come with some prominent names serving as head coach. The likes of Larry Brown, Isiah Thomas, Mike D'Antoni, Mike Woodson, Derek Fisher, Jeff Hornacek, and David Fizdale have all struggled mightily and Woodson was the only one to win a playoff series. The key thread is that they were all big names and most had success elsewhere in the past. The Knicks finally seem to be taking a new approach in 2020.
San Antonio has granted permission for assistant Will Hardy to interview for the New York Knicks coaching job, sources tell ESPN. Hardy, 32, is well-regarded within Spurs organization.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 18, 2020
The Knicks considering a young assistant without head coaching experience? This sure is a change of pace for the franchise always looking to make the biggest splash possible. Targeting anyone within the Spurs organization is a smart move.
Knicks plan to interview Spurs assistant Will Hardy during their head-coaching search, league sources confirm. Hardy interview was first reported by ESPN. NYK search is expected to include at least 8-10 candidates, stretch into next month & conclude, at the latest, by end of July
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) June 18, 2020
Will Hardy getting an interview doesn't mean the Knicks won't target big names such as Tom Thibodeau or Kenny Atkinson. But, it is a good sign the team is actually considering a wide list of names for once. This appears to be a legitimate search and it is about time. The past formula clearly wasn't working and giving a young coach an opportunity could inject some life into the organization.
Don't pat the Knicks on the back just yet. They could go back to the old ways of hiring a former head coach who was fired from his previous job. Yet it is baby steps with this franchise and even doing this search and including someone like Hardy is a positive sign.